Athletic Training

THE MARATHON RUN 81 miles. The amount of work done will depend upon how the athlete feels and the amount of time he ha~ to give to it. A man should not expect to get in condi– tion for a Marathon run with less than eight or ten weeks of training. The first month should be devoted to strengthening the legs by the cross-country runs and walks I have explained. The last half of the training should be devoted to faster and longer work, though the cross-country walks and jogs should. not be discontinued. If the athlete is obliged to work for a living, but can arrange to do noth– ing but train for the last three weeks, it will be to his advantage. In 1908 and 1912 the candidates for the American Olympic team had not had enough work before leaving New York. On shipboard they trained an average of about one hour a day, Sunday excepted. For two weeks prior to each race I gave them all the work they could stand. In prepara– tion for the London Marathon, after the men reached Brighton I increased the distance from 12 to 30 miles. The boys had nothing else to do, and as they were gaining in weight I knew they could stand the work. What I