Your body changes as you age, and so should your relationship to running. Discover how mindful running can help you love this stage of your life and all your body and mind can achieve
Embark on a transformative journey with mindful running amidst the serene landscapes of Clayoquot Sound. Feel the gentle rhythm of your run-walks, up to six miles at a time, as you embrace your body's changes and turn limitations into opportunities. Running amidst towering 800-year-old Douglas Fir trees, soak in the beauty of nature, the soft loamy soil beneath your feet a grounding force. Along expansive beaches of Pacific Rim National park, witness the raw power of the ocean, learning of ancient cedar's role in indigenous seafaring traditions.
From a safe distance, observe sea lions, seals, and majestic puffins, while overhead, birds of prey dancing in the wind. Each day is an invitation to immerse in nature's splendor, to nurture body and soul. Whether strolling through Tofino's art galleries or lounging by Long Beach, the Vancouver Island Trail Running + Wellness Retreat offers moments of serenity and self-discovery. In the embrace of a jacuzzi or beneath the hues of a sunset, find solace and rejuvenation, indulging in the sights, sounds, and flavors of this mindful haven.
"Run Wild Retreats on Vancouver Island had it all! It had the perfect balance of outdoor activity and exploration, with relaxation time and truly amazing culinary delights! With a large group, our retreat leader, Jan, handled all the logistics with ease and grace, and I was impressed with her leadership! We also got to do fun extracurricular activities like whale watching, where several grey whales made their way towards our boat for incredible sights! The accommodations were high-end, but of course it was the views of the Pacific Ocean and the coastal rainforest that made the trip."
--Elizabeth V.
"Just returned from Vancouver Island and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Jan, our trip leader, was top notch, as were the local guides, drivers, and skippers. I was one of a group of 14 travelers, and would happily travel with any of them again. The food was outstanding, the runs picturesque, and I didn't have to plan any of it!"
--Sara D.
This retreat is rated Level I. This means it’s suitable for you if:
Some trail sections may be rooty and rocky and present a challenge for new trail runners, in which case, you can walk or modify your running stride to account for this uneven trail surface. When we are running on the beaches, the ground surface is mostly hard-packed sand, and is ideal for running. We may have to cross some tidal creek (when the tide is out to avoid wading through water).
This retreat can be the kind of vacation that truly transforms your state of mind and body, if you're open to it. Our retreats are designed to support you as a whole woman, not just a runner. That means you can expect free time to yourself, away from the group. It means that there are wellness experiences included in your retreat package to support your nervous system reset. This is your chance to heal from the effects of stress and focus on doing the things that energize you, inspire you and feed your soul.
This time of year, temperatures are starting to cool off and will be mostly in the high 40’s to high 50’s. Rain is highly likely, so it’s important to have a waterproof-breathable running rain jacket (that offers more protection than a wind shell). We will send you a comprehensive packing list so you know what to bring. The weather is typically milder and warmer in Victoria, and will feel cooler in Tofino and Ucluelet, especially because of this area’s exposure to winds and weather blowing in off the Pacific Ocean. You will appreciate having a warm jacket to wear in the cool evenings and accessories like a hat and light gloves to wear while running.
Vancouver Island is largely covered by temperate rainforest, featuring massive trees such as Douglas Fir, Sitka spruce and giant red cedars, some of which can be nearly 1,000 years old. These forests are dense, humid and thick with foliage such as ferns and mosses, lichens and fungi. All of our runs take place on established trails designed for foot traffic and are not open to bikes. Since the forest ground is so fragile and can be easily scarred by hikers, it’s important to always stay on the designated trail and in some cases, the boardwalk and wooden stairs. Since these wooden surfaces can get a bit slippery when wet, we will use caution in wet conditions and walk when its safer to do so.
Mindful Running is this retreat's defining experience. Your dedicated Retreat Leader will lead you through experiences on and off the trail that are designed to help you discover how to run with more ease and flow. And if you've never run trails before, you'll learn how to adapt your road running technique for this new terrain. And if you're an experienced trail runner, you'll take your running to a whole new level of efficiency and joy. Connect more deeply with nature, yourself and other women through this powerful practice that provides you with skills and insights to maximize the stress-reducing effects of running.
The Magnolia Hotel & Spa, located in Victoria’s historic inner harbor, Situated in the heart of downtown Victoria, British Columbia, The Magnolia Hotel & Spa is an award-winning small hotel that is big on personalized service. Recognized by Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast and Trip Advisor as a top hotel in Canada, the hotel’s timelessly elegant rooms, exquisite spa, fine dining and personalized recommendations create an authentic experience.
Your Superior hotel room features 300 square feet of elegant space and will have two queen beds (Shared room package). Enhance your retreat experience with a spa treatment by contacting the Magnolia Spa directly.
This luxurious beachfront resort is perched on the edge of Cox Bay, between the pristine beauty of Pacific Rim National Park and spectacular Clayoquot Sound. Lodge Beach Lodge is cedar-shingled lodge offers 5-star amenities and casual service in a rustic setting, creating a perfect, serene retreat.
The Resort is set among native coastal vegetation and takes full advantage of the expansive sandy beach and the open ocean. If you book a private room package, your room will have a King bed, soaker tub, luxurious bathrobe, in-room coffee, Douglas-fir wood furniture, slate-tiled floor and high-speed internet access. If you book a shared room package, you will either share a stay in either a shared lodge room or two-bedroom cottage with two bathrooms, living area, in-room coffee, outdoor hot tub on a semi-private patio, luxurious bathrobes and high-speed internet.
Experience exceptional dining! Enjoy uniquely Canadian west coast cuisine at it's best, often featuring locally caught seafood and farm-fresh B.C. produce. 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.
Tofino, BC, Canada 
After arriving to Victoria in the morning (or the previous day), take a shuttle or taxi from the Victoria International Airport or Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (allow approximately 1 hour travel time) to our hotel located in Victoria’s historic harbor. We meet at 3:00 p.m. at a meeting room in the hotel for the Official Retreat Opening Meeting (wear your running clothes).
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll check out of our rooms and settle in for the two-hour drive north in a chartered private motorcoach to Qualicum Beach, where we’ll stop for lunch at a unique country market for an al fresco lunch and time to browse for local crafts and art.
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll have a short drive to start of the Tonquin Trail, which takes us along smooth, crushed-gravel paths to a series of boardwalks and stairs that lead down the breathtaking Tonquin Beach. 
Clayoquot Sound is very popular with gangs of transient killer whales that are on the hunt for food. Annually we also enjoy record numbers of humpback whales and our summer resident gray whales.
After breakfast at the hotel, we have a short drive into the Pacific Rim National Park to begin our scenic beach run (on mostly hard-packed sand) that will include some tidal crossings and incredible views of Long Beach. 
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start today’s run from the hotel, enjoying a longer loop run that takes us along a well-established trail along rugged cliffs and ocean views on Ucluelet's famed Wild Pacific Trail. 
Weather permitting, enjoy an afternoon private yoga class on the firm sand of Long Beach, where the grandeur of the Pacific Ocean serves as your backdrop for this mindful movement class with a professional yoga instructor.
After breakfast and checkout out of the hotel, we’ll drive to the southern end of Pacific Rim National Park for one last rainforest-to-beach run along the Willowbrae Trail, a gravel path with sections of stairs along which you can expect to see wildflowers and sea birds.
We begin the day with an optional, 30-minute pre-breakfast run through Victoria’s Inner Harbor that starts and ends at our hotel. At 8:30 a.m., our group meets for the last time for a private breakfast and Retreat Closing meeting, during which we share our takeaways from the retreat experience, after which you have time to pack up and check out of your room.
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