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A Runner’s Initial Preparation

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I am, of course, aware, ‘that W. G. George was able to set up records for all sorts of distances from 1,320 yards to ten miles and over, but then it must generally be admitted that George was an exception.

There have been, and still will be, no doubt, other exceptions, to whom my remarks will not apply-one can never lay down rules for exceptions--but, nevertheless, I would never advise any pedestrian, amateur or professional, to aspire to the status of a phenomenon. He will in 99 cases out of 100 only strain himself by so doing, and wind up by developing himself into nothing at all.

Of late years, it is undoubtedly true that our amateur Athletes have been compelled to acknowledge the superiority of American rivals at the shorter distance races, a state of affairs which has occasioned no small fluttering in the critical dovecotes, British critics bewailing the degeneracy of our race, and their American confreres crowing very loudly over the superiority of their own.

Strange to say, the British Jeremiahs have neglected to comfort either themselves or their readers with the equally undeniable fact that our old superiority as long-distance runners is still practically unchanged, although one or two of the more candid Americans will occasionally, if somewhat grudgingly, admit that this is so, comforting themselves, however, with the reflection that long-distance events only form at most two or three items in any possible programme, and that, therefore, the sum of their victories at any international sports contest must necessarily bulk bigger than ours.

I have italicised the word sum because. from a racial point of view, I would sooner see the long-distance records still held in these islands, even if we had to say good-bye to all the others. Stamina tells in long-distance running, and as long as Britons can rest content that they can “ stay longer” “ than any other people, well-I don’t think we need have any fear of the race degenarateing.

Still, I am as greedy for my country’s honour as any-one could be, and to that end I would wish to see a stricter specialisation in vogue. I have ventured, there.. fore, to state in these pages such conclusions as I have formed during my experience, both as to ascertaining one’s own powers and as to the training and development of them for all distances, whether on the track or across country.

I am hot so conceited as to imagine that my views embody everything which can be said on the subjects under notice, but I nevertheless venture to think that they may not only prove of some slight interest, but may even prove on examination to be even of some small value.

It is usual, I believe, in books dealing with pedestrianism, to commence with sprinting, and to work gradually upwards therefrom, but in the present instance I have decided to deal first of all with those races in which we Britons still maintain pride of place, and to offer beginners the fruits of my experience on the subject with which I am best acquainted, in order that I may render such assistance as I am able towards the main-tenance of the honours which we have held so long.

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