Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

TRAINING AND COMPETITION 221 according to his tastes or custom-perhaps the latter is the better of the two. No matter what event a man goes in for, he will attain to a greater degree of success if he can do without tobacco; but the habitual smoker should not cut himself off from his " weed" suddenly and altogether-a smoke after a meal is often an aid to digestion. Smoking is a habit which takes strong hold upon a man ; therefore he must drop it gradu– ally, or he will become nervous and irritable, and will give his ttainer endless trouble through sheer per– verseness. In some cases it is sufficient to cut down the smoking to half of the usual number of pipes; cigarettes should never be smoked. In time the athlete will find that he can do without smoking altogether. When training, it is of the greatest importance to become regular in one's habits. Meals should be taken· at set times ; the functions of the body should be regular as far as is possible. Above all, the athlete should see that 'the time of his daily training coincides with the hour at which the competition for which he is preparing will take place. To accustom himself to the stress and strain of competition, the athlete should compete · in minor events fairly frequently as the training progresses, but not until such time as the results of his trials warrant him in so doing. Always be absolutely thorough in both training and competition ; never do anything haphazard. Sleep is of_ importance, and a motto for the athlete which cannot be beaten is, "Early to bed and early to rise." Ten o'clock should be the regular bed-time. The bedroom should be quiet and airy. Always sleep