The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-02-01
SAYS ANYBODY CAN
BECOME A sPR|NTER
Los Angeles Expert Discusses
Necessary Qualifications
for Covering Ground.

Anybody with average physical abil-
ity can be a distance runner, providing
patience and perseverance, goes with
II. saws Owen Bind in the Los Angeles
Times. The last tvo-named qualities
have everything 70 do with the max
ing, or the unmaking, Of the distance
runner. Tho tall, rangy man probably
has more natural ability in this line,
bnt there have been hundreds of lit
tie men at tho top of the distance div1'
sion in athletics.
Johnny Hayes, So. Ives and our oMn s.I,
Charlie Swigget Of US C.. and biiI
Amin of Oxy, are what might be
termed little men. On the other hand,
Tom I,onpboat, Albert. Ray, Bill HIM.
rod and eTsoupy" Stergis were men OF
the tall, stringy type Hans koleh.
fnainen, who set the sport world on ire
taken for almost anything but long
distance record breaker, but nevertne-
less. be cantered home in front IN ey-
ery race in which he started, although
thew say that he looked more Ike
subject for the hospital than an oiym-
There are two classes OF long distance
runners. First, we have the milers,
the BALI .milers and the two-milers, but
coming after this division there are the
uen who can run from five miles 70
tho full Marathon.
The first division requires more form
and more speed. while the second re-
at,ires more or less spirit and heart. al
yhouoh the form is necessary in that II
makes the cruelling work or running
tho long erinds easier than otherwise.
As these two divisions are practicaiy
distinct, we will take up the first and
confipe the remainder Of this article TO
instruction for half milers and milers
aud the two-milcrs thrown IN lot good
measure.
Necessary Qualifications.
AS I have stated before, build has
f,ut little TO do with the making OF
classy distance runner. il being heart.
csmeness and form that cut the largest
figures In this department or the game;
a Splinter is man who can stand
up under sharp, sudden calls on ms
nervous energy, be must nave rather
good development in the legs and arms,
This is necessary TO run anything from
100 wards 20 440 Yards. but after you
leave the 44O-yard dash, an entirely
ncw field comes into play.
Bcuinniug with the half mile we run
10 stamina. courage and ease IN cover
ing the ground.
80 run good quarter may turn out 10
be n crack half-miler or n fast miller,
but when we come 10 the two-mlle, we
find again difference. this event re-
quiring more lasting nerve than the
other two events named.
In the balf-mile, now that the dis
tAnee is being run in such fast time,
more depends on the start and, of
course, great deal depends on the fin
isb. so in advising contestants regard
ing event selection, L would say that 10
he n half miller YOU must have fnir
speed. ability 10 stand up under sus-
tanned strain of violent character and
then he able TO elap, on good sprint
IT the finish, For these reasons form
has q great deal TO do with running the
half-mile. so naturally the proper jog
giGg form is necessary.
Perfect balance is essential 10 good
half mile running and until the per
former learns how 10 carry himself in
the jog form, this cannot be attained.
To learn the Jog form, the following
stops are necessary:
Keep all the swinging parts OF the
body in straight lines, that is, the legs
and arms Do not roll the trunk from
side 10 side, il is lost motion and will
i.ut into the breathing case.
AS for the placement of the feet
this applies TO any and all running
mcn. Yon will notice in the draw.
ings that the right and wrong methods
of placing the feet on the ground are
designated. To toe in or out loses val
uahle iuehes ON each stride. For in
stance. place your foot on the ground
10 straight line, then turn the 10,
out and after this draw line between
TIC two positions and yo" Nil hnc
that at least two and a half inches
are gained by the straight toe method
which means fvc inches on stride
and in half mile or a mile there are
good many strides, so il docs not
take long for this five inches 10 ruf
into wards.
Having learned to place the feet cor
rertIy, look 10 the body angle. A.
| have said before. a running stride
CT fern Is no more than another foTu
OF tho walk. To get the correct body
slant put both feet together, then allow
yourself tn fall forward just catching
yourself rs YOU are about 10 lose youl
balance: YOU will naturally nut youi
foot cut 70 sayo Yourself; then stoy
a. soon as this involuntary step Is talk
en-. and YOUR body viii usually be il
tho proper body angle.
DO not look st your feet when ioiul
this. rs IL gives the mead the wron,
tilt. but look ahead about wHis. high
sighting down the course about eft.
Yards.
Position of Legs.
Your forward leg should be slightl
bent at the knee, but the back lei
must bc straight with the toe jus
touching the ground as the foot is leav
ing for the next forward moSemen,
Practice taking these steps until va
feel free and easy, theu take them /
progression and your jog form will b
developed.
Having once obtained a Jog forr
work with il until YOU feel that i.
about the best thing you do. and nfte
this you can fall into the stride work
but striding is another phase Of trac
development and viii be covered late
After learning 10 handle himself !
tba loI ,,,,,s. =.