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English Culture Videos

“Ultramarathons”

Instructions: Watch this video and answer the questions. Then, read the script at the bottom of the page.

Online Investigations and Discussion Questions

Besides exercise, what other life events and situations might require a great deal of physical, emotional, or mental endurance? Use the Internet to look up information on physically- and mentally-demanding activities including running, mountain climbing, mountain biking, and other similar sports. What things do these activities have in common in terms of nutrition and training?

Video Script

Hi, I’m Randall, and I’m out here in nature enjoying this trail and doing one of the things I enjoy most; (It) is trail running. And ultrarunning is a little bit different than marathon running.

First of all, you’re on a trail of some sort, maybe in the snow, or in the desert, in the forest, and you’re running really long distances, perhaps 50 kilometers, 200 kilometers or more. I personally run the shorter distances because it’s difficult to find the time to train and trying to find a balance between family and work. The other thing is is that I’m very slow, and I’ve even come in last on one particular race, but one thing I enjoy most about it is that you’re out in nature. I’ve been running in races, and one particular race where I was running about 40 kilometers by myself (=completely alone). But, it’s a really enjoyable sport. You get to see nature; it’s both good for the soul and the mind.

But you always have to go prepared with a GPS, perhaps on your wrist, water, and other necessities. Well, I gotta go.

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