Athletic Training

CHAPTER VI THE HALF-MILE RUN EVERY athlete who runs the half-mile, which is the shortest of the distance runs, will get his first taste of distance running in training for it. Because there are certain principles which every distance runner must observe I will discuss them here, and they may be borne in mind as the longer distances are treated of later. It is hardly necessary to remind the sprinter or even the quarter-miler that he must run on his toes. He acquires that habit naturally in an effort to make speed, but men who .are running longer distances may frequently be seen running flat-footed and breathing through the -nose, two mistakes which must be eradicated before one can hope for success in these events. By running on the toes I do not mean to keep on the toes in the extreme manner that sprinters do. 52