Bredin on Running & Training

BRITISH AND AMERICAN Tl{AINING. 83 American trainer, who employs skilled men under his supervision to spend a considerable length of time daily on each crack athlete. I own to possess little faith in the advantages that are presumed to accrue from this treatment. Rubbing for a few minutes before and after work on the track is beneficial to the skin, and warms and loosens the muscles ; but if my theory is correct, muscles are of secondary importance in training : they will soon become strong by constant exerctse. The condition of the heart should be the main consideration to the athlete, for if that organ has not been brought into a fit state to stand severe physical exertion, no amount of muscular strength in the legs or arms will make up for this deficiency during a foot-race. Old Nat Perry used to say, in reference to F. T. Elborough's training in the old days, that the latter would not take sufficient exercise, and could never have run as well as he did had not he (Perry) literally rubbed the superfluous flesh away. The old trainer would then smile over his glass of extra special -for he was inclined to be taciturn, and required a certain amount of lubricating before saying much on any subject-and add, "Ah! he was a runner. I should have liked once to see what time he would have run half a mile in when really fit." The professional runner in this country is in a some– what analogous position to that of the American amateur with regard to the supervision that is con– sidered necessary and beneficial during his training, the difference lying in the fact that with the amateur he voluntarily sacrifices his freedom for his own or club's sake, whilst with the professional his success or G2