The Modern Method of Training for Running, Walking, Rowing & Boxing

PEDESTUIANISM, traneousmatter, wliiclimight interfere with,liis abilityto undergo tlie extra exertion it is liis lot to take beforelie is in a fit state to struggle through any arduous task with a good chance of success. The number of purgatives recom­ mendedby trainers are legion,but the simpler willalways be found the best. The writer, in all instances, found that a couple of antibilious pills at night, and salts and senna in the morn­ ing, has answeredeverypurpose. It is reason­ able, however, to suppose that any one who has arrived at sufficient years to competein a pedestrian contest has found out the proper remediesfor his particular internal complaints. The internalportion ofthe man's frame,there­ fore,beingin a healthy condition,the time has arrived when the athlete may commence his training in proper earnest, and if he be bulky, or of obese habit, he has no light task before him. If he has to train for a long distance match,the preparation will be almost similar, whether forwalking or running. The work to be done depends very much on the time of year. In the summer the man shouldrise at six in the morning, so that after having taken his bath, either showeror otherwise, there will have been time for a slow walk of an hour's durationto have beentaken beforesitting down to breakfast, that is, if the weather be favour­ able; but if otherwise, a bout at the dumb-bells, or half an hour with a skipping-rope,swinging trapeze,or vaulting-bar, will be found not un- lavourable as a good substitute. Many men NEW UTILES OF TRAINING. 29 can do without havingany nourishmentwhat­ ever before going for the morning's walk, but these are exceptions to the rule. Most men who take the hour's walk before breaking the fast feelfaint and weakin their workafter break­ fast, at the commencement of their training, and the blame is laidon the matutinal walk; when, if a new-laid egg had been beaten in a good cup of tea, and taken previous to going out, no symptom of faintness would havebeen felt,although it is expected somefatiguewould be felt from the unwonted exertion. The walk shouldbe taken at sucha pace that the skin does not become moist,but have a goodhealthyglow on the surface,and the man be at once ready for his breakfast at eight o'clock. The break­ fast should consist of a good mutton chop or cutlet, from half a pound upwards, according to appetite, with dry bread at least two days old, or dry toast, washed down with a cup or two of good tea (about half a pint in all),with but little and if possible no milk. Somegive a glass of old ale with breakfast, but it is at this time of the day too early to introduceanj such stimulant. After having restedfor a suf­ ficient time to have allowed the process of digestion to have taken place, the time will have arrived for the work to commencewhidl is to reduce the massof fat whichat this timt impedesevery hurriedaction of the muscleand blood-vessel. This portion of the training re* quires great care and thought, for the weight of clothing,and distanceaccomplishedat speed,