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On Sprint Running and Training

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TRAINING FOR THE 100 YARDS.

As this distance (which may include the 60 and the 73 yards as well, for the purpose of this argument) cannot be described as a wearing race, there is not, perhaps, so much necessity to adhere to any very strict training routine. The sprinter has no need to cultivate wind ‘and staring power to the same extent as a long-distance runner.

But it would, nevertheless, be more than foolish of him on that account to racket about. Granted that sprinters are born rather than made, certain common-sense rules must be observed.

As to diet, the sprinter should eat regularly and plainly. Any variety of food and drink that he finds to agree with his digestion will do very well, but he would be well advised to avoid new bread, pastries, puddings, etc. (whether fruit or meat), strong tea, spirits, excessive smoking, etc. unless he keeps his body and health in good, sound condition, he will be unable to produce his best efforts, to get out of himself all that he is capable of, etc. But beyond exercising prudence in this direction, there is no great necessity for him to trouble himself overmuch as to what he eats and drinks.

As to the best system of practising for a sprint-well, opinions differ a bit, and as I do not feel that either I myself (or anyone else, for that matter) is entitled to lay down any hard-and-fast rule concerning such an open question, I propose to lay the various systems before you and leave you to pick the one that suits you beat.

Duffey, for instance, would turn out every afternoon and run two separate 100 yards at full pelt, with a ten minutes’ interval in between. He adhered to much the same kind of diet as I, did myself, and which I have already described, and, beyond the above practice confined himself to a short walk every morning.

He would put in a bit of “starting “ practice (of which more later on), but would not overdo this.
Not a very arduous training, perhaps, but then it must be remembered that this was in Australia and New Zealand, with the temperature up to 122 degrees in the shade, so that neither of us felt too sweet on training.

Still, I don’t think that Duffey suffered any too much by not putting in any more practice, for I doubt if he needed more at any time. Several of the sporting critics have stated that the famous American did not cover himself with glory “ down under,” but I think that this is n mis-statement.

He wasn’t altogether suited by the climate, perhaps, but he nevertheless covered the 100 yards, five or six times, in 9 4-6 sees. during the tour, and times like that arc good enough for anything.
Some sprinters even confine themselves to doing the 100 yards every day, while others again will not only do this, but will include several starting trials.

They will get down, get the signal given them, and burst off for a 40- or 50-yards sprint, and then gradually pull up in another 20 or 30 yards or so, and stroll back. They will repeat this perhaps a dozen times, and perhaps this isn’t bad practice if one is inclined to be slow out of the slips.

But in starting practice care must be taken not to strain the thigh muscles, as these are naturally exposed to considerable wear in the “ push off “ and early spring forward. A sprain here is about the worst accident which can befall a runner, and should be attended to immediately. The moment you feel that such a catastrophe has occurred, knock off all work at once. Exercise as little as possible, massage, rub with embrocation, and hold the affected part under running cold water for as long as you can stand it. It’s the only remedy there is, and it is one which you dare not afford to neglect.

By the bye, owing to the sprinter’s liability to this accident, it is important that his thigh and leg muscles generally should be as strong as possible. He would do well to include in his training as many free move-ments and as much skipping exercise as he can get in. These muscles must be well developed-they cannot be made too strong; but, on the other hand, they must not be made too stiff or too hard. The movements chosen, therefore, should be absolutely “ free” ones, and the muscles should be well massaged after every exercise.

From my own observation, I would recommend a 100-yard sprinter not to confine himself to 100-yard spine. H© should, I think, put in several 50-yard or 75-yard bursts daily, and twice or three times a day only go for the full distance. As in other training spine, there is no need for him to keep clocking himself, but he should endeavour always to cover the full course in or about 10 1-b sees. This will wind him up well, and will leave him enough superfluous energy and speed in the actual race itself to get inside even time. The 50-and 75-yard bursts will develop his speed sufficiently, for if he can get these down fairly close to record, i.e., 5 1/4 and 71 sees. (world’s professional), he will have got enough steam up in the actual race to carry him over the remain-ing distance quick enough for any and all requirements.

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