Athletic Training

36 ATHLETIC TRAINING take some time for the sprinter to acquire that perfect control of the body that will en– able him to wait for the pistol. He should not get into the habit of swinging back and forth. This habit will either make him go off the mark ahead of the pistol, and then · subject him to a penalty, or he will find him– self left at the mark. He should also avoid the trick of some runners who aim to gradu– ally move the body forward after getting set, on the assumption that they can time them– selves to reach the point farthest forward just as the pistol sounds. This practice loses more races than it wins. They are sure to be set back for "beating the gun." (2) GETTING INTO THE STRIDE The same careful attention to details must be observed after the start. Getting into the stride without loss of energy and without wabbling are just as important as the cor– rect start. As the runner rises from the mark he should spring forward with the impetus which the crouch gives. Then he should make it a point to run straight and true, al– ways remembering that the straightest course