The Pedestrian's Record

the pedestrian's record. ii/ superabundance. The valves of the heart may be injured by over exertion, when the condition of the cardiac circulationis seriously impeded. Enough has been said to impress on athletes the importance of fortifying their bodies againstdisaster, and this consists inwise and careful training, butnot doing too much work at first, but little by little in­ creasing exercise until the optimum of condition has been insured, and then, and not until then, should any man attempt to compete at athletic meetings. It is to unpreparedness that more than half the mishaps and diseases owe their origin. If you train steadily at first you will be able to perform with in­ creased force afterwards. Let it be said of the trainee. Vires crescit eundo constitutes an import­ ant fortress against the inroads of disease, and the exercises conducted therein give to youth a virility which is sustained to old age, and in the athlete causes that development of muscular tone which strengthens the body, opensthe capacity of the chest, educates the heart and blood-vessels to endure the effects of severe physical strain, and the lungs that of laborious breathing. To whatever section of the athletic world a man belongs gymnastic exercises should always be the first consideration, and if this has formed part of the curriculumat school somuch the better, if not, to the cross-bar at once. Overhead exercise is most healthful to the chest and its con­ tents, the heart and lungs,and no man, unlessthese are sound, should dream ofposing asan athlete. It