Marjon students prepare runners for half marathon
Released: 28.03.18
Marjon students will be back in action at Plymouth’s Ocean City Half Marathon on May 20th, with sports therapy students providing free sports massages at the race village and the ‘positive psyching team’ from the MSc Sport & Exercise Psychology course helping runners to reach the finishing line.
The 13.1 mile race attracted over 4,000 entrants last year, with runners taking in a course which covers a circular route from the Hoe, through Plymstock, Elburton and Saltram and then back to the Hoe through the City Centre.
Marjon students will be helping runners to prepare for the big day by holding a total of four free Race Preparation Workshops.
The first two 90 minute workshops will help runners with their training and address strength and conditioning for injury prevention, overcoming barriers to training, hydration and nutrition for training, goal setting, and psychological strategies for endurance.
The second workshops will focus runners on the race itself through mental preparation, including setting goals and managing nerves, nutrition before and during the half-marathon, hydration before and during the race and pacing strategies. Both workshops are suitable for competitors of all levels.
The workshops are based on cutting edge research by MSc Sport & Exercise Psychology course leader, Dr Alistair McCormick, into the effects of psychological interventions on endurance athletes and how these can be adapted to increase enjoyment and resilience for non-competitive athletes.
Dr McCormick adds, “We held a similar workshop for people who entered the 10k Ocean City Race and were really pleased by the initial feedback and information gathered. Signing up for the workshops will not only give half marathon runners a positive experience of the race but will also be really helpful for our MSc Sport & Exercise Psychology students in terms of setting a research model for the future.”
In addition to the Race Preparation Workshops, the Marjon ‘positive psyching’ team will also be on hand on race day, cheering on runners with a variety of motivational and positive messages to influence their thoughts and emotions. These in turn will stimulate greater resilience and exertion, whilst still maintaining a positive experience.
Ocean City Half Marathon Race Preparation Workshops will be held at Plymouth Marjon University Sport and Health Centre on the following dates:
Race Preparation (Training) Workshops: Wednesday 4th April 19:00-20:30 and Friday 6th April 19:00-20:30
Race Preparation (Focus on the Day) Workshops: Friday 11th May 19.00 – 20.30 and Saturday 12th May 11:30-13:00
Free parking is available on campus.
Application deadline for the Ocean City Half Marathon is 29th April.
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