Ryan's legs burned.
His lungs screamed for air, each breath sharp and ragged as he forced himself to keep moving. The two laps had been brutal, but they were only the beginning.
Strength drills followed immediately.
Push-ups. Endless push-ups. Ryan's arms shook as he lowered himself down for the fortieth time, maybe the fiftieth—he'd lost count. Sweat dripped from his face onto the dirt below.
"Keep your back straight!" the instructor barked, walking between the rows of students. "If I see anyone sagging, you're starting over!"
Ryan gritted his teeth and pushed himself up again.
Beside him, James moved as if he'd performed this a million times. His form perfect despite the exhaustion and even then, there wasn't much exhaustion. Jared was the same, both of them pushing through with the discipline of years of training.
Ryan's arms gave out.
He collapsed onto the dirt, gasping.
The instructor quickly jogged over to Ryan.
