Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

126 SUCCESS IN ATHLETICS The would-be hurdler should also practise balancing in every conceivable position, in order that he may learn properly to control the balance of his body by his arm movements ; thus will it gradually come about that he is able to control his body "on the fly," and to negotiate his hurdles with the least possible expenditure of energy. If the gymnasium is large enough, starting-practice over two hurdles may also be indulged in; but if there is only room for one hurdle, the athlete is advised to stick to starting-practice and to leave the actual hurd– ling alone until he gets out on the tract; he must train over two hurdles, at least, for otherwise he will not learn to get away quickly into his running on landing_ after the first hurdle has been " flown," nor will he learn to get the regulation three strides between the flights and to take off at the right place to clear the second hurdle. When the athlete has sufficiently built up his frame by means of physical culture, he may go to the athletic ground and commence what may be termed "the training proper." He commences by running gently round the cinder– path, gradually increasing his pace and varying the distance run~day by day. When he is thoroughly conditioned by the track work, he goes on to the grass and commences practising starts, and sprints of so yards, 100 yards, up to 1 so yards. It will be noticed that he still does not do any hurdling, for the reason that it is better .for him to accustom hims~lf gradually to running on grass-which is different from running on cinders. When he does commence hurdling, he will find it as well to wear ankle and knee-guards on the take-off

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