Translator: dapotaturs
Release Date: 09/02/2023
Su Bai taking over the men's 400 meters project has not only sparked discussions within the S province athletics team, but also gained some attention on the Athletics Kingdom forum. However, the level of discussion and attention surrounding this matter isn't particularly high. After all, prior to Qiu Wen, the 400 meters project of the S province athletics team had been dominated by only two athletes, Zhang Wei and Hu Li, for quite some time. Their performances were not able to attract much attention from athletics enthusiasts.
Starting from the beginning of the outdoor athletics season in April and May, every ten days or so, various domestic and international athletics events manage to capture the attention of these athletics fans. If it weren't for incidents like Qiu Wen switching projects and achieving outstanding results in the first battle, this level of discussion wouldn't have been generated.
Since April, the domestic athletics enthusiasts have primarily focused on Fang Yu in the 100 meters event and Wu Yi in the 200 meters event. During the winter training period from 2017 to 2018, the national team arranged a three-month training period in Germany specifically for Fang Yu and Wu Yi. The short-distance head coach of the national team personally took them to Germany, where, under the guidance of German sprinting experts, they underwent solid training for a full three months.
At the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in February, Fang Yu and Wu Yi, who had returned from their special training, displayed impressive competitive form in the 60 meters sprint. Since the start of the outdoor season in April, Fang Yu achieved a commendable time of 10.06 seconds in the 100 meters at the first stop of the National Athletics Elite Tournament. Similarly, Wu Yi also achieved an impressive time of 20.62 seconds.
The outstanding performance and state of the two sprinting stars in the 100 meters and 200 meters events have captured the majority of attention from domestic athletics enthusiasts, temporarily causing the 400 meters sprint event to be forgotten.
Regardless of the level of attention online, the training of Zhang Wei and Hu Li within the S province athletics team hasn't shown a moment of relaxation.
The training objectives set by Su Bai for Zhang Wei and Hu Li hang over their heads during these days. They eagerly anticipate and feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about the ambitious goals Su Bai has set for them. They don't want insufficient training to be the factor that prevents them from achieving Su Bai's envisioned training objectives.
On the training field, Su Bai stands by the track, closely observing the training of Zhang Wei and Hu Li. He records real-time data on their training status while comparing it with their dynamic physical analysis stored in the system. This helps him understand their real-time bodily dynamics.
When Zhang Wei and Hu Li occasionally meet Su Bai's gaze, they always feel an extra level of tension. It's already the second week of training under Su Bai's guidance. In these two weeks, they have come to understand what Qiu Wen meant by "devil coach" – the term Qiu Wen used to describe Su Bai.
In reality, the training volume Su Bai has arranged for them seems lighter compared to their previous training requirements. After all, Su Bai had been very straightforward in saying: as long as you complete my training requirements with quality and quantity every day, once the training content is completed, you don't need to linger on the training field. You can go back early and rest.
Back when Qiu Wen received such preferential treatment in training, Zhang Wei and Hu Li had envied Qiu Wen's training conditions. However, now that they find themselves in the same situation, they understand why Qiu Wen used to call Su Bai a devil while enjoying this treatment.
Su Bai's training plan seems to have been meticulously designed around their physical limits. The daily training tasks might not involve many repetitions, but they are all progressive in nature.
For instance, in the 200-meter sprint, Su Bai might have them do progressive training with different time limits of 30 seconds, 29 seconds, and 28 seconds. Initially, they might find the earlier rounds quite manageable, but as they approach the last few rounds, they end up exhausted. They even feel that unless they push themselves with sheer determination, they won't be able to meet Su Bai's requirements.
Both Zhang Wei and Hu Li initially thought it was just their imagination.
However, as they began to adapt to their current training rhythm and requirements, their training plan would change, with the standards being elevated even further.
At first, they dismissed it as their imagination during the first or second alteration. But when the changes became more frequent, both Hu Li and Zhang Wei realized that Coach Su Bai was constantly pushing their physical limits by increasing the difficulty!
This realization was particularly strong after they shared their training experiences during a moment of rest. They discovered that each of them was facing similar challenges. They were convinced that their initial doubts weren't just their imagination.
After confirming this fact, they recalled Qiu Wen's screams when he faced a similar situation – that "Su Bai is truly a devil, you just don't understand."
Unfortunately, when they recognized their current state, Qiu Wen was away with the team for a competition. They couldn't verify with him whether the term "devil coach" he used was linked to Su Bai's precise ability to extract performance.
"Alright, you're done."
After Hu Li and Zhang Wei gave their all to complete Su Bai's demanded 200-meter sprint at top speed, Su Bai gave a slight nod of satisfaction and placed a checkmark on their training plans. He also recorded the training data they had completed that day.
Hu Li and Zhang Wei had just stepped down from the track, drenched in sweat, clearly worn out.
Wiping his sweat-soaked hair, Zhang Wei approached Su Bai with a breathless expression. After hesitating for a while, he finally asked, "Coach, how do you think our training progress is?"
Zhang Wei actually wanted to ask if they had a chance of achieving the monthly goal on time, but he didn't dare to ask it directly.
After Zhang Wei's question, Hu Li's attention also turned to Su Bai, looking at him eagerly. It was clear that he was deeply concerned about the same issue.
Observing the forlorn expressions on the faces of Hu Li and Zhang Wei, Su Bai thought for a moment and then decided to speak up, "Tomorrow is Saturday, let's have a stage test for the 400 meters."
Hearing Su Bai's words, both Hu Li and Zhang Wei's eyes lit up. They felt reinvigorated immediately. But after waiting for a moment, a concern arose in Hu Li's mind, "Coach, even though we've had specialized training and various other exercises in the past two weeks, we haven't done a complete 400-meter run during this time. Are we really going to have a test like that tomorrow?"
Seeing their worried expressions, Su Bai smiled slightly, then explained seriously, "Although you haven't done a complete 400-meter integrated training in the past two weeks, you've improved in specialized running ability and other qualities."
"In the 400-meter event, you both have over a decade of experience. For tomorrow's test, you can use your usual rhythm habits. The only thing to keep in mind is not to fall back into your past speed habits."
"As long as you can distinguish between the rhythm habit of a 400-meter run and the speed habit, I believe that both of you can achieve results that satisfy me in tomorrow's test."
Having said that, Su Bai turned to Jiang Dongjian and said, "Jiang, please inform Coach He about tomorrow's test. You can also let the sprint coaching team in the team know. Any interested coaches are welcome to come and observe Zhang Wei and Hu Li's stage test tomorrow."
Upon hearing Su Bai's instructions, Jiang Dongjian nodded promptly, saying, "Sure, I'll let Coach He know, and I think the coaches from the sprint group should also be interested in observing the test tomorrow!"
Originally, Zhang Wei and Hu Li just wanted to inquire whether their training had met Su Bai's expectations. Unexpectedly, Su Bai arranged an open stage test.
From Su Bai's confident attitude, they sensed his satisfaction with their current training results. Su Bai's reassuring explanation also put their minds slightly at ease, and they started to anticipate the public test on the next day.
On the second day, June 9th, Saturday, at 2:30 PM, the coaches from the athletics team's sprint group, including He Yishen, gathered on the bleachers by the training field, awaiting the results of the two-week training phase for Zhang Wei and Hu Li.
During these past two weeks, through Jiang Dongjian's recounting, they had heard about many of Su Bai's training methods for Hu Li and Zhang Wei. While these methods weren't entirely unfamiliar, they differed in terms of application techniques and training intensity requirements. Each coach had their own standards based on their judgments of the athletes.
The only aspect they found puzzling was that Su Bai hadn't made Hu Li and Zhang Wei practice the full 400 meters in the past two weeks. Furthermore, Su Bai dared to place Hu Li and Zhang Wei directly in front of them for this open stage test.
Beside the track, He Yishen, Zhao Heping, and Jiang Dongjian stood together with Su Bai, waiting for a close-up view of Zhang Wei and Hu Li's upcoming test.
At this moment, Zhang Wei and Hu Li were warming up. Prior to the afternoon test, Su Bai hadn't asked them to do a last-minute 400-meter run during the morning training session. Instead, they followed the requirements on the training schedule and did a 30-minute easy jog in the morning.
Remembering Su Bai's words from the morning, "It's just a public stage test. How many years have you been competing on the national level? What's there to worry about?"
"Hu, are you feeling confident for later?" Hu Li, who was in the midst of warming up, looked at the coaches from the athletics team's sprint group who had all gathered, even coaches from the throwing and high jump groups were present to watch. He couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
Zhang Wei was also feeling somewhat anxious, but he noticed that their coach, Su Bai, seemed entirely unworried. In fact, Su Bai appeared to be talking to the head coach of the team, He Yishen.
Seeing this, Zhang Wei mustered his resolve, "Hu, look at our Coach Su Bai. This is the first public test he's arranged for us since taking over. If we think about it, this test might put even more pressure on him, but he's not the least bit flustered. It shows his trust in us and his confidence in the results of our training during this period."
"Since our coach isn't anxious, why should we be?" Zhang Wei clenched his teeth. "In any case, we should give it our all!"
Meanwhile, as Zhang Wei and Hu Li prepared themselves mentally, Su Bai had finished introducing Zhang Wei and Hu Li's training situation to He Yishen.
After hearing Su Bai's explanation, He Yishen nodded, "The training situation for both of them has been reported to us by Jiang regularly. I'm just curious, you've decided to conduct this public stage test without having them try the run beforehand. Haven't you considered the possibility of unsatisfactory results?"
Su Bai nodded, "Of course I've considered it. But over this period, they've rigorously followed my training requirements. From my perspective, as long as they give it their all, their performance should see improvement. If their results don't improve at this stage, it means there's an issue with my training plan."
Su Bai's confident response surprised those around him. He Yishen fell into a brief silence and then nodded, speaking up as well, "Alright, since you're so sure, then we trust you."
As the words fell, both Zhang Wei and Hu Li had completed their individual preparations for the test. At Su Bai's signal, they positioned themselves at the starting line, taking the 4th and 5th lanes respectively. After a simple adjustment and inspection of the starting blocks, they both looked up at Jiang Dongjian, who held the starting gun, indicating their readiness.
At this moment, the first phase of the test for Zhang Wei and Hu Li was finally about to start. On the spectator seats nearby, the members of the coaching staff who came to watch the test fell into silence, waiting for the official start of the two runners.
"Take your positions."
"Get ready."
Jiang Dongjian once again took on the role of the starter at the edge of the track. Seeing that Zhang Wei and Hu Li were prepared to start, he raised the starting gun in his hand and squeezed the trigger – "Bang!"
The long-awaited sound of the starting gun suddenly made the nerves of Zhang Wei and Hu Li tense up. They both reacted swiftly, explosively, and sprinted as soon as the gun went off.
In their past 400-meter training, tests, and races, Zhang Wei and Hu Li's results were fairly close, especially in the starting phase, where their speeds didn't differ much.
However, after Su Bai took over their training, he gradually identified the individual characteristics of Zhang Wei and Hu Li.
Hu Li had a stronger burst of speed, excellent starting and cornering techniques. Combining his strong burst with his starting technique, the initial 100 meters became his advantageous segment.
Zhang Wei was different.
After repeated confirmations, Su Bai determined that Zhang Wei possessed an outstanding talent for controlling speed rhythms. This characteristic stood in stark contrast to Qiu Wen's speed control ability.
Zhang Wei had a keen intuition for both speed and timing. When Su Bai had them train at specific speed intervals, Zhang Wei was among the first to grasp the rhythm. Unfortunately, he had weaker physical strength and some technical flaws in using his strength, which led to him relying on his speed advantage to compensate for his weaknesses.
Over the past two weeks, Su Bai adjusted their training plans based on their respective strengths and weaknesses, making their advantages more prominent while gradually addressing their shortcomings.
On the track, Hu Li gained a noticeable advantage in the starting phase. He maintained his speed nearly perfectly around the bend and then accelerated rapidly. In the initial 100-meter segment, he clearly exerted significant pressure on Zhang Wei.
This was quite unusual!
Behind Hu Li, Zhang Wei also noticed his rival's starting speed. The speed difference they formed at the start of the race surprised him, but he remembered Su Bai's advice: Don't worry about others' speed, trust your own rhythm, and run according to your own pace.
This timely reminder from Su Bai dispelled Zhang Wei's momentary anxiety. He fully immersed himself in the race, maintaining his rhythm and speed.
After managing his mindset, Zhang Wei began to sense that his physical strength had grown stronger. In the past, he occasionally had the thought of accelerating during races, but his strength limited him. He couldn't match his thoughts with the actual execution, making him feel powerless. Now, he felt he could adjust his speed according to his desired rhythm.
On the trackside, the coaches could observe that if Hu Li held the absolute advantage in the first 100-meter segment, Zhang Wei gradually gained the upper hand in the second 100 meters. Unlike Hu Li, Zhang Wei didn't directly adjust his speed to around 80% of his capability. Instead, he maintained some reserves in his speed control. This allowed for fluctuations in his rhythm, seemingly finding the most suitable pace for himself.
Watching Zhang Wei's rhythm adjustment, He Yishen and Zhao Heping both furrowed their brows.
"Zhang Wei's rhythm..." He Yishen appeared puzzled. After all, Zhang Wei was an experienced 400-meter runner. His grasp of rhythm should be impeccable. Why did he display this peculiar, slightly fluctuating speed today?
Seeing Zhang Wei's performance, Su Bai felt slightly relieved. He said, "It's fine. This is the most comfortable rhythm and state for him."
On the track, as Zhang Wei and Hu Li entered the second curve one after another, the race's progress had reached the latter half. By this point, the distance between Zhang Wei and Hu Li had decreased to a small margin. However, as they entered the curve, Hu Li's better cornering technique allowed him to pull ahead once again. Nevertheless, at this stage, Zhang Wei's advantage in rhythm control became apparent.
This improved rhythm control, coupled with the strength and endurance training over the past few weeks, had a visible impact on Zhang Wei's performance.
Not only that, while his cornering wasn't as good as Hu Li's, Zhang Wei was still an experienced 400-meter runner. He had mastered the technique of cornering. At this stage, Hu Li couldn't manage to create a significant lead over Zhang Wei.
Just before transitioning from the curve to the straight path, both Hu Li and Zhang Wei slightly eased their speed to catch their breath and gather strength for the final sprint on the straight.
In the last sprint, there was little room for rhythm competition; it was about the athletes' sheer determination and speed endurance. They needed to give their all, despite the exhaustion and pressure caused by muscle oxygen deprivation and lactate accumulation, to complete the sprint in the final segment.
Hence, to achieve this goal, athletes would increase the amplitude of their arm movements, using their arm power to drive their forward momentum and better complete the final sprint.
In the last 80-meter segment, Zhang Wei had already overtaken Hu Li. Though Hu Li had a significant lead in the initial 100 meters, his speed endurance was inferior to Zhang Wei's. This resulted in him losing speed more significantly in the latter half of the race.
While Hu Li had also faced this issue in the past, it wasn't as noticeable then because he focused on running with a precise rhythm, and his starting phase's explosive advantage wasn't very prominent.
The coaches on the tiered seats noticed this problem, but they hadn't realized that it stemmed from the contrasting feel between Hu Li's explosive start and his subsequent deceleration. Puzzled by Hu Li's loss of speed, they looked toward Su Bai with some concern. However, Su Bai's calm and confident expression eased their doubts, so they temporarily withheld their questions and awaited the final results of Hu Li and Zhang Wei.
In the last 30 meters of the race, the distance between Zhang Wei and Hu Li was small. Despite Hu Li's pronounced deceleration, he wasn't willing to give up. Gritting his teeth, he resisted the fatigue that surged through his body, increasing the amplitude of his arm movements, and forced himself to sprint forward.
"I can't lose. I can't give up!"
Such thoughts surged through Hu Li's mind. Even though the fatigue made it feel like he could barely lift his legs, he persisted in pushing forward with all his might.
Zhang Wei's condition was slightly better than Hu Li's, but the heaviness and exhaustion in his body couldn't be ignored. He was also struggling to maintain his rhythm, pushing himself toward the finish line.
In a 400-meter event, the final sprint stage was a pure test of athletes' determination and endurance.
Finally, under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhang Wei and Hu Li crossed the finish line one after the other. Zhang Wei's speed was slightly better, but at the final moment, the distance between them was minimal.
As both athletes successfully crossed the finish line, the coaches on the tiered seats, along with Su Bai and others by the trackside, applauded them, offering their encouragement.
After giving their all to cross the finish line, both Hu Li and Zhang Wei slowed down for a moment. Then, almost simultaneously, they turned to look at the timer that displayed their times.
It wasn't just them; all the coaches and assistant coaches present had their attention focused on Hu Li and Zhang Wei.
Previously, their personal bests in the 400-meter were 47.70 seconds for Zhang Wei and 47.67 seconds for Hu Li. So, after two weeks of training with Su Bai, what would their times be?
The black-background red-numbered electronic timing display showed two times: 47.64 seconds and 47.67 seconds.
On the screen, the wind speed was also displayed: +0.7 m/s.
The times 47.64 and 47.67 seemed to indicate that only Zhang Wei had improved his time. However, the real comparison lay in the performance of Hu Li and Zhang Wei during their winter training.
For them, they hadn't run times close to their personal bests for a long time. Personal historical bests weren't necessarily achievable in an athlete's ordinary state. These best times were often the result of a combination of luck and accumulated experience.
Because of this, although the gap between their times and the 47.60-second standard of national-level elite athletes seemed small, actually breaking through that barrier required a significant effort.
Thus, when Su Bai previously said their training goal was to achieve 47.60 seconds within a month, neither of them dared to believe it.
But... at this moment, the bright red numbers in front of them brought their dreams a step closer.
Just two weeks!
Only two weeks!
Zhang Wei and Hu Li could hardly believe the numbers before their eyes...
In just these two weeks, they had shed their fatigue from the past, with one matching his personal best and the other significantly breaking his previous record, moving his personal best toward 47.60 seconds.
"Oh my god... Old Hu, I ran 47.64 seconds?!" Zhang Wei looked at his time, his face full of disbelief.
Seeing his time of 47.67 seconds, Hu Li, though somewhat regretful that he hadn't broken his personal best, was equally amazed. How long had it been since he achieved this kind of time?
He had waited for this moment for so long, to the point of almost losing faith in his own performance and future during the waiting process.
After seeing these two numbers, Su Bai once again lightly applauded towards the direction of Zhang Wei and Hu Li. As Su Bai's applause began, He Yishen, Zhao Heping, Jiang Dongjian, and even the coaches sitting in the tiered seats, who were watching the competition, started to applaud one after another. The applause not only started, but also grew louder.
On the tiered seats, some coaches even exclaimed a few "good" remarks.
This was indeed a sincere show of approval. Prior to seeing the results, due to Hu Li's deceleration in the latter half and Zhang Wei's seemingly unreasonable pacing adjustments on the track, they had momentarily thought that the final results for Zhang Wei and Hu Li might not be too ideal.
However, when they saw the final performance numbers, the real figures displayed on the electronic timer, they couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. This astonishment was directed towards Hu Li and Zhang Wei on the track, as well as towards Su Bai, who always appeared steadfast in his confidence.
At this moment, the emotions of Zhang Wei and Hu Li were slightly too excited. Their eyes were a little reddened - it was the excitement of finally succeeding, the touch of seeing new hope after a long accumulation of frustration.
To think that such a transformation could happen in just two weeks.
Doesn't this imply that they won't stop at this point in the 400-meter event? The goal of becoming a national-level elite might not be the focus of their careers... Perhaps, it's a fresh starting point for their future careers?
Thinking this, both Zhang Wei and Hu Li felt their hearts surge. After quickly walking up to Su Bai, they both bowed to him simultaneously.
"Coach, thank you!"
This was the simultaneous expression of gratitude from Hu Li and Zhang Wei.
In this moment, all thoughts of grueling coaching and extreme training fatigue were thrown aside - as long as this training yielded results, as long as it truly improved their performance, then it was just a matter of demanding intense training. After all, what's the big deal?
Keep in mind that there are countless athletes in the world who, even with high standards and rigorous training, struggle to improve their performance. Excessive training might even cause irreversible damage to their bodies, ultimately leading to the premature end of their careers.
There are mentors and exceptional talents in the world.
This understanding was present in the hearts of all athletes as well.
Su Bai looked at the excited Hu Li and Zhang Wei, a faint smile appearing on his face. "This is the outcome of your own hard work."
"Don't slack off. Remember the goal I set for you: the Z City Grand Prix on June 24th. I hope both of you can achieve outstanding results in that competition."
The testing on this day had finally concluded successfully. Su Bai actually breathed a slight sigh of relief - he was still making some minor adjustments to Zhang Wei and Hu Li's training plan, especially based on today's competition results. The content of their training would be adjusted accordingly, but those details were no longer a problem.
After this round of testing, the level of trust that Hu Li and Zhang Wei had in him had significantly increased. With this trust and their positive and confident mindset, Su Bai believed that they would achieve even better results in their upcoming training sessions.
It wasn't just Hu Li and Zhang Wei; even the coaching team members of the S Province Track and Field Team had a higher level of conviction in Su Bai.
Previously, since Su Bai only had Qiu Wen as a team member, it was unclear whether Su Bai had made Qiu Wen successful or if Qiu Wen's talent had made Su Bai successful. However, after today's testing, the coaches had a clearer answer in their eyes.
Two days later, after Qiu Wen participated in a Grand Prix event and achieved outstanding results, upon returning to the track and field team, even the seemingly carefree Qiu Wen felt that there seemed to be some changes in the atmosphere within the track and field team.
On the training field, after Qiu Wen struggled to complete the training tasks assigned by Su Bai, he stood with hands on his hips, drenched in sweat, breathing slightly heavily, looking utterly exhausted.
Then, upon seeing Zhang Wei and Hu Li in a similarly beaten state, he seemed to have found comrades. "Old Zhang, Old Hu! Ah, ah, ah, Su Xiaobai is really something else. How can he be so precise in pushing me to my limits? Towards the end, I literally had no strength left..."
"When he saw me complaining about my lack of stamina, he even patted my shoulder and said, 'It's okay, I believe you can still do it'... It's terrifying! He's really squeezing out every bit of my last ounce of strength!"
"I see you both looking exhausted too, you must have been pushed to your limits as well, right?" At this point, Qiu Wen wore a look of distress. "Su Xiaobai is truly a devil among men. How on earth does he manage to estimate our limits so accurately?"
Qiu Wen rambled to himself for a couple of minutes, then he suddenly realized something and looked up. "Old Zhang, old Hu, why do I feel like I'm the only one complaining here? Aren't you two also exhausted from Xiaobai's intense training? Don't you both think he's a devil coach as well?"
Upon seeing Qiu Wen's expression, Hu Li and Zhang Wei each patted his shoulder and then spoke to him earnestly. "Qiu Wen, Coach is doing all of this for our own good. Don't complain about his precise understanding of our physical limits. It shows that he has a precise grasp of our body condition and can adjust us to our best state."
"That's right. Coach not only takes care of our training plan here every day but also manages the nutrition meals for the third floor in the cafeteria. It's a demanding job. Even though he's so busy, he still takes care of us like this. It shows that he cares about us a lot. So, of course, we should give it our all in training!"
"Exactly, giving it our all in training and eventually achieving excellent results is up to us. We'll earn the honors ourselves. Don't let the hardships of training lead to complaining about Coach. Everything he does is for our benefit..."
...
...
...
Hu Li and Zhang Wei delivered a sermon to Qiu Wen, leaving him standing in a state of utter confusion.
Who was he?
Where was he?
What was he doing?
During the late-night snack time, Qiu Wen looked at his two late-night companions, Wang Shen and Cui Luoheng, with a bewildered expression. He then spoke with a tone of deep confusion, "I also know that Xiao Bai is doing this for our own good... But can't I just find some comrades to complain with? Why do I feel like in just a few days, they've both turned into Xiao Bai's devoted fans?"
"What has happened in these past two days?"
Qiu Wen looked quite mournful, "I feel like they're lecturing me, saying, 'You're in good fortune but don't realize it.'"
After saying this, Qiu Wen suddenly heard Cui Luoheng, who was sitting across from him, lift his head and coolly say, "That's right, you're in good fortune but don't realize it."
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