On the weekend, Li Bai returned to the Forest Park again. As soon as they met, Liang Manjun handed him a kraft paper envelope.
“Inside is an introduction letter issued by Jinhai Daily. Keep it safe. Later, you can use it to collect your race materials.”
Only after she saw him put the envelope into his bag did she slowly add, “The race materials can be collected from the 25th to the 27th. If you can take leave, it’s better to go on the 25th or 26th.”
“There will be a lot of people on the 27th. The race is on the 28th, and the 27th is a Saturday, so many out-of-town runners will arrive then.”
Strictly speaking, compared to locals in Jinhai, both Liang Manjun and Li Bai counted as outsiders.
But the two cities were close to each other.
In terms of distance within the urban areas, it was just over two hours by car.
Compared to runners from other cities or provinces, they could practically be considered locals.
Li Bai scratched his head. “Thanks, I got it!”
The new leader had just arrived, and he wasn’t sure whether he could get time off.
Liang Manjun didn’t waste words. After putting on her baseball cap, she raised her wrist and adjusted her watch.
“36 kilometers today?”
Originally, the training plan was 35 kilometers, but one loop in the park was 12 kilometers, so they simply ran three full laps.
“Yes. Teacher Liang, how about we keep marathon pace again?”
Li Bai lifted his head, his eyes shining with an excitement Liang Manjun couldn’t quite understand.
Of course, she didn’t know that Li Bai had just undergone a major upgrade in the past few days.
He was eager to test what his near-maxed “Stamina” attribute could really do.
The usual easy runs of a dozen kilometers were no longer enough to satisfy the powerful heart beating in his chest.
“Alright. But before the race, this will be your last long-distance run.”
“We taper before the race?”
“Yes. Next week, you can still do a 24-kilometer run. The week after that, focus mainly on recovery and storing energy.”
And the race would be the week after that!
Liang Manjun had participated in many marathons, and her experience far surpassed Li Bai’s.
Li Bai nodded.
He didn’t argue. Even someone like Kipchoge would reduce mileage during the pre-race preparation period.
Liang Manjun led Li Bai through a classic hip warm-up routine, “A-skips.”
High knees, skipping drills…
After warming up, they began today’s 36-kilometer long run.
Although they called it marathon pace, they initially maintained a pace of just over five minutes per kilometer.
After running 10 kilometers, their bodies fully loosened up, and their cardiovascular systems caught up.
Only then did Liang Manjun gradually increase her cadence and take the lead, breaking the wind ahead.
Her personal best marathon time was under 3 hours and 30 minutes—commonly referred to as sub-3:30.
Among female runners, that was already very close to the new amateur elite standard.
Even most male runners couldn’t beat her.
Li Bai couldn’t either.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t good.
After only one month of training, Li Bai could already complete a marathon with ease.
Among ordinary people, that was already outstanding.
But compared to Liang Manjun, there was still a gap.
And compared to his own goals—sub-3 hours, even 2 hours 30 minutes or better—the difference was even greater.
Liang Manjun genuinely admired Li Bai’s performance in running.
Over the past month, she had completely agreed with Ji Ziyang’s evaluation of him.
Given time, Li Bai would definitely surpass her and had strong potential to break three hours.
He just lacked sufficient accumulation and actual race experience.
By leading him, Liang Manjun hoped he could complete the full 36 kilometers at the planned pace.
Saving even a bit of energy during the process would help.
“Keep it up, Li Bai…”
Every time she thought of his name, she found it interesting.
His family had given him a name with such a poetic aura.
Yet Li Bai himself didn’t carry much of a scholarly temperament. Instead, he felt more like a rugged, untamed warrior.
An image from that massage session flashed through Liang Manjun’s mind.
Defined abs, wheat-colored skin—healthy, wild…
She quickly shook the thought away.
It nearly disrupted her breathing.
During the first two laps, Li Bai performed steadily. The real test was the final lap.
Thump, thump, thump!
Li Bai’s firm, powerful footfalls were like war drums, beating steadily in her ears.
Something wasn’t right.
Why did he still have so much energy?
Liang Manjun felt a flicker of surprise.
She had already prepared herself to slow down and take care of Li Bai as he gradually fatigued.
But 28 kilometers, 29 kilometers, 30 kilometers…
Li Bai was still running normally.
His cadence remained steady. His breathing was controlled.
Liang Manjun couldn’t help but glance back. His gaze was firm, his expression calm.
Unlike previous weekend long runs, where he would wear a mask of pain.
Had he improved again?
This rate of improvement was simply too fast!
Liang Manjun was secretly astonished.
31 kilometers, 32 kilometers…
Li Bai was still as steady as ever, while her own breathing grew heavier.
Was she off today?
Or had he thrown off her rhythm?
As Liang Manjun tried to figure out the cause, Li Bai, who had been running behind her, suddenly accelerated.
“I’ll take the lead. You take a breather.”
He had noticed the change in her breathing.
Leading the wind continuously consumed a lot of energy.
Li Bai had watched marathon races before. Even top runners like Kipchoge didn’t lead the pack the whole time.
They usually stayed within the leading group, conserving energy until 25 or even 30 kilometers, before making their move.
Of course, this was just training, not a race.
Seeing Liang Manjun starting to struggle, Li Bai moved ahead.
He didn’t surge recklessly. Instead, he maintained their agreed pace and took over the lead for her.
He had really improved.
Liang Manjun was deeply impressed.
Now running behind him, she could see it even more clearly.
There was no need to mention his condition. After more than 30 kilometers, he looked as if he hadn’t run at all.
He was still moving smoothly and lightly.
His endurance had clearly improved again—and the speed of that improvement was beyond imagination.
Could Li Bai really be a natural-born marathon talent?
But what struck her most at that moment was his running form.
Those long, agile legs of his—when he ran, it was simply pleasing to the eye.
Not counting professional marathon runners, in real life, Liang Manjun had only seen one other amateur runner with such beautiful form.
Jiang City’s number one amateur runner, Zhu Wanlong.
But that man had left a bad impression on her.
So Liang Manjun focused her attention back on Li Bai.
Who could have imagined that just one month ago, he had been a complete novice?
Many of his techniques had been taught by her.
And yet, in just a single month, it felt like the student had already surpassed the teacher.
This progress was simply too fast.