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Special Preparation for a Long-distance race

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TRAINING FOR THE MAN IN BUSINESS.

The above course of training, it may be objected, is no doubt admirable for the man with plenty of leisure, but not for one who has to attend an office or other place of business. Well, obviously, the latter can’t possibly adhere strictly to it ; hut, nevertheless, it should not be impossible for him to approximate thereto as nearly as he can.

For instance, he can take his early morning walk, and after breakfast can walk,sharply to business (or, at all events, for some fair part of the way). He can even cover some of the ground, if he lives tiny distance out, at a decent trot, and can follow the same rule on his way home.

His meals should also be regular, and he must adapt himself to circumstances in substituting evening work for the morning and afternoon work of his better situated rival.

Let him get down to the track about 6 p.m., or as near thereto as he can manage, and put in a good run every night. As he has to make one spin serve instead of two, he would be well advised to lengthen his shorter run’s by 50 per cent. or thereabouts-that is, run three miles instead of two, six miles instead of four. The eight and ten miles, of course, need not be lengthened, nor should the distance of the full speed two-mile bursts be interfered with.

Another means by which the business man can make up his handicap as against his leisured rival is by put-ting in a longer period of strict training. The latter, supposing him to be absolutely fit when commencing, should be able to “make do” with three weeks’ hard work, while the former would be bettor suited with four or five weeks, which will enable him to take matters somewhat easier, and thereby run a lesser risk of growing stale.
This calamity, which is the constant dread of every brand of athlete during his training, is perhaps more readily detected by the running man than by the boxer or wrestler. His work is drawn out longer, and he is presented with more opportunities of recognising any lack of interest or want of fire.
He may also watch for the most certain tell-tale of all, that one sure sign which is vouchsafed to every one in training, viz., the absence of free perspiration after hard work.

But no matter what warning he may receive, he must take immediate steps to combat the enemy. He must knock off all work for a while, and go very quietly indeed until he finds that he is fit again. A week’s rest, with only one spin, would about do the trick even in a bad case, but there are occasions when as long as a fortnight may be neceseary.

Don’t hesitate about this. Better go into the race *half trained than over trained. For in the former case .YOU will have fire and vigour at least, and without these two qualities success is not to be looked for.
Scratch even, if you feel like it, but only do this in extreme cases, as the race would serve, as a good practice. spin anyway.

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