Allen's FirstMarathon (马拉松)
Oneof Allen's ankles was injured one month before his first time to compete in amarathon. This meant he could not run or train for two weeks. Yet, Allen madeup his mind to go ahead.
Allenremembers back to his first year in the school. He was only seven at that time.In his first P. E. class, his teacher required them to run laps and then hit aball. He didn't do either well. He was later told that he was "notathletic"—he had no talent in sports.
Theidea that he was not athletic went with him for years. When he started runningin his thirties, he realized running marathon was not about competition orwhether he was physically strong and active. He thought that _________.
Thenight before his first marathon, he dreamed that he couldn't even find thefinish line. He woke up sweating (冒汗)and nervous, but ready to prove something to himself.
Shortlyafter crossing the star line, his shoe laces (鞋带)became untied. So Allen stopped to tie them. Not the start he wanted!
Atmile 3, Allen passed a sign: "GO FOR IT, RUNNERS!"
Bymile 17, he became out of breath and the once injured ankle hurt badly. When hefelt the pain, he tried to slow down and walked a bit and then ran again.
AsAllen approached mile 25—near the finish line, he saw his wife waving a sign toencourage him. She is Allen's biggest fan. She never minded the alarm clocksounding at 5 a.m. or questioned his money on running.
Allenwas one of the final runners to finish. But he finished! And he also got amedal. In fact, he got the same medal as the one that the man who got in firstplace.
Allenmade up his mind to be himself and moved forward. He can now call himself areal winner.
