The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-04-26
Running as an Exercise.
Herald of Health

Among the means which nature
has bestowed on animals in general |
for the preservation and enjoyment |
of life, running, says Mercurialis, is |
the most important. Since, then, it |
is pointed out to us by nature, it |
must be in high degree innocent. 1t |
is very singular that we should appar-
emily do all we can-which, fortu- |
nately, is not much-to make our
children unlearn the art of running.
Our earliest physical treatment of
them seems calculated to destroy their
aptitude for it; in little time, it is
too often the case that the city boy
scarcely dares look as if he wished to
run, we prohibit it so strongly as vul-
gar, and when he is more grown up
gentiliJy steps in and pro-
hibits it altogether. Medical pre-
JUDGES and our own convenience con-
tribute likewise their share, and never
allow our children, boys and girls, to
acquire an art innocent of itself and
necessary to all. 1t is possible that a
person may get injury from running,
but the fault is not in the exercise,
but in the person who runs without
having had proper training and prac-
tice.
Negroes and Indians in state of
nature run daily in pursuit of game
for food with facility at which we
are astonished, but they are not more
liable to consumption on this account
than those beasts that are so famed
for SWiftnesS. The body of no animal
seems better adapted to running than
mans. The nobler parts, which
might be injured by an immoderate
influx of blood, are uppermost, and the
laws of gravltat1On assist in propel-
ling the runner forward. lie has lit
tie to do but to strengthen his limbs
by practice and concentrate his mind
on the effort, and there is nothing Sc
we're in this, as experience has shown.
Indeed, running may be made very
beneficial to the lungs, and perhaps
there is nothing better calculated to
strengthen these organs, in those who
are short-winded, than gradual, care
full training in this almost lost art.
AS soon as children are expert in
walking, turning, and the like" says
the sagacious Frank, running races
under proper precautions is an excel
lent exercise for them" The princi-
pal objects of this exercise are to
strengthen the limbs, develop the
lungs, exercise the will, and promote
! the circulation of the blood.
Running was so highly estee med by
the old Greeks, that Homer observed
that no man could acquire greater
fame than by being strong in his
hands, feet, and limbs; Plato recon-
mends running, not only to boys and
girls, but to men; Seneca, who ex-
presses strong disapprobation of ath-
letics, recommends running to Lu-
cllius for exercise. The following
rules may be observed:
Running should onlv be practiced
in cool weather; as, for instance, in
the late fall, winter, and early spring
months.
The clothing should be light, the
head bare and the neck uncovered.
AS soon as the exercise Is finished,
warm clothing should be put on and
gentle exercise continued for some
time. 1t is not necessary to have a
race course. The teacher of a school
may take his pupils into the fields and
find suitable ground for them. Then
his pupils may exercise their bodies
in other ways, acquire strength, agil-
ity, health and the capacity of con-
tinued exertion; the will is brought
into play vigorously, which is great
aid in the battle of life.
Care must be taken not to Overdo,
| and thus perhaps for life, weaken or
| injure the heart. The race, at first,
should be short and frequently re-
| peated, rather than long, and full
speed should not be attempted for
some time.
Running is well adapted to young
and middle aged persons, but not to
these who are fat. Sedentary persons
| may find great benefit in it after the
days work is ended If they live in
cities, quiet spot in the park may be
selected, and short trials adapted to the
strength entered into. 1nvalids may
do the same thing, only they must be
more careful than the robust never to
over-exert themselves.
Girls may run as well as boys, and,
while they cannot go SO fast, they can
race much more gracefully and BEAU
tifully. Indeed, there can be few
more attractive sights than that of a
race between beautiful girls from ten
to twelve years of age. After pu-
berty, the change in the formation of
the bones Of the pelvis in girls rem
ders running less easy and graceful.
In ancient Greece girls were trained
to run races as well as boys, and to
their superb physical culture was in
great part due the grandeur and
beauty of Greek life during the years
of their ascendency. The modern
style of dress for girls after puberty
is also eAtirely unsuited to running.
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