The Athlete for 1866

HINTS ON TRAINING. 119 59 sec. Professionals Lave done the 440 yards in 48/, sec. ; and the 880 yards in 1 min. 56 4sec. Tliough in atrial it issaid to have been done in 1min. 53sec. ONE MILK RUXNIKG AND UPWARDS. In practising fora mile race and upwards, a long steady course of slow run­ ning must he gone through to get the limbs and the wind gradually accustomed to the work. As they improve, quicken your pace, and for mile nmning, practise half a mile or so in about 2 min. 20 sec., until the wind becomesgood ; then lengthen the daily spins to three-quarters of a mile fast, and the l r 3t quarter slowly. Never do much work the last few days, but have a few fast spins of ."- JOO yards or so, to keep the musclesin form. In longer distance, train­ ing the same steady practice must be followed, with this exception, that instead of practising pace, rather get the condition of wind and muscle up as high as practicable, and reserve your energies for the day of the race. The best professional mile was 4 min. 174 sec. : 2 miles 9 min. 11 sec. : 3 miles, 14 min. 4<5 sec. : 4 miles, 19 min. 54 sec. : (> miles, 29 min. 50 sec. : 7 miles, 34 min. 45 sec.: 10 miles, 51 min. 26 sec. : 11 miles, 57 min. 11 sec. ; 11A miles, 59 min. 44 sec. : in one hour, 11 miles, 1180yards. By amateurs, we find the best mile done in 4 min. 32 sec.: on grass, 4 min. 37 sec. : 2 miles on grass,10 min. 10 sec. ; 4 miles, 21min, 17 sec. WALKING. This athletic sportis gradually assuming mareprominence at each successive meeting, and considering that it improves the action of the muscles used inour every-day locomotion, it is highly necassary that a certiin amount of proficiency in it should be acquired.The great objection urged against races of this de­ scription is the ditficultyof deciding betwean fair and unfair walking. The ump-re's tvsk is seldom a sinecure, but a little study will render decision a matter of no difficulty. Fair walking is " having one leg on the ground ata time." Walking is a successionof steps, running of springs. The straightnesa of the legs, going from toe to heel, no not prove or alter fair walking. Lifting, the usual method of walking unfairly, is done by getting a spring from the toe of one foot on to the heel of the other. The umpire must neverbe led away in his judgment by the play of the shoulders ; he mustwatch the legs,and judge by them only. The practice for long distance walking is most arduous Distances offrom seven to nine miles must be done to get wind, and to strengthen the muscles, at the rata of from live to six miles in the hour. Stiffness often comes on when fast walking begins. Friction of the legs is then found very useful, after a mileor less, and then the pain and stiffness will wear off. After a week or more of steady work, begin walking fast, first with amile, and gradually increaseit to three and four miies. The respiratory system not being taxed soseverely by the pace that is required, an internal injury is never to be feared. The strain comes on thelegs ami loins, and being frequently pro­ tracted, its support demands a large amount of vital energy inthe constitution. A man of no stamina cannot walk a long race, however tine his muscular deve­ lopment may be. The legs should be well thrown forward, and the shoulders thrown back, with the arms held wellup, swinging partially across the body at each stride. The step should be from toeto heel, with the leg as straight as possible. The body is twisted as the leg comes forward, to give the breadth of the loins into the stride. Always keep the bodywell up, it prevents any tea-