Bredin on Running & Training

68 RUNNING AND TRAINING. time in recovery had I abstained from any treatment whatever. The tendon Achilles, which runs from the heel up the back of the ankle, is liable to become painful after many seasons' athletic use, owing to the fact that it has practically the whole weight of the body to constantly bear during pedestrian exercise. When such a state of affairs exists it may be regarded as a sign that sufficient violent exertion in the form of running has been undergone. As for this strain there is no cure except that of permanently ceasing to run; even a rest of some months' duration will prove unavailing, pain returning shortly after hard work is resumed. However, I believe, and have been medi– cally informed, that there is little fear of any injury being caused through continuing to run, and the stiffness itself wears off to a certain extent from regular and moderate work. I have rarely known what it is to be without this annoyance during the past three years, and have therefore come to regard my ankles in the light of an athletic barometer with reference to the vigorous hints they never fail to give should work be pushed on too rapidly. Skipping for a few minutes very shortly before going into the track I have found of great benefit in loosening these tendons, and it prepares them for the jarring that will be caused by striding on a hard cinder-path. A general stiffness of the muscles, or rather of many of them, 1nay be expected at the commencement of trammg. This may be overcome by the simple process of continuing the work as usual, when in time it will wear itself off ; but a wiser plan is to moderate violent