Athletic Training

PREPARING FOR ATHLETIC CONTESTS 25 to start, because the hurdles are not usually put in place until then. But all starters and other officials will not object to a little warming– up practice first. The distance runners, if their event be half a mile or more, should dance about enough to get the muscles of the leg flexible, and then run from 300 to 600 yards, according to their events, at about three– quarters of their speed in order to fill the lungs with oxygen. After this warming-up practice, the athletes should return to their dressing– rooms and be particular to keep off their feet. In case the weather is at all cool, the ath– letes should either keep on their drawers, or, when they are not actually running, wear long trousers. This precaution is to keep. the mus– cles from stiffening. Under no circumstances should athletes, waiting for an event or after its conclusion, sit on the damp ground. A blanket should always be carried to protect the legs and arms when it is necessary to wait for an event. I can give only general directions in' regard to the running eve~ts. Sprinters, hurdlers, and quarter-milers should take the greatest precautions to insure that the starting-holes