Cross-Country Running Demands Careful Training

Southland Times, Issue 23816, 13 May 1939, Page 15

Cross-Country Running Demands Careful Training

By

WHISTLE

With the new season successfully under way, harriers are now considering the advisability of serious training. For the next few weeks, it is the intention of the writer to print in this column a series of training hints which he hopes will prove beneficial to harriers generally. At the outset it should be clearly understood that no hard and fast set of rules can be laid down for training. Each individual must use his common sense in adapting the principles of training to suit his own physique and temperament. An athlete should always take care of himself in his daily life as neglect will almost certainly show up sooner or later. Training carried on sensibly and trader proper directions does more than most people realize to establish the good health of all young persons. On the other hand, it is most important to avoid overdoing physical recreation. The object of physical training is to get the body in such condition that the ■ athlete can compete without danger of overstrain. To do this, training must be regular and systematic. However, training should not be so strenuous as to use up all the energy and strength of the body. Such a system would result either in strain or “over training,” perhaps both. Your training work-out should not leave you tired or exhausted. If you feel tired it is because your muscles are losing and not gaining strength and elasticity. Try to limit your training activities to about an hour, and—a most important feature—do. warmingup exercises before starting serious work. No athlete can either train or compete properly from a cold start and harriers intending to take the sport seriously would be well advised to acquire a “sweat suit.” Made of fleecylined material, these suits hasten the warming-up period and hold the bodyheat before and after your training or competition. All those harriers who intend taking the sport seriously should, from now on, concentrate on regular, habits of living. Regular meals; regular hours of sleep, and plenty of it; hot and cold baths or showers, and as much open-air exercise as you can possibly get. Apart altogether from any success you may have as an athlete, the good health that you experience after training, together with regular meals

and sleep, and plenty of fresh air, is in itself a fine reward. Endeavour during the next few weeks to build up a background for your training along the lines indicated above. A proper mode of daily life is half the battle. INVERCARGILL CLUB There are still several members of last year’s pack who have failed to put in an appearance this season and it is hoped to see them out soon. J. Cooper is one of this number and remembering his fine form of last winter, his place in this year’s A team is assured and will help to make it capable of recovering lost laurels. Another runner who showed promise last season was I. Her bison and the pack-could well do with his services again. It was pleasing to see P. Giles out again on Saturday, and it is to be hoped that he will take his running more seriously than he did last season. He showed when competing in. junior events that he had possibilities of developing into a first-class harrier. Training activities have begun and there was a good attendance last week. The benefit to be derived from regular training will soon become evident. At this stage the main object should be to see that the legs are gradually tuned up to stand the more strenuous weekly runs which are ahead. Long walks will assist to bring this about and plenty of walking should be done during the week in addition to midweek training. Those who have come in contact with Dunedin harriers will know to what extent our northern rivals carry this out and this suggestion is made in the hope that the members of this club will do as much walking as they can, particularly in the early part of the season. The trail laid last Saturday provided a good run although the rough, swampy country made running difficult in some parts. However,- the country in the vicinity of the aerodrome is almost as good as can be obtained locally, and this part of the run was a pleasure. When the going is difficult the decision of the club captain and the route he selects should be followed by everyone, this obviating the possibility of the pack becoming separated. Today should see a big pack following the paper as the two local clubs are to combine in a run from the Municipal Baths.