With Wang Liquan's second-level athlete standards, in this kind of middle and long-distance running event, he should be able to easily achieve a pace of two or three minutes per lap.
But today, he was not competing; he was guiding Wang Ye's running technique.
Therefore, he needed to downgrade to the slowest pace to test Wang Ye's running ability step-by-step.
As they ran, Wang Liquan caught sight of Wang Ye's smooth running posture from the corner of his eye and couldn't help but be shocked.
Wang Ye's running posture was incredibly precise in every detail, whether it was the landing angle, arm swing amplitude, breathing, hip extension, or push-off, all clearly reaching the realm of a professional athlete.
"Has his running posture been specifically studied?"
Wang Liquan frowned slightly, a hint of surprise arising in his heart.
He then continued to increase his stride frequency, speeding up. He raised the speed to a pace of five minutes per lap.
Seeing this, Wang Ye also accelerated his running rhythm.
But even at this speed, it was still quite easy for him. After all, he could run ten kilometers at an average pace of four minutes per lap, not to mention his physique evolved once again today, theoretically allowing him to withstand a faster speed limit.
Therefore, Wang Ye maintained a rather relaxed state, with his breathing very stable.
In stark contrast to Wang Ye.
Running ahead and breaking the wind, Wang Liquan started feeling breathless and his legs began to feel heavy after maintaining this pace for a minute or two.
Although he was once a national second-level athlete, now at the age of twenty-seven, various physical functions have significantly declined. Plus, he hasn't trained seriously since becoming a physical education teacher, so his running ability naturally fell sharply.
Wang Liquan glanced sideways at the stable-breathing Wang Ye and couldn't help but cast a look of astonishment.
'Are you sure you just started practicing running recently?'
Wang Liquan, not believing it, bit his lip and continued to speed up. As he kept increasing his stride frequency, he soon reached a pace of four minutes per lap.
At this speed, it's already in the territory of fast running.
Even for Wang Liquan, who was once an athlete, maintaining this speed was akin to being trapped, able to endure no longer than half an hour before being exhausted.
However.
At this moment, Wang Ye still did not feel he had reached his limit. The speed that was a bit strenuous for him yesterday seemed twice as easy today!
He maintained this pace of four minutes per lap, feeling his body become increasingly powerful, and his running more fluid and light.
The traits of Walking Skill also had a noticeable effect, reducing his running energy consumption by a tenth, significantly increasing his energy limit, and allowing him to easily boost speed, performing long sprints at his maximum speed.
Until—
Their pace increased to three minutes per lap.
Wang Liquan finally couldn't endure it anymore, he exited the track, his legs giving way as he sat heavily on the ground, gasping, he cursed:
"Damn it, is Wang Ye here to ruin my game?!"
Although with age, his physical prowess was no longer what it was when he practiced track and field in university, his running performance falling below second-level athlete.
But after being a physical education teacher for so many years, roaming around playgrounds and tracks all year long, he at least maintained third-level athlete standards, more than enough to outpace high-tier running enthusiasts, how could he be outperformed by a newcomer who has only practiced running for a few days?
"I don't believe it... How can someone improve so quickly?"
Wang Liquan felt his long-established worldviews were on the verge of collapse.
He trained arduously for years during his student days to reach the level of a national athlete,
now being told Wang Ye only trained for a few days and reached this level?
Who wouldn't have a breakdown?
Meanwhile.
Wang Ye maintained a pace of about 3.5 minutes per lap, running lap after lap on the track. In the quiet campus with only the sounds of books being read aloud, the tap-tap of his running shoes on the rubber track was particularly clear.
Tap-tap-tap-tap…
Finally.
35 minutes later.
Wang Ye stopped.
He lifted his watch.
[10.1 kilometers.]
[Time spent: 00:37.45]
[Average pace: 3.51]
Not bad, already at a third-level athlete standard.
Wang Ye showed a pleased expression,
his whole body steaming with heat, sweat soaking through his clothes, revealing his strong and athletic physique, his intimidating muscles vividly displayed.
Wang Ye took out a water cup from his bag, took a sip, and then sat on the ground, casually asking Wang Liquan: "So, Ah Quan, were there any major issues when I was running just now? I've just started practicing running, still a bit confused about many things, want to ask you."
"No need, I have nothing to guide you on... Just be careful not to overtrain before the competition."
Wang Liquan waved his hand, his silhouette seeming particularly lonely.
"Students will finish class soon, it's inconvenient to train during the break, we'll call it a day, I'll see you off out of school."
"Alright." Wang Ye agreed cheerfully.
Actually, from the beginning of the run, Wang Ye could see that Wang Liquan's current level was far inferior to his own.
With Wang Ye's current running Skill lv3 experience, he could intuitively see many flaws and poor techniques in Wang Liquan's running posture.
But Wang Ye refrained from pointing it out directly because he believed athletes had abundant competition techniques, could provide insights into preparation strategies for middle and long-distance competitions, possibly sharing some pre-contest tips.
Seeing that Wang Liquan was greatly impacted and had entirely lost the desire to teach, Wang Ye didn't plan to force him to continue offering guidance on competition preparation techniques.
After all, Wang Ye had demonstrated such formidable running ability, further questioning might be seen as mocking Wang Liquan.
After bidding farewell to Wang Liquan, Wang Ye took the subway and returned home.
…
…
The next day.
April 23rd.
Morning.
8:46
Wang Ye was woken up by a call from the courier.
He scratched his messy hair, walked to the door, and picked up a small package from the courier.
After expressing his thanks, Wang Ye brought the package inside, opened it with scissors, and took out the four grip strengtheners he had purchased.
He first held the 200-pound grip strengthener in his hand, fiddling with it. The surface of its handle was covered with small diamond shapes full of friction, feeling rough and might hurt the hand.
Moreover, this grip strengthener was entirely made of solid steel, carrying some weight in the hand.
"Let's try locking this one first."
Wang Ye gripped the 200-pound strengthener, suddenly exerting force, pressing inward.
Tremendous resistance countered his fingers, the skin of his palm immediately experiencing a strong tearing sensation.