1 . I think I will never forget the special day in November. It was hotter than normal. This was the______ my father and I had waited so long for, because we had been working towards this______ for three years. Dozens of familiar faces from church and school flashed across my view. They had come for me. I saw worry and______ on my father’s face. Then the race began!

For the first two and a half miles, I felt______. I had never before been so ready for something. The weeks leading up to the race were filled with controlled______ and a strict diet. My friends hadn’t seen me in weeks, but they understood the______required to make my dream a reality. As in all of my races, I didn’t______ out in the front. I loved the pleasure of passing people as my strength overtook their premature speed.

Then without warning，my strength began to______. Neck and neck with one of my greatest competitors, I could see the finish line. I had begun the final dash into______ when my knees became weak and my legs gave way. Nothing I could do would make them______ weight.

I watched as runners rushed by me.______ I knew my dreams of victory were destroyed, I had to finish the race. However, my legs hurt badly. With all of the______ left in me, I got on my hands and knees and crawled (爬), inch by inch, across the finish line. Voices, both______ and familiar, cheered me on. They gave me the courage to keep ______ until the very end.

The ______ were there in seconds, but my eyes searched the crowd for him. There was only one person I wanted to talk to. I whispered, “I’m so sorry, Dad, I’m so sorry I ______ you.” He looked at me, saying, “You could never disappoint me. Sometimes these things just______. All that matters is that you did your best.”

“But we worked so hard. What about our dream?” He ______over for my hand and said, “Don’ t you know that you are my dream and it has come true?”

It wasn’t long before my running shoes were back on, marking a______ path for my journey. I learned that all of the miles, the tears, the sweat, and the pain my dad and I ______ together were not for a race. What I realized, though, was that to him, I was the greatest prize he had ever won.

4 . Tai Chi is on the rise as more and more people discover the health benefits that come from regular practice.     1     It's also a relaxing exercise that calms the mind while it energizes and strengthens the body. Many Westerners love Tai Chi because it provides a low-impact (低强度) workout that strengthens the belly and thigh muscles without putting any tension on the joints.

Tai Chi is quite easy to learn. Many recreation centers and community groups offer classes, sometimes in parks and other public places.     2     Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing when you go to class, and tennis shoes or shoes you don't mind standing and moving in.

One of the major benefits of Tai Chi is that it's a sport you can practice for life.     3     The strengthening and balance moves are hugely beneficial to their continued mobility. Also, the slow pace of Tai Chi makes it a great stress-reliever. As you focus on your breathing and posture (姿势), your mind can clear itself of its worries, and that does your whole body good.

    4     All you need is your own body and enough room to stand in. You can do Tai Chi on a mountaintop, in the desert, on an ocean beach, or in the middle of a forest.     5     And it’s a lot of fun. So next time you see someone doing Tai Chi, ask them about it. They just might offer to teach you the forms of this fascinating sport.