I never even tried to get Excalibur II in any playthrough I've done on FFIX. I like to enjoy the story, I don't think you can do that when you're rushing through. I suppose it adds replay value and is a nice touch for those that like these kinds of challenges, but one of the things I like about Final Fantasy games is that they're never about speed.
Enjoying the story and devising good strategies are a big part of why I love them, so getting Excalibur II was never something I wanted to do. Though I suppose you could totally do it in one day, which is kind of cool.
EDIT: Also, I was kind of pissed off that they had this in it at all. Because it's Steiner's ultimate weapon and it's probably the most missable thing in any FF game.