Chapter 158: Burst Front Running Technique
She had already done many paired run training sessions with various veteran racers, so Kitasan Black was quite familiar with this kind of practice.
But during this period of training camp, she was shocked to discover that Rice Shower-senpai's running style was unexpectedly exhausting to deal with.
It felt as if that gaze had a sticky texture—once it locked onto her back, it clung from start to finish, giving her a suffocating pressure like something caught in her throat.
Both during training and later in the video analysis, she could see that almost every step Rice Shower-senpai took landed exactly in the footprint she had just made.
Her posture was the same too.
Even though their height and body type were noticeably different, their stride, arm swings, the rise and fall of their chests… even the movement of their heads—everything about Rice Shower-senpai looked just like her.
During these past days of training, it felt like she had split into two.
One was the "real" her, the one running ahead during every session.
The other had turned into Rice Shower-senpai, sticking tightly behind her—firmly, unshakably—replicating her every movement.
Of course, not every paired run session was in a front-and-back formation.
Single paired run sessions usually had specific objectives. Being positioned front and back was for training things like breaking away, adapting to being chased, and so on.
If they were running side by side, left and right, then the goals were things like positioning, blocking, or taking the optimal line around curves.
During such times, Rice Shower-senpai gaze wasn't on her, and her footwork and rhythm were different too.
But even without being watched directly, the feeling of someone staring from behind was still there.
Or rather, it wasn't exactly behind—it was something like a fleeting, ghostly presence from the corner of her eye.
Among all these unfamiliar sensations, one stood out clearly:
Her stamina consumption.
Because she was constantly aware of the gaze from behind or from the side, she couldn't stop herself from glancing back or thinking about how to shake it off.
In the end, she couldn't think of any way to deal with it, and her stamina drained rapidly from the constant distraction.
This won't do at all. If this happens during a real race… how am I supposed to handle it?
With that thought, Kitasan Black had asked Makoto about it, and the answer she received was that her trainer was also thinking about the issue.
Not discouraged, she—unusually—began thinking seriously about something this complicated for her.
Maybe it was because they were living close together during the training camp; every day she saw her Trainer in the room flipping through documents, watching race footage, calculating data. Before she knew it, she wanted to help somehow.
Like using her brain a bit more, easing her Trainer burdens.
But she didn't come up with anything.
Which honestly wasn't surprising, and she didn't get too discouraged—she already knew she was bad at this sort of thing. She just needed to take her time.
'Besides, Trainer would definitely find an answer…' Kitasan Black thought as she finished another paired session with Rice Shower and reported her impressions to her Trainer.
"Still can't stop thinking about it…? Okay, I understand."
Makoto recorded the notes on the tablet, then waved to the side.
"Good work, Rice Shower. There's drinks and energy bars here—please rest for a bit."
"Kitasan, you rest as well. When you're ready, we'll start the next paired run with Suzuka."
He had started planning the training camp two months ago, and the worst-case scenario at the time was bringing only Kitasan Black to Santou Mountain.
Maybe it was because of the academy's influence, or maybe because of the nature of Umamusume—most training camps were held near the beach. It was rare for anyone to come to the mountains.
Even when they chose mountain areas or woods, they usually picked faraway places like Kyoto, Osaka, or Hokkaido, not somewhere near Tokyo.
After all, Tracen Academy was located in Tokyo, and the Umamusume generally wanted to use the relative freedom of a training camp to visit somewhere new.
But before he even finished writing the plan, the Umamusume who had previously helped train Kitasan Black began volunteering one after another. Even Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, both busy preparing for the Dream Trophy League, recommended candidates themselves.
Makoto ultimately decided to invite Rice Shower and Silence Suzuka, focusing on stamina training and running techniques.
With victories in both the Kikuka Sho and the Spring Tenno Sho—and her unique close pace chasing strategy—Rice Shower's assistance held a distinctive value without question.
As for running style, Kitasan Black had previously trained mostly with Daiwa Scarlet.
Both of those Umamusume possessed excellent strength, and their front running mindset, techniques, and abilities were similar.
By contrast, Silence Suzuka was clearly a Burst Front Runner.
Training alongside different partners—especially another Front Runner—could broaden and deepen her mastery of front running techniques.
It would also help her learn the habits of that type of racer, making it easier to deal with them later during real races.
For the past half month, the training schedule had followed this pattern, with Rice Shower and Silence Suzuka alternating.
Even with breaks in between, Kitasan Black was essentially training continuously.
By the time training approached its final stage, the accumulated fatigue became perfect for the usual overload training.
"Mm! I'm still good to go!"
Hearing her Trainer instruction, Kitasan Black perked up immediately:
"I just need a short break! Sorry to trouble you, Suzuka-senpai!"
"Kita-chan's energy… really is endless…"
Walking toward the nearby table stacked with drinks, energy bars, and a first-aid kit, Rice Shower gave a soft smile, sighed lightly, and picked up a towel.
"Wipe off your sweat first, Kita-chan…"
"Thank you, Rice Shower-senpai!"
"For the next session…"
Silence Suzuka, who had been deep in thought until now, finally spoke:
"I think we can try practicing some front running techniques. What do you think, Makoto-san?"
The others froze for a moment, and Kitasan Black was the first to react.
"Senpai… you mean you want me to learn your front running style?"
"Not exactly."
Silence Suzuka shook her head.
"As you are now… I still don't think Burst Front Running suits you."
"But with your physical ability, you can start using some techniques to increase your early-phase or mid-phase speed."
"Here, look."
She stepped onto the grass, slowly leaning her upper body forward. Her right leg stretched far behind, and her arms extended forward and back as she took up a starting stance.
Then she lowered her upper body even more.
"If I remember right, this is how you look in the final stretch."
Realizing the senior was about to teach her, Kitasan Black nodded repeatedly.
"Yeah! That's right! Charging like this makes me faster!"
On the other side, Rice Shower—holding an energy drink—and Makoto—holding the tablet—approached as well, watching Silence Suzuka with curiosity and deep contemplation.
"And then there's your center of gravity."
As she spoke, Silence Suzuka lowered her hips slightly.
"This should be how you look when running uphill."
"And next comes the rear leg…"
Her right leg extended even further back, her toes barely brushing the grass.
"And finally—"
Before she finished her sentence, a sudden burst of wind blew up fragments of freshly crushed grass from the ground.
The stems shot more than a meter into the air, scattering toward Kitasan Black, Rice Shower, and Makoto, all of whom were watching intently.
The three reflexively squinted or closed their eyes, then quickly opened them again.
"Fuu—something like that."
Over twenty meters away, Silence Suzuka exhaled slightly as she looked back at Kitasan Black and gave a small nod.
"A lower stance, a lower center of gravity, stronger explosive kick-off power."
"And you need to execute all of that in your very first step."
"So in terms of theory, when you put it that way… Burst Front Running isn't actually that complicated."
<+>
If you want to see more chapter of this story and don't mind paying $5 each month to read till the latest chapter, please go to my Ko-Fi[1].
Latest Post In Ko-Fi: Chapter 194: My Turn to Write a "Peach Letter"[2]
Link to the chapter: https://ko-fi.com/post/Chapter-194-My-Turn-to-Write-a-Peach-Letter-Y8Y31RUK1R[3]
https://ko-fi.com/umazing[4]
[1] https://ko-fi.com/umazing
[2] https://ko-fi.com/post/Chapter-194-My-Turn-to-Write-a-Peach-Letter-Y8Y31RUK1R
[3] https://ko-fi.com/post/Chapter-194-My-Turn-to-Write-a-Peach-Letter-Y8Y31RUK1R
[4] https://ko-fi.com/umazing