An Athletics Compendium

Training for Adults E 177-188 177 How to train/ John Levett. London: Newbold, 1862. Levett, one of the outstandingprofessionals otfhe previous decade, had set arecord of 51 mins 45.0 sees, fo1r0 miles andlater retired to Dublin, whheere became the leading figuinresporting circles. Hbiosok surveys most of the eminent trainers and pedestrians of the day, describes tshuecircesses and explains his own methods. 'Thomas Hosspool of Basford, once champion one mile runner, ran one mile at the Copenhagen Grounds, Manchester, in 4 mins 23sees, defeated by the Great H A [i.e. H A Reed] in a half-mile race for the belt and £50 at Halifax, by 1yd., after an accident atht e bottom turn, about 150yds. from the finish. The edge of the race track,which was raised ground, gave way to his foot, just as Tom, as he tells me, was goingto tell the Great H A to writehome to his friends. This unprecedentehdalf-mile race wasrun in1 min. 56>sees. Anyman to havebeaten either that day wouldhave known they hadbeen running when the race was concluded.' 178 Physical training and how to run, waanlkd jump / Henry Howard. London: Privately published, 1862. Howard was a well-knownprofessional athlete, and his book proved very popular. 179 Practical training fotrhe million, or, How troun, walk, jump, box, ride, row, etc. London: Harrison, 1862. 32p; illus Both editions are particularly interesting for their engravings (the firsthas 26, thesecond 50) which include studies of some of the earliest 'amateur' runners in the modern athletic era, including Capt. Patten Saunders who claimed to be the European champion, R. D. Barbor, and J. Macdonald. All the outstanding professionals are also portrayed, and they include Howard the jumper,Levett, Lang, Mills, Brighton and Deerfoot, in various spectacular costumes. ^ Subsequent ed. El 80 180 The completepractical training for thme illion and guide to the gymnasium. 2nd ed. London: Harrison, 1863. 32p; illus Previous ed. E7l9 181 The handbook of manly exercises: comprising boxing, walking, running, leaping, vaulting, etc., with chapters on training forpedestrianism and other purpos/es 'Stonehenge', 'Forrest' and others. London: Routledge, Warne & Routledge, 1864. 64p Authors areJohn H. Walsh,John GeorgeWood and others BL: 7907.a.50 One of the 'Routledge's sixpenny handbooks'. The text covers training, management, diet and the treatment of accidents occurriningtraining. 182 Hints on training / John Graham Chambers. London: 1868? Chambers was leading figure in the Amateur Athletic Club. 183 Manly exercises, sports and gam/esby the Champion Players of Old England. London: Dean, 1877. 518p; illus The sections own alking and running are by Charles Westhall. There are also sections on jumping and pole leaping. 184 Athletic training: prize essays / Robert Vernon Somers-Smith, G. P. Beckley, and A. W. Pollard. London: Simpkin, Marshall, 1882. 48p BL: Mic.A.15616(ll) (microfilm copy) The essays wesreubmitted for caompetition held by London Athletic Club. Somers-Smith, of Oxford University, was a well-known half-miler in the late 1660s. 185 Training simplified: a guide to good he/althRobert P. Watson. London: Sands, 1899. 105p Includes much anecdotal material about nineteenth century athletics. 186 Training / W. G. George. London: Southwood Smith, 1902. 134p; illus (Athletics and kindredsports; section 2) No furthervolumesin the serieswerepublished BL: 7907.ff.28 Advice for each event frotmhe great distance runner and contributors,including his brother, AB. . George, on 'American methods' and Hugh W. Innes on walking. A clear picture is given of the training methods of nineteenth centuryprofessionals, whichhad changed little since thdeays of Captain Barclay, until George's mixture of overa-nd under-distance work, with periodic time-trials, made a real step towards modern methods. 187 The application of weightrtaining to athletics / Gene Hooks. London: Prentice-Hall International, 1962. xiii, 254p; illus BL: 7926 .a .l7 Covers many sports, includaitnhgletics, anindcludes a bibliography. 188 Skill in sport: theattainment of proficiency/ Barbara Naomi Knapp. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1963. xii, 203p; illus BL: 7926.k.24 The outstanding British work on the acquisition of physical skills. Of great valuteo the athletics coach and physical educationalist. [ 109 ]