Several OU students, some with the help of an OU class, have started training to prepare for the marathon that will circle Oklahoma City in April.

The marathon brings the city together to remember the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995 and encourage excitement about health and wellness, said Amy Davenport, director of Fitness and Recreation at the Huston Huffman Fitness Center.

The event, which takes place April 29, includes a 13.1-mile half marathon and 26.2-mile full marathon, according to the marathon website.

To provide additional coaches for runners, Davenport organized a free program to help 12 students prepare for the half marathon, which begins Tuesday at the center, she said.

The eight sessions will be recorded and posted on iTunes University said Davenport. The goal is to have the recordings available online next fall.

The classes will focus on overcoming the mental aspects of preparing for a half marathon, Davenport said.

“Making changes in your life is not easy,” said Melinda Williams, who will be teaching the program’s first session on setting goals. “But if it is something you are truly motivated for and you can focus on the reasons why it’s important, [then] you will be able to be even successful on those days when it is just so difficult.”

Kat Woodward, psychology sophomore, is not participating in the class but began running on her own four days a week to prepare for her first half marathon.

“I kind of wanted to do it so that I could prove to myself that I could set a goal and reach it,” Woodward said.

Though it is her first half marathon, Woodward said she is confident she will be able to finish.

“Physically I have pushed my body before,” Woodward said.

When psychology senior Lacy Brame first ran over five miles last year, she said she became obsessed with running. Brame is training to do the Oklahoma City half marathon again after first competing in it last spring.

“Running with thousands of people is a real surge of endorphins,” Brame said.

Brame runs regularly and will not have to change her habits to prepare for the race, she said.

“I think I might be addicted to it, addicted to the endorphins maybe, she said. “I sleep better, I eat better — it is a good lifestyle.”

Training for the marathon does mean extra running for Jarred White, multi-disciplinary studies senior. White plans to do three 20-mile runs during training to get in better shape for the race, which will be his third full marathon.

“The first time I ran it to prove that I can do it; the second time was to beat a time goal; and this time is to stay in shape,” White said.

The Oklahoma City Memorial marathon and its atmosphere was what attracted White to train for marathons.

“It would not be as big of a deal if the Oklahoma City [Memorial] marathon wasn’t as big,” White said.