Bredin on Running & Training

RUNNING AND TRAINING. milers were Farrell, an American, and Mills, a Lanca– shire "pro," the former likely to run this distance in 48 seconds, and the latter some few yards worse. His advice, in conclusion, was that Hutchins, being old and at the same time possessed of considerable reputation, he (Hutchins) would in all probability be a good draw from agate money point of view, and that opposed to him I ought to have an even-money chance in a match over a quarter. That interview created a somewhat pugi– listic feeling mentally, if such an expression is admissible, and I then and there decided to test the capabilities of these professional giants, who at any rate could not teach me very much in regard to the running of races over my favourite distances. It seemed somewhat odd that a man holding records and the winner of several A. A. A. championships could, practically speaking, have no chance when pitted against human beings equally dependent on natural ability, and not from excellence acquired by constant practice from youth upwards-such, for example, as that shown by the pro– fessional billiard-player. Otherwise the possession of an A. A . A. championship gold medal, won in a good year, was relatively of small value as a test of athletic merit. However, as I have just remarked, I determined to find out for myself whether I had any claim to be regarded as a good runner or simply in the light of a second-rater, and so, to throw no chance away, I looked out for a capable trainer, and was fortunate in this respect to find Sam Fritty disengaged. The latter had been a good sprinter, and for several seasons trained the Sandhurst boys for their sports and annual competition versu s Woolwich Academy.