Meet camper Virginia
Through Trails & Roots, Virginia found connection, confidence, and a community that lifts each other up. Here, she shares how these experiences have given her friendship, adventure, and a much-needed space to recharge, reminding us all that taking time for ourself isn’t a luxury, it’s essential...
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I first crossed paths with Heather while running the Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica back in February 2020. We chatted a few times during the race and stayed in touch afterwards. I followed her journey as she and Zandy wrote a cookbook during the pandemic. When she launched Trails & Roots in 2022, I knew I wanted to be part of it.
By then, life had thrown me some unexpected challenges. My husband had suffered a bike accident and received a Parkinson’s diagnosis. So, I needed to find new companions to enjoy trail running with, people who would lift me up and share the joy of being outdoors. When Heather announced the first Trail Camp would be in Chamonix, one of my favourite places, I signed up without hesitation. I wasn’t running as much as I used to, but living in Scotland meant I at least had some hill fitness to lean on. |
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Trail Camp Chamonix was pure magic. The mountains were breathtaking, but it was the people who made the experience unforgettable. I felt alive and refreshed just by being there.
After that, it was an easy decision to join the Madeira Camp in 2023 and Slovenia in 2024. Each experience brought new challenges, new landscapes, and new friends.
Running has been a part of my life for 35 years. I started on the roads after my first daughter was born in 1990, using running to reduce stress and carve out time for myself. As a secondary school teacher and young mum, I needed that outlet. It wasn’t until my 40s that I ventured onto the trails, falling in love with the softer terrain, stunning scenery, and the mental challenge of navigation. I’ve raced all over the world, from 5Ks to multi-day stage races in Nepal. There is something truly special about sharing a trailrunning adventure with others - the deep connection you build with people and nature alike.
These days, my time in the mountains is more limited, but I’ve found creative ways to keep moving. I set myself the goal of climbing my local hill 65 times in my 65th year, ideally with as many different people as possible! Sometimes, I push myself to keep up with younger friends; other times, it’s a slower hike with plenty of time to chat. Either way, it’s a chance to share my passion, stay connected to my community, and find moments of peace when life feels heavy.
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One of the most surprising gifts of the Trail Camps has been the friendships I have made with younger campers. I’m usually the oldest person there, and while I can’t keep up on the flat sections, my years of experience and hill fitness come in handy on the climbs. No one minds waiting for me at a summit or a coffee cabin, and often, we naturally split into smaller groups, so everyone finds their rhythm. It’s humbling and inspiring to spend time with younger runners, see the world through their eyes, and share my stories of past races and adventures. They always seem interested (or at least politely pretend to be!), and their energy fuels me to keep exploring.
Trailrunning and the Trails & Roots community have given me so much more than I ever expected: confidence, connection, and new friends. It’s a true pleasure to see beautiful countries through running and share these adventures with lovely, like-minded people of different ages and nationalities.
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It has also taught me the importance of taking time for myself; something I know can feel selfish when life is full of responsibilities, especially when others are relying on you. But I’ve learned that stepping away to reconnect with myself makes me better in every role I play: as a caregiver, a friend, and a partner.
Whether juggling kids, supporting a loved one, or managing a demanding career, taking time for yourself isn’t indulgent, it’s essential. Enjoying the immersive experience of Camp, where the Trails & Roots team take care of you so well, allows you to return to your “day job” with a clearer mind and a fuller heart.
And as for being “too old” to try something new? I sometimes wonder that myself, but age is just a number. I raced the Manaslu Trail Race in Nepal in 2024 alongside runners decades younger than me, finishing two-thirds down the results list. Experience is its own kind of strength, and I’m always surprised by what I can still achieve.
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Favourite Trail Camp Route!?
For me, Slovenia was the best. I loved being in those beautiful mountains and being able to swim in the lake daily was a bonus, along with wonderful yoga in the garden. There was an amazing variety of runs with high mountain scenery as well as gorges, waterfalls and a run with a lake swim and picnic at the end. The accommodation was the simplest, but I found that the more remote setting of the camp gave it a retreat-like feel and made for better connections with the other Campers. It was such a beautiful place.
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Favourite Trail Camp meal/snack!?
My favourite meal has to be the amazing lunchtime salads that we have after the runs. You come back hungry and a bit depleted, take a quick shower and dig into bowls of amazingly tasty veggies in combinations that I wouldn’t think of, lovingly prepared by Chef Lily. Afterwards, there are treats like cinnamon rolls with herbal tea, and then you can have a well-deserved nap!
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Final Words?
You don’t need to be the fastest or the fittest to enjoy a Trails & Roots Camp. What really matters is your willingness to embrace the adventure and let yourself be connected to and supported by the people around you. The Trails & Roots team and your fellow Campers will lift you up, cheer you on, and make you feel like you belong.
And trust me, you do.
And trust me, you do.
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