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Three months from now, blooming flowers, budding trees and warm breezes will be the norm during our runs. As snow falls outside my window, with a snow-rain-ice mix in this week’s forecast, this springtime scene sounds absolutely magical.
I am looking forward to those short-sleeves-and-capris miles, and I’m also eagerly anticipating the second annual Michigan Runner Girl Weekend, set for May 4-7 at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. We recently launched registration for this girls’ getaway weekend, and today we’ve got even more details to share, here on the blog and also on the latest episode of the MRG Podcast. {Click on the player at the top of this post to listen to this week’s episode}
First, some big news about a speaker who will be joining us for our Saturday lunch: Luke Humphrey, an elite runner, coach and author of the Hansons Marathon and Half Marathon Method books, is coming north to talk all things running with us. I had the opportunity recently to interview Luke for the podcast — in case you missed this episode, check it out here » — and I was so impressed with his running knowledge and experience that I asked if he would be interested in being a part of the retreat. And he said yes! Luke, who is married and has a young daughter, also is just a super friendly and down-to-earth kind of guy. I know everyone at the retreat is going to really enjoy meeting him!
As for the details of this year’s event: I hope you’ll tune into this episode, during which Pam and I spoke with northern Michigan runner Janice Beyer about her experience at last year’s retreat and also with Ali Lopez, a.k.a. Healthy Chef Ali, who will again be preparing some delicious and healthy food for us at the 2017 event. You can also read more about the retreat on the MRG Weekend page here on the blog » And to get registered, please go here »
Don’t forget to check out the Michigan Runner Girl event page over on Facebook — we’ll be sharing updates and news as the date nears.
Here are some details:
Michigan Runner Girl invites women from across the state who have a passion for living healthy (and spending time with other fabulously fun women) to spend the weekend of May 4-7, 2017 in beautiful Traverse City. This is the second annual, all-inclusive Michigan Runner Girl Weekend taking place at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Heather welcomes Pam Carrigan, Janice Beyer and Ali Lopez to talk about this year’s event on the podcast. Pam is the event coordinator extraordinaire for MRG (she served as captain for Team MRG at last year’s Ragnar Michigan) and Ali is, as listeners likely know, the talented chef who contributes delicious recipes to the blog. Ali prepared some awesome food at last year’s MRG Weekend, and she’s returning for the second annual retreat this spring.
Heather, Pam, Janice and Ali give a quick recap of last year’s event and then dive into what’s taking place this time around. Participants are sure to make new + amazing friends while running (trail and road options, all guided, are involved). Delicious and healthy food — an ways to re-create these easy, yummy dishes back home — are also in the weekend line-up. Yoga and Pilates sessions, as well as spa treatments, are part of this long weekend. New this year: an afternoon of running and wine tasting planned, on the stunning Old Mission Peninsula. The ladies are also excited about a “pajama party” Friday night, and a delicious dinner-with-views at Aerie Restaurant & Lounge on Saturday night.
Registration is underway for this Thursday-Sunday retreat featuring running, rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. That’s right, this year MRG added an extra day to include even more time for connection and re-centering and, of course, running.
More details and registration information here »
Hope to see many of you there! This event is capped at 36, so please consider signing on sooner rather than later!
UPDATES!
Priscilla Hansma, owner of SheActive Boutique in Grand Rapids, will share the latest styles in women’s athletic clothing on Friday evening in the Old Mission Suite, during our “pajama party.” Priscilla opened SheActive about 3 years ago. “I have always loved shopping in boutiques, but there aren’t any boutique workout apparel stores in the greater Grand Rapids area. So that’s where I saw the need. We are a boutique with a balance of running, yoga and gym clothes, along with fun athleisure apparel (cute casual dresses and tunics). A large percentage of our inventory is made in the US or Canada. We carry small labels that cannot be found in big box stores. I love supporting the smaller brands that are superior quality and unique.”
Learn more about SheActive here » You can also find the store on Instagram and Facebook @sheactiveboutique.
Jennifer Cutler, owner of Pure Pilates in Traverse City, will lead us through a Pilates class on Sunday morning. Jennifer is a Certified STOTT PILATES® Pilates instructor, teaching since 2000. She is trained in mat, reformer, cadillac and stability chair. She started her pilates instruction at The Fitness Center in Traverse City before opening Pure Pilates in 2005. Jennifer is also a certified personal trainer through AFAA. She has a bachelors degree in management from Michigan State University. She enjoys participating in local running events, sailing and reading. Jennifer’s thoughts on pilates. “After 15 years of teaching and practicing pilates, my thought on pilates as evolved. When I first started my practice I loved how amazing I felt and how my body changed. Soon after I noticed my neck pain from an injury decrease and my posture improve. I enjoy running and as the years went on, I noticed how other runners would have injuries but I seemed to stay injury-free. I believe that keeping my body balanced through pilates has allowed me to continue doing something I love. My most rewarding experience with pilates has been watching how it has helped so many of my clients feel better and increase their quality of life. So, though my initial attraction to pilates was what we all want — to look and feel better — the even bigger benefit I have seen for myself and my clients is that by strengthening your core and creating balance throughout the body you can continue, or maybe even start doing, all the things that you love and that bring you happiness… be it running, golfing, playing with grandchildren, biking, traveling — the list is endless.”
Michael and Libby Robold, co-directors of Yoga for Health Education in Traverse City, will teach our Friday morning yoga class. Libby began her yoga studies with Dr. Ron Chalfant, Iyengar teacher, in 1975. A few years later she began teaching yoga at Northwestern Michigan College, and has since studied with many renowned teachers and various yoga schools, becoming certified as a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and certified yoga teacher. She has taught numerous workshops and classes, in addition to training other teachers (Yoga for Health Education Mentoring Academy) and therapists. Michael taught elementary school for ten years, earned an MA in Elementary School Administration and, along with his wife, Libby, operated an outdoor vacation company, Michigan Bicycle Touring, for twenty-five years. Michael has taught over 7000 hours of classes since 1996 
and his personal yoga practice began with Iyengar teacher, Dr. Ron Chalfant in 1979. After moving to the area in 1982, Michael assisted Libby in classes and workshops at NMC for nearly fifteen years. Although drawn to the high energy styles of yoga, Michael likewise enjoys teaching classes to beginners. He has a passion for nutrition and enjoys conducting Yoga of Eating workshops.
You can stay up to date on all things MRG Weekend at the event page on Facebook here »
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A special thanks to Mike Moran, Mike Youker and Jonny Tornga of Quarter After Productions in Traverse City, Mich. for producing the show. Check out this studio’s work here.
