ATHLETICS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1926, Page 4

ATHLETICS

SPRINTERS’ BREAKDOWNS DANGER IN EARLY TRAINING, (By “Aho Started.”) Last week a suitable schedule of training for 440 yards, 8M) yards and the mile was given. This week it is the turn of the sprinters who, perhaps, need more advice than middle distances athletes. Old-timers have been much concerned in recent years about the alarming number of serious breakdowns which have happened to sprinters. The trouble is due to many athletes trying their muscles unduly before they are in the proper condition to stand the great strain of sprinting, and particularly that of jumping off the mark. There arc many amateur sprinters who ride to business, spend eight hours indoors, riile to their training centre, and perhaps ride most of the way home after their training. Herein lies one reason of many breakdowns. It is exercise the athlete lacks. Muscles must lie “tuned up” or devel* into proper condition before being called on for such a strain as entailag by sprinting. PLENTY OF EXERCISE NEEDED. . If sprinters will lie very patient and spend the first six weeks of their training in tuning up the muscles, there will be fewer breakdowns. Walking is always a safe exercise, but having regard to the difficulties of many athletes, particularly those in towns, it may be as well to recognise that most of the exercise must be on the track. Thus the work for the opening four or five weeks should consist of a nightly jog-trot of six or eight miles, the pace being as slow as 7min. per mile. Long underpants can be worn with advantage, plus a sweater. After a month of this, stripped runs may be commenced, but it is still advisable to make sure of daily exercise, either in the form of a walk or very slow running on the track. The exercise will strengthen the muscles and prepare them for the strain of sprinting. Before running fast the musclar should be stretched by raising the lege as high as possible, as though high kicking, but doing it slowly. Never neglect the warming up lap. particularly in cold weather, before getting down to hard running. Nor is it advisable to, take on pistol practice until one has reached a well advanced state of condition. By paying attention to this very important matter of conditioning the muscles before commencing hard training, athletes will lessen the risk of breakdowns. Warmth is also vital, so that gentle massage before turning out should not be neglected. THE FINISHING TOUCHES. When real speed work is the task, it should always be realised that sprinting is essentially a game for the quick thinker. The more “sluggish” individual is more likely to do better at long distances. To shine as a sprinter alertness must be the aim, not only when running, but in all other directions. Rapid movement of the legs can be cultivated by trying the hundred up mentioned earlier in the season. This is a stationary run, raising the knees and swinging the arms as though running, but stands ing on the' same ground. From the start the aim is to crowd as many step* into a certain space of time as possible whilst maintaining the correct balance. Tins will cultivate quickness of movement, which is nil essential to success in sprinting. Traci: wi rk should include dashes of 40 to 70 yards, and a slow start and finish will guard against sudden strain. • logging about, so exercising the muscles, and a stride of n lap, or even two, will help. When training is well advanced the full distance may be run through every other night. Aim to maintain proper form, the common fault of many being to tie themselves up when trying hard. If proper balance and form lie cultivated in training there will be more possibility of the race being run right through properly. Throwing up the arms at the tape, jumping for the tape, and other freakish methods are not to be recommended. Get up top speed and try to go faster and faster till past the post. That is the way to succeed iu a short dash of 100 yards. i NEW PLYMOUTH NOTES. The club run last Saturday afternoon proved a great success, and the club would be wise in holding more it! the near future. Something of everything was tried, and there was many a sore leg afterwards, but the knowledge gained was worth it. There is no doubt a wealth of raw material in field events in the New Plymouth Club, ami as most of the competitors arc quite young, some very promising men should result with some coaching and practice. Another great success was the evening meeting held on Tuesday night. The fields were extra large for New Plymouth, more so when it is remembered that competitors were divided into three lots. “Miek” Julian should develop into a good middle distance man. as also should Tottey, a new member from Hamilton. Both these runners signalised their initial run in New Plymouth by winning their respective races. Norris lias lost none of his dash of last year, while Medley is still as good as ever, and seems to have pd himself of the habit of slowing up over the last few yards. The next meeting will be held on Monday night, so as to give those who are going to Hawera a rest between the two meetings. The races will consist of a junior 1(10 yards, all starting off scratch, maiden two laps (all scratchi, and senior 229 yards and one mile handicaps. Don Robertson is having hard luck already, and it looks as if he will not be able to compete at Hawera. At present he is having trouble with his throat and faee. Amateur athletics are having a gondM run in Taranaki this season as far •< meetings go. The next big meeting will be the Caledonian sports, to be held ta Hawera on January 26. For running sports meetings, there is no better body of men than a Caledonian K|iorts Committee, and as this is run by the combined societies of Taranaki, runners carl depend on being well catered for. Th< programme is not yet out, but shonlc be printed fairly early. The next elub run will probably nt held on Saturday week on the Fitzroy beach. Competitors should endeavour U have their costumes by then, es|ieciallj those going to Hawera. as nothing lookl worse than a team dressed in different uniforms.