Bredin on Running & Training

20 RUNNING AND TRAINING. the track at the same time. A walk in the afternoon will be more likely to do good-and in regard to this subject, all walking exercise should follow, and not precede, the day's running, as it is of importance that the athlete may turn out for his daily spin when in no degree tired. Even a four miles' tramp somewhat takes the edge off that feeling of freshness and vitality in the possession of which improvement is most likely to be obtained. In addition to the usual bursts at fifty yards (if possible accompanied by other runners, and started by the report of a pistol), after about ten minutes' rest, 220 or 300 yards can be run through at three-quarter speed, varying these distances by occa– sionally going steadily over the full course, and as an additional change-which will be found in practice more severe than it appears in print-start and sprint for fifty yards, then slackening into a moderate pace, so continue once round an ordinary-sized track. This is an excellent pipe-opener, and of great assistance in getting one's wind into a good state. Allowing only a slow 300 yards to be covered after a few sprints, day by day, as is usually a trainer's advice, is not likely to prove enough exercise for a severe quarter, and I fail to see how a man is expected to last 440 yards on such a regime. So much for the sprinter's track work. With regard to the race itself, and the wisest policy he can pursue during its progress, I have pointed out before my opinion that the sprinting quarter-miler is most unwise in dis– counting his gift of speed by travelling too slowly at first with the intention of finishing fast. By following this plan he will be equally tired at 400 yards, and