The Strong Runner Chicks Retreat Returns!
Be BOLD: Embrace Your Best Life, On & Off the Trails
📍 Leadville & Twin Lakes, Colorado (with a Buena Vista field trip)!
🗓 May 28th-31st, 2026
👟 All paces. All backgrounds. One powerful community.
The Strong Runner Chicks Retreat is an all-inclusive women’s trail running experience designed to help you reconnect — with movement, with purpose, and with yourself.
This year’s theme, Be BOLD, is an invitation to:
- Trust yourself on the trails and in life
- Take up space — exactly as you are
- Let go of comparison and expectation
- Show up with courage, curiosity, and joy
We’re honored to welcome several guests, including Courtney Dauwalter, Amelia Boone, and Kylee Van Horne (RD) to join us for runs and conversations.
In addition, we’ll have Addie Bracy and Kristina Chang (Kodiak 100-miler winner in 2025) discussing mindset and longevity in the sport and an injury-prevention, bulletproof strength workshop with Dr. Katie Carbiener, DPT (hosting at SageStone Adventure Lodge) in the beautiful Twin Lakes, CO, just outside of Leadville.
What’s Included:
🏃♀️ Guided trail runs & hikes (multiple pace options)
🧠 Workshops (strength, mobility, trail prep, mindset) & fireside conversations
🥗 Nourishing, chef made meals + cozy mountain lodging
🔥 Reflection, intention-setting, and community time
🤍 A safe, inclusive space for women & nonbinary athletes
Sample Agenda:
THURSDAY, MAY 28
4:00 – 5:00 PM – Attendee Arrival & Check-In
Get settled into your room, meet your roommate, optional shakeout walk around the property
6:00 PM – Welcome Dinner
Chef-prepared meal. Get to know your fellow runners in a relaxed setting
7:00 PM – Opening Talk: Living Your Biggest, Boldest Life
Led by Megan Flanagan & Kristina Chang
What does it mean to Be BOLD: on the trails and in life? We’ll explore what brought each of us here and set BIG intentions for the weekend. Possible special guest or two joining us, as well — stay tuned!
8:30 PM – S’mores, Bonfire & Stargazing (optional)
Hot chocolate, cozy vibes, and getting to know each other under Colorado skies
FRIDAY, MAY 29
6:00 – 7:00 AM – Breakfast Available
Fuel up at your own pace
8:00 AM – Departure for Buena Vista
Optional coffee/cafe stops en route
9:00-11:00 AM – Morning Trail Run with Courtney Dauwalter 🏔️
Multiple pace groups on scenic Buena Vista trails. Courtney will rotate between groups. All paces welcome—this is about connection, not speed
12:00 PM – Lunch at Lodge + Q&A with Courtney Dauwalter
Casual, intimate conversation and time to chat over lunch. Ask anything: training, racing, mindset, gear, life, nachos – you name it!
2:00 PM – Break Time
Rest, journal, nap, explore, or just sit on the porch and take in the mountains, with some activities TBA (forest bathing, etc.)
4:00 PM – Workshop: Injury Prevention & Performance for Trail Runners
Led by Dr. Katie (Physical Therapist) – possible swap for Saturday with Kylee’s session. Strengthen weak links, prevent common injuries, and optimize your movement for the mountains (NEW content with a mobility session included, super interactive)!
5:30 PM – Dinner**
6:30 PM – Post-Dinner Talk: Mindset, Longevity & Going Big on Yourself
Featuring Addie Bracy and Kristina Chang
How do we stay in this sport for the long haul? How do we balance ambition with sustainability? Real talk about the mental side of running (with NEW content & actionable plans to take bold bets on yourself and your training/racing)!
8:00 PM – Evening Wind-Down (optional)
Hot tub, tea by the fire, porch conversations, or early to bed
SATURDAY, MAY 30
6:00 – 7:00 AM – Breakfast Available**
8:00 AM – Departure for Trail Run Challenge
Uphill/vert-oriented run with multiple pace options:
- Challenging: Hope Pass summit or similar big climb (10-12+ miles)
- Moderate: Mid-distance vert with stunning views (6-8 miles)
- Chill: Scenic trail run/hike at your own pace (3-5 miles)
12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch at Lodge**
1:00 PM – Fueling & Hydrating for the Trails and A Plant-Forward Approach Workshop with Kylee Van Horn, RD – possibly Friday instead!
2:30 PM – Afternoon Workshops & Activities
Choose your own adventure or mix between these:
- Yoga mobility flow for runners with Megan
- Forest Bathing & guided meditation with Relena Robbins
- Twin Lakes lounging, weather depending
- Free time to rest, journal, or explore
4:00 PM – Break Time
A window to shower, relax, nap, or socialize
5:30 PM – Dinner**
6:30 PM – Evening Panel – NOW: The Power of Presence & The Unfiltered Truth About Being a Female Endurance Athlete
Featuring Amelia Boone
Body image, mental health and mindfulness, dealing with setbacks, and finding your voice. A real, raw, honest conversation.
8:00 PM – Optional Dance Party, Fire Pit, or Chill Hangs
However you want to close out the night
SUNDAY, MAY 31
6:30 – 7:30 AM – Breakfast Available**
7:30 – 9:00 AM – Optional Morning Run or Hike
Easy shakeout to say goodbye to the trails (totally optional)
9:00 AM – Closing Circle & Integration Over Second Breakfast
What are you taking home? How will you continue to Be BOLD? Final reflections, gratitude, and group photo
11:00 AM – Check-Out
Safe travels home! Optional continued Colorado adventure on your own
FEATURED GUESTS include:
🏃♀️ Courtney Dauwalter – Friday morning run + lunch Q&A
🏃♀️ Amelia Boone – Friday or Saturday evening panel/talk
🏃♀️ Addie Bracy – Friday or Saturday evening talk
💪 Dr. Katie Carbiener – PT workshops
🍽️ Kylee Van Horn – Nutrition workshop
✨ Kristina Chang – Co-facilitator & speaker
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
✅ 3 nights lodging at SageStone Adventure Lodge
✅ All meals (Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast)
✅ Guided trail runs with multiple pace options
✅ Time with Courtney, Amelia, Kylee, Addie, and expert facilitators
✅ Workshops on strength, injury prevention, nutrition, and mindset
✅ Swag bag packed with gear from our sponsors
✅ A weekend that reminds you who you are and what you’re capable of
PACING & ACCESSIBILITY:
🏃♀️ All paces welcome – Run/hike to moderate to “let’s see what happens”
🧘♀️ Introverts honored – Built-in downtime, quiet spaces, and optional activities
🤝 Judgment-free zone – All bodies, all backgrounds, all experience levels belong here
Words from Past Attendees:
“I LOVED all the speakers and topics. Those were definitely favorite moments. I also loved getting to know the other women. It was oddly such a relief to know that I wasn’t the only one crying to my husband on the way to the retreat unsure if I could do it. Turns out we can, and it’s worth it!”
“Exceeded expectations. The people made this amazing. Your organization of us all made this a magical weekend. The community and the vibe you created were palpably supportive, friendly, inclusive, and welcoming. Information was clearly communicated about the retreat, speaker line up was wide ranging, and the accommodations were really wonderful!”
“My expectations were exceeded. As a newer runner, I came in feeling a bit nervous, but the weekend was incredibly inclusive and welcoming. The trail access was accessible for all levels, and the group culture was both supportive and uplifting.”
“The power of community and connection was palpable throughout the weekend. The lodge setting, paired with the incredible leadership from Megan and Kristina, created an environment that felt both grounding and energizing. I loved having access to pro runners and experts in different facets of the sport—it was rare and refreshing to hear so many perspectives in one space. Every detail was coordinated with care and thoughtfulness.”
“I felt that the SRC retreat was a wonderful experience both for seasoned trail runners and newer ones. It provided a space for me to connect with others on so many different levels that went far beyond running. I can’t wait for my next opportunity to sign up for another retreat!”
““This retreat brought together powerful, inspiring women who shared their stories with honesty and heart. It was a weekend of movement and meaning—a rare and beautiful mix of expert guidance, holistic resources, and a community that felt like lifelong friends by the end.”
Partners & Sponsors Include:
Others to be announced… stay tuned!
Join Us in May
This retreat will be limited in size (max of 20) to preserve a close-knit experience.
We strive to make this an affordable, yet valuable experience. A few scholarships will be offered, particularly for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and out-of-state athletes.
Registration is now open at an early bird rate and spots are filling!
Registration costs (includes ALL lodging, meals, and noted activities above during the retreat):
Early Bird rate through March 8th: $1750 for newcomers.
Special rate for returners. Scholarships available for out-of-staters or those with financial need (please reach out to us directly to request by emailing: megan@evolvedpotential.co). We strive to make our experiences accessible and never want cost to be a barrier.
Strong Runner Chicks 