Bredin on Running & Training

6o RUNNING AND TRAINING. than ordinary amount of exertion-unless, of course, it arises from over-eating, a mistake that I do not think many athletes fall into when hard at work. I presume this to be the case owing to the fact that during the few days preceding a race, when all exercise is curtailed, the athlete will find that a less period of time than usual is passed in slumbering. On such occasions I am invariably troubled with very sleepless nights, and, after tossing from one side of the bed to the other in a vain endeavour to lose consciousness, I frequently exchange bed for an arm-chair, and the thoughts of others (in book form) for my own. A couple of biscuits and a glass of port wine may be found beneficial if one is annoyed by this most un– pleasant want. The remaining work for our day consists of an afternoon 's walk of not more than six miles in length, covering each mile in about fourteen minutes-except in the case of sprinters, who will do better by again practising running. The last meal, which should include meat in some form, can be taken at seven, and will then allow sufficient time for digestive purposes before retiring to bed at ten o'clock. Food consumed then is likely to prove more beneficial than a meat tea at five, as the latter is apt to leave the athlete in want of a substantial supper, which meal, and that of afternoon tea, can wisely be dispensed with during training. A short walk should terminate the day's exercise as it commenced it. During winter, when many hours of the evening are passed in the heated atmosphere of a room warmed by a fire, and probably lighted by gas, a little fresh air before bed– time is most desirable. When daily duties displace