Harriers

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 182, 19 August 1937, Page 13

Harriers

TRAINING METHODS Opinions of Murakoso and Lovelock NEED FOR SELF-CONTROL "A big thing in athletio training is seif-Oontrol; this applies particxilaily in the early stages of the season, when there is a temptation to race too much and too early," said New Z.ealand's famous athlete, J. E. Lovelock, discussing training for cross-country running When he was liere some mohthS ago, "Athletes of all grades iii New Zealand from sprinters to long-distance runners dispiay a femarkable impatience about getting down to fast work," he said. "They forget that speed is useless without a foundation of stamina." This was one piece of advice offered by Lovelock to cross-country ofiicials who interviewed him while he was m New Zealand. Similar advice was offered by the champion Japanese long distance performer% Ifohei Kurakoso, who visited Auckland during the last traek season and who finished an easy first in the national three miles chainpionship. Hc also broke the New Zealand two-mile record at Napier. "During the slow preparatory worlc of the first six weelts or so attention ehould be paid to style," Lovelock stated. "The whole idea in harrier lunning is to be comfortable and reiaxed. All the timo I train for distance races I am at ease and move With the utmost economy of e£t*ort. There must be no waste movement and no museles should be used uilnece3sarily. If care is taken to observe theso points in training then you will not go to pieces when the paco is on in a race." Murakoso had similar advicc to offer, although. his methods appexired considerabiy diftei'cnt froxn thoso of the New Zcalaiider. Through his fntei'preter he said: "Japanese athletes with their eyes on world competition saerifive everything for their sport. fcjonte keep to a regular timetable for a period of years. "I train for an hour on four nights a week in addition to my daily waxxis," he said. "I run the full distance in training, but not more than two miles at full speed. For harrier running you should tl'ain to stdrt a raco fast, then settle idown to a regular pacse which should vary little throughout the race. "I do not worry much about massage. In training I do without massage unless I feel vCry much that I need it, and that is only occasionally. Before and aftcr a race I haVe a very Jight massage. I take no stimulats and eat ordinary meals, excopt that on che day of the evont I have a lightor meal than nsual."