Tucson Marathon Course Report
- Mary-Katherine Fleming
- Jul 21, 2021
- 2 min read
Tucson Marathon: Pretty but BRUTAL
Let’s go back to Algebra 1 and discuss slope. Expressed as a percentage, slope is used in lay terms to describe a hill’s steepness. It is calculated as “rise over run”, then you move the decimal point to the right two spaces to get a %. To understand what that number means, think about the incline button on a treadmill. Most treadmills will go up to 15%, some will offer negative slope but rarely more than -3%.
Why am I telling you this? Because you need this information to train for this race. In the first mile alone, you lose 500 ft. That’s a slope of -9.5%. Miles 2-8, you will lose 1000ft, that’s a slope of -3.2%. That is steep, yo. This section alone can trash your quads, and we still have 16.2 downhill miles to go. You lose a total of 2200 ft in elevation over the course of 26.2 miles, with 3 incline sections that will feel like mountains.
Make no mistake, this is a downhill marathon and you MUST prepare accordingly. Lots of uphill and downhill running, stability work on a bosu ball for your quads, uphill sprints, uphill and downhill tempos, etc. If you do not have access to at least 1 hill with 1000 ft elevation loss over 1 or 2 miles, you probably need to give this one a miss.
This point-to-point course is beautiful, well-organized and supported, and should be on every runner’s list. I highly recommend it. I also highly recommend preparing specifically for it. The casual runner who shows up expecting a fast race because ‘downhills, yo!’ is cruisin’ for a bruisin’.
Section 1 (Miles 1-8): -9% slope, then -3.2% slope
May God have mercy on your soul. This is really steep. You will need Glutes of Glory for months to prep. Keep that cage LOCKED, form is paramount.
Section 2 (Miles 9-13): negligible; 100ft rise over roughly 5miles.
This is going to hurt. 100 ft rise isn’t very steep, but that’s not your problem. You fatigued one muscular system with those steep downhills, and your quads will quake like a baby giraffe learning to walk as they attempt to stabilize you going uphill again. This is going to feel like the biggest hill in the world.
Section 3 (Miles 13-20): -2% slope
You’re going downhill again. It’s not as steep as the first section. Yay! And you don’t have to do burpees anywhere. Double yay! I honestly don’t know what to tell you other than focus on the views, they are spectacular. Don’t stop too long for photos though, each time you stop it will be harder to get started again.
Section 4 (Miles 21-finish): -1% slope to mile 24, then an uphill bump that is going to make you cry, then -2.3% slope to the finish
MK Fleming is the founder of Fitness Protection, LLC where she trains runners for $29 per month and gives marathon plans away for free. Click here to download her most popular Marathon plan, Tenacious AF, free!
To find last minute vacations on a strict budget, proximity and simplicity should be considered to ensure that the budget is spent on experience and not travel. You can spend maximum time together without spending many days on the road. Bundles where a flight is discounted with a hotel voucher are often better than booking flights and hotels separately and selecting a hotel with flexible check-in will avoid time wastage. Choose destinations that have several flights per day and hope to find last-minute reduced prices, and seek destinations with cheap local transportation to push the Last minute vacation deals under $300 for couples even further.
A Complete Guide to Excelling in NURS FPX 4005 and NURS FPX 4015 Assessments
Upper-level BSN coursework introduces students to the essential foundations of professional nursing practice NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 1 , communication, collaboration, and community health. Three key assessments in this stage—NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 1, NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 2, and NURS FPX 4015 Assessment 1—play an important role in strengthening clinical reasoning and preparing learners for real-world nursing environments. This blog explores what each assessment focuses on and how students can approach them with confidence.
Understanding NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 1
NURS FPX 4005 emphasizes professional communication and interprofessional collaboration NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 2, both of which are critical for safe, effective patient care. Assessment…
A Comprehensive Guide to Succeeding in NURS FPX 6620 and NURS FPX 6622 Assessments
Advancing through graduate-level nursing coursework requires strong analytical thinking NURS FPX 6620 Assessment 2, solid informatics knowledge, and the ability to apply evidence in clinical settings. Courses like NURS FPX 6620 Assessment 2, NURS FPX 6622 Assessment 1, and NURS FPX 6622 Assessment 2 are central to building these high-level competencies. This blog explores what these assessments typically involve and how students can prepare for them effectively.
Mastering NURS FPX 6620 Assessment 2
NURS FPX 6620 focuses on nursing informatics and the integration of digital tools to enhance quality and patient outcomes. Assessment 2 often requires students to analyze informatics solutions, interpret healthcare data NURS FPX…
Here’s an overview of what ABCD Index is — and how to check a journal’s “ABCD Index” — based on publicly available information.
ABCD Index is an online journal evaluation and directory platform that claims to classify academic journals based on certain quality parameters. Many researchers search it to check whether a journal is “A, B, C, or D” category.
The Portland Amtrak Station is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic transportation hubs, known for its historic charm, convenient location, and strong connections to major rail routes. Whether you're a daily commuter, a long-distance traveler, or a visitor eager to explore Portland, this station plays a central role in connecting people to the heart of the city. With its timeless architecture, vibrant surroundings, and traveler-friendly amenities, the Portland Amtrak Station stands as much more than just a stop—it is an experience that blends tradition and modern travel.