"Yeah. There is a sprinting area with bands. Can you do the whole holding the bands around me while I sprint forward and drag you across on the platform thing?" Wendy asked.

She nodded. "You'd think that the tape and reputation would catch up, but people don't think of that in the middle of the event, do they?"

---------------------------------------------------

Emma proceeded with her lifting, finishing the ten sets of two before Jean added more plates for the ten sets of one.

"So, why is it the average guy in my class can barely bench one plate per side? We've gotten stronger and more athletic as a whole, but the average person isn't that much stronger it seems?"

Emma started lifting. "That average strength improvement is more for people who work out at least a little bit. You know, the thirty or sixty minutes or whatever is recommended. Without training, people stay largely the same. But the athletic ability of the top end grows, so the gap gets bigger," Emma explained. "Like when the four minute mile was broken, over the years it got easier for people to break it because they realized they could push hard enough to do it. But you could only achieve it with hard work. Once someone does something thought impossible, then it trickles down over time as people realize it can happen."

Jean walked over and removed a plate from each side as Emma finished. "Drop set. Ten reps with the removal of each plate. It's something I like to throw into our training," she commented. Emma grinned and obliged. "Is that what you're trying to do with football?" Jean asked.

Emma shrugged as she finished the set and the next plate was removed. "It's something I'm aware of, but it's not the reason for playing football. I'm playing because I like it. You have to love the game or you won't succeed, period."

  Adam  straightens Up and replaces the  Ball in the  holders.

  ..You bet...Wee  used to do something like that at Mellon.. almost as good as that parachute  run

 as they move to the station she was talking about,..it depends  on who you are?.. i was the guy no one  figured they would get beat by, or...didn't want to? Some other   guys with the  whole 'atheletic ' profile had some guys beat..Just walking onto the track.

 .. we went down to  NC?... they had  trials there.. Some  kid from The  Islands  was there.. walkign around  like he owned the place.. he set some records while  doign quals for the last 2 years... guys  were almost  kneeling to him... The Draw came , I had the 2nd lane.. he had outside.. he  whined  about the lane selection.. the officals approached me to 'be a gentleman and switch with him".. I laughed in thier face and  said,"..tell him not to be a baby about it..."

 so?  he walks over with  two of his trainers.....hey ..Mon.. do you not know who i am?'

 I looked  and laughed    and i said,Yeah?... you'er the Guy that's  running in Lane 7...

   race starts.. I get out hot.. he stumbled out of the Blocks.. didn't even qual..next thing i know i got  local newspaper guys  asking  me about poor sportsman ship... Coach tried to stop me , but i went off..."... its  poor sportsmanship to beg for a lane  you didn't draw....Its  poor sportsmanship to have event officials  try to  tilt the table for  some 'name  ' runner...but?..Its better to see him crash and burn now, then in Tokyo..

   he  tired to get me to race him for  my spot.. some of the  Officials said they were ok with that.... i just shruged and said, Next Quals... I earned this one...

 ..Turned out.. it was the last Quals..  i made it as an alternet he fell off the face of the earth.... I think he  tried to get Costa Rico to take him because of  some crap story of granparnets there.. but they had  better guys then him...in the ned?.. I went to Tokyo..but to play football for the Amota's  Industrial League team...might have  done  decent  ..but?.. I like football more...

Ben turned a bit pink.

"I'm sorry... uh, I mean, thank you. Please convey my thanks to the owner for his courtesy."

Oh Lord. Had he made that much of a scene?

"There are always people like that," Wendy replied as she walked over towards the sprinting area. The sled was loaded with a couple plates and Wendy started attaching herself to the harness setup.

"They end up crashing and burning like that eventually. Glad to see you stuck to your lane. Lane complainers are the worst. I usually just ignored them. It's part of why I like cross country and long distance runs better. No lanes to worry about," the woman commented. "Jean thinks I should try to run some of the local marathons, but it's hard to find the time, even coming in here with her. This isn't really a good distance running place."

----------------------------------------------------------------

Emma was quiet while she did her drop set, which took a bit of time, but she finished. "You've got a bit of an intense training streak that borders on masochistic. It'll serve you well if you want to go far," Emma replied as she walked over with Jean to the t-bar row setup. "We'll put on twice our bodyweight for warm-ups, then go from there. Warm-up and four sets of eight," Emma replied.

Jean set her bar up appropriately. "This is going to be the longest workout I've done, isn't it?" Jean commented. "So far? Probably. But not the longest in your life. You'll get used to it though. If you want to be a professional athlete, you need to put in the hours."

 Adam gets  r3eady to set up with her,well? that's the thing? You see folks... he looks towards   Body guy's direction,..thats  don't  have anything else to do?... no..outside interactions?.. so they  focus  on whatever they like to do. Now?  if you have a Job...family , all that?  you have to  make  choices  ..make.. allowances for your time?.... that  doesn't leave alot of...'focus time".

 ..people like  me?.... My job almost demands you  do a bit  extra , outside of the normal job time?

 ..wouldn't hurt if you  ran some 5 ks  just for the  warm up..focus on one or two bigger ones?..then?  as your  workload   thins.. you can 'bump up'?  But that's easy to say?.. I'm just a guy with no real ties....

  while they enjoyed thier meal. Henry  would see   people from one or  two tables way look and smile, then go back to thier food.

  at least the   dinning area was set up for...more  private... dinners
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:23, Mon 01 Jan 2018.

"Are you enjoying your meal, darling?" asked Ben.

"A 5k would be easy to complete, even if I wouldn't win it. Not a sprinter," Wendy replied as she attached the harness, snapping it into place. "I could probably manage to complete a ten mile or half marathon. When Jean is a little older and can train here on her own by the rules, I might try pushing it again. I have to be here with her though," Wendy explained before starting to pull the sled, with Adam on top of it, forward at a reasonably quick clip.

------------------------------------------------------

Emma proceeded to take Jean through several more exercises, using a similar style. After the t-bar rows the moved on to one arm barbell rows, hang cleans, lying lateral raises, one arm cable lat pulldowns, one arm cable seated rows, and bentover reverse flies. Both women were breathing heavily during the training as Emma was keeping her promise of making the workout as difficult as she trained in high school. Additionally, Jean was pushing herself harder since she was training with a celebrity, so to speak.

"Last back exercise. Pull-ups. We'll do wide grip, normal, and then close grip, and it'll be weighted," Emma said. "Two hundred of each, using however many sets you need." Emma put a little more than her bodyweight on while Jean put on her own lighter bodyweight. "This has been exhausting. And we've got another bodypart left, right?" Emma nodded. "One major and one small bodypart left. You still got it in you? If you're too tired, that's fine. You've done very well to get through this. Most people can't."

Jean shook her head as she started to do her wide grip pull-ups. "I'm good for it. I'm just not used to being pushed this hard." Emma nodded as she started. "I always thought personal trainers were too expensive, but having someone to push you shows you what you're really capable of."

------------------------------------------------------

Wendy had been observing while running with the sled. "Geez. You pro athletes really do push yourselves, don't you? I used to run for hours a day when I was a kid, but I can't imagine the type of training you all go through."

  well?.... he started,..I'd be lying if  i said everyone pushed themselves   hard... i'd also be lying if  i said  there weren't people who pushed harder then us?..

 he  moved  around  as she set herself  to move back the way they came,..some  folks are born.. with some gifts... and they manage  to take advantage of it.... others.. MAke thier own gifts... my High school coach says 'forge your own luck'....that's fine?  either way.... The Folks who ruin it  for everyone.. are those  who.. sit back thinking they 'have arrived'.... and those others who were  damn lucky and preach to others  for 'not  doing whatever it takes.."

 Snorting, he adds,see guys like that my whole life.... and when adversity smacks them in the face... they crumble like Blue cheese... you see those  whack jobs  on TV..head sets on..1000 dollar  workout suits on, then they  try to push their diet book, exercise book,  or some fad  training thing?... and they try to make people feel bad about not  being like them..?.. well? I'll tell you what.. we  go for a  walk on the east side.. or the Bronx...  i'll point out a couple dozen folks who are working popcorn stands or  flipping burgers, but  cause  their  'can't miss'...did.

 Jerking his head towards Emma  and Jean,.. she  works  like that?.. You keep doing what you'er doing..... you'll see how much difference it makes...

 he asks ,..so?.. is this where you guys normally work out?...there other places you go?

"That's why we pretty much only train here. When Jean started to really get into weights and showed a gift for strength early, we decided to take her to a place that was known for pushing people. You don't get that at the big, fancy gyms. They're more expensive and focus way more on the amenities. Place like this isn't fancy, but you don't see people walking on the treadmills chatting on their phones either. Most people know each other by first name since it's so small. Mom and I figured that if Jean wanted to do this, we should put her in a place where people are doing what she's doing and see if she was still interested after seeing how hard it is. You can see the result," Jean explained before starting off on another run. "Jean has said that if she makes the team she's going to have to run a little more though, so we might find something that fits both of us too for part of the training."

-----------------------------------------------------

Jean and Emma continued their training, with Emma averaging out around 50 reps per set while Jean was doing around 25. They were quiet for the moment, as most of their energy was going towards the training.

 Adam  smiled a bit,well?.. I'm big on running.. if i were a Lineman.. a Back  or a LB?.. I'd be hitting the weights... but you'er not gonna  see  many 5'10 ish LBs out there.......  when i het folks.. I hit them  full speed.. 180 pounds moving at  20 miles  an hour  hurts... and  will stop alot of  folks?... again?.. it comes  down to position..

 Then he grins a bit,..'course, being a Nut Job helps too?.. makes  some folks think twice...

"Sounds like a lot of fun, honestly. I'd love to be paid to train and be in excellent shape. Not quite there though, and honestly most runners don't have that luxury, even the best in the world. There isn't a whole lot of money in it. Need the day job to get by," Wendy replied before taking off with the sled and Adam in tow. When she finished, she gestured at the plates. "Put some more on; Jean has nagged me into regularly at least doing legs with the weights with her, so I've at least got good strength."

--------------------------------------------

Emma and Jean finished up with the pull-ups and went over to the squat rack after downing some water and refilling their water bottles. "Alright. Warm up with 135 and let me see your form," Emma said to Jean as she put the plates on the bar.

"Squats are some of my favorites," Jean said as she got into position and started in on the exercise as Emma watched. "Good; your form is solid and you keep your feet out at an angle. Lot of people don't realize they should do that and try to do it with their feet straight."

  well?..If it helps  i can run out and eat a few tacos?... he grins  as he  grabs a   pair  or  20's...that's  40..plus what was on there.. Plus one  less-then-tall wide receiver?

   ..so?..what is it you do  again, for a day Job? he asks  as he waits to see if she  wants more  weight.

  The Meal went  well.  Lu-ti  talked  about some of her favorite places in Japan.

  The Waitress, left them alone, until  it seemed like they were  almost  finished  with the main Course.

  would you care for  some dessert?

  Lu-Ti looked at Ben, to see if they were having desserts...

"According to the reviews, the hot fudge sundae is something else. I'd like to try that, please. What would you like, Lu-Ti?" asked Ben.

   there is a rapid  Nod and smile...The  waitress smiled, asking if they wanted coffee or  tea, or would be having the  wine  with thier   dessert.

  either  way  she  leaves  after the answer.

  ..You do know.. that  they make thier own cream here?... it tastes, like no where else in the world!

  ..before  Football times...when Father and  Mother  would come visit.. we would come here just for the desserts!

"Coffee afterwards, I think - or would you prefer tea, dear?"

Once the server had gone, Ben listened to Lu-Ti.

"Really? I just picked it because it looked nice! I hope it's lived up to your memories."

    She  smiled   as she  sipped from ..what was left..of her wine...This has  always been my favorite place. When we were in College... and Yuto and Adme  went to away games.. i would bring  friends here, if i could not go to the game.... As i said.. we tried not to be to..who you say?  Flashy with Money...But i had  some friends who  were well off.. so we could come here, and i would not have to worry about them being...out-of -place?

  There is a Giggle,..Yuto..is only the snob...when he is in Japan. Lots of  people make jokes of him...he flashed  the picture of his touchdown catch like a protest sign!.... and he always takes his friends to  the  'Big Fish"... fancy eating place near our home....there he shows off to but  food for everyone... Just to let them know.... he is not that way here...

"Somehow that's quite hard to imagine. He must be really proud of that TD, with good reason. It's good to win an important game with a bit of flair!

Ben could appreciate that. For him it was the actual football that was of most import, playing the game well, to the best of your ability. Winning, whilst nice, came second.

  The    desserts  came  along with the Coffee... the waitress  took away  the other plates and things, but left the wines and the glasses.

  Yuto..is....quite odd, for  the  people he was around. Many of Father's business  associates, are not good people.. They have spoiled  children who grow to be spoiled adults...Father.. worked hard.. rose up from ground...he still has contact with those who he worked with  in the hard times...he says he cannot turn his back on those who helped him...sometimes..i wish he would...


 .. But Yuto?.. would get beat up.. Father would make him train, until he stopped getting beat up..when football happened..Father was very Proud.. Yuto..had problem getting on field....he was  fast enough?.. he could hold on ball... she squeezes her hands together.....very tight....but  Quarterback..not like him as much as others... so?  when Adam  play Quarterback.. Yuto play receiver..and Yuto makes lots of catches!.. Yuto hero.. couple times?.... Head Coach... no start Quarterback  in championship game..MAke  adam throw... Adam was angry.. but he is...team player..so he did job.. Yuto did job..Team win championship!


 there is  another Giggle,..he had on his locker.. a rising Sun flag.. he   makes note.." Rising Sun"... after  GAme..Adam  gets  marker changes  'U' to "O' for   " Rising Son"... Yuto liked that..named  Night club that..

Ben laughed.

"So that's where it came from! I had wondered... My dad, well, he comes from a religious family. They'd hoped he would become a priest. But he decided that he wanted to be a soldier instead. They almost disowned him, fortunately West Point provides everything for a student, and after a year or two when they saw how well he was doing, and how happy he was in his chosen trade, they came around. Now you'd never think they'd ever wanted anything else for him, they are so proud."

He chuckled.

"Then, of course, history repeated itself. He wanted me to enlist and go to the Point. But I wanted to play college 'ball and got a full scholarship. He took a deep breath and gave me his blessing. He tries to get to games if his duties permit, you may have seen him in Jacksonville."

 Lu-ti begins to eat he  dessert..he r eyes  close at the  whipped  cream that  was  'homemade'...Mother will be so envious .. i bet she makes father bring her  here next time we come back.

 She smiles   slightly,..it is odd... here in New York? Many asians... but  i do not feel.. welcome..... only.. tolerated ..I think that is  feedback from  Father's  dealings  with the  owners...... i did not feel that way in school?

"It's all a bit of a melting pot. People of many different heritages. We all need to get along."

Ben enjoyed his dessert, but from the looks of it Lu-Ti was enjoying hers even more. That was something to remember... something to learn how to make. He'd have to do some research.

    there was a bit more  Talk of Mellon and  Japan from Lu-ti. She seemed very fond of her old school.

   She pushed her empty sundae dish away, and smiled,..I am thinking, I should not  another Bite...or  Yuto will sign me to play on the Line!

(( closing thread..please go to Off duty #2)