Mediterranean Mindful Running Retreat 2022

Planning Your Travel

Fly to Barcelona El Prat Airport at least one day before the retreat begins. From the Barcelona airport, it's an easy train ride (or bus ride) to Girona. The retreat begins at 3:00 pm in the afternoon, so please arrive well before this time in order to check into your room and change into your running clothes.

On day 7 of the retreat, your spa appointment time will start between 11 and 2 p.m. and take 2.5 hours, so we recommend booking a return flight no earlier than the evening of Day 7, or the following day.

GETTING FROM BARCELONA TO GIRONA:

To get to Girona, you may take the Barcelona Airport Train C2 to Estacio Sants, where you change trains. There are numerous trains travelling from Estacio Sants to Girona - approximately three every hour. On average the journey lasts about 1 hour 20 minutes and costs 10 Euros. Check the RENFE Website for the train times.

(If you are arriving into Terminal 1 (T1) you will not be able to walk straight to the train station, as it is 4 km away. You will need to take a shuttle bus from outside the terminal.)

There is a direct bus that runs a few times a day to and from the Girona Train Station and the Barcelona El Prat Airport that costs around 19 Euros or 33 Euros round trip. Learn more here.

Meal Times

We will adopt the Spanish meal teams, meaning that breakfasts start at 8 am and dinners at 8:30 p.m. For this reason, our daily runs usually begin around 10 or 11 a.m., and end around 2 p.m. in time for a casual lunch.

Our program begins at 3:00 p.m., when we gather at our hotel in Girona for our official Retreat Opening Meeting. After introductions and a retreat orientation, we’ll meet our local guide, Pablo, for a sightseeing running tour of the city that includes the historic Jewish Quarter, the medieval wall protecting the city from invaders, a magnificent cathedral and castle turrets. Then we return to the hotel, where you have plenty of time to check in and freshen up before we visit one of Girona’s gourmet restaurants for dinner at 8:30 p.m. (all dinners will be at this time, which is the earliest time restaurants open for dinner).

Time on trail: approx. 90 minutes with some stairs, cobblestone streets and secret trails and hills 

After breakfast at the hotel, we take a short drive outside the city to Les Gavarres forest, where we will begin today’s run that begins in the late morning on a soft-dirt forest trail and takes out to the spectacular stretch of rugged coastline that is Costa Brava. We’ll enjoy the cool breeze from the Mediterranean Sea as we run slowly along rocky pathways that traverse cute coves and beaches taking us to the fishing village of Palafrugell. You’ll have the afternoon free to relax before a Mindful Running Workshop at the hotel, and then dinner. Tonight we stay at a family-run boutique hotel in Calella de Palafrugell overlooking the Mediterranean.

Time on Trail: 2-3 hours (including breaks) on forest trails, sandy beach and rocky coastal pathway with some short, steep sections along sea cliffs

After enjoying a delicious breakfast overlooking the sea, we’ll take a short drive to an historic lighthouse where we’ll have our second Natural Running Form Clinic overlooking the sea. Then we’ll begin today’s run along the stunningly beautiful coast line, rocky pathways and past the village of Tamariu. You have the option to end your run here, or else continue along a forested inland trail that ends at the historic site, Begur Castle. From there, it’s a short drive to the restored medieval village of Pals, where we’ll enjoy locally made paella, Catalonia’s signature seasoned rice dish. Then we check into our rooms at El Convent, a converted medieval monastery, where we’ll enjoy some free time to savor the serene outdoor pool, before dinner in the dining room. 

Time on Trail: 3 – 4 hours on uphill/downhill trails (including breaks) that include rocky, rooty sections, sandy beaches and dirt trails. No part of this trail is flat, and you’ll enjoy a wide range of scenery throughout. 

After breakfast at El Convent, we drive one hour to the nearby town of Roses, situated on the edge of the Parc Natural de Cap de Creus. This wild region of Costa Brava features numerous hidden coves and cliffs, forming a rugged yet beautiful landscape shaped by the elements. Today we enjoy on more runnable terrain that takes us northward, deep into the rocky terraced hills that in ancient times teemed with agriculture. While practicing mindful pacing techniques and running efficiency, we’ll run up and over a few large hills before ending our run in beautiful Cadequés. If you’re not up for today’s point-to-point run, you have the option to drive with our assistant guide to Cadequés and enjoy some free time there.
Here you’ll have the entire afternoon free to explore the village before dinner. We’ll spend the next two nights at the same hotel here in Cadequés.

Time on Trail: 3 – 4 hours (including breaks) with some sustained uphills in the first half (and hiking is totally allowed!), then a long downhill run on dirt road the last 2 miles. 

After breakfast, we begin our run from the hotel and take a meandering route out into the Cap de Creus, aiming to reach the lighthouse (weather permitting). After enjoying a refreshment on the cafe patio at the lighthouse, continue on rocky trails through a unique landscape that inspired some of Salvador Dali’s famous artwork. This afternoon allows free time to lounge by the hotel pool, browse the artisan shops or visit a winery. Later, we’ll have another outstanding dinner at a family run restaurant.

Time on trail: 2 – 4  hours (including breaks) on a mix of roads, dirt tracks and very rocky trails through sea coves. The time range represents the many variations available on this to run to shorten or extend as you feel.  

After breakfast at the hotel, we start our final run of the retreat, a rewarding climb along a ridge overlooking the port town of Port de la Selva, situated on the north cape of Cap de Creus. Now a fishing and tourism destination, Port de la Selva has been inhabited for over a millennium, and is home to numerous archaeological remains. After our run, we’ll visit an 11-century monastery called Sant Pere de Rodes. After a self-guided tour of this impressive, beautifully restored fortification, we’ll have lunch in Port de la Selva before embarking on the 1.5-hour drive back to Girona, check into the hotel and enjoy our final dinner together.

Time on trail: 2 – 2.5 hours (including breaks) on dirt roads and forested singletrack trails on a mostly downhill route 

Enjoy breakfast at your leisure at our hotel, followed by our final sharing cirlce and official Retreat Closing Meeting before our staggered spa appointments at the Aqua Banys Romans Spa, a short walk from the hotel. Appointments will begin between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and take approximately 2.5 hours to fully enjoy spa’s pools and sauna paired with a one-hour relaxation massage. (We will do our best to book those leaving earlier in the first time slots, while those leaving later will be booked later). Any time after your spa treatment, you head to the Girona train station to take the bus or train to Barcelona downtown or the airport.
Run: no group run today

ON THE TRAIL

One pair of trail running shoes (required)

Hydration pack (we recommend a vest pack rather than a waist pack) with pockets for carrying food and extra clothes and water (required)

Short-sleeve running shirts

Long-sleeve running shirts (light weight)

Running shorts

Running capris or light tights

Lightweight, breathable running rain jacket (easily packable)

Three to four pairs of running socks

Running cap or visor

Sunglasses

OFF THE TRAIL

Day pack (~20 L)*

Casual clothes (dining is informal)

Shoes for casual wear

Warm jacket for cool evenings

Bathing suit

Journal

Small, lightweight camera (or phone)

Plug adapter (if traveling outside North America) for electronic devices

Ear plugs (for sleeping)

Sleeping attire suitable for shared sleeping quarters if sharing a room

Other personal items/apparel and toiletries (shampoo, soap, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, etc).

*You’ll use this day pack for extra clothing, snacks and personal items (not for running). You’ll have access to it while traveling in the van, when large luggage is not accessible.

For ease of transport between hotels, please limit your luggage to one carry-on (backpack as described above is recommended) and one wheeled suitcase.

💡Note: Trail running shoes and a hydration pack are required items.