Running Recollections and How to Train

CHAPTER II. TRAINING NOTES BY E. C. I'HEDIN. IN the matter of training, it depends a greatdeal whether one has business to attend to, or the whole day at his disposal, as is generally the case with professional athletes. The advantage is not altogether with the latter on this account, asthe enforced rest and regular hours that have to be observedby the ordinary amateur are really beneficial in his training, and prevents a man from over doing his work, a fault which is very easy to fall into when all one's time is devoted to getting fit without the assistance of a competent trainer; nevertheless, I trust the following ideas on training for middle distances may be of use to young athletesof either class. To begin the day, a little fresh air before breakfast is advisable, and the best way to obtain the same is b} a short walk, should the weather be fine. After this meal, two hours shouldelapse before taking any violent exertion, and then follows a start to the track. Should the distance be short, walk four laps before donning the pumps, when, if training for distances such as 500, 600, S<S0, or 1,000 yards, it is advisable to commence by running 60 or 70 yards three or four times fast right through, with some minutes' intervalbetween eachburst. A companion dining sprinting is a great aid; infact, it is scarcely possible touui one's fastest at these short distances whenrunning alone. The sprinting over, a rest of some quarter -of-an-houito quite recoverone's breath, or really to allow the hearttime to get back to its normal state, and then some longei