1 . 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 first P. E. class, the teacher required us to run laps and 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. It was all about the battle against my own body and mind. A test of wills!

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 became untied. So I stopped to readjust. Not the start I wanted!

At mile 3, I passed a sign: "GO FOR IT, RUNNERS!"

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

By mile 21, I 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. Actually, 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), I can now call myself a "marathon winner".

1. After the author’s ankle was injured, what was he determined to do?

A．quit	B．go ahead
C．have a rest	D．keep calm and walk

2. The author referred to his experience in the 7th year to ______.

A．treasure his precious old days	B．prove his inability in sports then
C．defend himself from prejudice	D．convey his gratitude to the teacher

3. What happened to the author eventually during his first marathon?

A．He succeeded for a strong will.	B．He quit running halfway.
C．He was awarded the first prize.	D．He walked to the end.

4. What did the author feel by mile 23?

A．He passed a sign: "GO FOR IT, RUNNERS!"

B．He became out of breath and the once injured ankle hurt severely

C．He was starving!

D．He was encouraged by his wife.

5. What does the story mainly tell us?

A．One is never too old to learn.

B．Failure is the mother of success.

C．Family support is the fountain of success.

D．Success can be acquired with a great effort of will.