Guided Trail Runs | Mindful Running Workshops | Restorative Yoga | Desert Beauty | Natural Running Form Clinics
During the four-day, three-night Moab Mindful Running Retreat, situated in a stunning desert landscape of red rock, soaring cliffs and delicate natural arches, you’ll tune in to what drives you—in running and in life—and make sure that your energy is going into the activities that most feed your soul.
Each day’s run offers a new challenge, and therefore opportunity, to learn something new and take your running to a whole new level because it is possible to be the runner you want to be without having to train harder and push yourself to exhaustion. While it’s not necessary to have run trails before, this retreat is recommended for runners who can comfortably run 8 miles or more on the road. With the support of your retreat leader and running guides, you’ll be able run at your own pace, without needing to keep up with anyone else. You’ll stop frequently to soak up the views, snack and hydrate and savor each mindful moment.
Through our practical clinics, informative discussions, mindful movement and free time for quiet contemplation, you’ll stop the energy drains and divert your energy back into your running. Become a durable, strong, motivated runner using these tools and techniques that will keep you healthy and injury free. Immerse yourself in the powerful healing energy of this vibrant desert landscape as you run scenic, challenging trails at a pace that is playful, relaxed and social.
Participant Photos + Testimonials
Thursday | Powerful Posture
Our program begins at 2:00 pm at Red Cliffs Lodge with the official welcome orientation meeting, during which your retreat leader will review what’s in store for the upcoming days and meet your fellow retreat participants. After the meeting, you will be able to check into your rooms and drop off your belongings. We ask for volunteers to carpool to a nearby trail for our first group run. After a short warm up, we’ll introduce the Power Posture, after which we’ll put these tips into practice during our relaxed shake-out run of about an hour. After freshening up back at the lodge, we’ll enjoy a classic southwestern meal at the Red Cliffs Lodge’s Cowboy Grill.
Time on trail (including stops and clinic): 90 minutes
Friday | A Run Through Time
We begin the day with breakfast at the lodge, then meet our guides and drive to the trailhead of today’s run that will eventually take us along the Colorado River. Near the run’s start, our second Natural Running Form Clinic will give you the secret to using breath to regulate pace and efficiency while running uphill. These simple techniques will help us during today’s scenic and rewarding trail run past ancient petroglyphs carved into the rock by the Anasazi people. Upon finishing, we’ll enjoy a casual picnic lunch, then drive back to the Red Cliffs Lodge for some downtime. Late afternoon is our first Mindful Running Workshops, during which you’ll uncover the truth about what’s holding you back from running and feeling your best. After the workshop, we’ll ask for new volunteers to help us carpool into town for a restorative yoga class for runners (no experience necessary!), followed by dinner at one of Moab’s trendiest downtown restaurants.
Time on trail (including stops): 3 – 4 hours
Saturday | Mindful Form at Navajo Rocks
After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll meet our guides again and drive with them to the Navajo Rocks Trails. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we’ll have our third Natural Running Form clinic, then begin our loop run through some of Moab’s icon landscapes, including cliffs, monoliths and sage brush. At the halfway point, you may opt to end your run here, or continue you run to complete the full loop. Once we return to Red Cliffs Lodge, we’ll have lunch on the River Deck, followed by free time to freshen up. Before dinner is the last workshop with your retreat leader, during which you’ll also have an opportunity to purchase items from the Mindful Running shop. Tonight we’re in for a special treat at a neighboring ranch (asking one last time for a few volunteers to carpool for the 5-minute drive), where we’ll enjoy a three-course farm-to-table gastronomic feast.
Time on trail (including stops): 2.5 – 3.5 hours
Sunday | Feeling Fine at Fisher Towers
After a buffet breakfast at the lodge, it’s a short drive with our guides to our final trail run that is truly a celebration in the simple joy and adventure of running for our own health and happiness. During this out-and-back run, we take our time to soak up the views and see the soaring Fisher Towers. Upon our return to the lodge, we enjoy a Utah-sized brunch buffet before our final wrap-up and farewells by 1:00 p.m.
Time on trail: 2 – 2.5 hours
This program operates under a special recreation permit with the Bureau of Land Management Moab Field Office.
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The total run distance for this retreat will be between approximately 22 and 28 miles. Each day’s run in this itinerary is represented by time spent on the trail rather than miles run because the mileage covered will depend largely on your run pace. Faster runners will cover more mileage than slower runners in some cases. These run times include breaks to enjoy the views, take photos, eat and drink. The precise route and trails run may change due to changes to trail routes, weather conditions, guide recommendations and other safety considerations.
Start Planning Your Retreat
Moab Mindful Running Retreat• Three nights’ accommodation at the Red Cliffs Lodge
• Three Breakfast Buffets at the Red Cliffs Lodge
• Three lunches (usually picnic or BBQ style)
• Three dinners at high-quality restaurants
• Daily guided runs with professional guides
• Dedicated Retreat Leader
• Mindful Running workshops
• One restorative yoga class for runners
• Natural Running Form clinics
• Trail snacks/energy food and drinks
• Run Wild Retreats gift bag
⚠️ Covid Health + Safety Protocols are in place. Read about them here.
Depsit: $600
Balance Payment Deadline: 60 days before retreat begins
Max Group Size: 14 women
Shared Room Package (per person): $2,195
Private Room Package (per person): $2,495
*Shared room packages have two beds. Solo travelers may choose this option and will be paired with another retreat participant.
If traveling with a friend, you may list your friend as your preferred roommate on your Retreat Participant Intake Form.
You may customize your retreat package with various add-on services.
😊 The Flexible Booking Policy is in effect, which you can read about here.
This retreat is rated Level II, which means we recommend you have a base fitness level that allows you to run up to 8 miles at a time on roads. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you run–really!
- Daily runs at this retreat range from 5 miles to 9 miles on singletrack trails.
- Two guides accompany the group to support the different pace groups, so there’s no pressure to run faster than you’re comfortable.
- Trail running experience isn’t necessary. Your retreat leader provides trail-running tips for running in this terrain.
- You’ll encounter trails with loose rocks, and some exposure to heights. You can walk/hike trail sections as you need.
- The trail surfaces are a mix of loose sand, sandstone rock and dirt trail. None of the trails are truly flat–you have to focus on your footing, which is why we stop often to take photos and soak up the views.
- Trail running shoes and a hydration pack that can carry at least 1 L of water are required.
- Learn more about how we manage run pacing here: https://runwildretreats.com/about-the-run-wild-retreat-experience/levels/
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