Modern Athletics 1868

EUNNING. 85 gives lumself unnecessary exertion. About twelve inches is quite farenough apart to keepthe feet, and the body should be kept nearly upright, with its weight resting on tlie hindermost foot. The arms should hang down, and move in planes parallel with the sides of the body, and not be kept up^across the chest, as in walking. A man to act as a "trial horse" is ofgreat service, as it tends to make a competitor run himself out more. The use made of such trial horse shouldvary from time to time— now starting behind thepedestrian, now runningthe last portion of the distance with him. The course may be run at top speed oftenerin a sprint race than a long distanceone, as the exertion is lesspro­ tracted. When a contest is run inheats, as sprintraces usually are, a man should lie down on his back and rest between each heat. Should nature require any support, the best thing to take is a dry crust orbiscuit and a small quantity ofbrandy nearly neat. A man must be careful to keep in his stride, and to run straight at the tape, on which he should always keep his eyes fixed; or otherwise he will be apt to "cannon" othceormpetitors, whom he may seriously injure with hisspikes. SECTION II.—MEDIUM DISTANCES. Of these the first, aquarter of a mile, is undoubtedly the most difficult of all distances to run, because it re­ quires both speed and endurance. In a quarter, a man must "spirt ' thewhole way. For all medium distances the runner should commence by taking spins of from half to three-quarters oaf mile, according to the distance to be run, until he is in condition and the muscles have become flexible. After this, he should run 300 yards, or more, according to the distance, attop speed, and after­ wards gradually increase thelength ofthis spin fromday to day. Quarter and half miles, and 600 yards, are fa­ vourite amateur distances;but three quarters ofa mile is seldom run. SECTION III.—LONG DISTANCES. Of these a mile is the most favourite amongst amateurs. For all long distances thegreat desiderata are wind and endurance. In practising, therefore, long runs atsteaady pace must be taken. The best distance to begin at is a mile, which should be first done in about eight minutes,