2 . After getting married nine years ago, I moved to an absolutely new town._________as I was, with various new things to explore, I was still lonely. I was desperate to establish_________.

This could explain my enthusiastic "Count me in!" when_________to participate in a half marathon. Considering my usual 3 miles, I must have been_________—13 miles seemed a（n）_________task.

However, the initial_________gradually wore off. I found comfort in burying myself in training. Though taking it slow, one mile, and then two, I gradually made_________. Mile after mile, I managed to step beside my new friends. We talked about our favorite music and_________funny stories about our children. At about mile 10, the conversations_________. We shared our past and hopes for our future, our fears and regrets. By the time we were running 12-mile legs, I was__________that I'd made lifelong friends.

__________, the day of the race arrived. At the start line, armed with my friends, I already felt like a champion. My time training had__________. I managed to hold a steady pace and kept up with my__________. Finally, we crossed the finish line together.

Although it started as a__________of building social ties, running not only provided me with friendships, but with a skill that would__________me the rest of my life.

6 . A group trip is much more different than what one might expect with an organized tour or a solo holiday.     1     Thus, it is certainly an experience to enjoy.

Going on holiday with a group of friends is all about having fun, creating memories and trying a new experience with a shared interest to travel.     2     It also helps you learn more about how to travel. Whether you decide to go in a large group of up to 10 people or more or go in a much smaller group of 4, group trips are a great way to bond and reconnect with one another.     3       It can happen periodically, perhaps once or twice a year.

Planning a group trip may be difficult but the result will be satisfying. Choose a popularly known destination or an unknown destination. This decision can actually set the foundation for the mood of the trip.     4     This will give group members an idea of what they can expect for the next group trip.

The purpose of the group trip, for some, may be to escape from the city or their current busy schedules.     5     Whether they will be positive or negative memories, the main idea is that as a group they will be able to link their trip to the memories created.