Sweet Tooth Sweet Life

A Love of Food, Fitness, & Fashion

  • Home
  • About
    • Sponsorships
    • Contact Me
    • Everything NASM
    • Wedding
      • Courtney & Jay
      • Getting Ready
      • Ceremony
      • Wedding Party
      • Flowers
      • Decorations & Details
      • Reception
      • Honeymoon at Sandals Grande St Lucian
    • Q & A’s
      • Q&A’s – Round 1
      • Q&A’s – Round 2
      • Q&A’s – Round 3
      • Q&A’s – Round 4
      • Q&A’s – Round 5
  • Pregnancy & Babies
  • Meal Planning
  • Recipes
    • Recipes
      • Breads & Muffin Recipes
      • Breakfast
        • Coffee Recipes
        • Egg & Omelet Recipes
        • Oatmeal & Buckwheat Recipes
        • Pancake & French Toast Recipes
        • Smoothie Recipes
      • Cookies/Cookie Bars
      • Cakes/Cupcakes & Frostings
      • Dinners
        • Chicken & Poultry Recipes
        • Beef & Pork Recipes
        • Seafood Recipes
        • Crockpot Recipes
        • Meatless Recipes
        • Pasta Recipes
        • Pizza Recipes
        • Soup/Stew/Chili Recipes
      • Pies/Trifles/Truffles/Candies/Crisps
      • Salads/Sides/Odds & Ends
  • Favorites
    • Shop
    • Blog Love
    • Fashion
    • “Just Because” Posts
    • Workout & Fitness Posts
    • Cody Posts
    • Restaurants (local and travel)
  • Workouts
    • Workouts
      • Circuit Workouts
      • 20-30 Minute Treadmill Routines
      • 35-55 Minute Treadmill Workouts
      • Upper Body Workouts
      • Lower Body Workouts
      • Walking Treadmill Workouts
      • Elliptical Workouts
  • Resources

Blend Retreat: Saturday Bootcamp + Hike

By Courtney 53 Comments

It’s time for another Blend Retreat recap!

On Saturday, our first and only full day at Blend, there were quite a few activities planned that had us up and moving outdoors. Being able to workout and move amongst the beautiful Colorado scenery was quite a treat, I’ll tell ya. Just gorgeous.

blend hike (2)

At 7:00am, we were all up bright and early for a fantastic Bootcamp, led by the amazing Tina & Lindsay.

photo credit

The bootcamp was a ton of fun, and even had us broken into teams at the end. My team was pretty bad ass, can’t ya tell?

Shortly after bootcamp I stuffed my face with an amazing breakfast, but I’m saving that for a different recap, so let’s fast-forward a bit…

Around 10:00am on Saturday, our group of ladies met up once again for a planned hike up the Royal Arch trail.

IMG_4174

Tina was rockin’ it for the camera…I think she was still pumped up from teaching bootcamp. Winking smile

IMG_6923

With our cameras and water bottles in tow, me and my two sidekicks were ready to go.

blend hike (15)

We definitely had quite a crew…can’t ya tell?

blend hike (16)

blend hike (4)

After only about 20 minutes into the hike, I was already super impressed by the view.

blend hike (5)

Once we got deeper into the trail, it obviously got a little more difficult. I was beyond thankful for the fact that my asthma didn’t seem to bother me anymore than it typically would. In fact, I think I only used my inhaler once, which was great.

IMG_6943

Hiiii Alyssa! And thanks to Alyssa for also providing a bunch of the pics for this post…you rock, lady.

blend hike (7)

Our small group ended up taking a few rest breaks along the way to take pictures and grab some water.

blend hike (18)

blend hike (19)

blend hike

I made sure to bring some SOYJOY bars and my SOYJOY water bottle with me on my hike!

blend hike (8)

(A major THANKS again to SOYJOY for sponsoring me on my trip – hopefully those of you who got some bars are enjoying them!)

Shortly after that picture above, we had quite a hill to tackle, and I was sure that I was going to wind up doing a face plant somewhere…

blend hike (20)

Luckily, I managed to make it through with no problems…well, almost.

Once we trekked up just a bit longer, we realized we had almost made it to the top. A majority of the group had already made it up there (apparently we were the pokey ones) and were on their way back down.

blend hike (9)

The end was in site! I was ready to make the final climb and check out the beautiful view. So I started to make my move…I was ALMOST there! And then, this happened…

blend hike (10)

I had a little spillski. The arm is a little scraped and bruised up, but Sarah was super prepared and had some bandages on hand, so I was all fixed up in no time.

blend hike (11)

Plus, the camera was okay, which is really all I was concerned about. Screw the arm.

Finally, we had made it to the top!

blend hike (21)

Just check out this view…beautiful, right?

blend hike (12)

We were also joined by the lovely Julie and her husband, Terry.

blend hike (22)

Our group spent a good half hour up at the top, just chatting away and taking in the scenery. I also munched on some trailmix that I put together from breakfast that morning, which tasted amazing. (FYI: dried blueberries = AMAZING).

blend hike (13)

So would you guys believe that this was actually my very first time hiking…EVER? Is that weird? Especially since I live about an hour away from the Adirondacks?

blend hike (14)

Many of us came to the conclusion that the hike was definitely more physically challenging on the way up, but much more mentally challenging on the way down. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was afraid to fall on my face again, who knows? But it really did take a little more brain power to come up with ways to climb down the rocks.

Even though we’re pretty positive we ended up taking a wrong turn somewhere on our way down, the hike was still such an awesome experience, and I’m so glad that I’m now able to say I’ve hiked a mountain in Colorado (even if it did make my hips and calves hurt in ways that they never have!).

Had I ever taken the time to actually write up a Bucket List, that’d probably have been on it. Winking smile

(*Edited to add: Be sure to check out both Alyssa’s and Tina’s recaps from today – they’re great!)

Question for the Afternoon:

Are you into hiking? Have you ever hiked any awesome trails?

Share This:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Yummly (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on StumbleUpon (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Related

May 8, 2012 Filed Under: Blend Retreat Tagged With: blend retreat, Chautauqua Park Trailhead, colorado, royal arch trail, SOYJOY

About Courtney

I'm a working mom of two beautiful little boys, Lucas and Alex, and I began writing Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life in April 2010. I enjoy chronicling my love of food (healthy and indulgent!), baking, motherhood, fitness, fashion, and everything in between!

« You Know Spring and Summer Has Officially Started…
An Odd Bump »

Comments

  1. Tina @ Best Body Fitness says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    I'm still laughing at my Spibelt making me look like I got something going on in my pants. haha!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      May 8, 2012 at 1:37 pm

      LOL oh geez, I forgot all about that!!
      Reply
    • Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says

      May 8, 2012 at 1:46 pm

      HAHAH. your spibelt. my nips.
      Reply
      • Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says

        May 8, 2012 at 2:45 pm

        BAHAHAHA!!
        Reply
      • Tina @ Best Body Fitness says

        May 8, 2012 at 2:49 pm

        Admit it. My Spibelt package made your nips happen.
        Reply
        • Courtney says

          May 8, 2012 at 3:10 pm

          LOL!!!!!!!!!
          Reply
  2. Jillian @ Sprinkle Massacre says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    Great recap! I still love the granola in a jewelry bag, haha! That hike was definitely more challenging than I thought. Thanks for the SoyJoy bars!! :) See you tomorrow lady!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      May 8, 2012 at 3:11 pm

      Can't WAIT!! So do you think you'll be at Penn in the morning?
      Reply
  3. Annette@FitnessPerks says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    Wow--looks like a beautiful hike!! I love hiking with my family and/or husband. THey make it fun! I've hiked in the Alps of Switzerland--and intense 2 day trek--and it was killer but AMAZING and gorgeous. Want to go back!!! Glad your camera is okay!
    Reply
  4. Alyssa @ fit and fun in third says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    That hike looks beautiful! What a gorgeous view!!! I love hiking so much, I'm so excited for a free weekend to get out there with my husband and find some new trails!
    Reply
  5. Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    i LOVE hiking! i'm in salt lake area which looks similar to colorado, and it sure is a prime hiking location. my husband and i love to hike throughout the summers. glad you enjoyed your first hike! :)
    Reply
  6. Jessamy @ The Rambling Asian says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Oh I love hiking! My mom and I use to hike on the AT. She has done the whole state of Georgia on the AT. We have also hiked Mt. Washington in New Hampshire!!!
    Reply
  7. Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    Looks like so much fun! I can't believe that was your first time hiking. My Dad loves to hike and I've been on more hikes than you can imagine!
    Reply
  8. Meg says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    Chatauqua is one of my favorite hikes!!! Rocky Mountain National Park is pretty awesome as well!
    Reply
  9. Ashlee @ A Step in the Right Direction says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    There are some great trails in the Adirondacks and in VT which you are not too far from. There are some good trails - Shelving Rock Falls - http://tiny.cc/ne3zdw Fort Ann - Buck Mountain - http://tiny.cc/qg3zdw Fort Ann - Sleeping Beauty - http://tiny.cc/vi3zdw Fort Ann - Haystack Mountain - Pawlet VT - Mt Equinox - http://tiny.cc/7k3zdw Manchester, VT I am glad your camera is ok! That would not have been good.
    Reply
    • JN says

      May 9, 2012 at 1:38 pm

      I second Ashlee's suggestion of Sleeping Beauty Mountain. Amazing views at the top and relatively easy for beginners. Plus you can stop at the Outlets and/or The Log Jam on the way home. :) I'm hoping to start climbing the ADK 46 this summer.
      Reply
  10. Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    your welcome for all those photos. AND thanks for the SOYJOY.. I had my first one yesterday and really liked the blueberry!
    Reply
  11. chelcie @ chelcie's food files says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    I love to hike! I don't get to go very often but when we go to Maine in the summer we hike all the time! it is definitely more mentally challenging on the way down!
    Reply
  12. Andrea @ Andrea Out Loud! says

    May 8, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    LOVE hiking!! there was of course a ton of awesome hiking in alaska (but it could only be done a few months out of the year! and lots of bear hazards haha) but i have only done a little hiking so far in NC and am looking forward to it majorly because so far its been amazing!
    Reply
  13. janetha @ meals & moves says

    May 8, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    Gorgeous views! I think yours was the only injury all weekend.. good thing you signed the wavier ;)
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      May 8, 2012 at 3:11 pm

      Oh man, what an honor! I think there should have been an award for that. ;)
      Reply
  14. Heather @ Better With Veggies says

    May 8, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    Poor thing, I didn't realize your fall was on the way up - I would have been super paranoid (or more paranoid) the whole rest of the way. Good thing it was a gorgeous view!
    Reply
  15. Natalie says

    May 8, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Hiking is the best sport! My husband and I backpack all the time. We've done a ton in Colorado and this summer we're doing Montana. We also have plans to hike the John Muir Trail-218 miles!
    Reply
  16. Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says

    May 8, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    I can't believe that was your first time hiking, ever! What a way to begin. :) Also, I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one who smuggled away food from breakfast... PS-I hope your arm is healing!
    Reply
  17. Ashley says

    May 8, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    That's awesome you got to spend so much time at the top. It was super congested when we were up there! Such a fun day!
    Reply
  18. Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says

    May 8, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    I have never hiked before but I'd love to give it a try! I would only do it if I had a bunch of people with me though. Something about being alone in the woods kind of scares me! I love your new side bar photo, you are so pretty! :)
    Reply
  19. Michelle@Peachy Palate says

    May 8, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    Love hiking! There is some nice places to hike in Ireland, the weather wouldn't be so kind though! Dried blueberries are definitely incredible, but there so darn pricey!
    Reply
  20. Renee says

    May 8, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    What a great view and amazing hike! Looks like all you ladies had a great time!
    Reply
  21. Kristine says

    May 8, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    Devil's Lake State Park in WI! Hiking up what seemed like straight up in between the quartzite rocks and then back down again was amazing! And the best part is that my 10 yr old daughter loved it as much as I did and can't wait to do it again. And yes, going down was a lot more scary than going up!
    Reply
  22. Danica @ It's Progression says

    May 8, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Honestly I've never really hiked before either! I live in Minnesota though, nuff said.
    Reply
  23. Megan @ The I Do Diaries says

    May 8, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    Great recap, sounds like you all had a great hike, scraped elbow aside! And that trail mix looks delish, I love me some good dried fruit, just got to remember to keep my portions in check ;-) I've only been hiking up the Kennesaw Mountain in Georgia but I really loved the experience. I'm going to Gatlinburg with my husband this weekend so I'm sure we'll be tackling a mountain or two while we're there!
    Reply
  24. Lisa says

    May 8, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    I don't like hiking that much because of all the bugs, but there are a few locations where I would love to go hiking. Looks like such a pretty view! Sorry about your fall, that happens to me usually everytime I walk out my door, so I'm sure I would have fallen too ;)
    Reply
  25. Ashley @ Freckles & Spice says

    May 8, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    I spilled some blood on that hike too! Battle scars from #blend2012
    Reply
  26. Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says

    May 8, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    I've only hiked once or twice, and it was a long time ago. I'd love to hike in Colorado one day -- I've never been there!
    Reply
  27. Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says

    May 8, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    I love hiking in Colorado!!! So jealous, but so glad you got to experience it!!
    Reply
  28. StoriesAndSweetPotatoes says

    May 8, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    I haven't gone on a "real" hike in a long time. At least with so many people you know you'd definitely be able to fight off wildlife :)
    Reply
  29. Kristen @ notsodomesticated says

    May 8, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    How fun!! Sorry about your spill. I would have more concerned with my camera, too! ;)
    Reply
  30. Katie says

    May 8, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    Ouch! I didn't know you fell! Thank goodness you protected the dSLR ;-) So glad you enjoyed the beautiful mountains in CO! Please come again next year!!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      May 8, 2012 at 5:31 pm

      Oh, I will DEFINITELY be back! Probably the best conference/retreat I've been to yet! :)
      Reply
  31. Shannon says

    May 8, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    What a beautiful view. You're so lucky to have seen that. I bet it looks even better in person than in your wonderful picture. I have hiked once before up a trail that led to a burned down house at Ridin' Hy Ranch in Warrensburg. Some of the hills that I had to climb were pretty steep and resulted in a sweaty me. However, it was really fun, and something that I would love to try again at a new place.
    Reply
  32. Kate @KateMovingForward says

    May 8, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    I don't get the chance to hike much here in the great {flat as heck} state of Indiana, but last summer my family and I did an amazing hike during family vacation up to a waterfall in Breckenridge, CO! I absolutely loved it and am jealous you live so close to the mountains!
    Reply
  33. Jordan says

    May 8, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    Yay!! I live in Colorado, so I grew up hiking and it's definitely still one of my favorite summer activities. AWESOME workout! Glad you had an awesome time!!
    Reply
  34. Katy says

    May 8, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    That view looks incredible! A family member of mine recently moved to Colorado and she is always raving about how beautiful the state is. Talk about an inspiring atmosphere. :-)
    Reply
  35. Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says

    May 8, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    The pictures are amazing!
    Reply
    • Kendria Robyn says

      May 9, 2012 at 1:04 am

      Truly they are. It looks like there was a lot of fun ate the bootcamp. The sceneries they went to are all amazing.
      Reply
  36. Willemijn says

    May 9, 2012 at 3:53 am

    Nice read! Love the pics too. I really like hiking. But the end was in 'sight' not in site. :P And I'm Dutch so English is not even my language. :P
    Reply
  37. Allison says

    May 9, 2012 at 10:22 am

    I used to live in Boulder and just looking at your pictures makes me want to go back! I used to hike up Royal Arch on the weekends, its a great hike. Thanks for bringing back such beautiful memories :)
    Reply
  38. Samantha says

    May 9, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    That hike looks amazing!!! I love to hike, love to take in the scenery, and love to just be outdoors. Such gorgeous pics! <3 Sam Www.loosingweightgaininglife.com
    Reply
  39. Ashley @ The North Carolina Cowgirl says

    May 22, 2012 at 9:14 am

    New reader/comment-er on your blog! I love hiking..well use to when I had time lol. I love being outside. I think that's why I enjoy horses so much. I LOVE trail riding and just relaxing on top of my horse. I've never been to Colorado but I def want to do one day. Looks like the place you hiked was really pretty!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      May 22, 2012 at 9:28 am

      Welcome, Ashley! Happy to have you around :)
      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sweet Tooth Sweet Life
Court Profile CircleI'm Courtney, a 30-something wife and working mom living in upstate NY. I'm a food lover, fitness enthusiast, baker extraordinaire and lover of all things sweet.
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

  • A Little Living Room Makeover
  • The Five F’s {3/12}
  • My Last 10 Favorite Amazon Purchases
  • Fun Facts Friday – The Five F’s

Courtney’s Recipe Picks!

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Subscribe to Sweet Tooth by Email!

Instagram

Instagram has returned invalid data.

Follow Me!

  FitFluential Is Fitness Found 
  
 

Categories

Archives

Disclaimer

I am not a registered dietitian, or certified fitness expert. The purpose of my blog is to share my own personal knowledge, opinions, and experiences with food, fitness, and life. My Privacy Policy can be found HERE.

Content Marketing Editorial Calendar For WordPress

WordPress Support & Maintenance provided by WP Site Care

· Copyright © 2022 Sweet Tooth Sweet Life ·