Running Recollections and How to Train

CHAPTER IV TRAINING NOTES BY LEN HURST. IN offering a few hints on distance running, I must crave the indulgence of my readers for themanner in which I may express myself, but as more of my time has been spent on the trackthan inschool, an apology is hardly necessary. In the first place, for a youth to attain anything like "class" honours, in events from ten miles and upwards, he must makeup his mind that from the time he starts to practice, he will have twoor three years'steady work ahead of him, and must be satisfied to plod along at what,to his ambitious mind,must appear a very slow pace. Experience teaches us that it is impossible for a man to possess both speed and endurance for long distance running without a thorough training. I should, therefore, advise aspirantsto this classof racing to take any amountof walking exercise, right from the time they start running, regulating theirearly spins tohalf-mile races only, against the day when they cando a creditable 20-mile performance. Another good maxim for the distance man is " early to bed and early to rise," asby this practice agreat reserveof energy is derived, and,to my way of thinking, a nice amount of work can be done, between rising and breakfast, in the way of quiet walks. For walking exercise, the early morning is the best part of the day, for in addition to the airbeing fresh and buoyant, this exercise createsa good appetite for breakfast, and is, therefore, a grand foundation forbuilding the rest of the day'swork on.