The Runner
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Tim
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Todd
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Todd: OK. Tim, we're going to talk about running.
Tim: OK.
Todd: Now, we've been running the last couple of nights.
Tim: Yeah, that's true.
Todd: And, you're much faster than me. You're a fast runner. How often do you run?
Tim: Well, now I only run about four days a week but when I was younger everyday.
Todd: Oh, really? Wow! Did you run in high school or college?
Tim: I ran.. I started when I was six years old.
Todd: No kidding?
Tim: And I started running and I ran all the way through the university.
Todd: Really?
Tim: Yeah.
Todd: OK. So what events did you do?
Tim: Middle distance. Middle distance which is 1,500 meters to 5,000 meters.
Todd: Wow! Are you a better short distance runner or long distance runner?
Tim: Middle distance runner.
Todd: Middle distance. OK, how far is a middle distance?
Tim: Oh.. 1,500 meters, about.
Todd: 1,500.
Tim: Yeah.
Todd: OK! What's your fastest time in the 1,500 meters?
Tim: Ah, 3.... about 3:47.
Todd: Three minutes and forty seven seconds.
Tim: Yeah.
Todd: That's pretty fast.
Tim: Yeah. I did that in high school actually. I wasn't so fast in the university.
Todd: Oh wow, man you can fly!
Tim: Yeah.
Todd: Now I don't feel so bad when you run so much faster than me.
Tim: I've been slowing down. I've been drinking beer so I don't run so fast anymore.
Todd: Yeah, we're getting older. Actually, I'm 33. How old are you?
Tim: I'm 27.
Todd: 27. Oh, OK. So, do you think you'll be running your whole life?
Tim: I think so, yeah. I grew up running in the woods, everyday in the woods and so I really want to get back to running in the woods everyday. I think it is really healthy thing to do.
Todd: Yeah. That's nice. OK. Thanks a lot, Tim.
couple of
We've been running the last couple of nights.
Specifically a 'couple of' means two, but we usually use it in a more general sense to mean two or three. We use this phrase when we aren't giving exact information. Notice the following:
- Can our dog stay with you for a couple of days?
- She has been on vacation the last couple of weeks.
no kidding
[I started running when I was six years old.] No kidding!
'No kidding' is used as a response to a statement we think is unbelievable. Notice the following:
- "I have twelve brothers and sisters." "No
kidding!"
- No kidding! I didn't know you grew up here.
all through (university)
I ran all through university.
If you did something 'all through university' it means that you did it the entire time you were there, not constantly, but consistently. Notice the following:
- They played tennis all through middle school and high
school.
- She will be traveling all though March.
events
What events did you do?
When we are talking about 'events' like this it is a competition that you do in the sport 'track and field'. Each event is a different distance or physical test. Notice the following:
- The high jump is my favorite event to watch.
- You are only allowed to do three events at the next
competition.
slow down
I've been slowing down, because I've been drinking beer.
If you 'slow down' it means you don't go as fast as you did before. Notice the following:
- After a few speeding tickets I have learned to slow down
when I
drive
- He started running full speed and he didn't slow down
until he
got to his house.
Vocabulary Quiz
events • slow down
