Harriers Slow To Start Serious Training For Championships

Southland Times, Issue 23828, 27 May 1939, Page 15

Harriers Slow To Start Serious Training For Championships

By

WHISTLE

Although the harrier season started very enthusiastically, harriers are slow to settle down to hard work and this lack of preparation will show up at ?“ r when the pace is on. A glance at the syllabus will show that only eight runs remain before the cross-country championship and that two months _ will have to be spent in intensive training if the local men hope to be at their best for July’s big race. Possibly the readers of this column may feel that too much is being written about hard work and training, but all the best coaches agree that it is impossible to place too much emphasis on the necessity for a thorough preparation for distance running. In his book, “Success on Track and Field, A. L. Fitch, the American coach says, “The distance runs are the most strenuous events on the athletic programme and competitors should realize that they require a longer preparatory „ period than possibly any other event.” The strongest competitors in the cross-country events will be the visiting teams from Dunedin and at the present time they are training four nights of the week. It is worthy of mention that the greater part of their training is done on the road, the consensus of opinion being that road-work sharpens up speed for cross-country running. The northern men also make a practice of going over the course for their cross-country championship again and again with the idea of making themselves thoroughly familiar with every fence and peculiarity in the course. This is an idea which could very profitably be copied by local harriers. Last week leg action was discussed with a view to giving harriers a style to aim at. It is also important that one should watch the arm action as it is of great help in maintaining balance, timing and rhythm. Over-emphasis in the use of the arms rapidly fatigues the body and if one part of the body becomes tired it tends to disorganise the entire system. It is recommended that the arms be carried at a level not lower than the hips. The action should be forward and then inward towards the centre of gravity and back not further than the hip. This will prevent excess action; the shoulder, should be moved very slightly. Another point that requires attention is the angle of the body. The ideal angle is just ahead of the centre of gravity, with the chest held high. The head should be held as in the normal walking position, with face and neck muscles relaxed. Too many men run as if it were a great effort and from the look on their faces one would imagine it was a terrific strain. It should be a runner’s aim to cultivate a'relaxed style which will make running a pleasure and will also improve his time. While the muscles of. outstanding men are usually long and pliable, distance runners are of no particular build. Many physical handicaps may be overcome by scientific training. The English runner, S. C. Wooderson, a man of apparently frail "physique, is a good example. Scientific preparation has developed in him the speed and stamina which enables him to break world records almost at will. Style can be developed only by practice and in training the athlete should remember to watch such points as body angle, stride, arm and leg action, and the position of the chest and head.

INVERCARGILL CLUB

The annual run at Otatara as guests

of the Metcalfe 'family is always a popular outing and.- last Saturday s visit was no exception. Added to the hospitality showered upon the pack is the fact that it is possible to get, a run over good harrier country within easy reach of the city. The undulating nature of the Otatara district lends itself admirably to either running or tramping and it is the intention of the club to hold a hike there on June 11. Mr R. T. Metcalfe has offered the club the use of his crib for the occasion and this kindly offer has been accepted. It is unnecessary to enlarge upon the benefit of tramping in a training schedule and it is hoped that the whole

pack will make a point of turning out for this event. Further details will be announced later. J. R. Hubber is going to make the older members look to their laurels this season. He has been prominent in every run in which he has taken part' and has a great turn of speed. It was a pleasure to see "W. F. Thompson in the pack on Saturday. He is a harrier who showed much promise last season and it is hoped he will take the game seriously this year. He is a good stylist and can give an excellent performance when fit. A. McKenzie, a new harrier, has been right up at the front from his first performance. He, too, has a good style,

his action being smooth and apparently effortless. This lad will make his presence felt among the juniors this season, 1 ' > W. Eastlake is the young harrier who won the club road race on his first and only performance last season. Fresh from a successful year on the track, he is running very freely and should be well to the fore, when the racing begins. D. Dick has made a welcome reappearance in rthe pack after having had a season off. Despite the fact that he is carrying a lot of weight, he'can run with" the best so far. . / Today’s run which was to have been held from the High. School gymnasium, has been altered and the harriers will be the guests of the Eastlake family in Elies Road, The pack will meet, at the. corner of Elies, road and King street at 2.15 p.m.

Spectators at the English crosscountry championships at Worsley were kept in touch with the race by means of a semaphore system. Boy Scouts were placed all round the course and flagged placings from point to point. Watchers were thus given the progress of the runners and teams at vital stages in the race. They were also entertained by music from loud-speak-ers. There was a record entry of 44 teams, and 425 runners. The course was over five laps, each of two miles. J. T. Holden, on his thirty-second birthday, won the 4 event for the fourth year in succession.