My First Marathon

A month before my first marathon, one of my ankles was injured and this meant not running for two weeks leaving me only two weeks to train. Yet, I was determined to go ahead.

I remember back to my 7th year in school. In my firs P.E. class, the teacher required us to run laps and then hit a softball. I didn't do either well.   He later informed me that I was “not athletic”.

The idea that I was “not athletic” stuck with me for years. When I started running in my 30s, I realized running was a battle against myself, not about competition or whether or not I was athletic. I was all about the batter against my own body and mind. A test of will!

The night before my marathon, I dreamt that I couldn't even find the finish line. I woke up sweating and nervous, but ready to prove something to myself.

Shortly after crossing the start line, my shoe laces(鞋带) became untied. So I sopped to readjust. Not the start I wanted!

AI mile 3.1 passed sign: “GO FOR IT, RUNNERS!”

By mile 17, I became out of breath and the once injured ankle hurt badly. Despite the pain, I stayed the course walking a bit and then running again.

By mile 21, 1 was starving!

As I approached mile 23, I could see my wife waving a sign. She is my biggest fan. She never minded the alarm clock sounding at 4 a.m. or questioned my expenses on running.

I was one of the final runners to finish. But I finished! And I got a medal. In fact, I got the same medal as the one that the guy who came in first place had.

Determined to be myself, move forward, free of shame and worldly labels(世俗标签), 1 can now call myself a “marathon winner”.

【小题1】A month before the marathon, the author__________.

A．was well trained	B．felt scared
C．made up his mind to run	D．lost hope

【小题2】Why did the author mention the P.E. class in his 7th year?

A．To admit the support of his teacher.	B．To amuse the readers with a funny story.
C．To show he was not talented in sports.	D．To share a precious memory.

【小题3】According to the passage, why are the different mile numbers are listed?

A．To show the author's injured ankle.	B．To show the length the Marahon
C．To show the wife's support to the author.	D．To show the author’s great perseverance

【小题4】How was the author's first marathon?

A．He made it.	B．He quit halfway.
C．He got the first prize.	D．He walked to the end.

【小题5】What does the story mainly tell us?

A．A man owes his success to his family support.	B．A winner is one with a great effort of will.
C．Failure is the mother of success.	D．One is never too old to learn.