Bredin on Running & Training

RUNNING AND TRAINING. thereby conclude that they have an advantage on paper, for cousin Jonathan takes no avoidable risks, but prefers to cry " Pass ! " until the cards are good, when no one plays a strong hand better . I once ran a very ce_lebrated American a match in Lancashire, his first in this country, and on his receiving a hearty round of cheers from the sporting Rochdalians (the majority of whom would have been losers in pocket by his success) when he appeared on the track just before the race, he was considerably and agreeably surprised, for this brought forth the remark, " You wouldn't get this reception in America." Not that I for one moment believe he meant to infer that his fellow– countrymen were not equally willing to play the game fairly, but probably because defeat is accepted with more equanimity amongst people who look upon victory as "a consummation devoutly to be wished" but not as a sine qua non in all contests. The young American, having made up his mind to get fit, starts with the determination to leave no stone unturned to attain this object. If he is already towards the top of the athletic tree at his university or college, he finds no obstacles placed in his way; on the contrary, at all the principal seats of learning there is usually a trainer who may be regarded as an additional tutor, as in fact he is-a tutor and instructor in the art of athletics. How strictly the American student is compelled to observe the rules and regulations of his university I know not, but he is undoubtedly obliged to obey, if not to love and honour, his athletic adviser. These trainers are most frequently derived from the ranks of old athletes, amateurs of course, for there is, practically speaking,