Tucson Marathon and Half Marathon

Kirsten and I are finally running an event this weekend....The Tucson Marathon and Half Marathon. The Tucson event is one of the fastest marathons in the country with a total elevation drop of circa 2,200 feet. Although it is mostly downhill, there are some very hilly roller-coaster portions near mile 2 and again at 7.

I've just completed an 18 week training program and will try to qualify for Boston with a 3:14 finish. I'm not nervous, i never get nervous before races, because there is really nothing at stake. I've already won. How? I'm in great shape, lost 12 lbs, and feel great. However, it would be nice to visit Boston next year :) Oh yeah, did I mention I'm back down to my weight at the finish of the Pacific Crest Trail? How many thru-hikers can match that? 159 lbs.

This year the course has been slightly modified. They removed the out and back section on the Biosphere Road and added an out and back section in the town of Oracle, AZ. I drove up there last weekend for my final long run to check out the change hoping it would be flatter than the old Bioshpere Rd. Nope. From mile 5 it's a steep drop to mile 6.5 and then you have to climb steeply back out of the hole you just ran down. The steep downhill will help trash your quads more than last year and the steep climb out will be a mental challenge to those who are not ready for it. I generally run 7:30 minute miles for marathon pace, but on the climb out I was running 8:45 miles to keep from burning too much engery.

Here's my strategy. I think it's sound and worth reading if you are running this event:

Run the first 5 miles at or just slower than your race pace. It is roller coaster so you should be able to make up on the downhills what you loose on the ups. At mile 5, let gravity pull you down into the hole, but try and not go too fast because it's steep and you will trash your quads for later in the race. Make up some time if you can but be careful cuz you don't feel the pain yet but your quads will be screaming later when you need them most. You bottom out at around mile 6.5 and on the 2 mile climb out and back to the main road, plan on a slow grind to save energy. I'm planning on loosing around 2 minutes of time on this climb to conserve energy. Once back on the main road and mile 9, it's a long downhill cruise to mile 24. I plan on making up the 120 seconds 8 seconds per mile over that 15 mile downhill. Then cruise at goal race pace to the finish.

If you run this event, I wish you luck. Check back after Sunday for an update.

Adrian