CHAPTER 317: CHAPTER 182: 400-METER OBSTACLE COURSE

"Unity is strength, unity is strength, this strength is iron, this strength is steel, harder than iron, stronger than steel..." No one knows which instructor proposed singing while warming up, so, the trainees ran like dogs, panted like dogs, and had to howl with all their might like dogs.

Neat rows of troops, thunderous howling, the dazzlings green of camouflage, all ignited the fiery spirit within everyone. After howling twice, without needing the instructor to shout slogans, everyone naturally repeated it over and over, and their steps became much lighter.

Standing in front of the obstacle course, everyone realized that their initial panic and unease had vanished, finally understanding the true purpose behind the instructor’s suggestion to sing.

Bai Qingchu nudged Xing Nong: "I used to think it was silly when I saw the soldiers running and singing, but now I get it, some things, if not experienced personally, you’ll never grasp their profundity."

Xing Nong nodded: "Agree, my family lives in a military compound, I never thought it was silly, but I did feel it was quite formalistic, now I understand this is a form of cohesion and centripetal force, it makes one’s blood boil unconsciously, let’s stop talking, the instructor is looking over here."

After Shao Bo scanned the group, he showed a satisfied expression: "At ease! Attention! Rest in place for fifteen minutes before we officially begin the four-hundred-meter obstacle training. I’ll give everyone an overview now so you have an impression. During the actual practice, I will demonstrate and explain each task individually.

The four-hundred-meter obstacle course includes fourteen obstacles, which are: stepping over three step-stumps, leaping over trenches, jumping over low walls, crossing the high jump platform, traversing the balance beam, scaling high walls, crawling under low hurdle nets, stepping over low hurdle nets, scaling high walls, navigating around pillar bridges, stepping over high jump platforms, crawling through holes, leaping down to and climbing up trenches, and stepping over three step-stumps.

The purpose of these exercises is primarily to train running, jumping, climbing, balancing, and crawling skills, improving everyone’s speed, endurance, coordination, and agility, and to cultivate courage and tenacity."

As Shao Bo spoke, he walked to the position of the three step-stumps, started, reached the start-line, propelled off the ground with one leg, took a large step forward with the other leg, tapped the first step-stump with the forefoot, propelled the back leg rapidly forward, tapped the second step-stump with forefoot, and then the third step-stump with the back foot, then with another leg, propelled off the step-stump and took a step forward, landing before the finish line.

Turning back to everyone, "You might think my movement looks very simple, and in fact, it is very simple, but you may not find it so when you first experience it, now let me break down the key points of the action..."

Having explained the three step-stumps, Shao Bo moved to the trench, everyone hurriedly followed, Shao Bo smiled: "This item is relatively simple; everyone has practiced long jumping in school sports, the principle is the same, you need a quick start when leaping, don’t hesitate, I guarantee everyone can complete it beautifully."

After demonstrating the trench, Shao Bo led everyone to the next obstacle, the low wall, accelerated without a word, and about 1 meter from the wall, raised his left foot to kick the wall, at the same time, his body surged upwards, grabbing the top of the wall with both hands.

The right foot left the ground while the arms pulled the body up, after crossing the wall, hooked the left hand and placed the right palm against the top of the wall, landing firmly with both feet, smiled at everyone: "At this step, be sure to keep running a few steps to buffer, I didn’t use full strength in my demonstration to make it easier to explain, now I will explain the details..."

After explaining each item one by one and demonstrating them, the trainees followed very earnestly; these fourteen items were not to be taken lightly. If not mastered properly, they could cause injury, no one was joking about their health.

Having finished all the explanations and the rest period also passing, everyone was fired up, especially imagining Shao Bo’s form while he crawled under the low hurdle net, some of the male students were even eager to start.

"Now I will give everyone a continuous demonstration of all fourteen items, please watch my movements closely." As soon as Shao Bo’s voice faded, he burst out, stepping on stumps, crossing trenches, jumping walls, up and down platforms, crossing balance beams... performing all movements fluidly without a hitch, looking incredibly cool!

Standing again in front of everyone, Shao Bo, not breaking a sweat and lifting his stopwatch said: "It took me 1 minute and 20 seconds to complete the full set of actions. For you, my requirement is that by the end of today’s training, everyone should complete the course within three minutes to be deemed competent. Do you all have confidence?"