Running Recollections and How to Train

146 breakfast. In thesummer a swim does no harm first thing in the morning, provided a biscuit is eaten directly youget up. During the wintermonths asharp walkfor five or ten minutes is the best beginning one can make for the day. The real work of the dayshould be dunebefore the mid-day meal, and about fiveor six in the evening, if possible just before tea time. If you have the time and the opportunity, do not forget that a cold sponge or a shower bath is a capital thing after your work. It is as well to dispense with the ordinary school games during your period of training. On the questionof clothes there is not very much to be said. A thin running vest without sleeves, thin satin knickers, anda good thick sweater high in the neckand with plenty of room in it, are theonly essentials. In the matter of shoes, spikes, of course, are the best, although a boy should not be too eager to don them until he has become fairly proficient in starting, sprinting, etc. When youdo invest in a pair of running shoes see that the ,spikes are not too long, that the leather is nice and soft, and that it fits the foot, over a wash-leather sock, like a glove Directly you get on to the track or into the field which you have selected as a training ground, do a jog trot over about a quarter-of-a-mile, finishing the last 20 yards with a fair sprint, to stretch your legs and open your lungs. Then, in view of the sprinting races, get someone to practise, you in getting sharply away from your mark. Unless a boyis a Downer, the best position fora good start, to my mind, is the following ;— Have your left foot toeing the line, knee bent, body, head, and arms reaching slightly forward. Your right leg should be far enough back to keep the balanceeven. In this waymost of the weight should be thrown on the toes.