Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

CHAPTER VII WALKING A WALKING-RACE is probably the stiffest of all the track events in which the athlete can take part, for during the race every nerve and muscle is at tension, and the walker has to keep his mind concentrated; he cannot relax himself or" go all out" as can the runner, for whatever happens the walker has always to keep his attention concentrated on walking fairly . The first necessity for the walker is to know how to walk fairly. There are many who year after year win prizes in the walking-races who do so by a curious gait which may best be described as a 5linking trot on the heels. It is easy to see if one is trotting or walking fairly ·by measuring the stride. If the length of the stride is appreciably greater than the walker can compass by stretching out one leg while the other is stationary, then it may safely be assumed that he is trotting. Before going into any details of training or form, it may be as well to describe what fair walking really is. It may be said that a fair stride has been taken when the back foot does not leave the ground until the leading foot has alighted upon the track. On this definition depends the whole system of heel-and-toe walking, which consists of getting up as high as 54