Chapter 92: Super High-Intensity Training
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Educational training theory asserted that in order to improve one’s ability or quality, one must be trained in an environment where one’s capacity reached the extreme. Previously, Dai Li simply took it as a theory from a textbook. After he had participated in Feixiang Lin’s training, he finally understood the idea.
Li recalled what he had experienced in the Sports University. Their training intensity was a joke compared to the national team. Even the provincial sport team’s training was less than adequate in comparison. It was no wonder the national team was the best in the country. Its training intensity was extraordinary.
Feixiang Lin’s so-called "more intense training" shook Li. Such high strength was above Li’s imagination. Li began to believe that Lin also had a plug-in system. Otherwise how else could he bear such frightful training?
Lin’s body was truly being stressed to the limit. It was not only torture of an athlete’s body, but an ordeal of human willpower. Seeing Lin so exhausted that he fell to the ground breathing heavily, then stand up and struggle again after a short break, Li believed that no one else could be as tough as Lin. Nobody could persist through this training for such a long time.
It is true that no one can succeed just by coincidence. Lin was able to break world records not just because of his talent. His effort, will, and stamina also helped him to succeed. Li sighed with respect.
Lin wasn’t fighting alone now. He had found the real him, and the national team was willing to offer their best resources. Coach Ding returned to Lin as his chief coach, while the team also provided a training coach and two assistant coaches.
Being an assistant coach for a speed contest was tough work. Athletes usually used the "Competition Method" to enhance their performance. The "Competition Method" was to create a competitive atmosphere in which the assistant went the full distance with the athlete. Such a method could provide a contrast of speed, this way the athlete could have a clear concept of how fast he had run. If the athlete ran by himself, he would probably got stuck behind a "speed barrier," which meant that he would only have a vague concept of speed. It was difficult to improve one’s self this way.
With this method, the assistant tried to run faster than the athlete, which allowed the athlete to speed up and surpass them. But the fact of the matter was that the assistant must not be as good as the athlete, otherwise the assistant could be an athlete himself. Therefore, in the 100m or 200m sprint, the assistant would start beforehand when. But 110m hurdle didn’t need to be that complicated. The assistant and the athlete started together, but the assistant only ran the first three hurdles, then sprinted for the finish line. In this case, the assistant could have the lead.
Lin had increased his training intensity, which in turn had increased the assistants’ tasks. The two assistants took turns assisting. Even though they only had half of Lin’s training amount, they were exhausted.
Li had a different job. In addition to being a recorder, Li also became Lin’s masseuse. Whenever Lin was fatigued, Li would give him some muscle relaxation.
During breaks, athletes would receive massages to relax their muscles, which made lactic acid decompose quickly. It was especially beneficial for athletes after high-intensive training. In countries with developed sports industries like America, an athlete would receive some high-tech treatments, such as cryotherapy and auxiliary respirators.
In the very beginning, coach Ding didn’t pay much attention to Li’s massages. As a track coach, massaging was a required skill, due to the fact that athletes built up lactic acid or even inflammation during training. Coach Ding still remembered back before Lin had become famous, it was he who had massaged Lin. But as time went by, coach DIng noticed some differences.
Lin looks content. Is it because Li’s massage really works? Coach Ding looked at an exhausted Lin, pondering.
After a while, Lin stood up. Although he still looked tired, he was more relaxed and energetic. It was obvious in the follow-up training.
Coach Ding was one of the world’s top coaches, so he could tell what Lin’s status was just by one glance, whether it be physical or mental. What coach Ding was finding now was that after a massage from Li, Lin looked completely different. He didn’t look like an extremely tired person at all.
The massage looks effective. Considering Lin’s high-intensity training, if one massage can put him in good condition it is impressive. The famous masseuses I know might have such an ability, but ordinary masseuses cannot do it."
Thinking about his, coach Ding turned to Dai Li involuntarily.
It was after Li joined our team that Lin started to train regularly. Even though I don’t understand why they have been doing broadcasting gymnastics so much, it is also true that he returned to his original status within two months. Did Li really make everything happen this way? Lin asked Li to stay for another month. I used to think that Lin had found some common interests with Li, but now it looks like it is probably because of Li’s massages. Seems like I underestimated Li.
Coach Ding kept thinking to himself, then walked close to Li and said, "Li, you are good at this. Have you ever learned to massage before?"
"My undergraduate major was physical training. I learned some subjects about massage. My teacher said I was gifted in this area, so I had some special training in it," said Li.
Li realized that Coach Ding had noticed his muscle relaxation. He himself also knew that the massage was abnormal, and if he said he had never learned it before coach Ding would have his doubts about him. Besides, Li didn’t learn from any teacher. To cover it up, he used "gifted skill" as an excuse.
Coach Ding nodded agreement. "Talent" was something that could not be explained with theories. There were always some gifted people in all areas. Ordinary people might not be able to reach their level even if they struggled their entire lives.
Coach Ding kneaded his waist, then said, "Li, my waist has been hurting for days. Could you give me a massage after you finish training?"