Number 11 - wow it's almost over!

Inaugural Phoenix Marathon medal

I can't believe I've finished half marathon number 11 - this year is going by way too fast.
This past weekend we headed off to sunny Arizona for the inaugural Phoenix half marathon. There are a number of marathons and halfs in Phoenix throughout the year, this was a new one that we learned about at the Vegas expo. The fellow at the booth was so enthusiastic about the event we were sold, and it doesn't hurt that Phoenix in March is almost guaranteed to be sunny as opposed to Vancouver's grey rain.
On Thursday we loaded up and headed off to Bellingham to fly air Allegiant to sunny Phoenix. While waiting for our delayed flight, Dave phoned his car rental contacts to reserve a car for us, decided it would be nice to have some transportation. Upon arriving in Phoenix we quickly learned that there are two airports and we weren't at the one our car reservation was at, and at the Mesa-Gateway airport cars are significantly more expensive, and there are no (or few) airport to hotel shuttles. Finally decided to go with the car and it's a good thing we did - Phoenix and area is a big place, there is no shortage of space and the city and suburbs definitely sprawl. Arrived at our hotel with the help of the Garmin lady (Dave had the foresight to bring along the portable Nav unit), checked in to the lovely Hyatt Place Mesa - we've stayed at Hyatt Place a couple times now, once in Portland and now in Mesa - nice hotels, highly recommend them. Then it was time to find some food, we were in an odd very spread out mall type area, found dinner at Toby Keith's I Love this Bar and Grill where Dave discovered a new favorite food soon to be appearing at Chez Pearce will be brown sugar and cinnamon yam tots, are they dinner or dessert?

Dave in his happy place, a really big beer at Toby Keith's

Friday was a busy busy day, the sun was out, the wind was blowing what better time for opening day of the Cactus League Spring Training! We were off to see the Oakland Athletics take on the Seattle Mariners at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Great fun was had, food was eaten (gotta have a dog when at a baseball game), Dave was interviewed by a local news team (don't know if he made it to air or not), and we are now all Oakland fans (we weren't dressed for the wind, and needed extra shirts and a blanket to keep warm). Seattle was well ahead when we headed out after the 7th inning stretch.

Nachos and baseball :)

Cactus league opening day

Next stop, package pick-up. This was a little out of the way (good thing we got the car), but was well organized as was the entire race. Race packages were great, included a water bottle, lip balm, and arm warmers. Shirt is a nice Nike race shirt - unisex - but sizing was good. Back to the hotel for a little pool time for Michael while I hunted down a restaurant.

The swag from the bag

We settled on Mexican for dinner and headed to a Diners Drive-ins and Dives recommendation - Los Taquitos Grill, a little hole in the wall place in a strip mall somewhere slightly south of Phoenix. The food was great, and the place was definitely popular there was a steady line-up at the counter and we were lucky to get a table to sit at.

Tacos, chile relleno, enchiladas and shrimp cocktail

Back to the hotel, got Michael set up with a movie and Dave and I headed out again to catch the Phoenix Suns play the LA Clippers. Given the fact we had a 4:00 am alarm to look forward to we only lasted half the game. Not sure basketball is my thing, and it didn't look like the Suns were having all that great a game.

The half marathon route was a point to point, with buses arranged to take you to the start line. Our race info said buses would be leaving for the start line starting at 4:00 am until 6:00 am, we didn't want to be trying to squeeze our way onto the last bus so we arrived for a 5:00 am departure and ended up on the second or third bus to leave :) It's dark at that hour of the morning and also pretty chilly, at the staging area there were a number of bonfires going, being early we were able to claim a spot close to a fire. This is the first race I've ever run smelling like a campfire. The fires made the wait bearable, and the sunrise was beautiful.

Dave staying warm

Me trying to stay warm

The sun starts to rise

Phoenix is thata way

Shortly before 7:00 we were herded down to the start line and the race was off.

it's so early but we're ready to go

Cactus in the sunrise

More cacti in the sunrise

The view for the first three miles

We started in Usery Mountain Regional park with about 5 miles of gentle downhill, the scenery was gorgeous especially for the first 3 miles coming out of the park, then we wound our way through subdivisions, and commercial areas. Miles 5 to 7.5 were pretty flat, a slow gentle hill took us up to mile 9 or so and then more gentle downhill to the finish. All in all it was a great course to run, easy but with enough changes in slope to keep your legs interested. Great volunteers, water stations every two miles, at least two gel stations, and port-a-potties at every water station (thank goodness). They had a big finish line expo, with lots of entertainment and booths.
So, how did we do? Dave ran a 1:52:23 not quite a PB but a great time, my chip time was 2:18:48, although I prefer my port-a-pottie adjusted time of 2:14:02 :) My legs, heart and lungs felt great for the whole run, I took it easy as this was not supposed to be a race, just a long training run, I just have to figure out how to eliminate (haha) the multiple pit-stops (perhaps Mexican the night before wasn't the best idea). I'm feel really good about how this went and if I stick with my current training regime I think Vancouver in May could be a good one.
Headed back to the hotel after the race to wake up Michael (that's what happens with a 7:00 am start), and it was a pool day, lunch at Famous Dave's BBQ, more pool time, and general lazing about.

Pool boys

Famous Daves BBQ - mmmm mmmm good

Sunday, our flight home was not until 7:00 pm so we had the day to explore. We did an excursion out the Apache Trail to Tortilla Flats, seeing a gunfight and a goldmine along the way. The Apache Trail takes you through the Superstition Mountains, beautiful vistas, lots and lots of cacti. A great little excursion to get a taste of the Arizona atmosphere.

the gallows

the bad guys

neat looking mountain

Tortilla Flats

Michael I think this is a cactus

Yup it's a cactus alright

another neat rock formation

Family self portrait

 Back to Mesa in the afternoon, a short stop at an olive farm, and then back home.

in the olive grove

Looking cool

An olive tree (I think)

 We weren't so happy to see the driving rain, but it was nice to feel some moisture in the air and the cats were happy too.

One more to go! April 1st - please consider joining me for number 12 - the Fool's run in Gibsons.