COVID-19 update – see our post on the impact of COVID-19 on our camps in Summer 2020 here. You can also see our COVID protocol document here for our 2020 camps – this may be modified for 2021, depending on recommendations in place at that time. Our commitment to the health and safety of our running community and the community of our home town, Estes Park, is paramount to us. We were successful in holding several of our camps in Summer 2020, and are looking to expand those offerings again for 2021. We will also adhere to or exceed CDC recommendations and the state and local legislative requirements in place at the time the camps are due to take place. If you have any questions regarding our camps and COVID-19, please feel free to contact us.
These camps are for you if you are a beginner runner, or someone that is returning to running after a prolonged break. The focus is on giving your running a jump start, and to teach you all the key factors that will help you grow and develop your running base, and to keep you healthy and active for many years to come.
We recommend that by the time camp starts you should already be able to run a 5K distance at 12-15 min/mile pace or faster at your home elevation. If you haven’t run a 5K before, or maybe not for some time, then we can set you up with a program that will enable you to be ready for camp in May or June. Make sure to let us know your current status and we can work with you from there.
Each day will start with a run, and includes a variety of cross training activities like hiking, pool running, and some type of floor session. Every run and activity is guided by an expert and certified guide or coach.
Have you ever seen yourself run? Most runners haven’t! We will video your running at the beginning of the camp and then review each video and give feedback on tips that can help improve running efficiency. We then focus on those highlighted key factors of your form during the camp runs, so that you have an opportunity to improve your running technique. We then take another video at camp end for review and comparison with the initial video. This gives each camper a wonderful opportunity to see in real time how the changes suggested have had a positive impact on each runner’s form.
We will also cover effective sustainable training plans, sharing the guiding principles of Lydiard Training, including how to build your own training plan towards a goal race.
Workshops during the camp will cover subjects like positive running, nutrition, training plans, mental focus, guided imagery, and more. Each camper will leave camp with a clear goal and action plan to enable that goal to be achieved.
The camps take place in the gorgeous mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado, with runs between 7,500 feet and 9,000 feet surrounded by the backdrop of the majestic Rocky Mountains.
We were honored to be featured in Runner’s World in January 2020 as one of six bucket list running retreats for adults
Read Runner’s World feature here
Our camps were featured in Shape Magazine in 2015 as a once-in-a-lifetime fitness retreat for women, the only running camp featured
Read Shape feature here
We have also been featured by CNN in 2015 as one of the top 11 adult running camps in the USA!
Read CNN feature here
These camps are for you if you are a woman runner that can already run a 5K distance at 12-15 min/mile or faster at home elevation, on paved or dirt roads. Trail pace will be slower, depending on terrain. If you haven’t run a 5K before, or maybe not for some time, then we can set you up with a program that will enable you to be ready for camp in May or June. Make sure to let us know your current status and we can work with you from there.
| Accommodation type - July 21 camp | Rate | Number available |
|---|---|---|
| Single room & private bath | $1600 | 1 |
| Single room & shared bath | $1450 | 3 |
| Double room & shared bath | $1300 | 2 |
| Bunk room and shared bath | $1150 | 2 |
Click on the register button on the page below. This takes you to the registration page for this camp – complete your personal details along with credit or debit card details. Initial payment at time of registration is 50% of camp cost. The balance is due on or before April 1, 2020 for the compact camp, and on or before May 1, 2020 for the full camp. You will receive a reminder for the balance payment and will be able to pay online.
Each camp includes accommodation (2 women per room sharing in a double room – 4 in bunk room – single room and shared room options available), coaching, video review of running form, all meals, water and juices, all sessions, group transport, journals, towels, bedding and a women’s cut tech tee shirt.
Camps start at 4.00 pm the first day, and finish at 10.00 am on the last day. Here is a typical day’s schedule:
The nearest airport is Denver International (DIA) – the airport is a 1.5 hour drive away from Estes Park. We provide transport during the camp, so you don’t need to bring your own. We recommend a local shuttle service that can pick you up at DIA, and drop you at the camp door here in Estes Park. They will also make the same run in reverse at camp end. To arrive in time for camp start, use the 1.00 pm shuttle from DIA. For return to DIA, use the 10.00 am shuttle. The round trip charge is $85 per person. See more details and to book at Estes Park Shuttle.
Food will be primarily vegetarian – special diets can be catered for. We have successfully catered for vegans, runners with gluten intolerance, and various dietary allergies.
Camp Director and Head Coach is Terry Chiplin. He is an endurance and life coach, and owner of Active at Altitude. Terry has over 20 years experience working and inspiring athletes of all abilities, from Olympic marathoner to a runner completing their first 5K! Terry is a certified Lydiard Level II coach – Athur Lydiard was the most successful running coach in history, and his sustainable training principles live on today – see more about the Lydiard Foundation here. He has also been a coach for Revolution Running based in Boulder.
Terry works with top level women coaches and guest athletes who bring their own special flavor and expertise to the camps – check each camp to see who will be the guest coach and / or athlete for your level of camp.
Each camp includes runs, activities and sessions from the following:
We hope you never have to cancel your place for one of your camps once you have registered. However, life does happen, and things can change. You can see our cancellation policy at this link. Starting with our 2020 camps, you have the option to purchase cancellation coverage during the registration process. We will always do our best to work with you if you do need to cancel.
The average age for campers is mid 40’s to low 50’s.
The youngest camper we have had is 21; we have also had two women campers in their 70’s who attended with their daughters!
Age is not a factor in deciding whether you think you could enjoy and benefit from these camps – feel free to contact us if you have any questions on your suitability for our camps.
With the longer time frame of our full camps, these are the key components that the full camps include that the compact camps do not include:
