Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

CHAPTER VI CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING To this form of competition England owes her many years of unparalled success in the distance events on the track. Time and again it has been proved conclusively that the track-runner who goes in for cross-country running in the winter improves his pace and staying powers on the track to an almost incredible extent when he returns to it in the summer months. One thing above all others which he will ·have learnt is body control. Conversely, as it is good for the long-distance track runner to train across country during the winter, so it is essential that the cross-country man should do track work in the summer in order that he may de– velop pace combined with steadiness in running. Cross-country running is admirably suited for the individual blessed with great staying powers, but who lacks the speed necessary to success on the track. The man who takes up this branch of sport must learn to run naturally, and with the leg muscles loose but well controlled. The reason for this is that the runner is passing over ever-changing ground, the in– equalities of which will cause him continually to vary 4 49