Chapter 17: New Coach, New Challenges

The days that followed were some of the toughest Rohan had ever experienced. Ms. Mehra's training regimen was grueling, far more intense than anything Rohan had been through before. She was relentless in her pursuit of perfection, pushing Rohan to his physical and mental limits with every session. There was no room for error, no time for rest—only the constant drive to improve, to become faster, stronger, and more disciplined.

At first, Rohan struggled to keep up. The demands of Ms. Mehra's training were unlike anything he had ever encountered. Her methods were unconventional, incorporating drills and exercises that Rohan had never seen before. She focused on every detail, from his breathing patterns to the angle of his foot strikes, analyzing and correcting every aspect of his technique.

"Your posture is off," Ms. Mehra would say as Rohan ran laps around the track. "You're wasting energy by leaning too far forward. Straighten up and engage your core."

Or, "You're not pushing off hard enough with your toes. You need to drive through your feet to maximize your speed."

Rohan did his best to follow her instructions, but the constant barrage of critiques was overwhelming. There were days when he felt like he couldn't do anything right, when every step seemed to be met with a correction or a command to try harder.

Ms. Mehra's strictness extended beyond the physical aspects of training. She also emphasized the importance of mental toughness, drilling into Rohan the need to stay focused, disciplined, and unyielding in the face of challenges. She had no patience for excuses or self-doubt, and she made it clear that if Rohan wanted to succeed, he would have to develop the mindset of a champion.

"Running isn't just about your body, Rohan," she told him one afternoon as they took a break from a particularly intense session. "It's about your mind. If you let doubt creep in, if you allow yourself to think that you're not good enough, you've already lost. You need to be mentally strong, to believe in yourself even when things get tough."

Rohan listened carefully, trying to absorb her words. He knew she was right—he had experienced the power of mental strength firsthand during his rivalry with Arjun. But putting that knowledge into practice, especially under the pressure of Ms. Mehra's relentless training, was easier said than done.

Despite the challenges, Rohan couldn't deny that he was making progress. Ms. Mehra's methods, harsh as they were, were starting to yield results. His speed was improving, his endurance was increasing, and his technique was becoming more refined. He could feel himself getting stronger, more focused, more in control of his body and mind.

But the road was far from easy. There were days when Rohan felt like he was on the verge of breaking, when the physical and mental strain seemed too much to bear. He would come home from training completely exhausted, his muscles aching, his mind foggy from the constant effort. On those days, he would think about Mr. Kumar, about the way he had always balanced hard work with encouragement, and he would wonder if he could keep going without that support.

Yet, even in those moments of doubt, Rohan knew that he couldn't afford to give up. This was his dream, the path he had chosen, and he was determined to see it through. He had come too far, sacrificed too much, to let anything stand in his way now.

One afternoon, after a particularly tough session, Rohan stayed behind to speak with Ms. Mehra. He had been thinking a lot about his training, about the differences between her approach and Mr. Kumar's, and he felt like he needed to address it.

"Ms. Mehra," Rohan began, his voice hesitant, "can I talk to you about something?"

Ms. Mehra looked up from her notes, her expression unreadable. "Of course, Rohan. What's on your mind?"

Rohan took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I've been thinking about the way we train, and… it's really different from what I'm used to. I know you're pushing me because you believe I can do better, and I appreciate that. But sometimes, I miss the way Mr. Kumar used to encourage me, the way he made me feel like I could do anything."

Ms. Mehra listened silently, her gaze steady. When Rohan finished speaking, she nodded thoughtfully. "I understand, Rohan. Mr. Kumar is a great coach, and he has a way of bringing out the best in people through encouragement and support. But my approach is different because I believe in pushing my athletes to discover their true potential. I'm not here to coddle you—I'm here to make you stronger, to help you break through the barriers that are holding you back."

Rohan nodded, though he still felt a bit uncertain. "I know that, and I'm willing to work hard. It's just… sometimes it's hard to keep going without that encouragement."

Ms. Mehra's expression softened slightly. "Rohan, I push you because I see greatness in you. But I also know that every athlete is different, and every journey is unique. You've already shown incredible resilience and determination, and that's something to be proud of. If you ever need to talk or need some guidance, I'm here for you. But when we're on the track, I need you to trust in the process, to trust in yourself."

Rohan felt a sense of relief at her words. "Thank you, ma'am. I'll do my best."

"I know you will," Ms. Mehra replied. "Now go home and get some rest. We have a lot more work to do tomorrow."

As Rohan left the sports complex that day, he felt a renewed sense of determination. The transition to working with Ms. Mehra had been challenging, but he was beginning to see the value in her methods. She was helping him push beyond his limits, to discover strengths he didn't know he had.

And while the journey was far from over, Rohan knew that he was on the right path. He was growing stronger, more focused, and more determined with each passing day. The national stage was within his reach, and with Ms. Mehra's guidance, he was confident that he could get there.