For those who’re on the lookout for a quick course with usually fairly good working temps, then add the Phoenix Mesa Marathon to your record. I’ve accomplished the half a number of occasions and have a number of pals and athletes who do the total when on the lookout for that Boston Qualifying time. Let’s take a look at why!

5500 to 1000 toes = automated PR, proper?!

That’s what everybody appears to consider about coaching excessive and working low.

And a race that isn’t a large downhill, however as a substitute a gradual and gradual descent over the total course is a MASSIVE win. Whereas steep downhill programs just like the Revels will be quick, they’re usually tremendous onerous on the physique and athletes come away fairly depressing.

Phoenix Mesa Marathon Ideas

With any race, I’ve a couple of normal suggestions for our athletes:

• Attempt to not stroll round a ton earlier than the race
• Have your pre-race dinner and morning of meal with you or deliberate out, so you already know it’s meals you tolerate
• Don’t get sucked in to driving the course 🙂 it’s best to have been coaching for regardless of the elevation appears to be like like and that’s all you’ll be able to management

The EXPO has grown, so simply keep in mind to benefit from seats to sit down down. A enjoyable outside area with quite a few totally different distributors, free chair massages, Form Bars, snacks from Sprouts and a band. Made for a good way to hang around and join with a bunch of different runners from Instagram the day earlier than the race.

#1 Race Gear (Begin Line Garments and End Line)

Each years it was SUPER IMPORTANT to have throw away gear for the beginning line. You’ll be there for at least an hour and one yr it was 32 levels, one other about 44.

Staying heat to not waste vitality is big.

After that, I ended up working on lengthy sleeves and I ditched my throw away gloves round mile 4 in 2019. In 2017 it was colder and I saved on my gloves and hat during the race.

Nevertheless, loads of my pals run in tanks…they’re chilly however just like the push. SO you do you!

I’m not at all times nice about gear checking a bag, however in 2019 I used to be SO THANKFUL that I did as a result of it was windy, I used to be sweaty and so very chilly.

If you wish to hang around and benefit from the festivities, contemplate tossing some dry garments in your gear examine. It’s proper by the end line, so very easy to shortly change and really feel good.

#2 Prepare for the Flats

One factor that many runners over look is how working a race that’s so flat can truly be more durable. You’ll be utilizing the identical muscle tissue all through the race. For those who’ve been coaching on rolling hills, you could discover that issues begin to ache or fatigue.

In Colorado, I made a degree of driving to an space the place I might do a long term and solely get 250 toes of elevation achieve. Which continues to be greater than you’ll see throughout this whole race.

#3 Keep Close to the Begin

For those who can keep on the Hyatt Place it’s actually on the expo, bus choose up and end line which makes life extremely simple.

We did that in 2017 and in 2019 rented an AirBNB with pals lower than a mile from the end line, which meant a straightforward stroll to the bus choose up as a heat up within the morning and easy accessibility after the race to bathe then head outdoors and cheer for marathon runners.

Those that drove in waited in some actually lengthy traces to park automobiles. This may be nerve wracking as you already know you have to get on a bus to the beginning line.

#4 Don’t Begin Too Quick

One of many main points with any web downhill race is we are able to simply begin too quick. Simply do not forget that whereas it’s downhill, your physique continues to be used to working a sure tempo.

For those who get your HR up too excessive too shortly or just overwork your legs, then the previous couple of miles are going to be a lot more durable regardless of whether or not it’s flat or downhill.

#5 Intention for Even Pacing

Attempt settling in to your aim tempo after which making an attempt to keep up that all through the race. For those who’re nonetheless feeling actually robust at mile 13, you could possibly choose it up possibly 10 seconds.

For those who’re nonetheless feeling robust at mile 20, strive selecting it up one other 10 seconds per mile.

And should you’re nonetheless feeling good at mile 25 then give it a push and see what you’ve acquired.

Phoenix Mesa Marathon Race Overview

There’s not a ton in fact technique right here since you aren’t coping with any large climbs or large crowds just like the Miami Marathon. The one actual variable is how nicely you cope with the chilly or if it occurs to be a moist day.

There are a TON of winter races in Arizona because of the right morning working temps, however I’m undoubtedly keen on this course.

SO let’s dig in to the nice, nice and ehh of the Phoenix-Mesa Marathon. As you’ll be able to see the half is simply barely down, nothing of be aware in any respect!

The marathon does actually have a hill at mile 4, however it would actually really feel about like that 1% incline on the treadmill and nothing that ought to have a large tempo impression. Plus when you crest the hill, you might be again heading down, down, down.

Level-to-point Course

It is a professional and a con for me.

I like that you just get to see totally different areas, however I hate the nerves of ready to catch a bus to the beginning line. For me that’s simply added stress and an earlier morning.

Nevertheless, we stayed at a resort the place the buses loaded and the race completed, in order that was fabulously simple. Hanging out within the chilly for 90 minutes earlier than working…not my choice, however you neglect after a couple of miles of working that your nostril is numb.

They do have heaters on the beginning space, so discover your spot and comfortable up.

Runners

Roughly 7000 runners within the half and the total marathon – nonetheless you star at totally different areas, so the course was by no means crowded which is a serious bonus in my guide.

Additionally type of good that you just don’t see runners peeling away on the midway mark realizing you continue to have one other 13+ to go.

Professionals (constructed for a PR):

• The overall race elevation is a loss, which suggests you’re successfully working a mild downhill
• Virtually 17% of runners Boston Qualify
• Not a ton of turns, which makes for a sooner race
• Loads of room on the course
• Loads of help stations and nicely manned
• Run with the solar at your again so no squinting
• No main hills – like none
• Killer put up race meals – french toast, snacks from Sprouts, (they mentioned Chick Fil A – however they had been out by the point we walked by way of, which meant solely a 1:30 half finisher who walked proper in acquired them, BOOOOOOOO)
• I actually just like the medal

Cons (not attention-grabbing):

• Catching early bus to start out line and hanging out within the chilly
• Very quiet course – no music, few spectators
• Principally watching brick partitions and avenue lights
• No timing clocks on the course
• The entire roads are cambered, so discover your approach to the center when you’ve got any knee, IT Band or shin points

2019 Race Recap

Understandably none of you care about my recaps, however this weblog has been type of my race journal since 2012, so I’m leaving them in right here in any case!!

Coming in to the race, I wasn’t 100% certain what to anticipate out of my physique. I actually needed one other put up surgical procedure PR, however I used to be mentally pysching myself out a bit. Couldn’t even let you know why!

In October, I ran the Lengthy Seaside Half in 1:59…we ran Phoenix in precisely 1:53:00!This provides me HUGE hope to get again to my pre-injury PR. It’s a course of, however I’m doing it the proper method by getting stronger, not dashing and staying damage free.

General this race was simply a mixture of me studying to belief myself as a pushed simply past my consolation zone, however not thus far that I used to be going to crash and burn. That is normally due partially to David, who is absolutely good and going only a bit too quick, which suggests I’m going a bit slower and we meet within the center for a tempo we are able to each maintain, ha!

Mile Breakdown

Mile 1: 8:50
Mile 2: 8:37
Mile 3: 8:37
Mile 4: 8:36
Mile 5: 8:32
Mile 6: 8:41
Mile 7: 8:42
Mile 8: 8:39
Mile 9: 8:37
Mile 10: 8:43
Mile 11: 8:32
Mile 12: 8:31
Mile 13: 8:13
.01 – 1:08
Avg: 8:35
Avg HR 157

Plenty of enjoyable this yr to get pleasure from having some pals on the town as nicely! I’ll have forgotten my pockets and that made the air journey very attention-grabbing, however as soon as right here life was fairly nice.

2017 Race Recap

I promise to maintain this half brief, however for my very own reminiscences I’ve acquired to recap it!

Begin line – Fortunately catching the bus meant strolling straight out of our resort, unluckily I didn’t understand that and we acquired to the beginning space sooner than I’d have favored because it was 40 levels. Nevertheless, David for as soon as listened to me and was sporting throw away garments or I believe he’d have frozen his you already know what off.Uncrowded begin made it simple to seek out your tempo group. The marathon and half begin at totally different areas because it’s a one route course.

We settled in to roughly an 8:52 tempo and David discovered fairly shortly that when I discover a tempo, I don’t waiver, regardless of how onerous he tries to push or gradual. Except pressured to love at mile 9 when he vanished and I spent 2 minutes entering into circles freaking out, till his little hooded head waved at me.

(Checkout these tricks to run along with your partner sans combating)

He stopped to stretch his knee with out warning, tsk, working associate etiquette. Principally I wasn’t certain if he’d in some way gotten forward of me or was stopped as a result of his knee had been appearing up. Fortunately all was nicely and the day resumed.After that we settled in, trying to be nerds when a photographer appeared and simply centered on having fun with a sustainable tempo. And sure I used to be being conservative with pushing after every part recently, so as a substitute we discovered a pleasant tempo that wasn’t purple line and wasn’t a traditional simple run.

We completed robust, felt good and might nonetheless get pleasure from our trip. I undoubtedly might have pushed a bit extra, however not value it based mostly on my knee wanting like a basketball.

The primary 7 miles, I spent wanting round specializing in my type and respiratory, then I wanted a bit enhance so I lastly turned on the iPod. I had my 3 songs able to go on repeat — sure their is a technique to this! Seems listening on repeat to songs helps you get centered and in a zone!

Breakdown of the miles

Mile 1: 9:09
Mile 2: 8:56
Mile 3: 8:49
Mile 4: 8:47
Mile 5: 8:51
Mile 6: 8:55
Mile 7: 8:54
Mile 8: 8:52
Mile 9: 9:28 (the the place’s David mile)
Mile 10: 8:59
Mile 11: 8:51
Mile 12: 8:42
Mile 13: 8:16 – that simply makes me blissful
.12 – 8:04

Last time 1:56:one thing
Earlier PR 1:44…oye, time to work again
Avg HR: 157 — fairly superior contemplating my coaching in Colorado focuses on LHR that means I don’t go above 145 and that’s just about been a ten minute mile.
Gas: Nothing, simply my breakfast famous beneath and carried my pre-workout to sip for many of the race.As David mentioned once we completed, “rattling you’re constant“. He walked at water stations after which would dash again to me, I simply plowed alongside at the very same tempo. Seems that’s truly the greatest approach to PR, in case you’re questioning!

Now time to do some mountaineering and checkout the remainder of Phoenix!!

Different race questions I can reply, let me know!

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