The indoor facility hummed with activity as the Westridge boys' team completed their warm-up laps. Monday practices were typically lighter, focused on recovery and technique after weekend competitions. Today's session was no different, with Coach Dormer planning moderate-intensity 300m repeats to begin their regional preparation.
"Eight repeats today," Coach announced, checking his clipboard. "Race pace minus ten percent. Focus on technique, not speed."
Zen nodded, already mentally calculating his target times. The system chimed in with confirmation.
DING
[WORKOUT PARAMETERS]
[TARGET PACE: 35.0-36.0 SECONDS]
[EMPHASIS: CURVE TECHNIQUE, CONSISTENT SPLITS]
Diego stretched his hamstrings while Andre adjusted his shoelaces. Trey was mid-story about his weekend adventures when the gym doors swung open.
The girls' track team filed in, led by Coach Martinez. Their practice usually started thirty minutes after the boys, but today's schedule had them overlapping.
"We'll be sharing the facility today," Coach Dormer explained. "Girls' team is prepping for their weekend invitational."
Zen noticed the immediate change in Trey. Mid-sentence, his posture straightened, voice deepened, and a practiced smile replaced his casual expression.
"As I was saying," Trey continued, voice now several decibels louder, "my split in the relay was probably the fastest I've ever run."
Andre caught Zen's eye and smirked. Diego stifled a laugh.
DING
[SOCIAL BEHAVIOR ANOMALY DETECTED]
[TEAMMATE WILLIAMS: UNUSUAL ELEVATION IN HEART RATE AND VOCAL PROJECTION]
[PROBABLE CAUSE: SOCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR FEMALE OBSERVERS]
Coach Martinez approached Coach Dormer, and they briefly discussed sharing the track. The boys would use lanes 1-3 for their repeats, while the girls would use lanes 4-6 for their workout.
"Let's start with dynamic stretches," Coach Dormer ordered. "Full range of motion."
Trey immediately positioned himself at the front of the group, directly in the girls' line of sight. His normally casual stretching routine transformed into something resembling an Olympic warm-up video.
"Bro, what are you doing?" Diego whispered as Trey executed an unnecessarily elaborate hip flexor stretch.
"Standard warm-up," Trey replied, voice still unnaturally deep. "Gotta maintain elite athleticism."
Andre snorted. "Since when do you use phrases like 'elite athleticism'?"
"Since always," Trey insisted, transitioning to high knees with exaggerated form. "I'm always this intense."
Zen watched as the girls' team began their own warm-up nearby. Several of them glanced over, clearly noticing Trey's performance.
"Is Williams okay?" Coach Dormer asked, frowning at Trey's theatrical lunges.
"Never better, Coach!" Trey called out, now adding arm circles to his routine. "Just getting the blood flowing!"
DING
[PERFORMANCE INCONSISTENCY DETECTED]
[TEAMMATE WILLIAMS EXHIBITING 300% INCREASE IN WARM-UP INTENSITY]
[NOTE: NO PHYSIOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE TO CURRENT BEHAVIOR]
As they moved to sprint drills, Trey's transformation became even more pronounced. His normally relaxed running form suddenly resembled someone trying to qualify for nationals while simultaneously posing for a sports magazine cover.
"Look at his face," Andre whispered to Zen. "He's flexing his jaw muscles while running."
Sure enough, Trey's expression had morphed into an intense grimace that had absolutely nothing to do with the light jogging they were doing.
"Knees up, Williams!" Coach called out, confused by Trey's sudden technique change.
"On it, Coach!" Trey shouted back, now lifting his knees almost to his chin.
A group of girls jogged past, and Trey immediately accelerated, somehow managing to time his most impressive-looking strides for their exact moment of passage.
"Is he seriously doing this?" Diego asked, watching the spectacle unfold.
"Oh, he's just getting started," Andre predicted.
As if on cue, Trey casually drifted toward the girls' group during the next drill, offering unsolicited advice.
"The key is explosive power through the hip," he explained to no one in particular, loud enough for everyone to hear. "That's how I dropped my 200 time so dramatically."
Sophia Chen, the girls' team captain and regional 400m champion, raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating, Williams. Remind me what your 200 PR is again?"
"It's, uh, evolving," Trey replied smoothly. "But my relay split was elite."
"Right," Sophia nodded, exchanging glances with her teammates. "Elite."
Zen couldn't help smiling as he continued his own warm-up. The system's assessment flashed across his vision.
DING
[SOCIAL DYNAMICS ANALYSIS]
[TEAMMATE WILLIAMS: ATTEMPTING STATUS DISPLAY, SUCCESS PROBABILITY LOW]
[FEMALE ASSESSMENT OF DISPLAY: PRIMARILY HUMOROUS RATHER THAN IMPRESSIVE]
"Alright, main set!" Coach Dormer called out. "300m repeats, eight total, 2-minute recovery between. Pace control is the priority today."
The real show was about to begin.
The teams lined up for their respective workouts. Zen, Andre, Diego, and Trey would run together in the first heat of 300m repeats. Trey positioned himself in lane 3, closest to where the girls' team was setting up.
"Remember, controlled pace," Coach reminded them. "This isn't a race."
Trey nodded solemnly. "Technique focus. Got it, Coach."
The moment Coach's whistle blew, Trey exploded from the starting line like he was being chased by wild animals. His first 100m was practically at sprint speed.
"What is he doing?" Coach Dormer muttered, starting his stopwatch.
Andre sighed, maintaining his prescribed pace. "Being Trey."
Zen and the others ran their repeats at the proper training pace, watching as Trey tore around the track, arms pumping dramatically. As he passed the girls' training group, his form somehow became even more exaggerated.
He finished his first 300m gasping for breath, hands on knees, but still managing to strike a pose that flexed his arm muscles.
"Williams, that was way too fast," Coach called out. "Thirty-two seconds. I said race pace minus ten percent."
"Sorry Coach," Trey panted, not looking sorry at all. "Guess I'm just feeling strong today."
Several girls glanced over, some rolling their eyes, others laughing behind their hands.
DING
[TEAMMATE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT]
[WILLIAMS ENERGY EXPENDITURE: HIGHLY INEFFICIENT]
[PREDICTED OUTCOME: SIGNIFICANT PERFORMANCE DECLINE IN SUBSEQUENT REPEATS]
As they lined up for the second repeat, Diego whispered to Trey, "Dude, pace yourself or you'll die out there."
"I'm good," Trey insisted, running a hand through his hair as Sophia jogged past. "Just watch."
The whistle blew again, and Trey once more shot off the line at near-sprint speed. This time, Zen noticed the girls' team actively watching, clearly entertained by the show.
"He's not slowing down at all," Andre observed as they maintained their proper pace.
"Give it one more repeat," Zen predicted.
Trey finished his second 300m in 31.8 seconds, even faster than the first. His breathing was labored, but he managed to flex while drinking from his water bottle, somehow making hydration look like a cologne advertisement.
"Williams!" Coach barked. "What part of 'controlled pace' don't you understand?"
"Just pushing my limits, Coach," Trey gasped, shooting finger guns toward the girls' team. "Elite athletes, you know how it is."
Sophia cupped her hands around her mouth. "Looking good, Williams! Very... sustainable effort!"
Her teammates burst into laughter, which Trey somehow interpreted as encouragement.
"See?" he said to his teammates. "They're impressed."
Diego shook his head. "That's not what that laughter means, man."
By the third repeat, Trey's form was deteriorating rapidly. His arms flailed, his stride shortened, and his breathing sounded like a freight train. Still, as they passed the girls' group, he managed to accelerate briefly and flash what he probably thought was a winning smile.
"Thirty-five seconds," Coach announced when Trey staggered across the line. "Finally at the right pace, though your form looks like you're running on hot coals."
"Just... mixing it up," Trey wheezed.
DING
[WARNING: TEAMMATE WILLIAMS APPROACHING PHYSIOLOGICAL LIMIT]
[ENERGY SYSTEMS: SEVERELY COMPROMISED]
[PREDICTION: IMMINENT PERFORMANCE COLLAPSE]
The fourth repeat began with Trey already looking shaky. His "elite athlete" persona was crumbling with each labored step. Halfway through, his pace slowed dramatically, his arms heavy, legs wobbling.
"Is he going to make it?" Diego asked as they passed him.
Zen glanced back. "Not a chance."
Sure enough, as they completed their controlled 300m, Trey was nowhere in sight. They jogged back around the curve to find him sprawled face-up on the infield, limbs splayed like a starfish, chest heaving.
"I'm dying," he announced to the ceiling. "Tell my mother I loved her."
Coach Dormer stood over him, stopwatch in hand. "What happened to 'elite athleticism', Williams?"
"Coach," Trey gasped dramatically, "this workout is inhumane. Possibly illegal under the Geneva Convention."
By now, the entire girls' team had gathered to witness Trey's spectacular collapse. Sophia leaned over him, grinning.
"How's that 'explosive power through the hip' working out for you, Williams?"
"I'm pacing myself," Trey insisted weakly. "Strategic... recovery... phase."
Zen and Andre each grabbed an arm, literally dragging Trey off the track surface as he continued to gasp for air.
"Get me water," he pleaded. "Oxygen. Possibly a helicopter medevac."
Diego handed him a water bottle. "Told you to pace yourself, man."
DING
[TEAMMATE STATUS: WILLIAMS]
[CONDITION: SEVERE OXYGEN DEBT, MUSCULAR FATIGUE]
[RECOMMENDATION: HYDRATION, REST, REEVALUATION OF LIFE CHOICES]
Coach Dormer shook his head. "Take five, Williams. The rest of you, continue with the set."
As Zen and the others resumed their workout, a small crowd gathered around Trey's recovery spot. Both teams seemed to be enjoying his suffering a little too much.
"I've never seen someone try so hard to impress girls that they actually break themselves," one of the freshman girls commented.
"I wasn't—" Trey started.
"Bro, you were running like you were in the Olympic final while we were doing a recovery workout," Diego interrupted.
"The way your face was twitching at the end," Andre added. "Like a malfunctioning robot."
Sophia sat down next to the fallen runner. "What exactly was the plan here, Williams? Run so hard you pass out and we carry you to the hospital?"
"The plan," Trey said with as much dignity as someone lying in a sweaty heap could muster, "was to demonstrate proper technique."
This triggered a wave of laughter from both teams.
"What technique?" Andre asked. "The 'how to burn out in fifteen minutes' technique?"
"The 'look like you're being electrocuted while running' technique?" offered one of the girls.
Trey pointed weakly at Zen. "Cross, buddy, help me out here."
Zen, jogging past between repeats, simply shook his head. "You're on your own with this one."
"Et tu, Zen?" Trey clutched his chest. "The betrayal!"
DING
[SOCIAL HUMILIATION ASSESSMENT: WILLIAMS]
[CURRENT STATUS: MAXIMUM ROASTING IN PROGRESS]
[RECOMMENDATION: EMBRACE THE ROLE OF COMEDIC RELIEF]
By the time Zen, Andre, and Diego finished their eight repeats, Trey had managed to sit up, though his complexion still resembled cottage cheese. The girls' team had returned to their workout, occasionally glancing over and bursting into fresh laughter.
"Feeling better, superstar?" Andre asked, toweling off.
"I think I saw the light," Trey mumbled. "There were angels. They were laughing at me too."
Coach Dormer approached, clipboard in hand. "Williams, what exactly happened out there?"
"Stomach bug," Trey lied promptly. "Hit me suddenly. Very sudden."
"Right before the girls' team arrived," Diego added helpfully.
"Complete coincidence," Trey insisted.
"Well, you're done for today," Coach decided. "Cool down with a slow walk, then stretch."
As they moved to the final phase of practice, Trey attempted to salvage some dignity by joining the cool-down jog. His legs wobbled like a newborn deer's.
"Look at this recovery," he announced to no one in particular. "Elite athletes bounce back quickly."
"Is he still doing this?" Andre whispered to Zen.
"Apparently," Zen replied.
Sophia jogged past with her teammates. "Looking strong, Williams! Very... bouncy."
Trey brightened. "Thanks! Just pushing through—"
"I was talking about your legs," she clarified. "They're literally bouncing in different directions."
More laughter erupted as Trey's face fell.
DING
[CARDIOVASCULAR RECOVERY STATUS: WILLIAMS]
[CURRENT HEART RATE: ELEVATED]
[CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: PHYSICAL EXERTION (40%), EMBARRASSMENT (60%)]
As practice concluded, the teams gathered their gear. Trey had graduated from walking to standing without swaying, which he considered a major victory.
"So," Diego asked innocently, "will you be demonstrating 'elite athleticism' at tomorrow's practice too?"
"I hate all of you," Trey muttered.
"Maybe try impressing girls with your personality next time," Andre suggested. "Your body clearly isn't up to the job."
"I wasn't trying to impress anyone!" Trey insisted. "I was just... testing my limits."
"Well, now we all know exactly where those limits are," Zen said. "About three and a half minutes into a workout."
The girls' team captains stopped by on their way out. Sophia handed Trey a small piece of paper. "Here's a training tip that might help."
Trey unfolded it eagerly, then frowned. "This just says 'pace yourself' with a smiley face."
"Best advice you'll get all day," she replied, walking away with her teammates.
Trey watched them go, then turned to find his three teammates staring at him. "What?"
"Twelve minutes," Andre said.
"What?" Trey repeated.
"Your 'elite athlete' performance lasted exactly twelve minutes before complete system failure," Andre explained. "I timed it."
"New personal record," Diego added.
Trey attempted to look offended, but finally cracked a smile. "Okay, fine. Not my best moment."
"On the bright side," Zen offered, "I think every girl on the track team now knows who you are."
"True," Trey brightened. "Name recognition is the first step."
"Yeah, they recognize you as 'that guy who nearly died trying to look cool,'" Diego clarified.
As they headed to the locker room, Coach Dormer caught up with them. "Williams, whatever that was today, get it out of your system. Regional preparation starts for real tomorrow."
"Yes, Coach," Trey replied, surprisingly humble.
"And Williams?" Coach added.
"Yes?"
"Maybe stick to impressing girls with your actual talent, not... whatever that performance was."
Trey's teammates burst into laughter as his face reddened again. The system offered one final assessment as they pushed through the locker room doors.
DING
[TEAMMATE ANALYSIS: WILLIAMS]
[PERFORMANCE RATING: CATASTROPHIC]
[ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: MAXIMUM]
[RECOMMENDATION: MAINTAIN NORMAL TRAINING INTENSITY TOMORROW]
[NOTE: SOCIAL RECOVERY TYPICALLY REQUIRES 24-48 HOURS]
As they changed, Trey gradually regained his usual confidence. "You know what? I'm playing the long game. This was just setting up my comeback story."
"Sure it was," Andre patted his shoulder. "And I'm sure those girls will be telling the story of your 'elite performance' for weeks."
"Just not the way you hoped," Diego added.
Zen couldn't help laughing along with his teammates. For all the morning's absurdity, days like this were what made the team feel like family.
Even if one member of that family occasionally needed to be dragged off a track after trying too hard to impress girls.