Embracing the Challenge: How James Found Fulfillment and Overcame Insanity in a Marathon

Words:

Withstand	To resist or endure something difficult	The bridge was built to withstand strong winds and heavy traffic.
	To remain undamaged or unaffected by something	The house was able to withstand the hurricane without any major damage.
	To resist an attack or assault	The soldiers were well-trained and able to withstand the enemy’s attack.
Embrace	To accept or adopt something willingly	It’s important to embrace new technologies to stay competitive in today’s market.
	To hold someone in one’s arms affectionately	The couple embraced each other tightly after being apart for so long.
	To include or involve something as a part of something else	The new policy aims to embrace diversity and promote inclusivity in the workplace.
Insanity	A state of mental illness or madness	The defendant was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
	Extreme foolishness or irrational behavior	It would be insanity to try to climb the mountain without proper equipment and training.
	The quality of being wildly different or unusual	The designer’s clothing line was a huge success due to its insanity and uniqueness.
Fulfilling	Giving a sense of satisfaction or achievement	Being able to help others through volunteering is a fulfilling experience.
	Meeting one’s expectations or desires	Traveling to new places has always been a fulfilling dream of mine.
	Bringing a sense of purpose or meaning to one’s life	Pursuing a career in education has been a fulfilling choice for me.
Hone	To sharpen or improve something	The writer spent years honing her craft before publishing her first novel.
		The athlete spent hours each day honing her speed and agility on the field.
		The chef was able to hone her recipes through years of experience in the kitchen.
Status Quo	The existing state or condition of something	The company was reluctant to make any changes to the status quo, even if it meant falling behind their competitors.
	A state of social or political stability or order	The politicians argued that maintaining the status quo was the best way to ensure the country’s stability and security.
	A state of uniformity or lack of change	The artist wanted to challenge the status quo of the art world and create something truly unique and groundbreaking.
Challenge	Something that tests one’s abilities or skills	Running a marathon is a huge physical and mental challenge.
	Something that requires effort or determination to overcome	Learning a new language can be a challenge, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
	To question or dispute something that is considered the norm	The students challenged the professor’s assumptions about the topic, leading to a stimulating and thought-provoking discussion.
Something calls someone	A strong feeling or desire to do something	The ocean always calls me, and I can’t resist the urge to go swimming whenever I’m near it.
		The doctor felt that something called her to pursue a

Reading:

Meet James, a laid-back and easy-going guy who loves to take life as it comes. He had always been content with his job at a local café, but lately, he felt like something was calling him to do more.

As the day of the marathon approached, James started to feel the insanity of his decision. Could he really withstand the physical and mental toll of running 26 miles? But he decided to embrace the challenge and give it his all.

One day, he stumbled upon a flyer for a local marathon and felt a sudden urge to participate. He had never been much of a runner, but the challenge of pushing his limits excited him. James began to train every day, slowly honing his skills and endurance.

On the day of the marathon, James found himself in a sea of runners, all determined to cross the finish line. As he ran, his mind cleared and he felt a sense of fulfillment that he had never experienced before. He realized that sometimes, it’s important to challenge oneself to grow and evolve.

Despite the pain and exhaustion, James persevered and crossed the finish line, with a huge smile on his face. He realized that sometimes, the things that call to us can be scary or overwhelming, but it’s important to embrace them and push ourselves to new heights.

Reading Check! (Answer shortly!)

1. What motivated James to participate in the marathon?
2. How did James feel as the day of the marathon approached?
3. What did James feel during the marathon?
4. What did James learn from his experience?
5. Why is it important to challenge oneself according to the story?

Discussion:

1. How do you think James’ easy-going personality helped him approach a marathon challenge?
2. If you had a free day with no responsibilities, what would you do to relax and enjoy yourself?
3. Why do you think some people are afraid to challenge the status quo?

Sample Answers to reading Qs

1. James was motivated to participate in the marathon when he saw a flyer for it and felt an urge to do something more challenging with his life.
2. As the day of the marathon approached, James started to feel scared and unsure if he could withstand the physical and mental toll of running 26 miles.
3. During the marathon, James felt a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment despite the pain and exhaustion.
4. James learned that it’s important to challenge oneself and push oneself to new heights, even if it may seem scary or overwhelming at first.
5. According to the story, it’s important to challenge oneself because it helps us grow and evolve as individuals, and can lead to a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.