Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

THE BUILD OF THE ATHLETE 1 r his less mechanically defective opponents in front, he has th,e oppressive sensation of " breathing at the back of the necks 11 of those leading at the start, he gets into his stride with great effort, and has not the consummate ease of an artist like Reggie Walker. Questions which the expert must ask himself are : Has the athlete the proper balance ? Does he pose himself so that he may readily catch up his equilibrium, and gradually straighten himself to the correct position without bungling and awkwardness? Does he deviate from the direct path to the tape down the "straight 11 ? Does he show a wobbling in the last twenty or thirty yards of a 220 yards sprint ? Why is it he is beaten at the tape? It is not lack of will; it is lack of power. Mechanical defects account for these shortcomings. They can, however, be corrected. It has been the experience of many observers at athletic sports to see a runner in a distance com– petition giving an excellent exhibition of form and style up to a point. The spectators' pleasure and hopes presently have a rude shock; the runner, who has be-en striding well on his toes, now gradually " comes to heel" (in more senses of the word than one). He has failed to sustain himself on his toes; he comes down on the flat of his feet, and the athlete knows that his chance of winning has gone. His breathing is not distressed, but his erstwhile springi– ness has deserted him ; his feet refuse to carry him as he desires, and his stride shortens. His poor mechanism-which he wots not of-has failed him at the last moment, and he retires disheartened, but no wiser an athlete. He goes out to compete again and again, with similar disastrous results. He then con-