You know I love a good run-cation, right? Of course. So, the only question I have is, do YOU? If your idea of the perfect weekend getaway involves social media and running a half-marathon then I have some freakin’ fantastic news for you…
THE BASICS
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WRITE A BLOG TO ENTER AND WIN. Got it? Good. Let’s move on.
The Rise.Run.Retreat is the ingenious idea of Sarah Canney of Run Far Girl and Jesica D’Avanza of rUnladylike. I met both of them last year at FitBloggin’ and we ran over a gigantic bridge together, during a 5-6 mile run in Savannah, like everyone does when they first meet. When you sweat with someone it solidifies your friendship. #Truth
The FitBloggin’ bridge run! Jesica is up front, Sarah is the cutie in the back with the black headband and Lauren is also in this sweaty shot!
This year, they graciously invited me to attend the inaugural event of Rise.Run.Retreat and now I have the opportunity to give you a chance to win a ticket to what is sure to be an amazing weekend of fun, food, fitness and free stuff.
THE ACCOMMODATIONS
THE SANDCASTLE, WELLS BEACH, MAINE
We will all nestle in at a lovely private residence, oceanside in Wells Beach, Maine. I seriously cannot think of a better place to rejuvenate after a long summer of running in the heat. Of course I will simultaneously be preparing for the Maine Half Marathon and the New York City Marathon. #TotallyDoable
OCTOBER 2-5, 2015
MAINE HALF-MARATHON
Don’t freak out yet. There’s an option to cheer on all those who are running if this race doesn’t fit with your schedule or if (God forbid!) you are injured. The rest of the time will be well spent with a loaded itinerary of yoga, running, eating and drinking in Portland and a surprise guest speaker!
THE SPONSORS
CAN YOU SAY ‘SCHWAG?’
Stonyfield @stonyfield
LLBean @llbean @llbean_pr
Garuka Bars @garukabars
Lucy’s Granola @lucysgranola (IG)
Dr. Cool Wraps @drcoolwraps
Runner’s Alley @runnersalley
Darn Tough Vermont @darntough
Spandits @spandits
Sabre @sabresaftey @sabrered
Pete and Gerry’s @peteandgerrys
Tom’s of Maine @TomsofMaine
I’m in awe that these two ladies have put together such an amazing group of sponsors! I can honestly say that the products I know on the list (8 out of 11) I absolutely love. I’m certain, when I get to know the other 3, I will also be in love. #TheyHaveGreatTaste
THE RULES
HOW TO ENTER
Tell me why you want to attend in 200 words or less. Get creative and just be yourself. You know honesty rules on this site!
the contestant will receive: free retreat registration.
must be available October 2-5th
provide for their own travel to and from Wells, Maine and be responsible for some meals
responsible for Maine Half Marathon registration $65 cost
be active on social media in some form, they don’t have to have a blog
- Be willing to cook my meals, give me massages and write all my blog posts while I’m there (KIDDING! Totally added this one in but let me know if you’re willing to do any/all of these things.)
Unfortunately for you, I don’t get the final say. The group of bloggers who are already attending will be running a similar campaign, and by ‘similar’ I mean exactly like this. After we receive all the submissions, we will hand them over to our ruthless judges – Jesica and Sarah, to make the final decision.
See what happy runners we are? Don’t you want to be a part of it? (R to L: Jesica, Me, Lauren, Sarah)
What are some of the things we’re looking for? Honesty. Integrity. Strong women who want to build relationships and learn something. And drink wine. If that’s YOU, I want to hear from you!
DEADLINE
All submissions must be in my inbox by Friday, July 10th and the winner will be announced on lucky July 13!
Email me: allie at vita train 4 life dot com (you know how that’s really supposed to be typed, right?) and tell me why you want to hang with me and my dorky awesome blogging buddies for a weekend RISE.RUN.RETREAT!
[Tweet “Win a spot at Run.Rise.Retreat! Find out all the details here:”]
SO FREAKIN” EXCITED FOR ALL OF THIS!!!! And can you amend it so that the attendee can bring us wine too? 😉
Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?
This looks awesome and seriously now I did wish I was a runner!! 😉
Me too!! I would love to actually meet you in person someday Janine!
ACK! So excited for you! I’m so bummed I can’t enter this because I would LOVE this!! I have Ragnar that weekend! Have fun!
NO NO NO NO!!! I was so hoping you could throw your hat in the ring for this one. Darn it! I guess I’m back to planning my DC race…
I know! Such a bummer! You better get planning lady!
This is soooooooo awesome!!!! And right up my alley. What a fantastic event with even better sponsors! The accommodations look so great and I don’t think I’ve been to Maine yet….I’m going to check my schedule and see if I can make this happen!!
YEAH!!!!!!! I was so hoping that would be your response!!!
I second Angela’s suggestion about the wine! I cannot wait for this. So very excited for this weekend and to hang out!
Me too!! I feel like we’re having a reunion but there’s a lot of women I have yet to meet IRL. Crazy.
oh… my… goodness… I wish I could enter this! Sadly this will be the weekend before my marathon (Hartford!) so I probably shouldn’t try to race a half… :/ But what a great idea and I know you’ll all have such a fun time!
Oh man! And I will be leaving Hartford to go to this! I usually run Hartford and it’s a great race. If you’ve never run it before, let me know and I can give you some tips!
I would absolutely LOVE any tips! I have never run Hartford before, and guess what – this will be my very FIRST marathon ever! So excited! And a little nervous… but mostly excited! 🙂
OMG that is awesome!!! Hartford is a great race and very well put together. Here’s some advice:
Get there at least 2 hours ahead of the start time and try to park right behind The Bushnell. It’s very close to the start line and port-o-potties line the streets there 🙂 The other ones will have LONG lines! You split with the half-marathoners almost right away so don’t worry about being in a mass of people for too long. The out and back along Main Street in South Windsor is the best! Soak it all in. I believe it’s miles 8-13 or something like that. It’s flat and there’s lots of spectators, music, etc. There’s a bit of a hill around the 21 mile mark so be ready for that. The finish is in the park with lots of food, a beer tent, vendors, etc. but be sure to have a meeting spot with your crew just in case. Most of the time the crowd isn’t so big that you can’t find people but they do lead finishers down a chute to pick up post race bag of food, water bottle (filled with water!) and space wrap.
If it’s good weather, it’s a very nice course with good crowd support.
Maybe I’ll see you there next year 🙂
awesome!!! Thanks for these great tips! I will definitely feel a bit more prepared. I hope I’ll see you there next year! 🙂
Wow! Sounds like such an amazing opportunity. The accommodation looks amazing! What a great retreat!
Can you please make a guest appearance with Cooper? You could teach a Barre class!! 🙂
Excited is an understatement. Can’t wait to reunite with you and choose another amazing lady to join us. I think that sweaty picture of me on the bridge in Savannah may scare people away from entering though. LOL. xoxo
No way! That is a great picture and makes me smile BIG! Cannot wait to see you again.
Oh man….. everyone I love is going to this!!!!!! I need to try to go!
YES.YOU.DO!
wow this looks like such a fun event!!! I totally want to go, I need to have a serious look at my schedule 🙂 I love your happy, healthy, girlie running pics!
Check it out and try to make it work!
This sounds amazing….I am very good at hanging out with other women and drinking wine!! As a matter of fact, while not an expert in running, I am an expert in those two things. I already promise a girlfriend to do a 10K in Manhattan Beach with her on October 3rd, and I’m not one to break a promise….but I will be seriously jealous of you ladies there !!!
Bummer!! I can tell you excel at hanging and drinking and I would love to do both with you sometime. The 10K sounds gorgeous and fun. I love the 10K distance but haven’t done one in a long time.
This is my DREAM running trip and I will be sending you an e-mail telling you all about it!!!! Woo hoo!!!
Woot woot!!!!! can’t wait to get it!
I am not going to lie – I just Pricelined everything and even planned how I am going to beg to use 2 of my 3 personal days for this. Running is so much about community and I have never been able to go to a blog conference or retreat to experience that because I can’t afford it on my single teacher salary. Winning my way in would change all that. Looking at the line up of girls who will be there – WOW! It is like an allstar list of bloggers I follow (plus I really selfishly want to meet my coach, Laura, in person). In addition to all that I have never ever been to the Northeast, and what better way to see that part of the country than to run it with new friends.
PS – You know I will cover this all over my blog and social media if I win.
I am way too freaking excited. Fingers crossed! Okay, toes crossed too.
You are so awesome! I love everything about this and honestly, Laura is somehow even nicer in person. I know you did not think that was possible but..
And YES I know you would cover it like crazy. SO glad you want to join all of us!!
I’m racing in the other Portland that weekend, otherwise I would be all signed up! Sounds amazing – what a great group of bloggers!
Bummer!!! But, such is life as a runner – all the races are planned well in advance!
This sounds like a FANTASTIC weekend and I would love to be a part of it. Running has made me a stronger and more fit person than I have ever been in my life! Too bad I started at age 45 but better late then never! I just added yoga last year as my cross-training and find it not only the perfect addition to my running but it has created another way for my run club members to hang out together. I hope I get picked because I would definitely share this on my blog. It sounds super-fun!!!!
Awesome!!! I love that you started at 45 – that takes incredible courage!! I love that you want to join us and thank you for your submission 🙂
annnd IM CRAZY ENOUGH TO THINK ID LOVELOVELOVE THIS TOO!!!
Oh you would!!!! And I want to meet!!!
OMG this would be an amazing opportunity. This is something I am going to look into next year if they have it again.
YES!!!!
Wish I could come up there! Sounds like an amazing opportunity! Would love to get involved next year!
I would love for you to do it next year. We NEED to run together!!!
This is such an great opportunity! I’m hoping we can enter on everyone’s blog…I really want to go! Here’s my entry:
I would love to attend Run.Rise.Retreat. It isn’t often that events like this come to Maine, though they should as Maine is an awesome place to live in and run! I’m so impressed with the group of women who will be in attendance. I am immensely inspired by every single one on the list, not just of their athletic accomplishments, but because of who they are as people. It would be so much fun to run the half marathon with a bunch of like-minded individuals and be with friends both old and new! The Maine Marathon course was my first full marathon in 2012, so it will always be special to me. I learned that I can truly do anything I set my mind out to do during those 26.2 miles and am proud that I could show my two boys that with hard work and a lot of heart, they too can accomplish anything.
Thank you so much for this!!! I know the importance of showing two boys what hard work looks like 🙂 Thanks again!