Instructions: Read the text below then take the comprehension quiz that follows.
A Sibling Rivalry
You will need to know the following words as you read the story:
Tandem: working together
Maneuver: make a series of changes in direction
The man with the bullhorn encouraged the runners as they made their way up the hill. “Two hours, fifteen minutes, forty seconds.” His deep, amplified voice boomed toward us. It was mile 17 of the marathon. “Hey, great stride!” a bearded spectator yelled to me. He clapped loudly. “You’re looking strong. Keep going—go, go, go!”
You betcha I’m looking strong, I thought, as I followed my younger sister, Laura. I had just gotten started. She had been diligently clocking eight-minute miles since the race had begun downtown. Initially in the middle of a pack, which was several thousand people, she had been steadily passing other runners for the past ten miles or so. We were now on the relatively steep rise to the St. Cecelia Bridge. Once we crossed, we would begin heading back into town, running along the east side of the Rincon River.
Laura had asked me to run the most difficult section of the marathon with her. Not having trained for anything more challenging than a brisk walk and with no experience running in organized events, I figured I might be good for two or three miles.
Despite our running in tandem, we were taking different approaches to the event. Laura was on an aggressive tack, manoeuvring quickly through the slowing pack of runners. She began calling out “On your left, sir” and “Excuse me” as she doggedly yet gracefully attacked the rising slope approaching the bridge. Keeping up with her was no small feat. On one hand, I felt like saying to her, Wait up! On the other hand, I knew that a timely finish would be a personal record for her.
Up ahead, steel drums were playing. A group of percussionists was pounding out rhythms, chanting, and encouraging us with their music and smiles. Crossing the bridge, I recalled the advice in the Marathon Handbook to be sure to spit off of the steely span. During my preview of the route, it had seemed like a juvenile thing to do. But now it seemed like a fine idea, and I spat magnificently over the side of the bridge.
“I read the handbook, too!” trumpeted a triumphant woman behind me, who also let loose over the side of the bridge. We had now initiated a chain reaction of subsequent bridge spitters. It was quite a sight, but I had other things to occupy my attention, namely the back of Laura’s jersey.
Easing off the bridge and heading south on Avila Boulevard, Laura and I found our pace together again. Here we could hang to the left of the group and enjoy some brief conversation. “You keeping up okay?” she asked. Being her older brother, and therefore unable to admit weakness, I nodded convincingly.
“Hey, Lee!” yelled a waving man on the sidewalk. Immediately pleased that my marathon efforts had been recognized by someone I knew, I waved back and reflected on the importance of wearing tie-dyed clothing to a road race of this size. It made it a lot easier to be spotted!
The town marathon is a “people’s” marathon in that it tends to be a family affair, with the runners and spectators creating a festival atmosphere. The crowds are demonstrably vocal and supportive all day, which means a lot to the participants. I managed to run six miles before bowing out, and Laura finished the entire race in under four hours.
I now pride myself on telling people that I ran in a marathon. The distinction between having run a marathon and having run in a marathon seems unimportant. If pressed, however, I’ll admit that I only ran one-fourth of one.
Inspired by this year’s experience, I plan to walk the course—really fast—next year. It’s not because I’m jealous of my sister’s accomplishment. This is not some silly sibling rivalry in which I must do whatever she does. Rather, Laura got free cookies at the finish line, and the promise of that will lead me to any goal.
Check your knowledge
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