Bredin on Running & Training

HALF-MILE, MILE , A lJ DISTANCE RUNNING. 33 (without obstacles), yet probably managed half a mile better than any other event run on the cinder-path, pre– suming hurdle-races to take place on grass. Should the athlete training for half-mile races be a good quarter-miler, or belong to the class of runners who fmd two furlongs rather under, and eight furlongs somewhat beyond, the distances they naturally perform best at, work on the track, in addition to sprinting, might with advantage include 6oo yards run through at a fair pace, and occasionally a slow three or even four laps. Every long distance ought to be concluded at full speed ; this will accustom the runner to get upon his toes when weary, and prove of great service in the race itself, especially if it be run at a fast rate all through, when a little extra dash in finishing may make the difference between winning or losing. A miler, desirous of running well at half this distance, in addition to his ordinary work of covering three and four laps, would be well advised if he frequently ran 220 or 300 yards, fast through from start to finish. I do not think he will derive much benefit from limiting the distances he covers in practice, but any extra speed he can by any means gain will be most beneficial. Each class of runners should strive to improve their weak points athletically. I use the word " improve " advisedly, for in all probability few men have more consistently endeavoured to cultivate a little extra stamina than myself. On various occasions during training I have taken, in addition to ordinary practice, long, slow work on the track, fast walking exercise, and skipping indoors with sweaters on, hoping by these means to increase my natural limit of half a mile R,T, D