VOL. V, NO. 14

Distance running requires a great deal of training and endurance. The right foods, enough sleep, plenty of exercise, and constant practice are important assets to becoming a good runner. Cross‑country letterman Don Kinder was interviewed on the subject of distance running, and he quickly commented.

Practices Six Days

"The cross‑country team practiced six days a week for an average of about an hour and a half. Practice began with a period of warm‑up exercises which helped to loosen the runners up." According to Don, "The major part of practice was taken up by pace work. The runners first started pacing themselves for the quarter mile. Then they developed good timing for the half mile and so on until they had developed a good steady pace for the full two miles."

Before the Meet

When asked about preparation for the actual race, Don stated several important tips which may make the difference between a good and a bad time. "A lot of extra sleep is not as necessary as one might think. About eight hours of sleep is sufficient."

Then questioned about eating before a meet, Don replied, "It's better to run with a partially full stomach than it is to run on an empty stomach. However, it is better to eat lightly. Greasy foods and milk aren't good before a meet."

The Race Is Run

"The actual race is run according to a set plan," explained Don. "A runner should pick someone to run with who has about the same pace and time. Then, if that runner feels he can do better, he may want to go on ahead. Times are given for each quarter of the total distance. This lets a runner know if he has timed himself just right, or if he should quicken his pace a bit."

Developing good time and endurance for a two‑mile run requires much hard work. As Don summed up, "The most important thing is constant training and continual practice.