The wind is blowing, excitement is in the air in Springdale, Utah. It’s 5:50am and I catch the last bus to the starting line for the Zion Half Marathon. Although it is 30 degrees out, I decide against gloves and a windbreaker. As I arrive at the staging event area many things are happening. The last raffle is called and I miss it. So I get myself organized and set my race bib to my clothes. I finish my bulletproof coffee and put my travel cup into a bag with my name for pick up at the finish line. I never go into the warming tent as it has a flood of people inside staying warm body to body. I am up and ready for what is coming. I have been practicing jogging and developing myself cardiovascularly for two months. I am not worried, just waiting to see how we begin. It’s cold with the wind blowing, but I have an ear muff band and a sweatshirt over two layers of clothes. I already know from my practicing that I warm up quickly and will shed clothes as needed.
All of a sudden the sky has lightened. We are called to line up and we begin to organize. Everyone is friendly and excited to begin. We cross a pretty bridge with a river beneath showcasing the sunrise. We shuffle forward and then backward as we assemble and organize into starting positions. I found my friend Marilyn’s friend Suzy who is also participating in her first marathon. We are excited to look out and find Marilyn from the joggers who have started crossing the starting line at 7am. I put myself in group 8 feeling that I didn’t need to be in the last group as I had clocked myself recently at a 14 minute mile. As Marilyn starts to jog past we get her picture and become more excited as it is nearly our time to start our first half marathon on the road to Zion.
7, 8, and 9 basically all start forward continuously over the start line. We have started! My first half marathon! The sun is rising and the beauty of Virgin, Utah, where it all begins is spectacular. I have no trepeditions. My only expectation was that I would finish in 3-½ hours rather than four. I fully jog the first mile and most of the second. I had never done that before having never chosen to or believed that I could. But here in Virgin, on this road to Zion, I believed I could and it was easy. The energy is amazing! I feel amazing! I feel alive and part of this group of people 58% of whom this is their first half marathon.
I thought we would all be jammed trying to jog/walk in the same space but everyone spreads out. I am continually surprised that I am passing people. I continue to do so and don’t feel stressed at my pace. I am still surprised at how well I feel and my progress at walk/jogging. I feel good and happy to move forward. I am excited each time I see the next mile marker and jog toward it with purpose on this road to Zion.
At mile 3, I shed my jacket into the waiting truck and continue to trust in the process that I will find it at the end. I am fully warmed up and the weather still feels a little cool but good for running and I choose to leave on my long sleeve shirt for a few miles more. I grab one cup of water here and at each stop it is offered to keep hydrated. I spy another jogger who has the same long sleeve shirt on that I have who is grooving to her music as she jogs near me; her hands dancing to her happy mood like I do at times. I decide I would do this as well because I like to and am also happy to be here. She said we are “twinning.” I lost her as I jogged further up the road.
I felt completely dialed in with my mood and physical activity. I have bulletproof fat water with me that is full of salt water in my travel bottles to drink as needed. I have my neuromaster (coffee berry supplement for energy) along with a brain octane mct oil and take them about half way around mile 5 or 6 to maintain steady energy. I have my protein aminos tabs and take all 5 at mile 7 to keep from having any soreness or injury. Around mile 10, I grab a quick picture of the Springdale sign with a selfie and a smile. I then take my turmeric anti inflammatory supplements just in case, but I haven’t felt any soreness with my legs or knees. I still felt well energized throughout, never losing my enthusiasm. I was outside. There were large hillsides of rock on one side and open fields of grass and animals on the other side. Whether walking, hiking or jogging, I am outside on this beautiful, clear Utah day on this road to Zion. I am in my element and I am strong. How could I not be energized? I am happy to be here, outside and accomplishing my goal—my first half marathon. I haven’t even done a 5k or 10k. Zion national park called to me. Marilyn’s excitement called to me as well as I haven’t seen her in 10+ years. Now I feel I can do more of these vacation half marathons and have a new excuse to be outside where I want to be, gathering strength from the natural environment, breathing in fresh, microbe-rich air and participating in forest bathing all while exercising and relaxing in nature.
At every mile marker I took note and jogged further along and felt wonderful and not at all stressed or over tired. It was refreshingly beautiful and amazing. My pace appeared to suit me perfectly. Cars were driving past cheering us on. Soon the townspeople were doing so as well. I posed for photos and waved at the townspeople. I was happy. Wow! What a positive atmosphere to be swept into and down on this road to Zion. Mile 11 came and mile 12 suddenly appeared and I am jogging to the end at mile 13. There was my sister, Jennifer, waiting and cheering me on at the finish line with her camera. There was Marilyn welcoming me as well! I see the time as not quite 3-½ hours so I hurry through the finish line to get there before the time changes! Yahoo! I did it and finished well for a first timer. At 57 years old, I finished with a 14 minute mile just as I had practiced. But I hadn’t walk/jogged the whole time until today. So it was a nice surprise that I was able to keep the same pace. All my diligent work practicing had paid off. I have discovered something new about myself.
I did this on my bulletproof diet and lifestyle—no carbs. I felt light hearted and full of enthusiasm the whole way. I had shed my long sleeve shirt back at mile 10 and crossed the finish line with my bulletproof shirt that had been too small but now fits well. I wanted to have my picture taken with this shirt on for my first half marathon, because I am proud of where I am. I am no longer sick, depressed, have asthma or weigh 180 pounds. I had been looking for a way out. “Bulletproof” gave me my way out and into health. I now weigh 138 pounds. I am 4-½ years into my bulletproof lifestyle. I ran this half marathon on bulletproof coffee and my supplements. I had taken magnesium, potassium and coral calcium with 72 trace minerals prior to the run. My energy never flagged as I paced myself for 13 miles. I was well hydrated. “I was perfectly dialed in,” I told my sister. And how wonderful that we were in our first solo trip as adults in our fifties. Life can get busy but here was a way to hang out together, celebrate and spend the weekend in nature for my cause. My path to health and hers as well. I wouldn’t have felt as comfortable without her as she managed where I fumbled and felt uncertain. She is my sister in need in this unfamiliar challenging weekend. I am so grateful to have her, a friend and a new friend to share in this event. At the time the Zion Half Marathon seemed completed but as I look back, it is the beginning.
I find happiness and peace from the stress of daily life at national parks. Being outside gives me strength physically and mentally. Now that I know I can walk/jog a half marathon in good time, I believe I will head out to the the Grand Tetons in 2021 for that half marathon and visit my mom and brother who live there. There are many ways to plan an outing and always a road trip to be planned. I am excited to build this reason to get there and be outside in nature for that day and week. I feel healthy and alive.
Age successfully! Be vibrant!
Lori Balue , Adapt Certified Functional Health Coach And traveling health coach
This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to you to educate you about functional health and nutrition and as a self-help tool for your own use. It is not medical advice. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgement. For my full Disclaimer, please go to my website loribalue.com.