1 . More than 30,000 runners, selected from 160,000 applicants both in and out of China, took part in this year’s Beijing Marathon on Nov 3.

Wearing colorful T-shirts and posing for photos, they __ at Tian’anmen Square before taking their __ at the starting line.

Nearly a decade ago, Chinese marathon ___struggled to make full preparations. Now, at big __ like the Beijing Marathon, runners must win a lottery (彩票) to enter.

This is __ of the world’s running boom. For millions of runners around the world, the real reason they __ to pound the roads until their legs hurt is more than weight loss or fitness.

Chasing records like the three-hour __, for example, is important, but it’s not the reason people run mile after mile, up hills, in wind and rain, when they could just stay __ in their beds. Record times are __ the carrots they hang in front of themselves.

Last year, a runner in the United Kingdom __ with the goal of running a marathon in less than three hours. In the end, he __ in three hours and two minutes. However, he was __ afterward. “If I’d done it, that would be it,” he told the Guardian. “Now I’ve still got my___, I can try again next year.”

Although running is __ and requires effort, it also brings joy. __ children. When they are excited, they can^’t stop running back and forth, __.

Indeed, when we race through the streets of a city, splashing (踏过）through puddles (水洼), getting __ in the rain and ruffled (吹乱的）in the wind, we can __ that childish joy again. As Holden Caulfield, the main __ of the novel The catcher in the Rye (《麦田里的守望者》), said, “I don’t __ know what I was running for — I guess I just felt like it.”

2 . When I first walked into a Tai Chi class, I had no idea this eastern movement practice would become so central in my life. It ________ I was not just there for exercise! For many years now it has been my continuing ________ to share Tai Chi with students of all ages and walks of life.

Many people begin classes wanting to grow stronger, more ________, and flexible. Others are looking for effective ways to ________ with stress, the constant demand and trouble of modern life. ________ some had seen a TV ad they couldn’t remember, describing a group calmly doing Tai Chi in the park, and it ________ their curiosity about a different route to health

Concentrating on ________ posture and breathing control, Tai Chi’s movements are graceful and well balanced, ________ the complete harmony of body and mind. It is different from western sports such as rugby where the harder and quicker the ________. Tai Chi is a sport that strengthens the body as well as the ________ from the within. All of these are powerful benefits of Tai Chi. ________, I have found that consistent practice of these forms develops my everyday experience, and ________ the way for growth.

I’ve been a ________ in various schools over the years, and delight in watching ________ we each find our own keys to learning. It’s a privilege to accompany and ________ that process in my students. I am ________ by the marvelous teachers with whom I’ve had the good fortune to work. All of my ________ take place in beautiful old buildings. The first class is free to newcomers ________ they may try it out with no commitment. I invite you to ________ with questions, or to register for classes. Whether you are young or aged, male or female, you can choose Tai Chi as your ________ physical exercise.

3 . I used to hate running. It seemed too hard, and pushing outside my comfort ______ was not something I was raised to do.

In fact, I wouldn’t have become a(n)______ if it weren’t for my husband Charles He had been a ______ competitive runner for many years. After our marriage, he wouldn’t stop talking about how much he ______ it.

So he picked it up again, and after about a year, I started to join him at the ______. Just a few weeks later, Charles signed us both up for a five-kilometer race. I ______ about doing it. It was too soon.

But on race day, there I was.

The gun went off Thousands of runners ______.

The first kilometer was tough. I was already breathing ______ and painfully aware of the group of runners____ past me.

After another minute I saw the three-kilometer ______.All I could think of was that I was ______.

I rounded a comer, and saw both sides of the street______ with people watching the race, all cheering the runners on. I ______ my legs to keep going.

Then I looked up and saw the clock. The ______ ticking away gave me an incentive(助力). I knew that if I had ______ finished this race I would have achieved something, So, I ______ up, and kicked it.

I had my arms ______ higher when I passed through the finish line. A volunteer put a(n) ______ around my neck.

“You did great! I’m so proud of you!” Charles was thrilled that I’d ______.

“That was amazing! I want to do another race.” I proudly hugged my medal as we started to walk to the post-race festivities. My lungs and my comfort zone both______.