Justin Levine's Blog

Marathon 3 Recap: Sometimes You Just Got To Get It Done There will be many marathons this year where the mindset is simply,  “just get it done.”  Let’s face it—running 26.2 miles on a Saturday or Sunday morning is no walk in the park, especially during the winter months. While Boise has been fortunate with relatively mild weather this year, Marathon 3 started on a brisk 19-degree morning at 6:45 am. It was dark, cold, and my mindset wasn’t in its usual positive groove as I kicked off the run. The first five miles were all about grit—putting my head down and pushing through. But something about running toward the sunrise always shifts my perspective. Around the hour mark, my usual optimism surfaced. My legs loosened up, my body found its rhythm, and suddenly, the run felt manageable—even enjoyable. Running toward the sunrise felt spiritual, a reminder that sometimes you need to push through the tough moments to reach the beauty waiting on the other side. The Course This maratho...

Marathon 2 Recap: Finding Strength in Every Step I like to write these recaps the morning after a marathon, when my body feels every mile and my thoughts are raw. The soreness and fatigue serve as powerful reminders of why I’m doing this:  to InspireKidz . Every mile, every climb, every moment of discomfort has a purpose—helping kids in our community overcome financial barriers and get active through sports. That deeper "why" is what keeps me going. Yesterday’s run was a gnarly one, starting at 7:05 a.m. on my doorstep in the dark. The plan was straightforward: run the Boise Greenbelt for a few miles, head downtown, and then tackle the foothills. After six miles in the dark, along the Boise River, I made my way into the quiet streets of downtown Boise. The sunrise greeting me was breathtaking, a reminder to pause and appreciate the moment. By mile 9, I entered Camel’s Back trails, my favorite meditative space. The plan was to cover 10-13 miles in the foothills before exiting...

3 Simple Nutrition Tips to Stay Healthy and Perform at Your Best In a world full of diet trends and extreme nutrition advice, it can be overwhelming to figure out what actually works. The truth? Nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few foundational principles, you can create a sustainable plan that supports your health, performance, and longevity.  Here are three practical tips to guide you: 1. Stick to Balance Balanced nutrition is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. While it’s tempting to follow the latest extreme diet trends, most of these aren’t realistic or sustainable for the majority of people. Instead, focus on a plan that includes: Protein: Supports muscle growth, repair, and overall strength. Healthy fats: Provide lasting energy and support brain and hormonal health. Carbohydrates: Fuel endurance, muscular performance, and cognitive function. Rather than cutting out entire food groups, aim to include a variety of nutrient-dense options on your plate. Balan...

Marathon 1 Recap: Starting the Journey Yesterday marked the first of my 25 marathons in 2025, and I couldn’t feel more motivated to see this journey through. Physically, I went into this run feeling strong and rested. However, the reality of running a marathon every other weekend for a year can feel daunting. My strategy to combat that? Focus on the present, one mile, one step, one breath at a time. It’s about patience and consistency, knowing that progress doesn’t happen overnight. Pre-Run: Getting up and going I like to get up early enough before the run to allow the body to progressively wake up and get the system going.  Coffee?  Definitely!  Sitting by the fire for a few minutes and sipping on some coffee calms my mind and spirit, all while allowing myself to wake up and mentally prepare for the long run ahead.  I also drank plenty of fluids leading up to the start of the run.  My breakfast: a simple PB and J sandwich with a banana.  This adds some ext...