Where to even begin this post?
I spent the weekend in Phoenix, Arizona. After a horror story with travel (as of now we are not receiving anything), we made it on Friday morning at 3 am East Coast time.
Here is a brief recap of everything outside of the race.
We enjoyed the Scenic views that New Jersey does not offer. I kept thinking I was in a movie because they were so nice!
Lots and lots of blogging meetups…
(Why did we not take a photo Adam?)
With one of my favorite bloggers and people, Kevin!
I had a great time in Phoenix. It was nice to escape the cold of New Jersey and enjoy some warm weather. Outside of running the actual marathon, I did a lot of fun and cool things. Tim and I explored Phoenix and explored the entire city.
One thing I did learn was going to a destination race is tough. I wanted to go hiking and enjoy the views but didn’t want to hike before the marathon (and couldn’t hike after).
Would hiking a few miles the day before a marathon be smart? No, probably not.
I had a great time and Phoenix is a lovely city. I would recommend this race to any of my East Coast friends for the fact that you get out of the cold weather for a few months.
Questions for you:
Have you ever been to Phoenix?
Have you ever done a destination race?
I would run a marathon in Phoenix just to feel warm and I don’t have any interest in marathons! I’m glad you ran so well and that you had a great time aside from the travel.
I have been to Phoenix, it’s a really neat place. I really enjoyed Scottsdale. Didi you get a chance to check it out, the night life is fabulous and so is the food!
That sounds like it was a lot of fun! I’ve always wanted to go to Scottsdale personally!
You should have gone hiking and just made Tim carry you.
I’ve been to PHX, and I was injured. Wanted to run there or go hiking so badly, so I know how you felt looking at those mountains and having to rest! It looks like you had fun meeting other bloggers/friends.
I’m on the fence about destination races in general as well. My first marathon was a destination one and I hated not sleeping in my own bed, eating my own food, and constantly feeling like everything was foreign. The next year, I ran a marathon in my home city… I saw friends and family throughout the entire course and I got to walk to and from the start line. That part was great, but knowing exactly where I had to go and how much FARTHER I had to run kind of sucked when I got tired. All of our races for the next few months are going to be “destination”, so I’ve been trying to be optimistic about it and focus on the positives.
Never been to Phoenix outside of a connecting flight there.
My only real destination race was Marine Corps Marathon… flew from Ohio to DC for that one. Next destination race is Shamrock, but we are driving to Virginia…
my first and only marathon was in nashville. 9 hours of travel was not conducive for that race… nor was the 80 degrees after training all winter. i couldn’t even enjoy the city afterwards cause i had heatstroke. so many failz.
Aw that would be hard not being able to take advantage of the hiking and other things out there! It looks GORGEOUS I am so jealous that you got to experience Phoenix! Mike and I did two ‘destination’ half marathons… one in Plattsburgh (so I could see his old campus) and one in Toronto. In toronto we walked like 11 miles the day before the race, and in Plattsburgh didn’t do quite as much but still a LOT of walking. I was really grateful that I didn’t care about the outcome of either race because I was SORE from all that walking and exploring.
Darn it, we did so many cool things too!! You’re seriously just going to have to come back so that we can get a pic together!!!!
As long as it’s not in the summer!
I’ve never been to Phoenix, but I’ve driven through Arizona before and thought it was really gorgeous. Totally different from what I’m used to, and the thought of snakes and scorpions scared the crap out of me, but still really nice 🙂 And I definitely wouldn’t mind the warmer weather!
Definitely been to Phoenix–went to ASU & lived out there for the better part of 17 years. If you liked that race, check out the races in Sedona & Flagstaff. Sedona is absolutely gorgeous, and Flagstaff is just a short drive to/from the Grand Canyon. Glad you enjoyed it!
So fun.! and I’ve been to Phoenix veryy briefly, but I would love to do a destination race sometime soon 🙂
I would go anywhere above freezing right now, even if I had to run a marathon.
I’ve been there a few times as we have family there, but it was way too hot to run outside. My cousin got married in July. It was 112 degrees and the only thing I wanted to do was float in the pool. I’ve had fun doing destination races. Sometimes it was an adventure with friends, other times I found a race when I was already going somewhere.
Geez, that reminds me a lot of Texas. The heat was brutal in the summer.
Ironically that is how i felt about the NYC races… I wanted to get out… Enjoy the city and walk around, but… The race does put a little hitch in those plans. Also, headed to Phoenix for a quick weekend trip in two weeks… Any suggestions or must sees?
My favorite was Papago park. It’s quick and fun walk!
I have never been to Phoenix, but anyplace warm works for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never flown to a race…but have driven about 3.5 hours for one.
The only race I have ever traveled to was a three hour drive away, so I don’t think that actually qualifies as a “destination” race. I have huge dreams to run the NYC Marathon, Marine Corps & Boston, among many others, so they are definitely in my future! I would absolutely love to go to Phoenix but I’ve never been.
The photos look great Hollie. At least if the travel was terrible, you had some great memories you can talk about at the wedding 🙂
So those photos look awesome … especially since it’s snowing right now.
The first time I did the Disney World marathon, I went down there with my family. We went early so we hit the parks a few days before and the race was on Sunday. This was a major mistake. I was beat before the race even started! I’ve done a lot of destination races – actually more than local races. I need to give local a go!