Running Recollections and How to Train

CHAPTER III. TRAINING TEN YEARS AGO. I RELATED iu my last chapter that through the instrumentality of one of the men in the works, I became a member of the Rangers' FootballClub. This was merely with the ideaof training on the track. Johnny Taylor was then the trainer of the football club, and a cheerier man never breathed. He took an interest in me from the first, and that interest continued till hisdeath someyears ago. Upon my presenting myself at Ibrox Park one fine evening inthe springof 1890, Taylor enquired of me what I wanted. Producing my member's card, of which I was immensely proud(I had paid 15s. for it), I explained that I had come for the purposeof training. His manner changed at once,and he positively beamed. "Can ye run 1" he nquired. I remarked that Ifelt justified in believing 1could. "Ah, weel,we'll see. Get yer cla'es off." I did so, and also impressedthe bold John very favourably with myfirst performance. Taylor, however, at this time, was too busy with the footballers to pay much attention to the running men, especially to such a novice as myself. I was, therefore, left pretty much to my own devices. Thus I was in training—such training. My work necessitated my rising at 5.30 every morning, and,with the exception of three-quarters-of-an-hour for breakfast andan hour for dinner, I wns kept pretty hard at work all day. In spite of this, I was at Ibrox Park every evening about 7.30, ready torun with all and sundry who requestedmy services.