HAMILTON HARRIERS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19893, 23 May 1936, Page 25 (Supplement)

HAMILTON HARRIERS

ART OF RbIVNIhG. | l —— l IMPORTANCE or THE ARMS. l ——- I (By “Cross Country.”) In view of the interesting discussion which took place last Saturday on the correct posture when running, I thought a few notes to supplement the remarks made by Messrs F. A. de la Marc and C. Thompson would be welcome, but on looking at available data. find that the subject is not dealt with specially from the point of a barrier. However, the following may prove helpful:— Correct Stride and Blllnco.—The correct stride and balance of the body so mential to track running is not necessary in cross-country racing, and gives place to the determined effort to push through in rough going. One should run on the all of the foot—known in running as "well up on the toes"—since the tendency on the hard surface is to run flat—footed, which makes for ungainliness and loss of speed. A springy stride should be practised, care being taken not to raise the logs more than necessary as an extra foot lift over will, in 7 miles amount to a considerable distance. The feet should be kept pointing to the front as much as possible in a straight or nearly straight line under the body to avoid a reduction in striding length which the individual runner should suit to his stature, but make as lengthy as possible to reduce the total number of strides during the race. l Position of the Arms—The arms should be held in a natural easy posi-l tion. For long distance running of‘ all kinds, there is a very good reason to recommend a low carriage of the, hands. The runner can swing the‘ hands lightly inward lor outward across the groins which is the more natural swing or with a forward and l backward straight out-and-back action; The leading hand moves by the side of the body about a foot in front of it, and the rear hand reaches the same distance behind. When one hand is at the end of the forward movement, the other should be at the end of the backward swing. Leg Action.—-—The legs work in the closest combination with the arms, so that the opposite leg completes its stride as the leading arm is at its furthest forward stretch; not that there is any stretching in the play of any of the limbs, but merely a loose, gentle. pendulum-like passage of arm and leg throughout. As with the leading hand and foot, so the rear hand and foot travel to their backward limit at precisely the same mo—ment. Such is true well-balanced running, not at all exacting nor compli—cated, but in actual practice, fairly simple to perform. A feature of this straight out and back arm-swing is the manner of shaping the hands. They should be kept closed with the backs facing outwards. There is weight and a certain compressed power in the closed hand, which is merely following out the approved claims of the pendulum or “governor” of a machine. The valuable assistance lent to a runner by this means is easily to be 'tested, and if this help means an advantage of nearly a full inch per stride, there is no justifica—tion for recommending an open hand with its lessened power and greater air resistance.

Elfect of Running.-—The whole effect in walking or running comes at the centre of the stride, just as the swinging foot is in line with, or passing, the downward foot. One leg is pulling and the other leg pushing its way forward. The whole of the power, pushing or pulling, is concentrated in the centre of the leg swing. To ensure the very best motion the legs must be in the correct position and doing their work exactly in time together. It is a very common fault for walkers and runners to be out of heat and to lose, not their combination of leg swing alone, but their body balance with it.

‘ Arm Swing.—lt is as important to swing the arms in true time beats 185 the legs. Again the power rises to the maximum as the swing is half—way through, when there occurs a similar double—action of pushing and pulling. As the rising arm comes forward into position, so does the falling arm assist progress on the opposite side of the body when it drops to its momentary out-of-beat place beside the top of the thigh. Next in the rhythm of the striding comes the push ofl" the ground with the rearward foot. Coincidentally with the push off will be, if technique is well ordered. a lll‘tlng movement or the rearward hand and arm. Also, there should be an equally balanced striding and swinging of legs and arms, rising and falling first on one side of the body and then on the other. ‘