You asked, they answered.
Hello Friend,
There has been a change in the air. Can you feel it? There's a crispness in the morning, a calm stillness in the evening. Birdsong giving way to crickets. One of the things I love most about living in New England is welcoming the change of seasons. It just happens, almost by magic. Nature just knows. No Google Doc reminding the trees to change color, no app telling the monarchs it's time to head south. They just know, deep in their core. I yearn for that confidence to reveal itself.
Change is coming. Can you feel it?
September is always such a transitional month, both in the natural world and in my personal family life. It's as demanding as January, just sneakier about it. This September is a bit different for our family: for the first time in 15 years, I don't have someone to send off to school. And although I don't have to pack lunches, that Back-to-School-Buy-a-New-Planner energy is still very much in the air.
This past week, my feed has been full of race highlights: the ultramarathon mountain trail race in France: UTMB, the Sydney Marathon, all the fall-race energy telling you to sign up or you're missing out. I've been wondering: what do I actually want out of running right now? My instinct is to chase that pull - sign up for something big, and dive into a long training cycle. I love that structure, the ebbs and flows, the personal bests. But I'm hesitating. I love being part of a race, part of a community striving to do hard things together. But today I'm focused on bringing Rise Run Retreat back to life, and that's where my energy belongs. My energy is here, with you. I'm still running, still keeping something like a routine, but building this business has taught me that I need to slow down and take really good care of myself, and my people. Just like a marathon training cycle can take six months, building something worth your time and energy takes time to nurture.
All that to say, I turn 50 next year, and have big dreams for marking that trip around the sun with an epic race. But I'm remembering the lesson nature just taught me: don't rush the season. I'm here for the long run.
The moments between the miles.
In Their Own Words
This is my first year at the helm of Rise Run Retreat, but the community Sarah built goes back years. As we prepare for our 2027 retreat registration, rather than tell you what it's like, I thought I'd let the women who've already experienced it speak for themselves.
Q: I'm nervous about not fitting in. Is that normal?
"This weekend was a gift. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous to come, but I quickly realized all my fears were BS... not once was I made to feel 'less than' or like an outsider." - Rise Run Retreat Participant
Q: What do you actually get out of it, besides a nice weekend away?
"Every time we had a speaker or presentation I thought it was the best part, but by the next presentation, I'd change my mind again. The knowledge that I left with is immeasurable. I learned a lot about my sport and myself." - Rise Run Retreat Participant
Q: Worth the time and money?
"This weekend was worth every penny and the time away from family... a week out and I'm still sad that it's over." - Rise Run Retreat Participant
Q: Did you feel judged, or like you had to compete with anyone?
"This weekend really helped me find a safe space, without the fear of judgment or gossiping, to open up and truly be heard. Not an easy task in today's culture." - Rise Run Retreat Participant
Q: What surprised you most?
"I came away with blossoming new friendships and feeling mentally refreshed." - Rise Run Retreat Participant"
Tried switching up the WFH to a work at a coffee shop. Works about the same, just a lot more caffeine consumed. :)
Things are moving along. We have two retreats locked in for 2027 - one in the spring, one in the fall. I'm meeting with and securing presenters weekly; finding the right fit, the people who will truly help bring these retreats to life, is of the utmost importance. I’ve been talking to endurance athletes, sports dietitians, sports psychologists and running coaches. I've also been in contact with sponsors to fill the ever-important swag bags. Sarah instilled a tradition of little treats and trinkets that make the women who come to these retreats feel special and loved, and I want to carry that forward - honestly, swag bag shopping might be my new favorite part of this job. Balancing the weekends themselves, the running, learning, resting is proving to be its own art, and one I'm taking my time with. Building a Rise Run Retreat takes patience, just like everything else this fall is teaching me.
There's a lot I can't share yet, but trust me, it's worth the wait.
First to Know
This September we launched the Rise Run Insiders. I know, I know, another list to sign up for. But hear me out: Rise Run Insiders isn't a newsletter. It won't fill your inbox with extra stuff. It's four specific perks, delivered only when there's something worth knowing.
Insiders get:
Early access to retreat details, a full week before they're announced to the public
10% off your booking if you reserve during the Insiders week
Members-only perks and sponsorships
10% off merch (coming soon and it's going to be awesome)
If this sounds like your kind of thing, head to riserunretreat.com/insiders.
Check us out on Instagram @rise.run.retreat
This might be our call to action for a while - we're still rebuilding our Instagram presence, and it's our main mode of communication. Thank you for continuing to like, comment, and share with friends. It's growing, and you're the reason why.
Thank you for being part of this from the very beginning - I mean it. Here’s to slowing down, showing up and running the long game together.
You Belong Here.
Kelly