Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

222 SUCCESS IN ATHLETICS with the windows open, for a " fuggy" bedroom will do more harm even than lack of training. The athlete should sleep on the right side; the pillow must be so arranged that the head lies in a perfectly natural position; the respiration must be through the nose, so that the atmosphere is tempc;red before it reaches the lungs-a more restful sleep is thus obtained. Before going to bed, put all thoughts of business and work out of your minq ; the man who worries will never succeed as an athlete-hard advice to follow, but none the less of vital importance! The use of alcohol and other stimulants is dealt with in the chapter on Diet. Let the work in training increase gradually, and in accordance with the pre– arranged schedule, in order to avoid stiffness and strains. Many athletes make the mistake of having them– selves rubbed with embrocation or "oils" on every possible occasion; this custom cannot be too strongly condemned, for the constant use of embrocation is far too heating, and apt to lead to skin soreness. During the early months of training the clothing should be warm enough to preclude all chance of chills. Before going out for competition, make sure that the laces of the shoes, etc., are thoroughly sound. Howard Baker misseq the finest jump of his life through one of his shoes giving way. He cleared 6 feet 4 inches at Rochdale, and only just brought the bar down at 6 feet 5 inches ; but when, with every confidence of success, he went to take his second jump, he found that the heel of his jumping-shoe had giVen way.