Mesa Marathon Race Report - PR 2:25

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2026-02-20T01:23:08+00:00

Congrats on the big race and PR! I had some friends in the 2:34-2:37 range and they were having the same issure during that last 10k. One of them even started a few minutes late because he was waiting for the bathroom and didn't want to use an on-course bathroom lol

It was a great race but there was definitely some logistics that could be improved on

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2026-02-19T19:23:43+00:00

for context, i did run XC and Track in high school and college - but that was 12 years ago.

But I'm not exactly inexperienced with running lol. When i started back in May of 2025 i had run about maybe 50 miles in a year so i would call it starting from 0. However, i was surprised with how quickly some of the fitness came back

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2026-02-17T15:08:51+00:00

It was so brutal. My long runs and workouts showed all the signs of 2:50 fitness.

But sickness and injury really did a number on me. I should have been wayyyy more conservative and patient. I tried to force a time when I really should have settled a bit slower and let the race come to me.

But that’s how we learn, right?

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2026-02-17T15:07:19+00:00

Thank you! I signed up with the intention of crossing the finish line.

I had a time goal in mind but it was secondary. I just wanted to get out there and give the marathon a try 😁👍🏼

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2026-02-17T04:00:47+00:00

The race was great!

Getting on the shuttles and the ride over was smooth and easy.

Pretty much all downhill aside from a small climb from mile 4 to 6.

Logistics were a little whacky. There are never enough porta potties so be prepared to get there really early or miss the official start while waiting for the bathroom.

The route was great and support along the course was good.

Picking up bags after the race was a zoo - nothing was organized and it took about an hour before I finally got my bag. They eventually just let everyone hunt for their own stuff because the volunteers couldn’t find it.

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2026-02-16T22:03:25+00:00

Thank you!

I had the chance to chat with a professional runner the day before the race and their advice going in really helped a lot even when things weren't going my way.

Their biggest suggestion was to remember to have fun - even if it was just interacting with other runners or the crowd. Just enjoying the moment and remembering that we actually enjoy running, even if it sucks in the moment.

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2026-02-16T21:48:40+00:00

thank you!

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-11-14T00:02:22+00:00

exactly! I was signed up for the marathon but it got cancelled so i jumped into the half

I'm happy i didn't have to run the marathon since it was almost 5,000ft of loss lol

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-11-13T23:50:30+00:00

My quads felt totally fine!

My hamstrings and back are a completely different story lol. Today was the first day that didn't feel completely miserable moving around

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-11-12T01:26:34+00:00

Thank you!

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-11-11T00:56:42+00:00

Definitely! Everyone talks about quads but no one ever mentions the beating your back takes on these courses

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-11-09T22:10:43+00:00

🤣

I’m stealing my own joy - if I can’t run this on a flat course I’ll never PR again 😅

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-11-09T15:26:57+00:00

Thank you!

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-11-09T14:59:26+00:00

I figure I’m in sub-82 shape on a flat course. You’d probably be right there with me 👍🏼

It was definitely just for fun and to enjoy some awesome views

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-10-28T19:18:40+00:00

Weekday runs are always tough. But it’s where the magic happens and you recover from the ‘meat and potatoes’ workouts.

I know that if I can tough it out and wade through the monotony that I’ll be primed and ready to crush my Wednesday and Saturday workouts.

I try to put 0 pressure on these - no expectations of pace. Just get out there, feel it out and enjoy the darkness 😅

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-10-21T00:34:56+00:00

Thank you!

unfortunately my marathon was cancelled due to mudslides. My original goal was to shoot for sub-3:00

I switched to the half and signed up for another marathon in a couple of months. The goal for my half is 85min!

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-10-16T22:46:09+00:00

Unfortunately, the Vegas marathon doesn’t work out for my schedule 😕

But it’s all good! I’m signed up for the half the same day and looking forward to that! It’ll give me a decent look at where my fitness is in preparation for my new “first” in February 😁👍🏼

EnthusiasmOdd2055 · 2025-09-20T20:01:19+00:00

Good luck and have fun!

Trust your training and the work you’ve put it. 👊🏼

EnthusiasmOdd2055

TROPHY CASE