Part 3
Before any contest, when you are stripped, take a trot to get the limbs into order and keep them warm; the muscles will be less likely to get strained if well heated beforehand. In running with a chicken-hearted man, race at him, and, if you feel done, fancy that he feels worse. Run as straight to the goal as possible; it is the nearest way home, and therefore the quickest. The arms should be kept well up, and moved in the direction of the course, and not swung across the body. Any scrambling in the race is fatal to a good walker; the motion of his legs should be mechanical. In walking races, if a stitch bothers you, keep well on, and try and forget it; it will never last long if you are in good condition. In a race with heats, after a heat lie down on your back, and keep the legs raised up, in order that the blood forced into the extremities by the exercise may be assisted by its own gravity to return to the trunk. Rest is the best cure for a strain, and is much assisted by cold water application. In a strain of the internal organs, their complexity renders repair a more difficult operation, as they do not allow of repose; recourse should therefore be had to a physician.
Running on the toes on a path is to be recommended, as enabling a longer stride to be taken, and giving an easier motion to the body, and less jar at each step. In heavy ground, however, it is of little use, as the sinking of the toe in the soil interferes with the spring, and necessitates a larger surface of the foot to get a purchase for the next stride.
Never in practice run with many clothes on; if the weather is cold, clothe in proportion. The action of the air on the skin increases its healthy vigor. A piece of cork is often held in each hand to grasp while running. In a long distance race, rinsing the mouth out with warm tea with a little brandy in it, and munching a crust, will often take away any dryness of throat. Never commence fast sprinting in practice unless the muscles are thoroughly warm. Strains would seldom happen if this was attended to. Fruit fresh picked is not to be discarded. A small quantity, when ripe, will often give tone to the stomach and cool the blood. Of dried fruits, figs are supposed to be the most serviceable.
TRAINING PRACTICE, FAIR WALKING, ETC.
Walking is the most useful and at the same time most abused branch of athletic sports; not so much from the fault of the pedestrians as from the inability or want of courage of the judge or referee to stop the man who, in his eagerness for fame or determination to gain money anyhow, may trespass upon fair walking, and run. Walking is a succession of steps, not leaps, and with one foot always on the ground. The term “fair toe and heel” was meant to infer that, as the foot of the back leg left the ground, and before the toes had been lifted, the heel of the foremost-foot should be on the ground. Even this apparently simple rule is broken almost daily, in consequence of the pedestrian performing with a bent and loose knee, in which case the swing of his whole frame when going at any pace will invariably bring both feet off the ground at the same time; and although he is going heel and toe, he is not taking the required succession of steps, but is infringing the great and principal one, of one foot being continually on the ground. The same fault will be brought on by the pedestrian leaning forward with his body, and thereby leaning his weight on the front foot, which, when any great pace is intended, or the performer begins to be fatigued, first merges into a very short stride, and then into a most undignified trot. There is no finer sight among the long catalogue of athletic sports, more exhilarating and amusing to the true sportsman, than to see a walking-match carried out to the strict letter of the meaning, each moving with the grandest action of which the human frame is capable, at a pace which the feeble frame and mind is totally unable to comprehend, and must be witnessed to be believed. To be a good and fair walker, according to the recognized rule among the modern school, the attitude should be upright, or nearly so, with the shoulders well back, and the arms, when in motion, held well up in a bent position, and at every stride swing with the movement of the legs, well across the chest, which should be well thrown out. The loins should be slack, to give plenty of freedom to the hips, and the leg perfectly straight, thrown out from the hip boldly, directly in front of the body, and allowed to reach the ground with the heel being decidedly the first portion of the foot to meet it. The movement of the arms, as above directed, will keep the balance of the body, and bring the other leg from the ground, when, the same conduct being pursued, the tyro will have accomplished the principal and most difficult portion of his rudiments. This will in a very short time become natural to him, and the difficulty will be the infringement of the correct manner. The novice having learned how to walk, and being matched, requires training, which must be under the same rules as have been laid down previously, with the difference, however, that his sweats must be taken at his best walking-pace, the trot by all means being totally barred. A continued perseverance in the practice of this rule will enable the pedestrian to persevere, notwithstanding all the shin-aches, stitches, and other pains attendant on the proper training for a walking-match, and which every man must undergo before he can be considered worthy of being looked upon as a fast and fair walker. The tyro must not be discouraged with his first feeble and uncertain attempts if they should not come up to his crude anticipations, but bear in mind that, although the accomplished pedestrian goes through his apportioned task with great apparent ease, he has gone through the rudiments, and that nothing but great practice has enabled him to perform the apparent impossibilities which are successfully overcome almost daily. Therefore the young walker must take for his motto “Perseverance,” and act up to the same by continued practice. The man training for a match should walk some portion of his distance, if weather permits, daily, in his walking-dress, which should consist of a light elastic shirt, short drawers, and light Oxford ties. On starting, he must go off at his _very_ best pace, and continue it for at least three hundred yards or a quarter of a mile, by which time he will have begun to blow very freely, and then, getting into a good, long, regular stride, his principal aim must be to keep his legs well in advance of his body.
The rule of getting away fast in trials should be invariably carried out; it prepares the man for a sharp tussle with his opponent for the lead, and will hinder him being taken off his legs in the match. When tired he can also ease his exertions; but if he is in the habit of going off at a steady gait, in the generality of instances he is virtually defeated in a match before he has commenced racing. Moreover, he must, when undergoing distress from the pace he has been doing, never by any chance cease his resolute and ding-dong action; for distress, if once given way to by easing, will of course leave the sufferer, but at the same time all speed has also departed, and not for a short space of time either, but sufficiently long for the gamer man, who would not succumb to the inevitable result of continued severe exertion, to obtain such an advantage as would be irrecoverable, as well as to conquer the aches and pains which invariably leave the well-trained pedestrian when the circulation and respiration become equalized--“second wind” it is better known by. After this happy and enviable stage of affairs has been reached the work becomes mechanical, and the pedestrian from time to time is enabled to put on spurts and dashed that would astonish himself at any other time when not up to thorough concert pitch. The recovery from these electrifying dashes is almost instantaneous, and the pedestrian keeps on his satisfactory career until sheer fatigue gradually diminishes his speed, although none of the previous aches and pains are present. The trainer must not forget the previously-mentioned rule of stopping the man when good time is not the result of his best and hardest exertions, as that bad time proves unerringly that something must be amiss which requires looking to thoroughly. As well might the engineer of a locomotive, on finding out that some of the internal works of his engine were out of gear, put on all his steam, and then wonder at the machinery being out of order at a future time of trial.
One word more. Let the man continually bear in mind that “it is the pace that kills,” and that slow walking never made a fast race or fast man; let him practice at his best pace, which will daily improve. The commencement of fast work will most likely bring on pain of the shins, which will be sore after the exertion has been discontinued, as well as other portions of the frame being in the same predicament. Hand-rubbing with a stimulating embrocation (of which the recipe is appended) before a good fire will in most instances be all that is required; but if obstinate, a hot bath will insure the removal of all the obstinate twitches, etc. The shoes for match-walking should be of the lightest description commensurate with strength for the distance required. They should be of sufficient width and length to give the muscles and tendons of the foot full play, without being in the slightest degree cramped. They should be laced up the front, and care taken that the lace is sound and new. So much importance is attached to this, that stout wax-ends are now invariably in use. Some advocate the use of boots; but, although stated to be useful if there is any weakness of the ankle--a pedestrian with weak ankles!--is there no cold water?--the heat generated by them would certainly counterbalance the supposed benefit; and there is the difference in the weight, which would tell at the finish of a long match.
HIGH JUMPING.
Begin by gentle runs of about three hundred yards, with a few low jumps, say ten, about three feet high. Practice over these jumps for a few days until the stiffness of the muscles wears off, and then gradually raise them to four feet or four feet six inches. If this height cannot be cleared easily, place the jumps at the most suitable height. Care must be taken to do them quickly and neatly. The run between may be slow, but the jumps should always be taken with a quick spring, landing on both feet every time. If this _modus operandi_ is paid attention to, the muscles will soon become accustomed to the sharp contraction required, and the legs will, by keeping them well together over low jumps and alighting on both feet, lose their tendency to straddle when a higher jump than usual is attempted.
Some, when in practice for high jumps, strengthen their muscles by standing on one leg and lowering the body down until the hams touch the heels, and then raising themselves up gradually again. This action, however much it may be beneficial to the sinews, cannot but give them a tendency to be slow, which should be avoided as much as possible. A heavy coat, with a weight in both pockets, is of some service to those athletes stripped and ready to compete, as a great sense of lightness and elasticity is imparted to the frame on its removal. The heavy coat should never be worn except in the few minutes preceding the trial, as by constant use the good effects wear off. Always have a soft place to alight upon, as it not only eases the jar of the jump, but gives a jumper more confidence when he feels secure from the chances of a twist of the ankles on touching the ground. Hard turf, with very fine ashes rolled in until the surface is quite level, makes the best fair taking-off place both for high and broad jumping.
BROAD JUMPING.
Begin with a few jumps about twelve feet or so, taking your run for them slowly, starting about twenty yards off and quickening in the last few strides. The great object to be guarded against is taking off to far from the mark, or getting out of step in the run; this can only be obviated by practicing at a certain distance until the necessary swing of the last few strides is acquired. The run to the jump cannot be too fast; in the air the legs should be raised as in going over a high jump, and thrown as far forward on landing as can be done with both heels close together. No fear need be entertained of falling back on alighting if the run is sufficiently fast and the landing place level and soft; the impetus derived from the run gives the heaviest part of the jumper, the trunk, sufficient momentum to carry itself forward when the progress of the feet and legs is arrested. The landing place should be soft to the depth of eight inches, and sufficiently binding to show the marks of the heels clearly on alighting; clay and mould mixed make the best landing ground. A soft place to jump on will prevent any jar to the knees, and will give the jumper more confidence. The concussion caused by landing on hard ground may sometimes cause a serious accident.
HAMMER THROWING.
The muscles of the loins and back are the ones principally brought into play in hammer throwing, and by their development they become extremely serviceable in assisting the spine to bear the upper portions of the body. The practice of this kind of exercise must, therefore, be beneficial to those whose lungs and heart are too delicate to stand any of those sports, such as rowing, running, etc., which so particularly tax their working powers. Commence practicing with a hammer about 7lb., until the art of swinging while running is acquired; to learn this the run should be taken at first only six or seven yards from the scratch; before the run swing the hammer well, like a pendulum, in the direction of the mark two or three times, until it has acquired a good momentum, and then start, taking, at the first few attempts, one turn only in the run; afterwards, as the practice becomes easier, two turns can be made, and the runs lengthened in proportion. Some athletes, however, take three or four turns, but, as a rule, two will be found sufficient. Between the turns, run as far towards the scratch as possible, taking long, even strides to acquire a good impetus, and keeping up the centrifugal force of the hammer by swinging it well round low, and in a plane at right angles to the body. The arms should be kept quite straight the whole time, merely acting as if they were a prolongation of the handle. The work is done by the muscles of the back and loins, and in delivering the hammer at the scratch the athlete should, above all things, bear in mind that he does not lift it as if lifting to leg. The “devil” must be put into the swing as the hammer descends in the last half of the turn, so that the force has culminated by the time the hammer is crossing the line parallel to the scratch, where it must be let go, the body at the same moment being thrown back to counteract the impetus of the swing. The hammer should describe a curve at its highest point of not more than 11 or 12 feet from the ground. Avoid pulling at the handle in the run, and increase the pace and swing at each successive turn. The farthest throw of the 11lb. hammer, 3 feet handle, on record, is 176 feet. The 22lb. hammer has been thrown over 94 feet.
PUTTING THE STONE.
Balance the body on the right leg, the left side turned towards the scratch, the right foot being placed as near the seven-foot mark as possible, and the right hand balancing the weight, with the knuckles close to the shoulder; raise the weight up to the full stretch of the arm two or three times, till the muscles get into play, still keeping the weight of the body thrown on to the right leg, the left foot touching the ground slightly; when the balance of the body is obtained, hop three feet towards the mark, and then spring up sharply to the scratch line, throwing the weight away at the same moment, and bringing the right leg down, with the toe touching the scratch line and the right side of the body to the mark. By this means the follow of the body after the weight is prevented, and, by bringing the right leg forward at the moment of throwing, the whole force of the thighs are brought into play, and the muscles of the loins assist in the sudden turn of the body from left to right. The weight must be held on the lowest joints of the fingers and the palm of the hand, the wrist being kept as stiff as possible, and all tendency to throw it as a ball avoided. A heave is not so effective as a quick jump, with the muscles concentrated at the same moment. The quicker the hop and the throw are made, the further the distance put, provided that the balance is not lost. Any delay between the first hop and the final spring is fatal. In delivering the weight, let it be put upwards--that is to say, aim to hit an object about fourteen feet above the spot where the weight will pitch. The further the weight has to be put, the higher must be the elevation. No exercise is a greater proof of strength than this. Very little skill is required; and when once the way of putting is learnt, it seldom happens that a strong man gets beaten by the knack of a weaker antagonist.
The ankle is the part most likely to suffer, from the fact of having to spring with the whole of the body, and the addition of the weight. To practice, a cricket ball may be used instead of a heavy weight, and the spring made as before, with the delivery of the ball. After a little practice, a heavier weight may be tried until the one required can be put properly. The best “puts” on record are for the 22lb. weight over 36 feet, and for the 16lb. over 41 feet.
TRAINING FOR ROWING, ETC.
The present work is not intended for the guidance of professional oarsmen, or those who may row for large stakes, and who, when matched, leave their usual occupations and devote their energies to the better observance of the stricter rules of training. Such men invariably have a mentor worthy of following, and whose knowledge of right and wrong will lead them to success or otherwise, as the fates may dispose. The amateur, however, must be treated more gently and with more attention than the sturdier and hardier professional, or those who may have made the river and adjuncts their capital in their struggle through the world for a subsistence. The amateur, when he has an engagement before him, should take into consideration the time he has allowed him to train, and the mode of proceeding will depend in a great measure on the condition and previous habits of the man engaged. If a man is fleshy and of a full habit of body, a dose or two of mild purgative medicine should be taken, and slow walking exercise only taken on the day the doses have been administered. After the medicine has done its duty, if the amateur is very fleshy, a Turkish bath or two may be taken with advantage, the usual precautions against cold being used. The subject, after one or two of these sweats, is prepared for more arduous work, which may be taken at a fair pace in the form of good sharp runs and fast walks, which, like all other trainings, will become easier of accomplishment at each repetition.
The above work, with rowing exercise, will infallibly bring the practitioner, if continued for any time, into a proper condition to contend with confidence and success in any rowing contest.
He must rise at five in the summer, and after his bath (cold), and having been well rubbed down, a good sharp walk of about a mile out and a rattling spin taken by running home, when another good rub will be rendered imperative Should the run not be taken, a row of a couple of miles at three parts speed must be accomplished. When thoroughly cooled down, breakfast should be taken, which should consist of good wholesome meat (either broiled mutton-chops or steak, with no seasoning), stale bread or toast, and tea. When dinner can be taken at mid-day, say about one P. M., it is better, and should consist, like the breakfast, of good wholesome roast meat, with no vegetable except a mealy potato, stale bread, and not more than a pint of really good sound ale (old, if palatable to the drinker, the best); some prefer sherry, but, although agreeing with a few, the ale, as a rule, is more strengthening and wholesome. The row should be taken before tea, which should then be of the same viands and liquids as the breakfast. The above rules, of course, are open to alteration, according to circumstances, and the diet varied successfully by the introduction of fowls, either roast or boiled--the latter preferred--and when there is any indication of training off, a small portion of green-meat, in the shape of sound cabbage or any fresh vegetable in season. The last food before retiring to rest should be either about half a-pint of thin gruel or a glass of ale with dry toast. The other portion of the day’s training must be left to circumstances; but it must never be lost sight of that sharp work, regularity and cleanliness are the chief if not the only rules to be followed to produce thorough good condition. The use of the bath should never by any chance be missed. Nothing is more injurious to the wind, etc., than hard rowing on a full stomach, the ill effects of which, although scarcely felt at the time, have at a more remote time, in many instances, proved to be the germ of serious disorders.
In rowing, the legs, loins, trunk, arms, hands, the digestive organs and the lungs are made to perform their regular and legitimate functions simultaneously, and the danger of building up one part of the system at the expense of another thereby avoided, and to the recognition of these facts is ascribed the popularity of aquatic sports here and abroad. But it is not always convenient for large numbers of our people to indulge in this healthful pastime; the expense of owning and keeping a boat, the difficulty of reaching an acceptable place for rowing, no less than the dangers incident to inexperienced oarsmen upon the water, are drawbacks which can only be met by the substitution of a machine giving all the advantages without the disagreeable accessories; to this end several machines have been introduced to public notice, but none have filled all the requirements until by careful observation of the defects of former attempts the Eureka Parlor Rowing Machine was introduced, which gives an exact and perfect imitation of rowing. It teaches to feather the oar correctly, it gives the dip of the oar, it has the sliding seat, it can be regulated for heavy or light, short or long stroke, and is manufactured for either open or cross-handed rowing, and the pressure can be changed to suit the weak or the strong.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRAINING FOR ROWING.
For the further information of those who cannot have too much of a good thing as to the preparation for rowing a race, we subjoin the latest ideas of modern authorities upon the subject.
JOSH WARD’S SYSTEM OF TRAINING.
The following rules, from the pen of Josh Ward, ex-champion sculler and captain of the Ward crew, which among their other achievements won the International four-oared race at Saratoga in 1871, will be first-class authority:
First, be sure that the men are in perfect health, so that they will be able to stand the work which they are about to commence.