Daily Evolution from Mastering Tai Chi-Chapter 268 - 230: The Venue Bike with Off-the-Charts Gears

As an Asian, Wang Ye shattered people's perceptions of sports.

That being said.

Wang Ye currently only competes domestically, and the level of these events isn't very high.

To many skeptical foreigners, Wang Ye's records and performances in Chinese events aren't very credible. Even now, there are many debates about Wang Ye on foreign websites.

Especially among the fans of Kipchoge, this group is the most skeptical of Wang Ye. Even that genius black athlete couldn't break the two-hour barrier, and yet Wang Ye, as an Asian, so easily moved the world record forward by twenty minutes—is that reasonable?

Therefore, Wang Ye going to Chicago to participate in an international marathon is very necessary. Not only to bring glory to the country but also to prove to the entire world that his record is genuine.

Events with lesser prestige like the Lanzhou Marathon and Shenzhen Marathon can be slandered with accusations of cheating.

The Chicago Marathon, as one of the World Marathon Majors, couldn't possibly be faked, right?

If people still doubt it, they'd be slapping the face of the Beautiful Country.

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On the morning of approximately September 15th.

Wang Ye left Mexico, preparing to fly to Chicago.

That afternoon, they arrived at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport,

took taxis in groups, and went to the pre-booked accommodations.

After they settled their luggage and got settled, it was already night in the local time.

Unlike their previous town stop, Chicago's night can be described as brightly lit. Opening the curtains allows a view of the skyline outlined by iconic buildings outside the window, as splendid as a painting. Looking into the gaps between buildings, one can see the distant rivers and lakes, and pedestrians along the banks.

On the streets below the residence, countless traffic lined the roads in long queues, disappearing in an instant, with the red brake lights and incandescent low-beam lights interplaying. It seemed like traffic congestion during rush hour could be severe.

Wang Ye raised his wristwatch, switching the time to U.S. time.

Now, in U.S. time, it was already past seven in the evening.

Fortunately, the time difference between Mexico and the United States is only one hour.

Ah Gui and the others did not feel any significant discomfort after flying over,

but the fatigue and discomfort of traveling all day still lingered.

After bidding farewell to Wang Ye, they returned to their rooms to rest.

Wang Ye took a bath in the hotel tub, then napped on the bed for an hour.

Around nine in the evening, he left the residence, ready to stroll through the streets of Chicago City.

Chicago City is located in the southern part of Lake Michigan in the United States; it's one of the three major cities in the U.S. and a global financial center, undeniably prosperous.

It is usually divided into the South District and the North District.

The North District is primarily home to affluent white and Asian residents and is the most livable area in Chicago, with very well-developed public facilities and public transit systems. It's a typical bustling area with an economically advanced urban landscape, where one can see many skyscrapers and large supermarkets, along with various shops. Almost anything can be bought here if you have the money.

The South District has a more diverse resident composition, including affluent, middle-class, working-class, and impoverished people. Some areas like Hyde Park and Jackson Park are affluent and middle-class residential areas, but overall the South District is known for poverty and high crime rates, with many gangs and homeless people. The streets and buildings are barren and old, and walking there at night often poses dangers.

Wang Ye's participation in the Chicago Marathon this time witnesses the start and finish points at the open Grant Park along Lake Michigan, in the most bustling part of the North District. Along the way, one basically sees skyscrapers and historical landmark buildings.

It's said that the course also passes through Chinatown and 29 other ethnic communities, making the race process very interesting.

However, athletes who truly compete seriously rarely focus on the scenery on both sides.

That's why many athletes arrive at the venue in advance to acclimate and familiarize themselves with the environment.

To avoid unexpected situations that could affect performance.

Moreover, experiments have shown that athletes perform better in familiar environments.

In unfamiliar settings, poor performance often occurs; this applies not only to sports but also in cultural fields. For example, during college entrance exams, many people who arrive at an unfamiliar exam venue may find themselves performing poorly. Even differences in the pens used or clothes worn can lead to poor performance.

Wang Ye came out this time also intending to familiarize himself with the race course.

If time allows, he even wants to run the entire course along the race route.

This will help to unleash his peak abilities more reliably.

But in reality, most athletes take some rest before facing a competition. In the weeks leading up to the event, they typically engage in low-intensity training rather than running a full marathon since the full marathon distance is too long, potentially harming the body and affecting race performance.

This level of rest often doesn't lead to a decline in performance but rather enhances athletic ability. Since athletes often can't get enough rest during continuous high-intensity training, taking a few days off gives the body and mind ample rest, reaching an unprecedented peak state. And resting for just a few days doesn't significantly impact the athletes' technical skills, which is why they see a noticeable improvement in performance.