Modern Athletics 1868

WALKING, 81 additional length, ofstride. As regards the upper part of the body, the arms musbte kept well up and inclined out­ wards from the chest,with the elbows slightly bent; since in fast-walking the arms perform almost as important functions as the legs. Each arm must be swung across the chest, andthe shoulder well lifted at the same time in unison with eachalternate stride. The object of this mo­ tion is to raise the weightof the body off the heels, and thereby enable the legsto take a quicker stride. Some walkers keep the armsclose to the body, move them much less, and moretowards the nostrils. This method, how­ ever, is only suitable tomen very slightly built about the chest and trunk. They can walk with a very quick and rapid stride, beingenabled to move their legs much faster from having no top weight tocarry. This mode, however, is more suited forshort than longdistances, as the rapi­ dity of stride requires great power of endurance, rarely found in small-chestedmen; and in a long race the pedes­ trian who gets overthe same ground with fewer strides, and consequently lessphysical exertion, has a great ad­ vantage. Above all things, the shoulders must be kept well back, the chest out, the whole body as upright as possible, and the kneesperfectly straight. Nothing tends so much to "lifting" as stooping forward with thboedy or bending the knees. In fact, a competitor who walks in this styleis sure, involuntarily, to commence running if pressed in a race, because the weight of his body is thrown on his toes instead of the heels, this being the essential difference between running and walking. The first thing to be donewith a novice,who desires to be trained for walking, is to get him into good style at once. A great deal depends on this, as bad faults are more easily taught thaneradicated, and a man who has acquired a good style of walking from thevery commence­ ment seldom infringes therules of " fair toe and heel." If a man requires sweating it should be donaes soon as pos­ sible, by taking long steady walks, never by running. For one whose style is already secured, however, the best method is towalk short distances at top speed.This has the same effectfor sweating purposesas long distances at a slower rate, and does notmake him lose pace. On the other hand, it is baad plan to force the pace with a young beginner till he has acquired style, as by so doing hisgo" ing" would very likely become doubtful. When the pupil, G