Athletics

WALKING. 77 miles, is very similar to that for a mile, with the exception of not running the full distance more than once or twice before the race; as, for instance, when I beat the three miles record,* I was at the time pretty fit at a mile, so I only ran two miles once, and not once did I run the full distance. Of course, when I am running well at one distance, say, a mile, I find I haveonly to vary the distance, so as to be able to have plenty ofstaying powerfor the longer race. In thecase of ten miles, I should take longer spins,say, from two to six miles three timesa week, and perhaps every other week have a spin at eight miles; but I havenever run the full distancemore than once whentraining for that race, and thatat least eightor ten days before the race. I think it a great mistake for athletes whentraining to run against the watch continually, as a great number of athletes do,especially novices. Should I find myself overtrained, I believe in taking a rest for at least a week; this I find always has a good effect. I believe in taking a cold sponge-bath, say, twice a week after the run; and as for food I never diet myself in the least, always taking myordinary food. As regards alcoholic liquors, I amnot anabstainer, but seldom take anybeer in training, unless it is a friendly glass; but I believe in having a glass of port or sherry in the morningwith an egg beaten up in it. This is almost exactlyhow I train; but I have always to take my runs in the evening, as I cannot leave business before toenable meto train in the day. * 14 min. 29I sees., Stamford Bridge, 31 Aug., 1889. — E D.