Athletic Training

64 ATHLETIC TRAINING the sweater well up over the· mouth to pro– tect the lungs from the cold air which they are breathing. At the same time the runners should avoid pounding the pavements or tr~ck, for this will produce sore shins, the bane of every distance runner. There are, of course, many who cannot spare the time for a preliminary training of this length. I should advise them to begin their training by taking an easy run after the manner prescribed for the half-mile, only longer. The beginner should swing along until he begins to feel tired. After a short walk about the field he should be able to take another run, not too hard. This sort of training should be suf– ficient for the first two weeks, during which time the runner will gradually work out the soreness from his muscles and increase his endurance. At the end of two weeks he will be able_to stand a little faster pace. If so he should try a half-mile at about a 2.20 gait. If he finds that this pace does not tire him he may keep on at the same speed until he begins to tire. At about the third or fourth week of his training he should do some longer work, run-