Chapter 9: Morning Exercise

Even a Cadillac, no matter how fast it chases the high-speed train, cannot catch up to a heart already set on leaving. This philosophical thought plunged Jason into deep contemplation. Indeed, some things cannot be changed by sheer effort alone. Sometimes, we must learn to let go and trust that better choices await us in the future.

After a restless night, Jason finally came to terms with this truth. At 4:30 a.m. the next morning, the alarm clock by his bedside rang punctually, shattering the quiet darkness. He intended to steal a few more moments of rest in bed, but the fear of oversleeping and consequently being late immediately snapped his nerves taut.

Being late meant punishment — a 400-meter run. For Jason, the 400-meter dash was no easy feat; it brought not only physical exhaustion but also mental torment. With this in mind, he bolted upright, quickly slipped into his athletic shorts and shirt, and rushed into the bathroom for a swift wash.

Lifting the water cup, he gulped down a large mouthful, as if preparing himself mentally for the challenge ahead. Then, with a brisk step, he descended the stairs, mounted his electric bike, and headed toward the school.

By the time he arrived, dawn was still breaking, but a few classmates were already engaged in their morning workouts. Outside the track, the clanging of weight plates echoed sharply.

They were practicing the power clean.

However, Jason’s first task on the field was two grueling 400-meter runs. These were not punishments but deliberately arranged training to improve his 800-meter race. For many, these two laps were torturous, yet Jason understood they were an essential path to enhancing both endurance and speed.

He quickly set down his backpack and jacket beneath the lush ginkgo tree by the track, took a deep breath, and readied himself at the starting line. At the coach’s sharp whistle, he shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

After the first 400 meters, fatigue and muscle soreness already weighed heavily on him. Yet, he knew the tougher second lap awaited. Gritting his teeth, he regulated his breathing, striving to regain some strength.

On the second 400-meter sprint, Jason poured every ounce of effort into his legs, which felt as heavy as lead with each step—an intense battle against his own limits. When he finally crossed the finish line, he collapsed, utterly spent.

Lying on the cold ground, hands pressed against his numb backside, Jason struggled to his feet and staggered to a nearby open space. He grabbed a foam roller and began massaging his muscles. Though the pain was intense, pressure and massage brought some relief. The roller’s weight pressed into his weary muscles, coaxing out a measure of comfort.

After easing the soreness for a while, Jason moved over to the power clean area. The purpose of practicing power cleans was ultimately to improve his shot put performance. Since speed at release was critical for shot put, training power cleans was the only way forward.

He headed straight to the shot put circle, aware that shot put was his weakest event and required extra practice.

At the shot put area, Jason removed his shirt to avoid soiling it during training. He knew that the power for the shot put came from the lower body rather than solely from the arms. In earlier technical drills, he had grasped some basics, but to advance further, he needed to discover a shot put technique suited to himself.

Jason inhaled deeply, grasped the shot put tightly, feeling its weight. Adjusting his stance and focusing intently, he prepared to exert force. Each throw was both an attempt and a personal challenge. He believed that with persistent effort, he would one day find his own path in shot put.

After twenty minutes of throws, Jason concluded his morning session. Though physically drained, he had yet another crucial task — practicing the triple jump.

The triple jump had always been his forte, and he was confident in his abilities, convinced of his remarkable potential in the event.

With a relaxed stride, Jason returned to the track where another group of students was diligently working on the final step of their triple jump. Their movements were light yet powerful, each pushing to surpass their limits. Jason stood nearby, observing carefully, silently assessing his own skill.

Just then, homeroom teacher Mr. Chen approached. Spotting Jason, he called out, “Jason, come show us a jump.” The teammates halted their drills and cheered, “Jason, show us what you’ve got!”

With a reluctant smile, knowing refusal was futile, Jason stepped forward to demonstrate his prowess.

The takeoff board was set at 7 meters, while a perfect score required a distance of 9.2 meters. No one had reached the full score yet, as the intense training period in August and September had left everyone fatigued. Nevertheless, Jason felt neither nervous nor flustered, confident in his ability to meet the challenge.

To better practice the final step, the coach placed a takeoff board between the second and third steps. Jason’s strength lay in his second step, where he could effortlessly glide about three meters, while his first step measured approximately 2.1 meters. In contrast, others’ first two steps combined were only about 4.8 to 4.9 meters.

Standing before the takeoff board, Jason pondered briefly before deciding to move it slightly forward. He adjusted it to about 5.1 meters, enabling him to capitalize on the advantage of his long second step.

At the takeoff line, he drew a deep breath, striving to remain fully relaxed. He knew the triple jump was like a spring: if the body tensed too much, the power couldn’t be fully unleashed. Conversely, total muscle relaxation combined with full exertion allowed maximum force.

Jason began swinging his arms and leapt. His first step was light yet forceful, landing firmly on the ball of his rear foot, followed by a smooth rotation of the ankle. This technique preserved the speed generated by the first step and used its momentum to propel him forward. His movements were fluid and harmonious, as if each step had been meticulously calculated and practiced.

Next, he pulled his push-off foot toward his buttocks while swiftly extending his front foot forward, avoiding an early landing and maximizing his glide through the air. The second step employed the same full-body coordination as the first, driving him forward.

However, Jason forgot that his technique had matured; 5.1 meters was no longer his limit. On his second attempt, his second step landed just beyond the takeoff board’s edge. Without the board’s rebound, he had to exert great effort to complete the final jump.

Seeing this, Coach Huang immediately advised, “Jason, move the takeoff board forward a bit more; your second step is too long.”

Jason considered the suggestion and decided to shift the board 20 centimeters further ahead.

With the takeoff board repositioned, Jason took his place once more, inhaled deeply, and prepared for a new attempt. This time, he gave his all, performing at his peak.

Upon completion, Coach Huang excitedly said beside him, “Measure that — it’s gotta be 9.5 meters!”

A tape measure was promptly brought over. Sure enough, careful measurement confirmed an astonishing 9.5-meter jump.

“Wow, Jason’s second step really is huge.”

“Definitely, the triple jump is impressive.”

“With this technique and the takeoff board’s assistance during the third step, you’re sure to get full marks eventually.”

Though the takeoff board aided the third step, this result clearly demonstrated the strength of Jason’s triple jump. He thought to himself that the second step might still need slight refinement, as the third step had lost some power. He planned to review and adjust it again soon.