Runner Back On Top Form Thanks To University Team
20 March 2012
Middle distance runner, Ellie Stevens (photo credit Liam Arthur)
I began working with the Buxton team after coming back from injury and illness, and the support they have given me has definitely accelerated my return to the top of my sport.
”Ellie Stevens
A talented Derbyshire middle distance runner has been called up to run for England thanks to support she received from the University of Derby Buxton's sports performance experts.
1,500 and 3,000 metre runner Ellie Stevens, 27, from Derby, has had some great results for Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club so far in 2012; coming first in the Sheffield Northern Championships, taking first place again at the Gugl Indoors in Austria where she ran for England, then third at the Birmingham Games and McCain City Challenge on March 3.
Ellie credits her excellent level of performance with the specialist strength and conditioning work she has been doing with University sports academics Adam Baker and Mark Cheetham; in areas such as performance biomechanics, strength and conditioning training, and postural analysis.
Ellie said: "I began working with the Buxton team after coming back from injury and illness, and the support they have given me has definitely accelerated my return to the top of my sport. On my latest run I felt really strong, like a different athlete and have knocked 20 seconds off my personal best in the 3,000 metres.
"Through working with Mark and Adam I've learned a lot about my technique and my gait - so I don't waste any energy when I run and it all goes into making sure I'm first over the finishing line."
Adam Baker, Lecturer in Anatomy and Sports Physiology on the Sports Joint Honours degree at the University of Derby Buxton, said: "For an athlete to come back from injury and illness and get such great results like Ellie has done so far this year shows just how talented a runner she is.
"We think that Ellie is a real hope for British middle-distance running and we are enjoying helping her to reach her potential. We look forward to seeing her get some great times running for England in the future and maybe even at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016."
The University of Derby Buxton's Sports team is currently working with other talented athletes including 400 metre runner, and member of the Team GB 4 ×400 metre women's relay team, Vicki Barr.
Using the latest movement analysis techniques they are helping these athletes take their natural talent, and hone and develop their technique and strength - to enable them to perform at their highest level.
For more information about Sports Joint Honours degree programmes at the University of Derby Buxton visit www.derby.ac.uk/udb
