Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Prof Frances Garrad-Cole

*This module is suitable for, and aimed at, students who are not runners, or at least not very experienced runners*

“I am a marathoner” – repeating this phrase to yourself and introducing yourself as such can actually take you one step closer to achieving a personal endurance goal that you never thought possible – running a marathon. The overarching principle for this module is that seemingly unattainable long-term goals can be achieved with the right understanding and application of theory, namely an integration of positive and motivational psychology. This module takes, potentially inexperienced, runners through a specific training programme for running a marathon. The module is based on core psychological theory which is then applied in a very real way to running training and performance. A similar approach has demonstrated success in marathon running: over ten years, David Whitsett and Forrest Dolgener from the University of Northern Iowa have coached almost 200 students through to a successful marathon.

The module comprises one two-hour lecture per week and a three-hour workshop/training session. The lectures will cover content and introduce theories to guide and govern successful goal setting and achievement. The workshops will combine discussion and reflection with group training. Each workshop will also incorporate a 'clinic' where various running issues and themes (e.g. footware, hydration, injury etc) can be explored. There are four training days per week and one of the runs will be undertaken as a group during the workshop time. The purpose of the module is to realise the potential within us all to achieve greater things than we ever imagined possible. It is a real-world application of goal-directed psychology and the power of positive, motivational psychology. Students enrolled on this module will develop a sense of empowerment and recognition of how their own personality (including its limitations) impacts upon their potential for success. Whilst specifically focussing on the challenge of running a marathon, the skills and principles learned can be applied to any situation in life. Fundamentally, this module is about learning to be successful and resilient in setting and achieving goals in a challenging and unpredictable world.

This course will cover topics from psychological theory and application that are relevant for marathon preparation. Topics will include:

Expectations and running (including personality type, motivation, performance anxiety, goal setting); Nutrition and running (impact of good nutrition on motivation, mental well-being and self-belief); Emotions and running (the ‘wall’, fear, attributional theories of emotion and bodily sensation); Cognition and running (self-talk, mental imagery, locus of control, distraction, mindfulness); Behaviour and running (action-reflection cycle, flow, effort and reinforcement); Resilience and mental toughness (including dealing with set-backs and failures).

There is an expectation that students will be able to run approx 3-5k comfortably before starting the module and therefore this module will not be suitable for students with physical disabilities or ailments that restrict running ability. Each student will also have to self-certify that they are helathy and wel enough to undertake the module, and that they will consult their GP should they feel otherwise, before they undertake this training. Therefore any heart conditions, epilepsy etc would need to be considered in line with the module aims by the GP before a student were to sign up. The aim of the module is to train to run a marathon and students should be prepared to do this before starting the module. It is understood that illness/accidents can occur during the course of a module and, if that were to be the case, the student would need to use the psychological principles taught within the module to adapt their goal and overcome disappointment/change in group dynamic etc.

threshold

Threshold D- to D+ - Adequate answers or writing to the question, largely based on lecture material. No integration of theories. - Basic understanding of principles and theories of positive/motivational psychology. - Basic understanding of effective training plans with regard to Psychological principles - Adequate application to own goals and practice. - Adequate understanding of how to resolve set-backs in personal goals

excellent

Excellent A- to A* - Comprehensive and accurate coverage of the area with clarity of argument and expression. Depth of insight into theoretical issues. - Deep understanding of principles and theories of positive/motivational psychology and how they apply to running a marathon - Excellent understanding of effective training plans with regard to Psychological principles - In depth understanding of how to deal with set-backs to a personal goal and application of theory to re-evaluation/re-setting goals.
- Clear development of self-efficacy and recognition of how this has come about through application of positive psychological principles - Excellent application of theories to own goals and practice

good

Good C- to B+ - Reasonably comprehensive coverage of the topic. Well organised and structured writing. Good understanding of the theories and how they apply to training for a marathon. - Good understanding of principles and theories of positive/motivational psychology - Good understanding of effective training plans with regard to Psychological principles - Good application of theories to own goals and practice - Good understanding of how to overcome set-backs to personal goals

1. On completion of the modules, students will understand and be able to analyse goal setting behaviour/training plans.

2. On completion of the modue, students will be able to apply principles of positive & motivational psychology to set goals and understand how to achieve them

3. On completion of the module, students will be able to evaluate progress towards their goals, their ability to accommodate setbacks and failures, and their development of resilience to challenges;

4. On completion of the module, students will understand the influence of dispositional factors such as personality types and motivational ability in goal-directed behaviour.

5. On completion of the module, students will be able to understand the influence of state and performance-related factors such as nutrition, emotion, motivation and effort in goal-directed behaviour.

6. On completion of the module, students will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge of the module to a real-world action-reflection cycle (e.g. running a marathon)

7. On completion of the module students will be able to convey applied scientific material for a lay audience.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Weekly Reflective Blogs		50.00
	Reflective Essay		50.00

		Hours
Seminar	Each week we wil host a seminar where we discuss how the theories learnt can be applied to goal-setting, specifically within the context of training for a marathon. The two hour session is broken into a one hour seminar, where we may have guest speakers, and then a one-hour running session. Students should come dressed in weather-appropriate running gear and be ready to take part in the practical aspect of the module.	22
Lecture	Each week there will be a content lecture introducing and discussing the key theories of motivation and positive psychology that will be needed for the module.	22
Private study		156

• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

• Understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
• Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues and integrate ideas and findings across the multiple perspectives in psychology.
• Communicate psychological concepts effectively in written form.
• Engage in effective teamwork for the purpose of collaborating on psychological projects.
• Be sensitive and react appropriately to contextual and interpersonal psychological factors.
• Use effectively personal planning and project management skills.
• Understand and investigate the role of brain function in all human behaviour and experience.

Resource implications for students

**There are financial implications for this module. Students will need to invest in good quality running shoes and running equipment. Since one blog requires a race reflection, you will be expected to enter a half marathon before the Easter Break. You will also need to pay for the final marathon.** [Non-financial implications: 1. Students will need to commit to threee to four runs per week (only one of which takes place during class time). **The expectation is that you will run EVERY week unless signed off by a medical professional** 2. Students will need to visit their GP satisfy themselves that they have no underlying medical conditions which would compromise their marathon training. Students will be asked to confirm that they have no underlying conditions which they feel might affecrt their ability to train for a marathon and that, should they have concerns, they will consult their GP. 3. It is expected that you have prepared for the module and are ableto run 5K reasonably comfortably before you begin - it doesn't need to be fast!!

Reading list

Core text: Whitsett, Dolgener & Kole (1998). The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer. McGraw Hill

Optional in courses:

• X320: BA Astudiaethau Plentyndod ac Ieuenctid a Seicoleg year 3 (BA/APIS)
• LC31: BA Criminology & Crim Justice & Psychology (with Int Exp) year 4 (BA/CCJPIE)
• MC98: BA Criminology/Psychology year 3 (BA/CRP)
• X319: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Psychology year 3 (BA/CYP)
• CQ83: BA English Language & Psychology year 3 (BA/ELPSY)
• R181: BA French with Psychology (with International Experience) year 4 (BA/FPIE)
• R1C8: BA French with Psychology year 4 (BA/FPSY)
• R2C8: BA German with Psychology year 3 (BA/GPSY)
• Q1C8: BA Linguistics and Psychology year 3 (BA/LP)
• CL83: BA Sociology/Psychology year 3 (BA/PS)
• CL84: BA Social Policy/Psychology year 3 (BA/SPP)
• C80B: BSc Psychology (Bangor Uni Intl Coll) year 3 (BSC/BICPS)
• N5C8: BSc Marketing with Psychology year 3 (BSC/MP)
• C880: BSC Psych with Cl & Hlth Psych year 3 (BSC/PHS)
• C88B: BSc Psychology w Clin & Health Psy (4yr with Incorp Found) year 3 (BSC/PHS1)
• 8X44: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology (Int Exp) year 4 (BSC/PHSIE)
• C88P: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psy with Placement Yr year 4 (BSC/PHSP)
• C804: BSc Psychology (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/PIE)
• C800: BSC Psychology year 3 (BSC/PS)
• C81B: BSc Psychology (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BSC/PS1)
• C80F: BSc Psychology year 3 (BSC/PSF)
• C80P: BSc Psychology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/PSP)
• C813: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology year 3 (BSC/PSYFP)
• C84B: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psych (4 yr with Incorp Foundn) year 4 (BSC/PSYFP1)
• C81P: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/PSYFPP)
• C801: BSC Psychol w Neuropsychol year 3 (BSC/PSYN)
• C83B: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology (4yr with Incorp Found) year 3 (BSC/PSYN1)
• C809: BSc Psychology with Neuropsy (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/PSYNIE)
• C84P: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/PSYNP)
• C681: BSc Sport & Exercise Psychology w International Experience year 3 (BSC/SEPIE)
• C680: BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology year 3 (BSC/SEXP)
• M1C8: LLB Law with Psychology year 3 (LLB/LPSY)
• C808: MSci Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology year 3 (MSCI/PHS)
• C807: MSci Psychology year 3 (MSCI/PS)