RUNNING WITH HEART
Remember Why You Run
Four days on the forest and coastal trails of Sintra, for runners ready to feel that pull again: the quiet mind, the steady rhythm, the reason you first laced up.
Sintra, Portugal • April 14–17, 2027 • 4 days, 3 nights
Three guided trail runs from 5km to 20km. Daily yoga and mobility with Jeff. Atlantic sea dips. A private retreat home in the pine forest. Limited to just 7 runners who love this as much as you do.
Places from €879, accommodation and breakfasts included • €400 deposit • Maximum 7 runners
WHEN DID RUNNING BECOME ONE MORE THING TO GET DONE?
There's a version of running you remember. You headed out the door and came back lighter. The mind went quiet, the body found its rhythm, and whatever you'd been carrying loosened its grip somewhere along the way.
For a lot of us, that version slowly fades. Running becomes the same loop, the same watch, the same pace targets squeezed in before work. It still keeps you fit. It still matters. And somewhere along the way, it became another item on the list.
After 15 years of running, here's what I know: the feeling comes back when you change the ground under your feet. Take your running into forests, mountains and coastline. Surround yourself with people who love it as much as you do. Give it four full days of space.
Your body remembers what it came for.
That's Running With Heart.
HOW YOU MEET THE TRAIL IS HOW YOU MEET LIFE
The trail has a way of showing us who we are.
A steep climb asks for patience. A technical descent asks for presence. A long stretch reveals the moment doubt creeps in, and the moment right after it, when you discover there's more in you than you thought.
This is why I love running. It gives us a place to practise staying present when things get uncomfortable, listening when the body asks for something different, knowing when to push and when to soften, and moving through the things we'd usually step around.
Over four days you'll meet all of it. Moments where the body feels strong and everything flows. Moments that ask for humility and a little more courage. Both have something to teach you, and you'll have the space to notice what that is.
Come for the running. See what else you find.
FOUR DAYS IN THE WILD BEAUTY OF SINTRA
Sintra is an extraordinary place to run.
Ancient forests climb into misty mountains. Trails wind beneath giant trees and alongside old stone walls. Within a few kilometres, the landscape carries you from deep woodland all the way to cliffs above the Atlantic.
This is where I live, run and practise. These trails have become home, and for four days I'm sharing my favourites with you.
At the end of each day you come back to a private retreat home tucked into the pine forest, with a pool, spacious gardens and comfortable shared spaces to stretch out, swap stories and rest your legs.
Wild enough to challenge you. Spacious enough to slow you down. That's Sintra.
THE RHYTHM OF YOUR DAYS
Imagine waking in the forest, pouring a coffee and gathering with the group to see where the day takes us.
We warm up with mobility, then head deep into the trees for a guided run. Some choose the shorter route. Others climb further into the hills. Everyone finds their way back together.
Afterwards there's time to shower, stretch, eat and rest by the pool.
The afternoon takes us to the Atlantic for a sea dip, into the forest for a slow guided hike, or along the coast to Cascais for a meal by the water. Later, we roll out the mats for yoga and give tired legs exactly what they need.
Each day has structure, with room to respond to the weather, the group and how your body feels. You'll find yourself deep in conversation over dinner with someone you met two days earlier. Drinking coffee in the sun after a run. Napping in the afternoon because your legs have earned it.
Run. Move. Recover. Explore. Eat well. That's the rhythm.
RUN YOUR RUN
Beginner, seasoned trail runner, or somewhere in between: there's a place for you here.
Every guided run offers distances from 5km to 20km, with an experienced guide on each option. You choose the route that fits your body that day. If the group feels drawn to a different trail or distance, we adapt.
All we ask is that you arrive comfortable covering 5km, walking the climbs as often as you like.
For one person, Running With Heart is their first taste of the trails. For another, it's three days of big kilometres through a brand new landscape. Both belong here.
Meet the trail where you are.
From the trails of Sintra
“My weekend in Sintra was an amazing experience. Running along the cliffs, wandering through serene forests, and even meeting wild horses felt magical. Jeff’s calming presence really helped me become mindful and appreciate the moment.
We had deep, meaningful conversations, enjoyed fresh, nourishing local foods, and even did invigorating cold plunges. It was the perfect blend of physical activity, mindful reflection, and wholesome nutrition.
Highly recommend it for anyone looking to recharge and reconnect with themselves.”
RUNNING WAS MY FIRST YOGA
ABOUT JEFF
I've been running for 15 years. It started during a time when my life and my body were changing dramatically.
I lost over 120 pounds (54kg), and somewhere in that journey I discovered how much I love moving my body. Running is where that discovery came alive.
Long before I taught my first yoga class, running was teaching me what I'd later find on the mat: how to breathe through discomfort, how to stay present, how to listen to my body, and how much the mind shapes what we believe we're capable of.
Running was my first yoga. It gave me my health, my perspective, a community, and a relationship with myself that has stayed with me ever since.
Today I'm more than a decade into teaching yoga and leading retreats, trainings and experiences around the world. Running has remained a constant through all of it.
When I made my home in Sintra, it felt full circle. Suddenly I could step out my door, disappear beneath the trees and climb through hills that still stop me in my tracks. I fell deeply in love with trail running here. I introduced my wife Ruby to these trails too, and some of our favourite days together are simply heading into the forest and seeing where our feet take us.
Running With Heart grew from wanting to share this place. To run together, move and recover together, swim in the Atlantic, eat well, and have the kind of conversations that only happen after a few hours on the trail side by side.
It's a privilege to share these trails with you.
THIS RETREAT IS FOR YOU IF…
You love running and want to feel that spark again
You're curious about taking your running off-road, or you already live for the trails
You'd love yoga and mobility working alongside your running
Hills, a bit of mud and a cold Atlantic dip sound like part of the fun
You want to share four days with a small group of good humans
You want to come home more connected to your body, to nature and to the part of you that comes alive through movement
EVERYTHING THAT’S INCLUDED
Four days and three nights immersed in the natural beauty of Sintra.
Your home in nature
3 nights in a beautiful private retreat home surrounded by pine forest
Private swimming pool
Spacious gardens and outdoor relaxation areas
Comfortable shared living spaces for connecting and unwinding
Your running adventures
3 guided trail runs through Sintra's forests and mountains
Distance options from 5km to 20km on every run
Experienced running guides for each distance
Hand-picked routes through some of Sintra's most beautiful trails
Movement, recovery and wellbeing
Daily yoga and mobility sessions with Jeff
Guided stretching and recovery practices
Atlantic Ocean dips
A guided nature hike and forest immersion
Space for rest, reflection and relaxation
Food and local experiences
Continental breakfast every morning
Fresh fruit, snacks, teas and coffee throughout the day
Visits to our favourite local restaurants and cafés around Sintra and Cascais
Time to explore the Portuguese coastline
The little extras
A small, intimate group of no more than 7 runners
Local guidance from Jeff, who lives and runs these trails
Personal recommendations for exploring Sintra before or after the retreat
A welcoming space for beginner through advanced runners
INVESTMENT
Three nights in a private forest retreat home. Three guided trail runs with experienced guides. Daily yoga and mobility with Jeff. Breakfasts, snacks and coffee. Local guidance from someone who runs these trails every week.
Shared Twin Room
A single bed in a twin room shared with one other retreat guest
€879
Private Double Room
Your own private bedroom with a double bed
€1,079
Couples / Friends Double Room
For two people booking together and sharing one double bed
€879
Every option includes the full four-day Running With Heart experience and three nights' accommodation.
A €400 deposit per person secures your place. The remaining balance is due by March 14, 2027
Limited to just 7 runners. Keeping the group this small lets us support every running level and distance, and keeps the four days personal and connected. Once those 7 places are taken, the retreat is full.
Not included: flights, transport to and from Sintra, lunches, dinners, personal purchases, and travel insurance.
Cancellation Policy
Your €400 deposit secures your place and is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due by March 14, 2027, and all payments are non-refundable once made.
We understand that life can sometimes change unexpectedly. If you’re unable to attend, you’re welcome to transfer your place to another person, provided they meet the participation requirements and you let us know in advance.
Because Running With Heart is an intimate retreat with only seven places, we’re unable to offer refunds or credits for cancellations, late arrivals, early departures or activities you choose not to participate in.
We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance that includes appropriate cancellation cover when you book, so you’re protected if unexpected circumstances prevent you from joining us.
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel the retreat, all retreat payments made directly to us will be refunded in full.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What level of runner is this for? Everyone from beginner to advanced. Arrive comfortable covering around 5km, walking where you need to. Trail experience and speed are entirely optional.
Will there be runs for different levels? Yes. Every guided run offers options from 5km to 20km, with a guide on each distance. If the group feels drawn to something different on the day, we adapt.
Where are we staying? In a private retreat home surrounded by pine forest in the Sintra area, with a pool and gardens, close to both the mountains and the Atlantic. Full address and arrival details are sent to participants after booking.
What are the room options? A shared twin room (€879), a private double room (€1,079), or a double room shared by two people booking together (€879 each). Every option includes the full retreat and three nights' accommodation.
Is food included? A continental breakfast each morning, plus fresh fruit, snacks, teas and coffee throughout. For lunches and dinners, we take you to our favourite local spots around Sintra and Cascais, where you choose and pay for your own meals.
Can I come on my own? Absolutely. Most people do. The small group and shared adventures mean you'll know everyone by the end of the first run.
Do I have to join every activity? Everything is an invitation. Take the shorter route, skip a session or spend an afternoon by the pool whenever your body asks for it.
Do I need trail running shoes? We strongly recommend them. Sintra's trails can be rocky, steep and muddy, and good grip makes a big difference. You'll receive a full packing list before the retreat.
What happens if it rains? April weather in Sintra changes quickly, and a little rain is part of the adventure. We run whenever conditions are safe and adjust routes or activities when they aren't.
Which airport should I fly into? Lisbon (LIS), around 40 minutes from Sintra. We'll share travel recommendations and coordinate arrivals with the group closer to the date.
Should I get insurance? Yes. Please arrange travel insurance that covers recreational trail running and the other activities, with medical and cancellation cover. All participants also sign a liability waiver.
What if I have an injury or medical condition? Please get in touch before booking. You'll need to be medically fit to take part, and we recommend checking with your healthcare professional where relevant.
What's the cancellation policy? See above under the Investment section.
FOUR DAYS. A WILD LANDSCAPE. A LOT OF TRAIL AHEAD.
Some places you understand differently when you move through them on your own two feet.
Sintra is one of them.
Come run its forests and mountains, swim in the Atlantic, eat well, and share it all with a small group of runners who are here for the same reasons you are.
April 14–17, 2027 • Sintra, Portugal
Places from €879, accommodation included. Limited to just 7 runners.