April 2010

Runners Get Marathon Advice from Experts

at Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon Seminar

Last Wednesday night, in the River Lee Hotel (formerly Jury’s Hotel), a packed room of mostly marathon first-timers heard expert advice on how to achieve the extraordinary feat of completing a marathon.

Three of Ireland’s top sports preparation experts – sports psychologist Canice Kennedy, Health & Wellness Manager of LeisureWorld Mark McManus and Shane Simcox, and chartered physiotherapist Declan O’Sullivan – told the runners that preparing for the June 7 marathon is all about conditioning the mind and body.

Seminar organiser Ger Cunningham of title sponsors Bord Gáis Energy said: “This is our second year with the marathon and we felt it would be of huge benefit to runners to hear from the experts how to prepare properly. Having seen the exhilaration and exhaustion at the finish line last year we wanted to contribute in some way to ensure people are as ready as they can be for such a mammoth challenge.”

Chartered Physio to the Cork hurlers Declan O’Sullivan agreed: “The decision to run a marathon is such a huge commitment so it is imperative that runners prepare optimally. Seminars such as this facilitate athletes to acquire the knowledge and skills to achieve their goal.”

But running a marathon is as much about having a healthy mind as body, and sports Psychologist Canice Kennedy had some invaluable expert help on how to prepare and get through those 26-plus miles. "Running a marathon is as much a test of mental strength as it is of physical endurance.  It is essential that the mind is prepared for the race and anticipation & preparation are very important in this process.  Having a mental strategy prepared is vital to coping with the self doubt and mental exhaustion that runners will suffer over the last few miles” he said. Canice Kennedy could probably convince even the most determined couch potato to complete a marathon! While stressing the value of positive thinking, Canice also had very practical advice: Know your route, visualise yourself at different points on the course, visualise yourself crossing the finish line. If you get into trouble, set yourself short-term goals - the next water station, the next corner, whatever it takes to coax yourself on towards the finish line. Control your thoughts, your pace and your intake of fluids, and most of all “expect to do well”!

The personal experiences of Mark McManus and Shane Simcox, from LeisureWorld Cork, gave added authenticity to their presentation on preparing physically for a marathon. There was particular emphasis on routine - establishing a varied but well-structured training programme, establishing dietary habits that suit you, sticking to your training pace during the race, drinking adequate fluids that you’ve trained with, even down to preparing your kit-bag (including sunscreen and especially Vaseline) the day before the race. “Two of the key ingredients of a successful marathon are fluid intake and diet, both coming up to the event and during the race,” said Mark McManus a sports scientist who has previously worked with Munster Rugby, Cork City FC, Cork Senior Hurlers & athletes Olive Loughnane & Robert Heffernan.

Chartered physiotherapist, Declan O’Sullivan began his talk by humourously accusing Mark and Shane of stealing his topic, but in truth the talks complemented each other perfectly. Declan’s technical explanations of the most common training injuries were of particular interest to those who had already experienced injuries - at least half those attending. His advice on how to avoid injury was readily absorbed by all. Stripping back the technical explanations, Declan’s sensible advice was to find the correct shoes for your feet, train on soft surfaces when possible, listen to your body and seek out expect advice when you really are injured.

This masterclass of advice was open only to those who had already entered the Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon. It will, however, be available shortly as a video podcast that will provide many others with vital tips and hints for achieving their marathon goals. (We’ll get a link up to the podcast as soon as it’s available.) While the seminar concentrated on running a full marathon, the podcast will also be invaluable to those who want to walk a marathon or who are taking part in the team relay.

An added bonus on the night was the announcement that Maher’s Sports Shops are offering a minimum 10% discount on running gear for all those who present their ‘confirmation of entry’ for the Cork marathon. Just remember to keep that form safely…you’ll need it for registration in June.