RULES FOR ATHLETES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 41, 12 November 1936, Page 13

RULES FOR ATHLETES

Famous Runner’s Advice

DIET CAN TAKE CARE OF

ITSELF

That 'Wellington athletes appreciated the willingness of J. E. Lovelock to .share hi.s knowledge and experience was proved by the presence of over 150 men and women at Ilataitai Park last evening, when the famous New Zealander spoke for three-quarters of an hour on preparation and training in athletics.

In the theory of the sport, Mr. Lovelock might be described as a freethinker. He sets little store by outside opinion and a great deal by common sense. He told his hearers, for instance, that rules of diet had been greatly over-rated, an opinion he has more than once expressed. "Appetite and common sense will tell you what to eat,” was his guidance. “If you find you are keeping fit on a normal, balanced diet you will be much happier to follow it, anil not deprive yourself of the fancy foods you enjoy.” Tea, coffee and cocoa were said to be good in moderation, but the best drink of all was water. It could not be taken in excess. Milk, too, was a splendid drink—two or three glasses a day could be taken with advantage. Alcohol, in Mr. Lovelocks opinion, was good for no man—a poison. Yet even it on certain occasions had a helpful psychological effect, as, for example, in the lifting of repressions. Physiologically, it was bad. So, also, was smoking. Yet smoking could successfully be cut down to the stage where it satisfied without doing a great deal of physical harm. Similarly, dancing was harmful because it was associated with long hours and loss of sleep, to say nothing of an excess of alcohol. Mr. Lovelock referred to the fetish of cold baths and showers. The athlete should bathe after a run, he said, preferably with warm water. Cold was too much of a shock. As for the morning bath, the individual must judge for himself. If he enjoyed a cold plunge, let him carry on. But if he emerged shivering and miserable he should cut it out.

"Use common sense in everything,” was the summing up. Mr. Lovelock then dealt at length with the athlete's specialised preparation and training. Much of his advice came as a surprise to his listeners, yet behind every word was the same logical reasoning, supported by his own experience. Stating that training should commence with a long “warming-up,” he expressed the view that England had failed to produce great sprinters because this rule was not observed. A sprinter should not imagine he had merely to go out and do half-a-dozen dashes from the holes. He must give his body a chance by building it up, just as much as the distance man. Several questions were answered by the speaker at the conclusion of his talk. He was then made a presentation by Mr. A. C. Kitto on behalf of the Wanganui Athletic Centre, in appreciation of a similar talk given in Wanganui. Mr. Kitto also expressed the Wellington Centre’s gratitude, and Mr. Lovelock was warmly cheered. DEPARTURE FOR SOUTH

Mr. Lovelock left for the South Island . last night in continuation of his tour of New Zealand as the guest of the Government. He is accompanied by Mr. H. Ramsden, of the Internal Affairs Department, Wellington. In a strenuous round of engagements in ■Wellington, he proved himself an able speaker. Already his tour has proved a great success.