Athletics (British Sports Library)

CHAPTER VII CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING CRoss-couNTRY running has one great advantage over distance track-work in that the latter is bound to become ·monotonous, whereas a spin over ever– changing country provides a pleasing variety. It is, however, advisable to run in company in prefer– ence to taking long spins by oneself. The cross-country runner should work out three times a week over distances suited to the inculcation of stamina for the length of race he has in prospect, varying the length of his run in accordance with his own feelings. Never shirk bad going in training, and always, in practice, run strongly through the bad patches. In bad going the stride should be shortened, to decrease strain upon tendons, and strong striding is necessary, also, to prevent the chance of slipping or stumbling in thick mud. Lengthen out the stride over the good ground. It should, indeed, be easy to do this, since the chopped stride in the rough would have given a rest to the muscles employed in the proper stretch– ing knee action. Shorten the stride and slow 117