Let the Sonoran Desert's warm desert sun energize you after the long, dark winter as you uncover the secret to having more time for the things that matter most, regardless of how busy you are. You value being productive and get great satisfaction out of getting more done, whether it's completing a to-do list or hitting a mileage goal in your training log.
And yet, no matter how much you accomplish, it never feels like you're doing enough.
If you cringe when people tell you to "slow down, you're doing too much," or that you should just "take a break," you'll be glad to know that mindful running isn't about going slow or having no goals, rather, it helps you cultivate better awareness of where your energy goes and free up more energy for what matter most.
You'll notice how our itinerary presents the runs in terms of "time on trail" instead of the number of miles you run, and that we encourage you to run without a watch or GPS device so that you can unhook from these external feedback mechanisms and better tune in to your body's signals about just how best to manage your energy, on and off the trail.
Your retreat leader will show you how to run more efficiently so that as you relax and find flow, you're able to run longer, more challenging trails with less effort. In our mindful pacing run clinic, you'll combine mindful breathing, posture and form to truly embody the concept of performing your best without having to force or push yourself to exhaustion. You'll even learn how to take this insight from the trail to the office or wherever you want to be more effective while using less energy.
We’ve selected trails that best showcase the Sonoran Desert’s impeccable beauty, rewarding singletrack trails and unique features, such as giant saguaro cacti. You’ll cruise along soft, sandy trails that meander through gently rolling hills. While it’s not necessary to have trail running experience to participate in this retreat, you should be able to comfortably run at least 8 or so miles on the road. The time on trail ranges from about one to 3.5 hours, including photo stops, water breaks and such. The pace is relaxed and social, so you don’t have to be fast!
With each run, the secrets of energy management will become clear. Take these techniques off the trail and into any part of your life in which you want to have more time and energy to perform better without burning out in the process.
The real journey begins before you’ve even left home! There are some additional steps involved with preparing to travel mindfully in addition to the usual preparation like planning your trip to Tucson, reviewing your packing list and if you want, booking a spa treatment. You’re in for a journey that has the potential to open your mind to new experiences, and possibly open your heart to new insights about who you are and what really matters to you. To help you prepare for this process, visit your To-Do list to watch the video called “Travel with H.E.A.R.T.”, which tells you more about the steps shared here. And we encourage you to set an intention for your retreat and then write that intention down. Need some guidance on how to set an intention? Add the Transformational Travel Journal to your retreat package and we’ll mail it to you before the retreat expressly for this purpose.
Saturday’s run will feel more challenging and longer than those of the preceding days. For many runners, this is the point at which their chronically stressed nervous system starts to turn off, and healing can truly begin. This process is subtle, and how it occurs for each person is very individual. You may be surprised that instead of feeling more fatigued as the retreat progresses, you actually feel more energized. The more you incorporate the mindful running techniques offered by your retreat leader, the more you embody the idea that the more relaxed and fluid your body, the stronger your running.
Your final run of the retreat just may be the most rewarding. By this point, you’re a pro at pacing yourself mindfully and using the mindful breath techniques you’ve been practicing all weekend to run with ease and flow. We encourage you to practice gratitude, a mindfulness practice that can actually rewire your brain to make you more stress resilient, which will certainly serve you well when you return home to your busy life. If all this sounds like a lot, rest assured that your retreat leader is still present to support you wherever you are in this journey, giving you space to discover things at your own pace, with no expectation or pressure.
Our retreat draws to a close, your retreat leader will facilitate sharing circles in which you’re encouraged to share with the group what you have shifted or possibly even transformed within you during the week. Openly sharing these insights is a powerful practice in itself (even if it is a little awkward!) because verbalizing your observations and feelings is a powerful mindfulness practice in itself. As always, your retreat holds a safe space for everyone to speak without judgment. You can also process your thoughts by writing in your own personal Transformational Travel Journal.
Not only did you just immerse yourself in a new way of running, but you also took an immense amount of time to focus on your self care, your mental wellbeing and feeding your soul with activities you love (like running!) with an amazing group of like-minded women. You may feel in a hurry to get back home and back to all the responsibilities waiting for you there, however, in the days and weeks to come, do pause to appreciate all this retreat gave you in addition to the Instagram-worthy pictures!
Experience exceptional dining!
Most meals are included in your retreat package, and we handpick high-quality restaurants for unforgettable culinary experiences.
We make every effort to accommodate your dietary preferences and restrictions. However, there are occasions when we may face limitations. You'll have a chance to indicate your specific dietary requirements in the retreat participant intake form.
Please note that alcoholic drinks are excluded, and snacks and beverages outside of meals and trail runs are not included.
One of the best ways to deepen your experience with mindfulness during and after your retreat is to add the Transformational Travel Journal to your package. This co-branded journal by Run Wild Retreats in partnership with the Transformational Travel Journal provides an intentional space to write, draw, sketch and otherwise creatively express what meaning this travel experience has for you. Filled with thoughtful writing prompts, inspirational quotes and mindfulness-inspired ideas, we highly recommend using this journal to help you enhance your mindful running experience. Price includes shipping.
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Canyon Ranch offers an immersive stay in the heart of the lush Sonoran Desert, spanning an expansive 150 acres. Here, every day unfolds as a canvas for exploration, self-discovery, and personal growth. The resort invites guests to embark on a transformative journey, enriched by a diverse array of daily classes, lectures, demos, and activities tailored to individual intentions.
Accommodations at the resort are beautiful, with a modern, airy feel and thoughtful amenities to make your stay a constant pleasure.
Indulge your palate with delicious, healthy cuisine sourced from organic, unprocessed whole foods and ingredients prepared to exacting nutritional standards.
Immerse yourself in powerful opportunities to explore wellness, allowing you to reimagine your goals and nourish your body, mind, and soul. Whether you seek physical rejuvenation, mental clarity, or spiritual balance, Canyon Ranch provides a holistic approach to well-being.
All-inclusive packages of 3, 4, or 5 day stays are available. Nightly rates start at $1150 per night. Contact one of our retreat travel specialists who can take your booking for you. We'll work with the Canyon Ranch team to seamlessly connect your running retreat with your CR stay. Contact us to learn more at 970-930-1295.
Included:
Tucson, AZ, USA 
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Program Start/ End Times 
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Where style and comfort intersect, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa offers uncomplicated relaxation amid the city's most compelling attractions. Featuring luxury amenities and excellent service, this downtown resort is a full-service sanctuary where your comfort is always a certainty. Test your swing on the Arnold Palmer-designed desert golf courses, pamper yourself at the spa or take a dip in the multi-level pool and lazy river. Unwind in this luxury resort's expansive hotel rooms with modern décor and convenient Tucson location. All of the resort's rooms feature plush bedding, marble bathrooms, sitting areas, and flat-screen TVs. 
Indulge in treatments at the resort's spa that combine the latest beauty and health technology with the ancient healing techniques and traditions inspired by the indigenous people of the region, using the healing properties of the revered Saguaro cactus, also known as Hashani. Join those who have found healing in the lush Sonoran Desert for centuries. The spa offers relaxing treatments such as body wraps, facials, eye treatments, massages, manicures, and pedicures *Spa treatment is not included, but can be booked in advance for this afternoon. 
We'll enjoy a private yoga class designed to specifically address runners' most-needed areas of tension and recovery. This post-run class will supercharge your recovery and support a meaningful, relaxing recovery state the rest of the day. If your goal is to release physical tension and stiffness while carving out time for your mental well-being, you'll love this mindful, slow-moving yoga pose sequence set to soothing music that helps you unwind from a long day of movement. You’ll exit feeling looser, longer, and lighter thanks to a selection of poses that increase range of motion, flexibility, circulation and stress reduction.
