The high desert of central Oregon is truly spectacular: miles of tawny landscape covered in junipers, sagebrush, and Ponderosa pine trees punctuated by snow-topped volcanic peaks. In the center of it all is Redmond, the home base for our newest adventure-filled Retreat!
We are taking over our host hotel: If all goes according to plan, we Retreaters will be the only guests staying at the property. In addition, we’ll have loads of new adventures, including covering plenty of miles on the amazing trails at nearby Smith Rock State Park.
Whether you want to learn from Train Like a Mother Club coaches and other experts; hike and/or run with Dimity and Sarah; hang out on the hotel’s magnificent rooftop deck; enjoy a yoga session or two; be part of a podcast recording; croon karaoke at the farewell dinner; or befriend other BAMRs (bad*ss mother runners), you will be delighted by the extended-weekend offerings.
Join a bevy of BAMRs for this 4-day, 3-night Run + Refresh Retreat in Central Oregon, Friday, June 9 – Monday, June 12, 2023. (Please note: We are limited to 62 attendees instead of our usual 70. We expect this Retreat to sell out quickly.)
THE Location
Central Oregon is a breathtaking place—and not because it’s 3,077′ above sea level! It’s the sweeping vistas of high desert terrain leading your eye to distant snow-covered volcanic peaks. Redmond, our home base for exploring this remarkable landscape, serves up a vibrant downtown, great restaurants, and craft beer.
Outdoor adventure is the name of the game in Redmond: Running north to south through much of the city is the Dry Canyon, with a paved running trails that’ll welcome us for morning runs.
The top nearby attraction is Smith Rock State Park; one of Oregon’s seven wonders, the park is a quick drive from downtown Redmond. At the park, rock spires soar into the blue sky and a deep river canyon provides unforgettable views. Dimity is counting down the days until she can lead a hike or two there!
THE Hotel
The SCP Redmond Hotel captivated Sarah from the moment she stepped into the hotel’s mod-yet-welcoming lobby. We’re planning a complete take-over of the hotel, meaning we’ll be the only guests! (We’re thinking of pitching a reality show called “Mother Runner Crib!”)
Situated on a charming, pedestrian-friendly downtown Redmond street, the SCP is a historic gem recently renovated into a stylish, modern hotel. Its four stories, topped by The Rooftop bar, includes 49 guest rooms and suites featuring warm wood, crisp serene whites, and earth tones that bring the natural beauty of Oregon inside. SCP is near stunning Smith Rock State Park and a half-hour from Bend, Oregon.
THE Race
Our aim with this summertime Retreat is to make it unlike any other AMR Retreat: Instead of participating in a structured race, we are creating our own adventures! We’ll take morning runs on Dry Canyon Trail, which winds its way through the high desert landscape less than a mile from our host hotel. At least once, we’ll hike and/or trail run in nearby Smith Rock State Park: Prepare to have your mind blown by its raw, dramatic beauty!
Other potential activities: getting pickleball instruction from a pro player (!) at beautiful courts that are walking distance from our hotel or getting our downward dog on at a local yoga studio. The possibilities are endless—and we guarantee you’ll enjoy them all!
THE Parties
Our welcome reception will be held on The Rooftop, the restaurant/bar on top of our host hotel. We’ll be greeted by awe-inspiring panoramic views of the distant Cascade Range and plenty of laughter with new friends. To kick off the summer camp feel of this Retreat, Dimity will lead a fun and engaging icebreaker or two.
Our traditional final-night celebratory dinner will be held at SCP’s signature restaurant Terra Kitchen, which serves plant-forward cuisine featuring fresh ingredients sourced from local farms, the region’s land and streams, as well as SCP’s very own rooftop garden. Our renowned, always-epic karaoke will happen in the hotel’s Studio, so you won’t have to travel far to climb into bed.
In between, you’ll be treated to delicious meals that will nourish you for the entire extended weekend.
THE Extras
Redmond and its surrounding environs are the ideal blend of city and nature: Browse downtown boutiques and a cupcake cafe for souvenirs and treats. Numerous craft breweries and food carts beckon, especially as it stays light in June until nearly 10 p.m.! We’re still planning our outdoor activities because there are so many to choose from, including canoeing, hiking, playing pickleball, and more. Hiking at Smith Rock State Park will be the crowning glory of our athletic pursuits.
We might also plan a side trip to Bend, a half-hour away, and the fascinating High Desert Museum. There are so many choices, we’re having a tough time narrowing them down. Suffice it to say: This Retreat will be a once-in-a-mother-runner-lifetime adventure!
THE Schedule
The final schedule will be available about six weeks before the Retreat, but know that it will include many of the fun things we have done in the past, plus several first-time activities (see: hiking at Smith Rock!), group runs, strength classes, expert-led sessions, one-on-one advice sessions, podcast recording party, karaoke, and many more ways to experience all that an AMR Retreat has to offer. Above all else, it’s an escape from daily life with friends, old and new!
Check out the 2022 Hilton Head Retreat schedule and to get a sense of how a weekend (and fun!) flows. (That said, please remember we will not be participating in an organized race this weekend.)