Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

24 SUtCESS IN ATHLETICS action he has em.ployed throughout. (See different styles of finishing in fig. 6.) Still one more question remains to be dealt with before leaving the sprints proper-viz. breathing. It has frequently been said that a deep breath should be taken when the runner" gets set," and that this one breath should last him until the winning-post has been passed-and this doubtless has many times been accomplished; but it is not good from a medical point of view for the following reasons : There is not by any means any set custom in the matter of breathing. We would not dwell upon this, for we have known some of the greatest sprinters make noises in respiration and expiration to such an extent that when overhauling the limit men in a sprint the breath sounds have disconcerted those leading so much that they have " lool~ed round," and by that fault have been beaten at the tape. The proper mode of respiration during a short– distance run is as follows : On the command "Get set," the athlete takes a deep breath, but not sufficient to quite fill the lungs: On the crack of the pistol his breath is expelled and a full inhalation made as the right foot strikes the ground in the first stride forward. At about sixty yards the runner begins to get in all the running he knows, and at the same time takes a second and last breath, which enables him to make a final burst ol speed for the tape. It is essential that the running be increased as the second breath is taken or the pace will fall off. Throughout the race the feet must strike hard against the ground, and work from upon the hips, thrusting the body forward from the ground behind as the body advances.