Left Coast Low Down
Adventure Racing in the land of fruits and nuts

Now, here's an interesting tidbit from two of my favorite journalists of all time: Adam Chase and Elinor Fish. They are, respectively, the trail editor of Running Times and the managing editor of Trail Running. They are bad-ass writers and even better runners.

They've sent me an invitation to a retreat high in the Colorado Rockies to do a lot of two things I love most in the world: trail running and writing. And for an astoundingly low cost. I don't know if I will make it (and really, I'm not nearly their equal in either regard). But for anyone else out there, definitely check it out.

Active at Altitude, Trail Runner and Running Times magazines host Trail Running & Writing Retreat

Run trails and unleash your inner creative writer in Rocky Mountain National Park, June 20-22, 2008

MARCH 11, 2008, ESTES PARK, COLORADOâ??Elinor Fish and Adam Chase, editors at two top U.S. running publications, Trail Runner and Running Times, are leading a unique retreat for trail runners including guided trail runs, training theory and writing about running seminars at Active at Altitude, a residential sports-training centre near Estes Park, Colorado, June 20 â?? 22, 2008. Situated at 8000 feet above sea level, Active at Altitude is a bed-and-breakfast style accommodation conveniently located just 35 minutes from Boulder or a 90-minute drive from Denver International Airport.

The retreat is for runners who can already run for at least an hour at eight- to 10-minutes-per-mile pace, want to boost their fitness and learn training principles in a fun and social atmosphere. Retreat packages start at $300 and include group trail runs, seminars, morning yoga classes, a cooking class, meals and accommodation. Elinor and Adam will conduct three seminars covering training plans, goal setting, running form, injury prevention, buying shoes and other gear, nutrition/fuelling, intervals, hill training and race strategy.

In addition, the two writing seminars will provide aspiring writers with tips and tools for composing entertaining (and potentially sellable) stories for a personal blog, website or magazine. The retreat is an enriching weekend all about healthy food, beautiful trails, fresh air and camaraderie in a beautiful and relaxing environment. On Saturday evening, Celeste Magnuson will lead a Living Foods Lifestyle class about cooking fresh, health-boosting and satisfying raw-food meals. Massages by On the River Massageâ??s Jacqui Chiplin will also be available at an additional cost. To view a full retreat itinerary and to reserve a space now, visit www.activeataltitude.com.

ABOUT US Elinor Fish is Managing Editor of Trail Runner (www.trailrunnermag.com), has been a competitive trail runner for 17 years and has led running clinics and retreats in Canada and the US for 10 years.

Adam Chase of Boulder, Colorado, is the Trail Editor at Running Times (www.runningtimes.com), author of The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running and President of the American Trail Running Association.

LIMITED TO ONLY 12 PARTICIPANTS!Rates are $300 plus tax per person sharing a bunk room; $350 plus tax per person for a double room.For further information email Terry Chiplin at activeataltitude@gmail.com or call 970-586-4432 www.activeataltitude.com