Do You Have a Sprinter or Marathon Mentality?
2020-09-27
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2Running is a popular form of exercise.
3It is something you can do just about anywhere.
4And the only equipment you need is good running shoes.
5Some runners compete in marathons.
6They can spend months training for one of these 42-kilometer long events.
7So, to be marathoner, you need strength.
8You need endurance and stamina. These two words both mean the ability to do something difficult for a long time.
9Now, a sprint is a different kind of foot race.
10Sprinters run at full speed over a short distance.
11So, they do not need endurance or stamina for a sprint.
12But they do need to run very fast. Sprinters need speed.
13For today's program, we add the word "mentality" to "sprint" and "marathon."
14Sprinter mentality and marathon mentality describe two different ways to complete a project or solve a problem.
15First, let's talk about a marathon mentality.
16People with a marathon mentality are willing to work on a project or job for a really long time.
17Now, just like in the race, with a big project you need to pace yourself.
18If you start to quickly and do too much, you may run out of energy.
19A marathon mentality means that you are in something for the long haul.
20You are not going to walk away or leave before the job is finished.
21Here, "long haul" means a long period of time or a great distance.
22For example, long haul truckers drive their large vehicles over great distances.
23Okay, now let's talk about sprinters.
24If you have a sprinter's mentality, you attack a problem with short, fast bursts of energy.
25There is no need to pace yourself. There's isn't time!
26A sprinter's mentality means you do not hold back.
27You do something with all the energy you have.
28You can do this because you know the project (or problem) will only last a short time.
29Now, a person can have both a mentality of a marathon runner and a sprinter.
30It may depend on the situation or project.
31However, some people may be more one kind of person than the other.
32Some people lose energy while working on a project.
33They lose steam or lose interest.
34They get bored. Or you might say they burn out.
35Maybe they have more of a sprinter's mentality.
36And other people may need time before they start a project.
37They have more of a marathon mentality.
38Please note, we use the term "sprinter mentality" or "sprinter's mentality."
39However, when talking about marathons, we usually say, "marathon mentality," not "marathoner mentality."
40Of course, foot races -- both sprints and marathons -- have an end. You know, a finish line.
41But learning English or other languages is more of a lifelong event.
42So, you may need a sprinter's mentality to finish some tasks.
43But over the long haul, a marathon mentality may serve you best.
44Whichever it is, just know that we, here at VOA Learning English, are cheering you on!
45And that's Words and Their Stories for this week. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2Running is a popular form of exercise. It is something you can do just about anywhere. And the only equipment you need is good running shoes. 3Some runners compete in marathons. They can spend months training for one of these 42-kilometer long events. So, to be marathoner, you need strength. You need endurance and stamina. These two words both mean the ability to do something difficult for a long time. 4Now, a sprint is a different kind of foot race. Sprinters run at full speed over a short distance. So, they do not need endurance or stamina for a sprint. But they do need to run very fast. Sprinters need speed. 5For today's program, we add the word "mentality" to "sprint" and "marathon." Sprinter mentality and marathon mentality describe two different ways to complete a project or solve a problem. 6First, let's talk about a marathon mentality. People with a marathon mentality are willing to work on a project or job for a really long time. 7Now, just like in the race, with a big project you need to pace yourself. If you start to quickly and do too much, you may run out of energy. 8A marathon mentality means that you are in something for the long haul. You are not going to walk away or leave before the job is finished. Here, "long haul" means a long period of time or a great distance. For example, long haul truckers drive their large vehicles over great distances. 9Okay, now let's talk about sprinters. If you have a sprinter's mentality, you attack a problem with short, fast bursts of energy. There is no need to pace yourself. There's isn't time! 10A sprinter's mentality means you do not hold back. You do something with all the energy you have. You can do this because you know the project (or problem) will only last a short time. 11Now, a person can have both a mentality of a marathon runner and a sprinter. It may depend on the situation or project. 12However, some people may be more one kind of person than the other. 13Some people lose energy while working on a project. They lose steam or lose interest. They get bored. Or you might say they burn out. Maybe they have more of a sprinter's mentality. 14And other people may need time before they start a project. They have more of a marathon mentality. 15Please note, we use the term "sprinter mentality" or "sprinter's mentality." However, when talking about marathons, we usually say, "marathon mentality," not "marathoner mentality." 16Of course, foot races -- both sprints and marathons -- have an end. You know, a finish line. But learning English or other languages is more of a lifelong event. So, you may need a sprinter's mentality to finish some tasks. But over the long haul, a marathon mentality may serve you best. 17Whichever it is, just know that we, here at VOA Learning English, are cheering you on! 18And that's Words and Their Stories for this week. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 19Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 20________________________________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22endurance - n. the ability to do something difficult for a long time : the ability to deal with pain or suffering that continues for a long time 23stamina - n. great physical or mental strength that allows you to continue doing something for a long time 24pace - v. to control or set the speed of (someone or something) 25long haul - n. a long distance: a considerable period of time 26lose steam idiom : to lose strength, force, or energy : to slow down 27bored - adj. filled with or characterized by boredom 28burnout - n. the condition of someone who has become very physically and emotionally tired after doing a difficult job for a long time