“Well,” Arthur laughed, “don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t do it well. Got any appetite?”
“Appetite!” cried Gerald, springing up. “I could eat a whale!”
“All right, let’s go over and see if they’ve got any to-night.”
[CHAPTER XV]
BACK IN TRAINING
Three days later the book came.
Truth compels the statement that for a period of several days subsequent to its arrival, Gerald sadly neglected studies, although without unfortunate results to his standing. For two afternoons and two evenings he devoured all that the writer of the work had to say regarding training for the track and running the mile distance. At the end of that time he had practically memorized some four chapters of the book, laid down for himself strict rules of diet and régime, and arranged a weekly schedule of track work.
Distance running, said his authority, was something in which endurance was the prime requirement. It was necessary to lay the foundation for success by strengthening the heart and lungs. Gerald was pretty certain that he had the endurance already, and he wasn’t afraid that heart or lungs would fail him. Gymnasium work for developing the back and abdominal muscles was recommended, but it was a bit late for that now; besides, he had had a little of it already. The book harped on cheerful willingness and perseverance. Gerald made up his mind to let neither fail him. The most encouraging thing he found in the book was the assertion that distance running was a thing one did not have to be born to; that with health and patience and perseverance any youth might hope to develop into a creditable performer at the mile or two-mile distances. This was a theory that Gerald had entertained himself, but he was glad to receive corroboration.
The matter of stride was dealt with at length, and Gerald concluded that his own would stand improvement. “The runner,” Gerald read, “should try to develop a long, easy stride. He should not, however, exhaust himself seeking to attain a length of stride which his build naturally prohibits. An unnatural stride results in exhaustion. By careful practice he may add to the length of stride by just that little within his power, and which may mean a great deal in a contest. Remember that in distance running every inch added to the stride means seconds gained at the finish.”