Starlight 10, Unit 1.3: все задания с решениями

The London Marathon

Michael Scott talks about his success story of going from being a sickly teenager to a London Marathon competitor.

Growing up with a heart defect was difficult. While other kids my age were going to football practice and on beach holidays with their families, I was in and out of hospital. My only involvement in a sporting competition was watching it on the television.

One of my favourite events to watch was the London Marathon. When I was just 14, a man from London, named Chris Brasher, organised the first London Marathon. It was 29 March 1981 and 7,747 people were involved in the race. Over the years, I watched the event __1__. Now, there are 46.500 participants each

year from all corners of the world and of all levels of ability. Many people say the marathon is the ultimate physical challenge. Athletes have to train physically and mentally for each marathon and be prepared for many challenges.

I always found it surprising to see how many well-trained athletes did not complete the course each year. Out of the over 46,000 starters, on average, only 33,000 actually crossed the finishing line. Some dropped out because of injury or illness, but most just ‘hit the wall’, an infamous experience suffered when their bodies simply ran out of fuel. For many runners, by the time they reached the 30 to 35 km point in the race, they just couldn’t go any further. Their muscles would cramp and their heart and lungs could not obtain enough oxygen.

Each year, I tried to imagine what it would be like to line up before all the crowds and run the 42.2 km route __2__. The race started in Greenwich Park, then competitors would race along the River Thames, towards Big Ben, and eventually ending in front of Buckingham Palace.

I decided to talk to my heart specialist and find out if there was any chance that I could train my body to handle running 42.2 kms. At first, he thought I was joking, __3__. I began walking for a few minutes at a time, increasing my intensity until I was able to walk for 10 minutes a session. At the same time, I started lifting weights to build muscle strength.

Over the course of a year, I progressed from just walking to running. Running became a daily thing for me and I was building more strength and confidence with every step. My doctor was thrilled with my progress and allowed me to continue forward.

Finally, at the age of 19, the time came to apply for the London Marathon. I knew that only a certain number of people would be allowed to enter the race and as much as I wanted to do this, I knew that my chances were slim. The London Marathon is the most challenging marathon in the world. I couldn’t believe how far I had come and that finally my dream would come true.

My doctor and I worked together to set out a training schedule __4__. Physically, I was fit and my heart appeared to be in good condition. The biggest problem would be dehydration, as it would be with all of the competitors. On average most of the runners take four to five hours to complete the race and water is essential to all of the competitors. The year before, 710,000 bottles of water had been consumed during the race!

Soon enough it was race day. My family, as well as various friends, were all gathered to watch and support me. It was the most difficult and the most exciting and rewarding experience of my life. I finished the race in less than six hours, __5__.

Today, I am still running I have not competed in the London Marathon again __6__. I enjoy taking part in the atmosphere and sharing my success story with the other athletes. I learned that as long as I try my best and have faith in myself I can do almost anything.

A) but soon he realised how important this was to me
В) that would allow me to safely complete the entire 42.2 kms
С) but later that year he would regret his decision
D) which has grown into the biggest of its kind in the world
E) but I do volunteer each year to assist the athletes in any way I can throughout the race
F) which runs along roads, up hills and around some of the most famous sights in London
G) which was amazing since just a few years before I was barely able to run across the garden

1 — D
2 — F
3 — A
4 — B
5 — G
6 — E

Лондонский марафон

Michael Scott talks about his success story of going from being a sickly teenager to a London Marathon competitor.		Майкл Скотт рассказывает свою историю успешного превращения из болезненного подростка в участника Лондонского марафона.
Growing up with a heart defect was difficult. While other kids my age were going to football practice and on beach holidays with their families, I was in and out of hospital. My only involvement in a sporting competition was watching it on the television.		Расти с пороком сердца было трудно. В то время как другие дети моего возраста ходили на тренировки по футболу и ездили отдыхать с семьями на пляж, я регулярно попадал в больницу. Единственным моим участием в спортивных соревнованиях был просмотр их по телевизору.
One of my favourite events to watch was the London Marathon. When I was just 14, a man from London, named Chris Brasher, organised the first London Marathon. It was 29 March 1981 and 7,747 people were involved in the race. Over the years, I watched the event which has grown into the biggest of its kind in the world. Now, there are 46,500 participants each year from all corners of the world and of all levels of ability. Many people say the marathon is the ultimate physical challenge. Athletes have to train physically and mentally for each marathon and be prepared for many challenges.		Одним из моих любимых просматриваемых событий был Лондонский марафон. Когда мне было только 14 лет, один человек из Лондона по имени Крис Брэшер организовал первый Лондонский марафон. Это было 29 марта 1981 года, и в этом забеге приняли участие 7 474 человек. В течение многих лет я смотрел это событие, которое превратилось в самое большое в своем роде событие мира. Сейчас количество участников составляет 46500 человек из всех уголков мира и всех уровней способностей. Многие люди говорят, что этот марафон — чрезвычайное физическое испытание. Атлеты должны тренироваться физически и психологически для каждого марафона и быть готовыми ко многим трудностям.
I always found it surprising to see how many well-trained athletes did not complete the course each year. Out of the over 46,000 starters, on average, only 33,000 actually crossed the finishing line. Some dropped out because of injury or illness, but most just ‘hit the wall’, an infamous experience suffered when their bodies simply ran out of fuel. For many runners, by the time they reached the 30 to 35 km point in the race, they just couldn’t go any further. Their muscles would cramp and their heart and lungs could not obtain enough oxygen.		Я всегда с удивлением смотрел на то, как много хорошо тренированных спортсменов не не справляются с дистанцией. В среднем из 46000 стартующих только 33000 действительно пересекают финишную линию. Некоторые выпадают из-за травм и болезней, но многие просто «выгорают» (дословно: hit the wall — ударяются в стену) — скверное состояние, при котором в организме просто заканчивается топливо. Многие бегуны, когда достигают отметки в 30 или 35 километров, просто не могут двигаться дальше. Их мышцы сводят судороги, а их сердце и легкие не могут больше получать достаточно кислорода.
Each year, I tried to imagine what it would be like to line up before all the crowds and run the 42.2 km route which runs along roads, up hills and around some of the most famous sights in London. The race started in Greenwich Park, then competitors would race along the River Thames, towards Big Ben, eventually ending in front of Buckingham Palace.		Каждый год я пытался представить себе, как это — выстроиться перед всеми людьми и пробежать 42,2 километра, которые пролегают по дорогам, по холмам и вокруг самых известных достопримечательностей Лондона. Забег стартовал в Гринвич Парке, затем соревнующиеся бежали вдоль реки Темзы по направлению к Биг-Бену, наконец завершая перед Букингемским дворцом.
I decided to talk to my heart specialist and find out if there was any chance that I could train my body to handle running 42.2 kms. At first, he thought I was joking, but soon he realised how important this was to me. I began walking for a few minutes at a time, increasing my intensity until I was able to walk for 10 minutes a session. At the same time, I started lifting weights to build muscle strength.		Я решил поговорит со своим кардиологом и узнать, был ли какой-нибудь шанс для того, чтобы я натренировал свое тело и пробежал 42,2 километра. Сначала он подумал, что я шучу, но вскоре понял, насколько важным это было для меня. Я начал ходить по несколько минут за один раз, увеличивая интенсивность до того момента, когда мог ходить по 10 минут за раз. В то же время я начал поднимать отягощения, чтобы тренировать мышечную силу.
Over the course of a year, I progressed from just walking to running. Running became a daily thing for me and I was building more strength and confidence with every step. My doctor was thrilled with my progress and allowed me to continue forward.		В течение года я совершил прогресс от простой ходьбы к бегу. Бег для меня стал ежедневным делом, и я наращивал силу и уверенность с каждым шагом. Мой доктор поразился мои прогрессом и разрешил мне продолжать.
Finally, at the age of 19, the time came to apply for the London Marathon. I knew that only a certain number of people would be allowed to enter the race and as much as I wanted to do this, I knew that my chances were slim. The London Marathon is the most challenging marathon in the world. I couldn’t believe how far I had come and that finally my dream would come true.		Наконец, в возрасте 19 лет пришло время подавать заявку на участие в Лондонском марафоне. Я знал, что только определенному количеству людей будет разрешено участвовать в забеге, и насколько сильно я хотел сделать это, настолько же слабыми были и мои шансы. Лондонский марафон — это самый трудный марафон в мире. Я не мог поверить, насколько далеко я зашел и что, наконец, моя мечта осуществилась.
My doctor and I worked together to set out a training schedule that would allow me to safely complete the entire 42.2 kms. Physically, I was fit and my heart appeared to be in good condition. The biggest problem would be dehydration, as it would be with all of the competitors. On average most of the runners take four to five hours to complete the race and water is essential to all of the competitors. The year before, 710,000 bottles of water had been consumed during the race!		Мы с доктором работали вместе, чтобы разработать систему тренировок, и то позволило мне безопасно преодолеть все 42,2 километров. Физически я был в форме, и мое сердце было в хорошем состоянии. Самой большой проблемой было обезвоживание, как и у всех соревнующихся. В среднем у большинства бегунов уходит от четырех до пяти часов, чтобы завершить забег, и вода важна для всех спортсменов. Годом раньше в течение забега было выпито 710 000 бутылок с водой!
Soon enough it was race day. My family, as well as various friends, were all gathered to watch and support me. It was the most difficult and the most exciting and rewarding experience of my life. I finished the race in less than six hours, which was amazing since just a few years before I was barely able to run across the garden.		Вскоре настал день забега. Моя семья и различные друзья собрались посмотреть и поддержать меня. Это был самый трудный и самый стоящий опыт моей жизни. Менее, чем за шесть часов, я закончил гонку, что было поразительным, так как всего лишь несколькими годами ранее я едва мог перебежать через сад.
Today, I am still running. I have not competed in the London Marathon again but I do volunteer each year to assist the athletes in any way I can throughout the race. I enjoy taking part in the atmosphere and sharing my success story with the other athletes. I learned that as long as I try my best and have faith in myself I can do almost anything.		Сегодня я все еще бегаю. Я не принимаю участие вновь в Лондонском марафоне, но я участвую в качестве волонтера каждый год в помощи атлетам любыми способами на протяжении забега. Мне нравится принимать участие в этой атмосфере и делить моей историей успеха с другими спортсменами. Я понял, что пока я делаю все, что от меня зависит и верю в себя, то могу почти все.