Bredin on Running & Training

MY CAREER AS AN ATHLETE. r65 Travelling by rail from Manchester to Rochdale, a man in the same compartment observed to a friend, " Going to see the race on Saturday ?" " Yes," was the reply. "Suppose Mills will win?" "No. I fancy the other." "See he's running Downer at Bolton Saturday week?" "Yes. Think that's an exhibition rae~ . From which disjointed remarks I gathered that the man in the street was not inclined to look upon pedestrianism, either old or new, as being worthy of much credence. Saturday, January 3oth, caught me certainly on one of the best days of m.y running career, but the hard frost during the preceding days gave place to a thaw on the night before the race, so that the track was in the worst condition that a track can possibly be, soft and slushy on the top and firm an inch or two under– neath the surface; added to which Mills only set and maintained a fast pace for the first 350 yards, so that, following my trainer's advice, I slackened down and trotted the last forty yards, which makes any conjecture as to what I could have done on a fair day almost impossible. The time of this race was so! sees. The event itself was interesting to me for various reasons, amongst others being the fact that it secured the largest attendance that it has been my lot to witness in athletics, amateur or professional. What the crowd numbered exactly I do not know, for the big double doors were forced open, and several thousands entered without passing through the turnstiles. Out of that number one man brought round his sixpenny-piece on the following day, explaining that he was carried