Fall 2023 Rise Run Retreat: All the love
“What am I going to do next fall?” A returning participant asked on the final day of Rise Run Retreat’s Fall Retreat in Kennebunkport, Maine. So many of our alumni and the participants at our fall retreat expressed their genuine sadness at watching Rise Run Retreat go through its last event. And was it ever special!
Over the weekend, fifteen women gathered in Kennebunkport, Maine for the Fall Retreat. With picture-perfect weather and a gorgeous cove-side backdrop, participants, staff, and guest speakers enjoyed scenic runs along the rugged Maine coast, beaches, and through wooded trails. Ranging in distance from just under three miles to six miles, each guest had the run at their own pace accompanied by Rise Run Retreat Guides, Rebecca, Carolyn, and Annie.
Welcome
On Thursday, participants were greeted with a VIP swag bag, chock full of goodies from sponsors, PUMA, OOFOS, Cozy Earth, Zensah, Momentous, Ursa Major, Bubs, LMNT, Chamois Buttr, and Ranger Ready.
Later the retreat officially kicked off with a Welcome reception sponsored by Cabot, HiYo, and Athletic Brewing and concluded with our opening ceremony where host, Sarah Canney shared the evolution of Rise Run Retreat through the years and the various themes that led to the 2023: The Dance between Rest and Ambition. She encouraged the women attending to write down and share their intentions, which ranged from wanting to connect to being vulnerable to learning to rest.
Yoga + Guest Speakers
On Friday night, Annie led the group through a Yin Yoga practice, easing everyone down from the busy day and into a restful night of sleep. The next day, Annie had participants moving with Vinyasa Flow, concluding with “The Breath of Joy.”
Guest Speaker, Emily Saul joined the retreat on Friday afternoon with poignant questions related to the weekend’s theme of ambition and rest. Encouraging the participants to not see the two ideas in a binary way, but rather as complementary attributes that lead to our success. The group spent time journaling to her questions and discussing the role of ambition and rest in their own lives, especially as it pertains to running.
This conversation continued with a panel discussion between staff facilitated by host, Sarah Canney. Each member of the Rise Run Retreat staff, accomplished runners, entrepreneurs, and career people in their own right, chimed in with their experience both as ambitious women. They explained their process of learning to trust and lean into times of rest.
Nourishment
A constant thread throughout the weekend was the nourishing food provided by Kristen Carlson, holistic health coach, and functional nutrition chef. Her meals provided the fuel each runner needed for a busy day of activity, and some moments of indulgence, like her gluten and dairy-free chocolate torte.
Endings
The weekend concluded with a bittersweet champagne toast concluding the final dinner and remembering the past eight years of life-changing retreats. Based on the heartfelt hugs exchanged at our Closing Ceremony, each person at the retreat will not soon forget the connections they made and the personal triumphs and ah-ha moments they experienced.
As with so many of our retreats, we all left better than when we arrived.
A note from Sarah:
While Rise Run Retreat will be missed by many, as the founder and host for the past eight years I can say that I’m walking away from this beautiful thing I built with a full heart and eagerness for what is ahead.
I am so proud of what Rise Run Retreat has become over the past eight years, but what I feel most grateful for is the incredible women I connected with through the retreat. I’ve befriended participants from around the country and around the world. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside the most thoughtful, supportive, and authentic staff. And I’ve connected with inspiring, powerful, thought-provoking, and admirable women who have been our guest speakers.
Because I’ve been surrounded by such beauty and strength, I’ve become a different woman. Stronger, more confident, truer to myself and to others. Without the retreat and without YOU I wouldn’t be who I am today.
Thank you so much…for everything. All the love.
Sarah
