[ti:Do You Have a Sprinter or Marathon Mentality?] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:08.04]And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. [00:19.40]Running is a popular form of exercise. [00:23.00]It is something you can do just about anywhere. [00:26.68]And the only equipment you need is good running shoes. [00:32.76]Some runners compete in marathons. [00:36.76]They can spend months training for one of these 42-kilometer long events. [00:44.04]So, to be marathoner, you need strength. [00:48.20]You need endurance and stamina. [00:51.48]These two words both mean the ability to do something difficult for a long time. [01:00.08]Now, a sprint is a different kind of foot race. [01:04.76]Sprinters run at full speed over a short distance. [01:09.96]So, they do not need endurance or stamina for a sprint. [01:14.92]But they do need to run very fast. [01:18.36]Sprinters need speed. [01:22.00]For today's program, we add the word "mentality" to "sprint" and "marathon." [01:29.24]Sprinter mentality and marathon mentality [01:32.80]describe two different ways to complete a project or solve a problem. [01:40.04]First, let's talk about a marathon mentality. [01:44.04]People with a marathon mentality are willing to work on a project [01:49.24]or job for a really long time. [01:53.36]Now, just like in the race, with a big project you need to pace yourself. [02:00.12]If you start to quickly and do too much, you may run out of energy. [02:07.00]A marathon mentality means that you are in something for the long haul. [02:12.60]You are not going to walk away or leave before the job is finished. [02:19.28]Here, "long haul" means a long period of time or a great distance. [02:27.04]For example, long haul truckers drive their large vehicles over great distances. [02:35.00]Okay, now let's talk about sprinters. [02:39.16]If you have a sprinter's mentality, [02:42.56]you attack a problem with short, fast bursts of energy. [02:48.16]There is no need to pace yourself. [02:51.04]There's isn't time! [02:54.08]A sprinter's mentality means you do not hold back. [02:59.04]You do something with all the energy you have. [03:03.64]You can do this because you know the project [03:06.84](or problem) will only last a short time. [03:11.92]Now, a person can have both a mentality of a marathon runner and a sprinter. [03:17.96]It may depend on the situation or project. [03:23.16]However, some people may be more one kind of person than the other. [03:30.64]Some people lose energy while working on a project. [03:34.20]They lose steam or lose interest. [03:38.08]They get bored. [03:39.72]Or you might say they burn out. [03:42.76]Maybe they have more of a sprinter's mentality. [03:48.12]And other people may need time before they start a project. [03:53.52]They have more of a marathon mentality. [03:58.52]Please note, we use the term "sprinter mentality" or "sprinter's mentality." [04:05.32]However, when talking about marathons, we usually say, [04:10.00]"marathon mentality," not "marathoner mentality." [04:15.96]Of course, foot races -- both sprints and marathons -- have an end. [04:22.04]You know, a finish line. [04:25.00]But learning English or other languages is more of a lifelong event. [04:31.88]So, you may need a sprinter's mentality to finish some tasks. [04:37.28]But over the long haul, a marathon mentality may serve you best. [04:43.56]Whichever it is, just know that we, [04:46.56]here at VOA Learning English, are cheering you on! [04:52.20]And that's Words and Their Stories for this week. [04:55.24]Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. [04:58.04]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM