Rowing and Track Athletics (extract)

CHAPTER VII CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING IN AMERICA IT is pleasant to turn from the artificial cinder track to the naturalness and freedom of tbe open country and from such gruelling contests as the long-distance races to the exhilaration of the cross– country run. There is excitement in any sort of racing; and in spite of the strain and struggle of such events as the quarter or half or mile races, in spite of overwrought nerves and dizzy senses, veteran runners learn even to like these treadmill battles - to enjoy, in a way, their thrilling pain. But few, even of the oldest and most successful campaigners, would assert that races as we run them nowadays are "fun." Too many men run fast nowadays; the margin of chance is too small. It is fun enough after the race is over and you have won; there is infinite satisfaction in fondling the cup you have captured and thinking of the fight you were able to put up to win it - there is fun to come to you in a hundred different ways from the strength and confidence and running skill which your racing has given you. But as for the race itself - as for those nerve-racking 346