I followed Georgia's track from 2025, similar to the route I took in 2020 including the road along the airport runway. Love to see the (relatively) new I-17 underpass! I'm not precisely certain about the way through the Forces of Nature maze but I matched Georgia there as well (and it's all a half dozen of one/6 of another anyway).
I stashed water in 6 places plus stopped in at the Chevron on Railroad Springs. Otherwise I carried everything else I needed. This is an easy route to do self-supported.
My main issue was not feeling in top shape. We have just come up from Tucson and the altitude adjustment is ongoing, plus a sinus infection invaded my head the day before. Well, the water was stashed, I didn't have extra days to wait, and I really wanted to try it. So I started out at a slower-than-normal pace and figured John could always pick me up if I needed to bail. Good training for longer ultras, if nothing else.
Happily, no bail out required. The manageable pace worked most of the way. It was an enjoyable day (including an elk sighting within the first hour) and I love communing with the ponderosas. I started feeling a bit slower on the climb to Observatory Mesa, then it really hit my legs on the ascent up Rocky Ridge. With only a few miles left and no particular reason to stop other than "I'm going slowly" I decided to walk it in. It wasn't pretty but I made it.
So yeah, there's a lot of room to beat this time!