Siggy training hard for Wellington-Auckland race

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 22, 22 October 1985, Page 14

Siggy training hard for Wellington-Auckland race

Local ultra-distance runner Siggy Bauer is training hard for the midNovember Wellington to Auckland 730km road race. This year he has reduced his running somewhat — down to 1 20kms a week, and is spending more time working out in the local Shape Place Gym at Sports Country. There he boxes, trains with weights and does jazzergetics which "fully com-

pensates and adds a new dimension to my training." Siggy spars with Darryl McDonald, the gym's boxing instructor, who was training with the New Zealand boxing team this year until an injury forced him out. Siggy says the sparring and bag work gives him increased coordination and speed. "I have no intention of becoming a prize fighter but Darryl's scientific approach to boxing has sharpened my

thinking and reflexes, so that I am much more mentally as well as physically agile," he said. Siggy has also been attending jazzergetics classes since May this year and finds that his running efficiency has improved as a result. "1 am in some ways an uncoordinated runner and the jazzergetics has given me more style and efficiency in my running," he said. Murray Macneil, who runs jazzergetics with Liz Hudspith, said that jazzer-

getics gives fiexibility and cardio-vascular pump-up which is valuable for runners and for all sports. "Siggy paces himself in jazzergetics for his ultramarathon running but this shouldn't put people off — anyone can pace themselves at whatever level they feel comfortable," said Murray. Murray and Liz are certified instructors of New Zealand's top aerobic fitness programme, which Siggy says is important because 'back-yard' operators can be dangerous. Siggy also works out with weights under the supervision of Jim Haywood, who has experience in power lifting. Siggy is particularly interested in the controlled breathing and strength which he gets from weight training. "Strength exercise is very important because when all else is equal it is the stronger competitor who will win," he said. Siggy says the weight training encourages upperbody development which is very important in running, but which does not get exercised by running. Murray and Darryl started the Shape Place Gym in winter 1984 as a place for sports fitness training. Now with the amount of equipment doubled Shape Place is a fully-equipped gym with all equipment necessary for complete fitness. Darryl and Murray will be with Siggy on the Wellington to Auckland road race as his back-up crew.