Bredin on Running & Training

RUNNING AND TRAINING. theoretically, and as my present object is to bring practical experience to bear on the facts and fancies contained in this book, I must necessarily leave that portion of athletics-which is not usually decided on a cinder-path-to other and abler pens. In case an objection might be entertained to these remarks on the ground that the present writer never was a miler, I can but point out in reply that, although only competing on rare occasions at this distance, few runners have covered the same more often in practice; and had I given up the shorter events and trained for one mile, I believe I might have done fair performances, from the fact that at Stamford Bridge on July 25th, 1894, without any aid from pacemakers, I ran a trial in 4 min. 36~ sees. over eight furlongs. This time I am able to state, having kept a list of all trials run, with the time that each occupied, and a few words in respect to the state of track, wind, and weather during which they were accomplished . By these means I have been enabled to accurately judge what form I was likely to show at a longer distance, and was therefore saved the extra exertion of running the full distance before an important race. For an example-presuming that a somewhat similar quantity and description of training has been undertaken-if I ran 300 yards against the watch in thirty-three seconds, then, by referring to the list of previous trials at this distance, and also the time shown in a race over 440 yards closely following them, I am informed of the state of fitness I have now reached, without covering a full quarter. Preserving such an account may therefore be of service to all runners who intend to compete during a fe,v seasons in