Top 5 reasons why a beginner women’s running camp is right for you

Women’s running continues to be the boom trend in the running world. The 2019 Running Trends report from Running USA shows that the majority of runners of U.S. road races in 2018 continued to be women, who typically make up 60 percent of a road race field. In the same report, the most popular distance is still the 5K, which racked up 8.9 million registrations in 2018. Earlier issues of the same annual report also highlighted some telling trends that could go to explain why women’s running is so hot, and why men are getting left behind. Women tend to be more social runners, with 35% sharing that they run with at least one other person. Men see themselves as being more competitive, while women are more likely to classify themselves as a fun runner.

When it comes down to reasons why women run, a wide variety of reasons were given, from improving their state of mind, the opportunity to socialize, relieve stress, and achieve a goal. Women also use social media much more so than men for running related activities, with 70% of women posting pictures and videos. Women rated having fun, having time to train, benefiting a cause and medals as all being important factors for why they run and race. Starting a running training program is also a great way to empower yourself, and is one of the factors that we see frequently cited as a key reason why women that have started to run continue to do so.

I left camp with my heart nearly exploding with gratitude and love for all of the strong individuals I met. Not only have I expanded my support group, I came out of this experience with more confidence, education, and inspiration than I could have imagined. I can’t wait to come back to camp again!

Kateel, from Oregon

We know that many more women would like to start running, and are not sure how they to start the process in a way that is healthy and sustainable. We saw there was a gap in the market, and created an answer, our beginner women’s running camps! These camps have been designed to help women either return to running after a break, or introduce running to their lives.

Here are five reasons why if you are a woman and you would like to start or return to running, coming to one of our beginner women’s running camps could be a great way to get started:

1. Training plan before you come to camp
   Not running at all yet? No problem – we will provide a training plan for you that starts wherever you are now, and gets you running at least a 5K distance by the time camp kicks off on either May 27 or June 15. We will work out a plan based on your current status (and that may not be running one step), and available resources, and develop a plan that is personalized and realistic for you. The program is part of the camp cost too, so you don’t need to add an extra expense to your bottom line.
2. Video analysis of running form
   Never seen yourself run before? Most people haven’t, and by the way, you likely look a better in the video than you think you might do – the good news is that we take video of you twice, once at the start of camp, and then the second at the end of camp. The great news is that as a result of analyzing the first video, we give you feedback that will help you become more efficient as a runner, work on those factors during the camp, and then you get to see how much progress you have made when we check out take two. Prepare to be amazed!
3. Learn about sustainable training
   During our camps you will learn about how to train smart, so you get the most benefit from your training, and keep it at a level that challenges you while not dealing with recurrent injuries and high levels of stress. We follow the guiding principles of the greatest ever running coach, Arthur Lydiard, and are Certified Lydiard running coaches. We also run the walk, so to speak, following these same principles for our own training.
4. Meet new friends & have fun
   Our camps are incredible opportunities to meet and connect with women who are in a very similar place to you. We have groups of women that have met for the first time at one of our camps, and still meet up at races once a year several years after camp. The environment that we provide is warm, inviting, caring, and supportive, friendships blossom – you will love it. It’s also not all about just running, we make sure that each day includes some fun elements, so you exercise your abdominal muscles through laughing as well as running.
5. Become empowered
   One of the great things about running is that it teaches us to push beyond what we thought we were capable of. Do this consistently, and this helps to build confidence. This new found confidence has helped the women that have attended our camps seek new roles in their lives, find the type of relationship they have longed for, and achieve new levels of self belief. This can be life changing, literally. Check out why Shape magazine called our camps a once in a lifetime fitness retreat for women.

We were honored to be featured by Runner’s World at the start of 2020 as one of six bucket list running retreats for adults. Check out the Runner’s World feature here.

Our beginner women’s running camps for 2021 are:

June 8-12, 2021 – Beginner compact women’s running camp – 7 spots available – prices starts from $1050 for a bunk room place

June 21-26, 2021 – Beginner full women’s running camp – 8 spots available – prices start from $1150 for a bunk room place

2020 women’s running camps – Active at Altitude – Estes Park, CO from Terry Chiplin on Vimeo.

Earn money for sharing with a friend!

If you know someone who would be interested in one of these beginner women’s running camps, feel free to share – when they register, make sure that they mention your name – we will pay you up to $100 for each registration for these 2021 camps.