The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-09
HOW CHAMPION DoTSEs rRAfys
An Hatsrestiaw and Instructive Essay ON
Middle Distance Runnine.

Middle Distance Ruuninr.
VIC Downos. tho New York Athletic Clubs
speedy runnsr. Is doing some marvellous work
In practice 1t IL general thought that there
will soon be q general slashing OF the am ateur
records from 800 to GOO yards In consequence.
While It 10 almost certain that the A. A. U.
Record Committee will reject HE quarter mile
performance Of AN seconds, the Harvard
graduate will undoubtedly At an early date
create new figures. and under such safeguards
that no ono can possibly invnliIats them.
In proper condition. DoNnes Is probably the
greatest middle distance runner OF tho day.
With his great speod he associates wonder
full endurance. and thero Is probably n, athlete
In the world TO-DAY who can repeat" with
him. His improvement since the lust cham
pionship meeting has been most marked. and
1t Ia Travers Island gossip that he ran 500
yards In 30ts seconds the other day.
He faithful trainer. md his method is for
out Of tho ordinary rut. He has advanced
Views on tho subject OF preparing for a race.
and his manner OF varying the distances will
. hIetos. in speaking oi he matte he ssid:,
In training fer the middle distances the
I sss ns spsns 70
distance runner Is chiefly concerned .l"ut MS
comparatively simple. Tho miudle distance
dul nnco. and ihe.e. too. in varying proportions
according 70 t1 ~ Ias, ley dssan,e iar whifh
take quite different work from what no would
L he gave tLe pre!er.ncs g ths halt; while. 4
'.hsncs Il may a. readily seen that a system
so,nsWhas com pio"sed chsrscter and Il Il ia al
moot imhossiGle to lay down ,spocitc rules
c TS1 s M be ~ HsS' Sls on ds,
work, another moro staying 10, while a third
$50. In desc,ibi my own system Of train.
Ing. must not bS un,!ers opd IA recon,mond-
eny s.s 81 81 AZ v as
fnd best suited 70 my requirements at the
present time; for i II quite lilleront IRON the
b'aaptly changing to meet hla ehans!ne needs.
condition for quarter. milo run by auo.ins
from tho record OF my training for The A. A;
nv MoqF 10 s Tho ss sr os Witch
straight sides Of i2o yards. I set down eaeS
MI: i:' e G.
Erd: Started in Aug and ZAP $50 yaris 11ss
90 se9
yarts. This work was designed merely to get
the muscles accustomed to prolonged s'rain.
Aug. Is. when !. ran 220 yards in 2sH seconds.
and then logged quarter Of a mile. In the
An time hat hesn taking long walks every
day. On Aug. "A ! ran 6UD yards slowly; on
Aug. u ran 100 yards twice; time. low and
l0t. seconds. Then catne another rest OF three
days. On Aug. ~ ran A5O yalds In 81 AS Sec
onds: Aug. ~, 7On yards slowly: Aug.
~. spr.nteI 100 yards. aud then logged $50
Yards; Ang ~. ran 100, va DIS slowly: Aug.
Is. 800 Yards at full arcel; Aug. 26. 600 yards
at good steady pace; Aug. 81. 22o yards In
~ 30 seconds: Aug. %. 44U yard. at strong
pace. and sprlntsd 100 yards: Aug. %. no
yards SLOWLY: Sent l. won tho half milo at
tho 4. !. A. =. games In minute 58 As sec.
onds: Sent. 4. H5U yards slowly: Sept. q. 440
yards slowly: Sept. =. $50 yards at full speed:
sept. 9. sprlnte, 100 yards. joRted 4in yards;
Sent, ID. 700 yards slowly; Sert Is $50 yatns at
100 yards: also $50 Yards; Sept ~ prac,ised
Gprs s starting aud ran 79o yards slowly;
spirited 100 yards twice: Sept 49, pra' tised
starting. sprinted 100 yards. logged $50 yards:
Sept. "a. RAJ 441 yards III 81 As seconds.
But 1t is ussless to continue the record.
A. can be seen my general plan 10 to run.
dife' ent distance every .!av sunday exec cd.
generally less than the distance at which am
to race: once = week run a trial for the dis
TAME. and occasionally jog . longer distance.
The rest is q regular diet. Regular hours and
a good cold bath ami rubbing down after exer-
else. When training is once e1un. no o her
exercise IL rennired than that III the track,
The great thing 10 to feel after practice
could have done better II had tried and
after the race. did the best could do"