Four fitness sessions, incredible food and a little downtime in the Cotswolds. It turns out you can spend a weekend doing bootcamp, HIIT, strength training and mobility sessions and still come home feeling remarkably rested.
I also returned with new friends, a Christmas breakfast recipe and a sudden interest in workwear from Screwfix.
Not quite the combination I'd anticipated.
The setting was beautiful. Gorgeous rooms, incredible food, evenings around a log fire and handwritten welcome notes from Vicki Horner waiting for us when we arrived. The sort of thoughtful details that make a weekend feel like a proper escape.
We did bootcamp in the pouring rain, which, rather unexpectedly, I absolutely loved. There's something quite liberating about voluntarily throwing yourself around a field while the British weather does its worst.
Other sessions included HIIT, strength, stretch and mobility in the studio. I enjoyed every one of them. I'm not usually one to relax, but the stretch sessions, which included some breathwork, really got me. I could have fallen asleep right there on the mat.
Lexi was our chef for the weekend, and I have no idea how anyone can cook, chat and cater for every dietary requirement while remaining so completely relaxed. She made it look effortless.
I'm going to try and recreate one of her breakfast recipes on Christmas morning: dates filled with peanut butter, dark chocolate and dried raspberries. I'm not much of a cook, so I'm fairly confident this will be my most impressive contribution to Christmas dinner. Even if it is technically breakfast.
But the biggest surprise was how we all jelled as a group.
Different ages, different backgrounds, different experiences. I learnt so much.
I spend so much of my time in my usual routines, that I'd forgotten how enjoyable it is to be thrown into a completely different group.
And naturally, we discussed kit.
The only man on the retreat introduced me to ACID Running (which we added to Kit & Grit the same evening) and Hard Yakka, an Australian workwear brand you can find at Screwfix.
But before you call me crazy, check out the cargos and boots. I'm seriously considering adding them to the site. Someone tell me if this is a good idea or if I've had too much fresh air.
Ok these are technically women’s workwear boots, but I’d wear them.
Somewhere between the workouts, meals and conversations around the fire, I made some lovely new friends. People I'm pretty certain I'll see again, which is perhaps the nicest thing to come away with.
And Vicki was the reason it all came together so beautifully. She managed to be completely present, chatting, laughing and spending time with everyone, while somehow keeping the entire weekend running seamlessly. Nothing felt rushed or forced, although I know there was an impressive amount of organisation behind the scenes.
I loved every minute.
If you've been considering a retreat but the idea of spending a weekend with strangers has put you off, I'd say that's probably the very reason to book one.
Now, about Ibiza... I know Vicki has two rooms available on the next trip if you're keen.
Kit x