彭蒙惠英语：Extreme Races for Intense Runners（在线收听）

Extreme Races for Intense Runners

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A world-class runner

In 2002, Yannis Kouros, arguably the world’s greatest ultramarathon runner, set a new course record for the 24-hour Soochow race by running 284.07 km. For nearly 20 years, Kouros has been at the top of the extreme sport of ultramarathon running. The Greek-Australian athlete holds world records for 12-, 24- and 48-hour runs, as well as the six-day and 1,000-mile races.

Ultrarunning, Kouros insists, is not about muscle mass and genes. It is a mental sport. “What I achieve is within human limits and many others could do it if they’d try to discover their endurance limits and inner strengths,” Kouros says.

Training for ultramarathons

Any marathon runner will tell you that a large part of becoming a serious runner is developing mental toughness. Ultramarathoners not only train their bodies; they train their minds. The brain, as well as the muscles, can become fatigued over the course of a marathon. Staying focused on the race and engaging in positive selftalk can help weary runners.

Eating healthy carbohydrates before and during the race is another important strategy. And, of course, wearing the proper shoes and clothing is crucial.

Start small

Training for an ultramarathon is timeconsuming and takes incredible discipline, but you don’t have to run 100 km to experience the joy of running. If you want to become a runner, get moving! Start early in the morning to avoid the heat. Stay hydrated and wear loose, cool clothing. As you build endurance, participate in a 5-km or 10-km local race.

A word of caution, however: Once you start racing, you may become hooked! Before you know it, you’ll be training for longer races and pushing yourself to reach higher goals. “The feeling of achievement at the finish line is the best part of the race,” says Kuo.

Any runner will agree with that!

Vocabulary Focus

endurance (n) [in5djurEns] the ability to keep doing something difficult, unpleasant or painful for a long time

fatigued (adj) [fE5ti:^d] tired; extremely weary

hooked (adj) [hukt] enjoying something so much that one is unable to stop having, watching or doing it

Specialized Terms

muscle mass (n phr) 肌肉量 the weight or bulk of muscle one has

hydrated (adj) 含水充足的 having enough water in one’s body