In case you’re searching for a quick course with typically fairly good working temps, then add the Phoenix Mesa Marathon to your checklist. I’ve accomplished the half a number of instances and have a lot of pals and athletes who do the total when searching 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 typically tremendous laborious on the physique and athletes come away fairly depressing.
Phoenix Mesa Marathon Ideas
With any race, I’ve a number of commonplace suggestions for our athletes:
- Strive 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 understand it’s meals you tolerate
- Don’t get sucked in to driving the course 🙂 you must have been coaching for regardless of the elevation seems like and that’s all you possibly can management
The EXPO has grown, so simply bear in mind to benefit from seats to take a seat down. A enjoyable outside house with plenty of totally different distributors, free chair massages, Sort 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 no less than 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 stored on my gloves and hat all through the race.
Nonetheless, loads of my pals run in tanks…they’re chilly however just like the push. SO you do you!
I’m not all the time 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, think about tossing some dry garments in your gear examine. It’s proper by the end line, so very easy to rapidly change and really feel good.
#2 Practice 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 tissues all through the race. In case you’ve been coaching on rolling hills, it’s possible you’ll 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 future and solely get 250 toes of elevation acquire. Which remains to be greater than you’ll see throughout this complete race.
#3 Keep Close to the Begin
In case you 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 simple 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 strains to park vehicles. This may be nerve wracking as you understand that you must 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 keep in mind that whereas it’s downhill, your physique remains to be used to working a sure tempo.
In case you get your HR up too excessive too rapidly or just overwork your legs, then the previous few miles are going to be a lot more durable regardless of whether or not it’s flat or downhill.
#5 Purpose for Even Pacing
Strive settling in to your aim tempo after which attempting to keep up that all through the race. In case you’re nonetheless feeling actually sturdy at mile 13, you can choose it up perhaps 10 seconds.
In case you’re nonetheless feeling sturdy at mile 20, attempt choosing 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 obtained.
Phoenix Mesa Marathon Race Evaluate
There’s not a ton in fact technique right here since you aren’t coping with any huge climbs or huge crowds just like the Miami Marathon. The one actual variable is how properly you cope with the chilly or if it occurs to be a moist day.
There are a TON of winter races in Arizona due to the right morning working temps, however I’m positively a fan of this course.
SO let’s dig in to the nice, nice and ehh of the Phoenix-Mesa Marathon. As you possibly can see the half is simply barely down, nothing of observe in any respect!
The marathon does in reality have a hill at mile 4, however it’s going to actually really feel about like that 1% incline on the treadmill and nothing that ought to have a large tempo influence. Plus when you crest the hill, you might be again heading down, down, down.
Level-to-point Course
This can be a professional and a con for me.
I really 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.
Nonetheless, we stayed at a lodge 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 overlook after a number 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 e-book.
Additionally sort of good that you just don’t see runners peeling away on the midway mark figuring out you continue to have one other 13+ to go.
Execs (constructed for a PR):
- The overall race elevation is a loss, which suggests you’re successfully working a delicate downhill
- Virtually 17% of runners Boston Qualify
- Not a ton of turns, which makes for a quicker race
- Loads of room on the course
- Loads of support stations and properly 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 have been out by the point we walked via, which meant solely a 1:30 half finisher who walked proper in obtained them, BOOOOOOOO)
- I actually just like the medal
Cons (not fascinating):
- Catching early bus to begin 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
- All the roads are cambered, so discover your solution to the center if in case you have any knee, IT Band or shin points
2019 Race Recap
Understandably none of you care about my recaps, however this weblog has been sort 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 wished 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 Seashore 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 fitting approach by getting stronger, not dashing and staying harm free.
General this race was simply a mixture of me studying to belief myself as a pushed simply past my consolation zone, however not up to now that I used to be going to crash and burn. That is normally due partially to David, who is basically good and going only a bit too quick, which suggests I am 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
Numerous enjoyable this yr to get pleasure from having some pals on the town as properly! I could have forgotten my pockets and that made the air journey very fascinating, however as soon as right here life was fairly nice.
2017 Race Recap
I promise to maintain this half quick, however for my very own reminiscences I’ve obtained to recap it!
Begin line – Fortunately catching the bus meant strolling straight out of our lodge, unluckily I didn’t notice that and we obtained to the beginning space sooner than I’d have favored because it was 40 levels. Nonetheless, David for as soon as listened to me and was sporting throw away garments or I believe he’d have frozen his you understand what off.
Uncrowded begin made it simple to search 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 rapidly that after I discover a tempo, I don’t waiver, regardless of how laborious he tries to push or gradual. Except pressured to love at mile 9 when he vanished and I spent 2 minutes getting into circles freaking out, till his little hooded head waved at me.
(Checkout these tricks to run together with your partner sans combating)
He stopped to stretch his knee with out warning, tsk, working accomplice etiquette. Principally I wasn’t certain if he’d someway gotten forward of me or was stopped as a result of his knee had been appearing up. Fortunately all was properly and the day resumed.
After that we settled in, making an attempt 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 thing these days, so as a substitute we discovered a pleasant tempo that wasn’t purple line and wasn’t a standard simple run.
We completed sturdy, felt good and might nonetheless get pleasure from our trip. I positively might have pushed a bit extra, however not value it primarily based on my knee trying like a basketball.
The primary 7 miles, I spent trying round specializing in my type and respiration, then I wanted slightly increase 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 completely happy
.12 – 8:04
Closing 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.
Gasoline: Nothing, simply my breakfast famous under and carried my pre-workout to sip for a lot 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 solution to PR, in case you’re questioning!
Now time to do some climbing and checkout the remainder of Phoenix!!
Different race questions I can reply, let me know!
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