What did runners preparing for a foot race not do, and why?

Les explains that in preparing for the foot race, the runners did not suddenly become gluttons to build up their energy level, nor did they suddenly spend all their time sleeping so their body could rest. Yet it also would not do any good to starve themselves or work themselves to death, because then they would not have energy to run. The point is that they maintained a balance. Les applies the same principle to the Christian experience: we have to maintain a balance in everything we do. He contrasts their corruptible crown—a wreath of plant leaves that withered—with the incorruptible reward believers run for.