Chapter 199: Burst Training
Accordingly, standard front running and racing from a forward position also required targeted special training and a period of adaptation.
Preparing so many running styles and tactical options was not about using all of them in the Kikuka Sho.
Rather, the purpose was to have more ways to respond when different situations arose.
Every race had familiar rivals as well as new ones. This meant that even with the same track and the same distance, there were still countless variables.
All of these countermeasures existed for the sake of dealing with those variables.
The Kikuka Sho would begin in two weeks, and the list of entrants had already been finalized.
Taking into account withdrawals, ranking alternates, and lottery substitutes, Makoto—just as he had done before previous races—had already analyzed every opponent.
He had also run simulations based on their performances in recent races.
Ribbon Victory, Angel Wing, and Satono Rasen went without saying. In the St Lite Kinen, they had finished second, third, and fifth respectively.
Under the rules, the top three from this Kikuka Sho trial race were given priority entry, so Ribbon Victory and Angel Wing were guaranteed to compete.
Although Satono Rasen hadn't placed in the top three, her past record was strong, her reputation was solid, and her fan support even surpassed that of the top two Umamusume.
Coupled with the stance of the Satono family, she was certain to enter as well.
Considering the past performances of those three, along with their firsthand experience of Kitasan Black's Burst Front Running in the St Lite Kinen, they would most likely adjust their tactics to some degree.
The most likely change was moving their positions further forward, closer to Kitasan Black, in order to read her intentions.
Ribbon Victory might even consider using Burst Front Running or a High-Speed Front Running strategy, returning Kitasan Black's own tactics against her.
Beyond those three—beyond the St Lite Kinen—the Kikuka Sho also had another trial race: the Kobe Shimbun Hai.
It followed the same rule of giving priority entry to the top three finishers, and at least three Umamusume from the Kobe Shimbun Hai would appear on the Kikuka Sho stage.
In fact, among the confirmed entrants, there were even more Umamusume whose previous race had been the Kobe Shimbun Hai.
Because of that, compared to Ribbon Victory and the others, Makoto placed greater importance on this group.
One in particular stood out: a runner named Rifaru.
In the Kobe Shimbun Hai, she had used a High-Speed Front Running strategy, setting a very quick pace. If nothing unexpected happened, she would definitely fight for early speed in the Kikuka Sho.
Taking into account what she might have learned from the St Lite Kinen, she might even take the risk of using Burst Front Running in the Kikuka Sho.
If that happened, Kitasan Black would face an extremely fierce battle for the lead right out of the gate, and the overall pace of the race would be very fast.
The 3000-meter Kikuka Sho was already a severe test of stamina. With an excessively fast pace, even Kitasan Black might not be able to maintain relatively ample energy throughout the entire race.
When it came down to the final phase, it could very well turn into an extremely grueling contest—a battle of sheer willpower guts, or rather, of guts.
And beyond all of these Umamusume, there was still the old rival REAL STEEL, who also required analysis and countermeasures.
With her extensive experience racing against Kitasan Black, she would certainly have tactics tailored specifically for her. Whether those tactics could be guessed was one thing, but preparing responses through simulation was absolutely necessary.
Makoto rapidly organized his thoughts. Before he had even finished, Kitasan Black had already completed her warm-up.
Reining in his thoughts, and after Kitasan Black had rehydrated, wiped off her sweat, and rested enough, Makoto didn't waste words and began arranging the running-style review training.
Before long, a black figure repeatedly bursting forward appeared on the field.
Each time she stood at the starting point of the track, Kitasan Black would repeatedly replay everything in her mind—countless training sessions, the guidance of her senpai, the experiences from past races, and her Trainer instructions.
As the voice from the side of the track called out the "ready countdown," those thoughts gradually dissipated. She fixed her gaze straight ahead, and the muscles throughout her body began to tense.
The moment the sound of "one" fell, the start from the St Lite Kinen flashed through her mind. Her rear foot slammed violently into the ground.
She could feel the explosive power surging through her entire body, driving each long, powerful stride.
On the straight, she sprinted with all her might, leaning her body forward as her ponytail whipped wildly behind her, scattering clods of turf and dirt kicked up by her steps.
Entering the turn, she switched her driving leg in an instant, cutting laterally and springing her body toward the opposite direction.
Standing by the track, his eyes locked on the figure ahead, Makoto never let his peripheral vision leave the tablet in his hands.
It recorded every one of the girl's sprint times, each step frequency, and every speed curve.
"Her start reaction really is more than 30 milliseconds faster now. Silence Suzuka's ultra-high-speed Burst Front Running… it really lives up to its name."
As he examined the data, he muttered softly to himself:
"But the step frequency in the first 100 meters… it looks a bit taxing. That should be a weight issue. Copying it exactly is still too much for Kitasan."
"So we need to slow it down just a bit…"
"Yeah, with Kitasan's instantaneous explosive power and stamina, it should be fine."
"But we need to confirm how many times she can perform this kind of burst within 3,000 meters…"
After drawing his conclusions, Makoto quickly explained the new ideas and instructions once Kitasan Black finished a set.
After making sure she understood, and once she'd rested enough, he waved his hand—and the girl, brimming with energy once more, dashed back onto the track.
This time, a light sheen of sweat had appeared at Kitasan Black's temples, her cheeks flushed red, but her breathing was remarkably steady.
At the next start, she still felt that powerful burst of energy—then immediately reined it in, adjusting her rhythm.
On the straight, she deliberately tried to slow her step frequency, committing that rhythm to memory as she ran.
When she reached the turn, she leaned her body further inward. The strength in her legs actually increased, and as she felt the burst again, she continued fine-tuning her rhythm.
"Seems… workable."
Watching everything unfold on the track and comparing the data, Makoto nodded slightly.
"Her handling through the turn has improved too. Looks like this kind of burst is fine, at least for the first straight and the first corner."
"Next comes confirming the whole thing as a system…"
After another set, just like before, they adjusted the training instructions again and started over.
That day—and for several days in a row—Makoto and Kitasan Black continued digesting all the results of past training and races on the track, analyzing, rehearsing, and confirming every detail for the Kikuka Sho.
At the same time, Makoto explained to Kitasan Black, one by one, the information on her Kikuka Sho rivals, the race scenarios that might arise, and the targeted countermeasures for each. Step by step, they completed the corresponding training.
By the time Friday afternoon's training wrapped up, Makoto felt he had a much clearer grasp of the Kikuka Sho.
"Okay. At this pace, there shouldn't be any problems."
Putting away his tablet and organizing the various training tools together with Kitasan Black, Makoto spoke casually:
"By the way, Kitasan, what are you planning to do tomorrow? Go out in Kyoto? Or head back to Tokyo for a bit?"
Over the past few days of training, besides the Umamusume from the Kyoto campus, Ribbon Victory, Angel Wing, Satono Rasen, and other Umamusume set to compete in the Kikuka Sho—REAL STEEL included—had gradually arrived as well.
Umamusume from the Central Academy usually studied in Tokyo, but once a race approached, they would arrive at the relevant campus ahead of time to adapt to the food, customs, and the racecourse itself.
Among these rivals were quite a few of Kitasan Black's good friends. Since Kitasan Black had arrived the earliest, once those Umamusume showed up, she often went out with them during her rest periods.