Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

42 SUCCESS IN ATHLETICS and has got to be worked up to very gradually. The four-miler and fifty-miler alike start their preparation by speedy walks of one to two miles and fifteen to twenty-five miles respectively, these being followed by runs at the same distance as the training progresses. At this game, endurance rather than speed is the deciding factor, therefore athlete and trainer alike must direct their attention to the building up of great stamina and the powers of endurance. Men there are -a very few of them-who have great natural staying powers and a pretty turn of speed as well. To such a man nature has been very kind, for he has the making of a champion indeed if he is properly handled. Of this class of speedy and enduring runner was Alfred Shrubb, and · t6 the same class, we believe, G. W. Hutson belonged, who had done some great running, but nothing compared with what we feel he was capable of. It is generally accepted that both these races should be run at a medium level pace, and that no consider– able spurt at the end is possible (except to the very robust few) if the man has made full use of his powers throughout the race. As these races are of such an arduous nature, the training for them should be started quite early in the year, or even in the back end of the fall. Five months is not considered a bit too long a training period. During the first two month~ training should only take place three days a week. The distance at first should be round about a mile and varying up to four miles, interspersed with good brisk walks at like distances ; but the running should only be at half speed.