Bredin on Running & Training

i' ' : I I so RUNNING AND TRAINING. of opm1on that very light and easy work practised on the track might frequently be the best method of over– coming any slight failing in this respect, and if regularly indulged in for some length of time, might be the means of restoring that organ, or at least of bringing it into a much healthier state. Did the art of obtaining fitness depend merely upon a certain amount of self– control in addition to much exercise, then any athlete willing to undergo a slight sacrifice would, after a reasonable time spent in training, be certain of attain– ing this condition, and the vvord " art " could hardly be considered applicable to training. However, there are so many contingencies to be reckoned with in the endeavour to appear on a certain date with every part of the body in its best working trim. Amongst the most important of these are the state of health the athlete happens to enjoy at the commencement of training, the amount of work that differently con– stituted men thrive best on, and the fact that, as one's years increase, both a somewhat easier and longer preparation will become necessary. That short space of time during which a man when fit remains in abso– lutely his very best form might be compared to the summit of the mountain, up which the traveller climbs, and after crossing over it, commences to descend. A few years ago, whilst competing in numerous ath· letic meetings during the summer months, I was always equal to about fifty seconds for a quarter on fair days, but occasionally many yards faster, although throughout the past eight years I can only remember some half-a– dozen days on which I was really caught in the very essence of good condition. A man's athletic prime - ~~ I I ...1. l