It’s a scorching December afternoon, and Gout Gout can feel the fatigue weighing him down. The teenage sprint sensation isn’t sure why he’s feeling so sluggish, maybe it’s the relentless summer heat, the grind of training, or just one of those off days. Whatever the reason, he knows he doesn’t have time to dwell on it. A race is looming, and preparation is key.
He sticks to what he knows. Routine is his anchor, his way of finding focus even when his body protests. He starts with his ‘warm-up drills’, forcing his legs to wake up—high knees, butt kicks, a few explosive bounds. Sweat already beads on his forehead, but he pushes through, trying to shake the heaviness from his limbs.
Next, he moves into dynamic stretching, loosening up his hamstrings and hip flexors, feeling the familiar rhythm of movement. He sips water between sets, keeping himself hydrated, even as the heat lingers around him like an unshakable opponent.
His coach watches from the sidelines, offering a few words of encouragement. “Trust the process, Gout. Your body knows what to do.” He nods, rolling out his shoulders. He’s done this a hundred times before breathe, focus, execute.
As the race nears, he lines up for a few practice starts, launching himself forward with quick, powerful strides. The first one feels sluggish, but the next is sharper. By the third, he feels something click.
The fatigue is still there, but it no longer controls him. The routine has done its job, pulling him back into race mode. As he steps onto the starting blocks, Gout Gout is ready. Flat or not, he’ll give it everything.
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