The start of a new year means ambitious resolutions and often, reflection of the year gone by. Motivation to improve ourselves is at its peak, and planning commences to get our bodies moving faster and more efficiently. While eating healthier and implementing strength training are common goals, it’s a routine we’ve become all too familiar with. Sometimes all we really need is a change in perspective.
It’s easy to set our sights on 50Ks and 50-milers in an attempt to stabilize our race schedule for the year. But why not throw a running camp into the mix? A group experience can bond runners together and not only boost motivation, but introduce you to new people with unique experiences to share. It’s a rare thing for those of us with jobs, training schedules and families to be thrown into an overnight adventure with a bunch of strangers. But sometimes, that’s all we need to change things up a bit. Here are some running camps that offer adventure running at its finest:
Rogue River Trail Running Trips
Run along the Rogue River into the heart of the Rogue River Canyon outside of Grants Pass, Oregon. For three days, you’ll run along this scenic river as it winds through the remote and wild Siskiyou Mountain Range. With either Jenn Shelton, Hal Koerner or Ryan Ghelfi as your host, each day will include 12-19 miles of running, always with the option to add on mileage. Evenings include activities like swimming in the river, followed by a gourmet dinner. Rogue River Trail Running Camps can accommodate runners of all speeds and abilities, and is raft-supported. Limited dates are available April-May, and Sept-Oct.
Team RWB Trail Running Camp
This October camp in Texas is open to all active and retired military personnel and civilians, and packed full of trail running adventure in one weekend. Learn everything from trail running techniques to injury prevention and nutrition from pros like Jason Schlarb, Liza Howard, Paul Terranova, and more. You’ll also run with Team Red, White & Blue – a veteran organization that works to help combat veterans reintegrate into their civilian communities. Runners will be stationed at Camp Eagle which is located 2.5 hours from San Antonio. Cost is $365, with discounts available for high school runners and active duty military.
Adventure Running Co.
For more of a multi-day group adventure planned around some of the country’s most spectacular trails, Adventure Running Co. offers trips through regions like the Beartooth Mountains in Montana, and the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier in Washington. With 2016 adventures currently being scheduled, the Lake Tahoe Rim Trail and Black Hills Traverse on the Centennial Trail in South Dakota are both contenders. Each trip ranges in length, averaging four nights and four days, with cumulative mileage ranging anywhere from 60-120 miles, depending on the duration. Costs and dates vary.