This past weekend I ventured out to the start of the Phoenix Marathon course to get a “feel” for the first part of the race.
As you can see, the beginning part of it is a nice downhill followed by a not-so-nice uphill, lol. I have no “real” goal for this race, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t hope to PR. I’m hoping with my NYC Marathon fitness, the downhillish course, and home court advantage will help me lower my sub 4 marathon time. 😀
Okay, fine #realtalk Whenever I think of Phoenix Marathon, I don’t remember my very first ever marathon. Instead, I remember that cold February morning back in 2015 dropping out a little past mile 12 😦 My DNF that year is not how I want to remember this race. So that’s the biggest reason I want to do well. REVENGE.
I was able to have a running buddy venture out to the start with me (the race is a point to point that begins far out in Mesa in the middle of the beautiful desert, lol) and he joined me for the first 6 miles of the course. My plan was to do the downhill part and the hill–loop around a circle doing the hill a few times for 16 miles total (my first Hanson’s 20 of this cycle).
Unfortunately, I took an early turn and ended up doing a lot of little loops and the Phoenix hill a few more times than planned, jaja!!! I chalked it up to more training for the course, lol!
I should’ve kept on going to Eaglecrest instead of turning left….oh wells..
Doooown, and then up, and then down, and then up and then down
Anyway, it was a good, hard run that left me confident about next month’s race. I’m actually excited. I think because I have a sub 4 already, I don’t have the major pressure of that goal hovering over me. Also, I have a nice, long break awaiting after this race that I’m very much looking forward to 😀
And because I’m a Phoenix Marathon Ambassador, I get “rewarded” with extra entries the more times people use my code (Helly10 for $10 off the half or full). Because everyone is awesome and using it, I’ve managed to snag an entry to giveaway for any distance the race offers–10k, 1/2, or full!! YAY!!
This giveaway is on my Instagram so make sure you check out the deets there to enter. Doesn’t a spontaneous trip to warmer weather sound amazing??? 😀 ❤
–Have you ever won a race entry?
–Do you ever practice/train on the course you will race? (this was actually the first time I’ve done that)
OK, how awesome are you that you got a race entry to give away. #killingit I’ve thought about training the course of a race but never have. I guess I like having the surprise on race day. I do however, drive the entire course the night before. This has been very helpful for me on several occasions (aka super hilly courses).
Well driving the course eliminates some surprise, no? 😉 This was the first time I’ve done it and a big reason is because it also served as some downhill training–I’ll need a lot of that prepping for St. George in the fall 🙂
This looks like a great race. It sounds like a great giveaway for whoever wins. Too bad spontaneous out of state trips aren’t in my budget. Nice run!
Boo, I’d love to meet you! 🙂
I remember those first miles well! That was the prettiest part of the course, lol. I have won a few race entries for local halfs.
Oh you better believe I went back and read your Phoenix review. ❤
Awesome. I am hoping to BQ at Phoenix this year — YIKES! But I’m glad that hill is relatively early on. I have never pre-run a course, and I usually don’t look at the course map or elevation chart in any meaningful way before my races (the surprise is part of the fun, right?), but I’m thinking of being a little more strategic for Phoenix…
Oh my, good luck to you!! I’m looking forward to seeing how you do!
I definitely think the surprise is part of the fun. I do look at course maps but I’ve never actually done part of the course until this time. I really want to be strategic for Phoenix because I just want ONE good race there, lol! Then I can just move on, jaja!!!
That’s a speedy long run – nice job!
2 of my 3 marathons were out of state, so no course practicing for me. It’s such a good idea though, familiarity can definitely give you an edge!
I think so, too. Sometimes I like knowing the course, but then sometimes I like the surprise. I’m all over the place, lol!!!
This is great! Practicing on the course will give you even more confidence on race day. I wish I could run it with you!!! I’m so curious to see how much MORE time you knock off your PR.
Oh man, how I wish you could pace me!!!!!!
It stinks that the DNF is what stays in your mind, but I think it’s normal. It’ll be exciting to conquer the race this year with so many improvements and more strength under your belt.
How cool that you have a race giveaway! I’ll enter because if I win it, I guess that means I’m going to AZ!…AND training for a marathon in 2017 lol!
That would be AWESOME if you won!!!
I really like the first 10 miles. Everything after that is a grind lol. Good that your getting some early runs out there, the downhill grade takes some getting used to in my opinion.
Never won a race entry. I thought about pacing for this thing but eh I can’t seem to decide lol.
I saw they were looking. They could use a speedster like you 🙂
And agree about everything after the first 10 miles, lol.
I just love this! And I relate to it so much! My first ever race was the RnR Phili Half- and I was NOT prepared!!! I didn’t even have food or coffee before the race. So happy for your cousin, you’re an excellent source of inspiration, and i’m sure it encourages lots of people. It’s so nice to have a few years of race experience to look back on earlier racing and realize how much you’ve learned, and how prepared your body is for overcoming discomfort if you teach it to be! Great post
Thanks and I love that our first halfs were RnR races 😀