The mild inconsequence of running chatter

Press, 2 April 1980, Page 16

The mild inconsequence of running chatter

RUNNERS’ DIARY

By

John Drew

I was running round South Hagley Park the other afternoon when a lean, strongly built man of medium height passed me. I asked him if I could go with him for a while. He was about- 173 cm, of lean upper build and with swarthy, powerful, well defined leg muscularity. 1 Not wishing to push the conversation along too much with a new acquaintance we went together in the emotionally restful way which runners know about and which is one of the socially important aspects of running.

“This looks like a former rugby inside back,” ,1 thought, “and possibly a former sprinter as well.” It gave me a kick and helped to establish good relations between us when it turned out that I had picked him correctly. On we went round North Hagley Park and round again past the saleyards. There we both noticed how well refuse had been tidied up on the inside perimeter of the park and stacked in neat little heaps ready for disposal. Then, round we went, again nearing the junction of Moorhouse and Hagley avenues when we discussed the phenomenal concentration of litter under the trees.

We agreed this seemed an unaccountable contrast to most of the Hagley area, which has never been so beautifully groomed and manicured. My running companion said he thought it must have been the prevailing wind which had scattered such an extraordinary diversity of litter, mostly disused food packages. It’s one of the pleasant effects of distance running that it can cause a grateful sense of euphoria. In a marathon, when the fatigue begins after, say, 20 miles, when the blood supply recedes from the brain to take over more urgent areas of use in the lungs, heart and legs it can be almost impossible to perform the simplest acts of addition and sub-

traction, far less deciding like which compass point vou are at.

' So although we .had. been ' going only about seven miles I was quite pleased to accept -Jim’s theories about the prevailing wind directions causing the rubbish accumulation. This left the going open for the usual inquiry one makes from former athletes who have recently returned to running. Jim — that turned out to be his name — in keeping with his background as a rugby back and a sprinter, is a bold man. So it’s in character that he took a bold approach to his resuming training.

Had he had any injuries, I asked. Jim was a classical example of his kind. A former-' athlete who

wanted to get back into action — but too quickly. Feeling the explosive vigour of youthful'speed he had compounded his impetuous follies by sprinting on the beach without shoes, and in soft sand which increased the unac- : customed violent stretch- : ing of his heel tendons. He was also without the . safeguard all runners, both , new and experienced, .should have on hard > ground — shoes with plenty of shock absorb- ! ehcy and a heel lift ap- ■ proximating the street shoe. , . , •

He disclosed that both his heel tendons had given out and he was now doing gentle jogging but he was soon going to resume sprinting -with his old club. Technical. Jokingly, I said: “Can vou hear the pregnant silence from this side?" try-

ing to hint that he should take a far longer period of reintroduction to athletics. Achilles tendon injury is one of. the. most prevalent injuries and by far the most difficult to cure. It put the former New Zealand representative Geoff Pine out of running and crippled one of New Zealand’s greatest All Black wingers. / In the United States, where some 20 million are regular runners, injuries are so prevalent that hundreds of medical men are specialising in the treatment of running injuries. The American-cardiolog-ist, Dr George Sheehan, rated as one of- the world’s top doctor-run-ning-authors, says that ■runners’: injuries are so; common that runners are willing to consult pediatrists (those . engaged in a special branch of conventional medicine dealing .with running injuries) and pay fees for a progressive cure and “after treatment” that can often exceed $3OO.

They bring .their running shoes (sometimes six pairs) for evaluation so. that the pediatrist: can decide what’s wrong with their shoes or the feet, or both.

So it does appear all the more appropriate, that the Accident Compensation Commission has brought out an attractively presented 14-page booklet, which, the commission says, in a footnote on the inside cover, is published in the interests of accident prevention. • • „ The booklet does a service as a continued reminder that whether; you are old, fast or slow the first consideration is not to go lame. .

The booklet emphasises the importance of muscle stretching, proper shoes with plenty of jar absorbency and adequate heel lift.

But the most important point of air is observing the gradual approach.

The hideous medical results of smoking are nowbecoming apparent, to more' New Zealanders. April 8 will mark the observance of world nonsmoking day.

The best way -of stopping smoking .is a gradual increasing programme of distance running. The urge will dwindle, easily and with less trauma. Nevertheless here are a few more tips on how to break this affliction.

Collect all your butts in one large glass container as a visual reminder of the filth smoking; represents.

Keep oral substitutes handy for when you get the urge for a cigarette. Make up a calendar for the first 90 days and cross •off each day and indicate the money . you’ve saved by not smoking.. /just before quitting, Smoke more heavily .than usual (almost make yourself sick) and you will be--gain to see how really dis-' tatsteful smdking is.' ' Visit the dentist and have your teeth cleaned to get. rid of . the tobacco ■ stains.- Notice how ( nice ypur teeth look and resolve to keep them that way. Think of something extravagant and then calculate its cost in terms of packs of cigarettes. When you see how your habit prevented you frqm. having something exceptionally noteworthy,; you’ll be sorry you ever’ began smoking in the first' place. Don’t go drinking incompany as this is when you’ll easily slip back. Absorb yourself in activities that are meaningful, satisfying and important to you. You now have 33 days before the Park-to-Park. Walkers should continue their “every other day” trainingExperiment, according to your ability, so that yotir walking training will accumulate to about 60 minutes'for the week. '

For runners: Day I, walk and run 20min; Day 2, walk briskly 30min; Day 3, run and walk 20min; Day 4, walk 30min; Day 5, run and walk 40min; Day 6, walk or rest) Day 7, run and walk 20min- . ,-

These hints are a guide but can be modified according to what you can manage. . ■ ■