Chapter 302 - 303: Acceleration Run
Despite their exhaustion, joy was clearly written on everyone’s faces. Some even cried outright.
Many of those present had started attending various tryouts from a young age, spending their entire youth on the track.
For over a decade, they had poured their youth and sweat into this sport. Their passion was real, but so was the hardship.
Chloe Sinclair found herself moved by the emotions of these athletes, some of whom weren’t much older than her, and others even younger.
She turned away and took a deep breath. When she turned back to face them, Chloe Sinclair wore only a faint smile.
"Take a ten-minute break, then go practice acceleration runs."
Then, looking at another group, she said, "Sprinters, please come to the track."
After a moment’s thought, Chloe Sinclair added, "Julian Dawson, you come over too."
Julian Dawson was a bit surprised, but seeing the serious look in Chloe Sinclair’s eyes, he walked to her side without asking why.
Coach Young frowned.
"Julian is a long-distance runner."
The implication was that he should stick to his long-distance training.
Chloe Sinclair pondered for a moment before insisting, "It’s fine. Let him give it a try."
Coach Young looked like he wanted to say something, but held his tongue.
But looking at Chloe Sinclair’s determined expression, he decided against voicing his doubts.
As the athletes gathered on the track, Chloe Sinclair instructed, "Do a fifty-meter acceleration run."
The athletes understood immediately.
Julian Dawson was in the last group to run.
He was the only one left to run.
"Miss Sinclair, am I running alone?"
Chloe Sinclair shook her head. "I’ll run with you."
Julian Dawson’s eyes lit up at her words, and he let out a happy grunt of agreement.
With Professor Young acting as the starter, the two shot off the line like arrows the moment the gun went off.
However, to everyone’s surprise, not only was Julian Dawson far from terrible at sprinting, he was actually neck and neck with Chloe Sinclair.
When the times were recorded, Professor Young’s expression grew serious as he fell deep in thought.
Chloe Sinclair knew her plan had worked, so she didn’t say anything more.
In fact, Julian Dawson’s performance had exceeded her expectations.
’Not bad at all.’
She’d had to go all out just to finish a few steps ahead of Julian Dawson.
And that was with him having had no formal sprint training whatsoever.
Julian Dawson himself didn’t seem to expect he could run that fast. He scratched his head, and despite being nearly two meters tall, he looked a little sheepish.
Seeing this, Coach Young pondered for a moment before announcing, "The rest of you, continue training with Chloe’s methods. Chloe, Julian Dawson, come with me."
With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked away.
Chloe Sinclair reacted instantly, following right behind him the moment the words left his mouth.
The trio walked to the outskirts of the stadium. A few other athletes in tracksuits passed by in twos and threes, but thankfully, their area was quiet and they went unnoticed.
Professor Young looked at Julian Dawson, sizing him up, before getting straight to the point. "Julian Dawson, I want you to try sprinting."
The color drained from Julian Dawson’s face. He looked unsteady, as if he were about to burst into tears.
"Does... does that mean I’m not training for long-distance anymore?"
Professor Young shook his head, exasperated that the boy only ever heard half of what was said. He nearly choked with frustration.
"What I mean is, I want you to try sprinting for a while. You have incredible explosive power. I’m sure that’s exactly why Miss Sinclair had you test out your sprinting just now."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Chloe Sinclair.
Chloe Sinclair’s expression was neutral; she didn’t deny the coach’s words.
"That was indeed my intention."
Julian Dawson panicked. "But I’m about to compete in the Winter Games this year! The roster has already been finalized!"