【推荐1】Everyone knows that running is a good way to stay in shape. The simplicity of running appeals to many people. You don’t need a lot of complicated or expensive equipment; you just need a good pair of running shoes. Well, that idea is changing.     1    

This is not a surprise to the Tarahumara Indians, who live in northwest Mexico. The rough terrain (地势) in their area makes it easier to travel on foot than by horse or by car. Traditionally, the Tarahumara were hunters. They follow their prey over long distances, sometimes, for days, until the animals became exhausted.     2     They are known for their endurance, running races of 50 miles or longer. When Tarahumara athletes ra n in the marathon at the 1968 Olympics, they didn’t understand that the race was over after only 26.2 miles, so they kept running. “Too short, too short,” they complained.

But here is the amazing part: Tarahumara runners don’t wear running shoes. Tarahumara shoes are very simple. The sole (鞋底) is a piece of rubber held to the foot with homemade belt. These rubber soles protect against sharp objects, but they don’t provide any support or cushioning.

How is it possible that some of the best runners in the world don’t wear running shoes? Scientific studies are beginning to point to something the Tarahumara have known for centuries: Human beings are built for running barefoot. In a recent study, researchers used a video camera to examine how athletes run when they are barefoot.     3     When they do this, the arch (足弓) of foot absorbs the impact. Then that force is redirected back up through the leg.

    4     Walk into a sporting goods store today and you will find sections that are devoted to the shoes using the simplest structure. With a thin sole and heel, they are designed to be the shoes that feel like no shoes. The increasing number of these shoes on the market is evidence of this new trend. It is clear that shoe companies and runners are beginning to accept the wisdom of Tarahumara — barefoot may be the best.

【推荐3】My boys have been on different sports teams for as long as I can remember.     1     Team sports aren’t all about physical benefits(益处). They are a great way for kids to explore and develop lifelong skills. Here are some ways kids can benefit from team sports.

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This is an important lesson to learn from sports and carry into the future. Good coaches teach athletes to lose with dignity(尊严)，and that there’s always a lesson to learn from each loss and failure.     3     But what makes me most proud is when I see my boys shake the hands of opponents(对手)after every game, no matter what the results are.

Team sports teach kids hard work pays off.

Nothing worth having comes easy. Talent(天赋)plays a role in the early years, but as athletes grow, it’s the hard workers that rise to the top.     4    , but mastering a skill can only be reached with special focus and hard work. Accordingly, hard work creates confidence, which in turn benefits kids’ sports.

Team sports teach collaboration(合作).

Each person on the team has their own skills and characters. Coaches usually put players in different places to show their ability.     5    . It also teaches them to work toward something that cannot be done alone.