More Running
Todd: So, Shona, we both say that we love running. Why do you like to run?
Shona: Well, actually, the reason I enjoy running is because a few years ago. I started university. I got a little bit sad, a little bit depressed cause I was away from home for the first time and I was completely new to exercise. I wasn't particularly healthy. You know, I was more into smoking, drinking, and partying and stuff, and one of my friends, like, dragged me out one day and took me for a jog, and I was crap, like, you know, I could only run for like a minute or so, but I just noticed such and affect on my mood and it just completely lifted my mood, and I was like really, really happy afterwards, a runner's high, and like you know, the more I got used to it and the more I could run, the happier I got, and it's just like, it was basically down to that, it was like a emotional thing, rather than anything else.
Todd: Wow, that's interesting because you know I'm exactly the same way. Like, people think that I run because it's a chore and I want to stay fit, or I want to lose weight, but actually it's all mental. I look forward to running every day.
Shona: Yeah.
Todd: I never feel like, "Oh, I have to go running." It's always like, "Oh, cool I get to go runnning."
Shona: Cool. It's like an addiction kind of in a way.
Todd: Yeah, I think so. Like, you're right. It does something for your moods, but when you run, now do you like to run with people or do you like to run alone?
Shona: No, I like to run alone, completely. I mean, I've tried it like friends and stuff but they're either too quick for me or too slow for me. Like, I like to go at my own pace. So, it's the same with anything, you know. I much prefer to do things alone, like, I don't know if that's a good or bad thing, but, yeah, I'd say. What about yourself? Do you prefer to go alone or...?
Todd: No, I think exactly what you said. I have a hard time running with other people. They either are faster than you and you have a hard time keeping up, or they're slower than you and you can't really run.
Shona: Yeah, you can't get in a proper workout or thing. It's not doing the job. Yeah.
Todd: Yeah, and also, you know, I think it's a great activity because it's free.
Shona: Exactly. Exactly. All you need is like a really good pair of trainers and it doesn't matter where you are in the world. Like and it's a fantastic way to explore as well. Like if you are new to a place, just get on your trainers and go for a jog and you'll like know that place pretty soon, just from running about.
Todd: Right, I totally agree.
dragged me out
One of my friends dragged me out one day and took me for a jog.
In this instance, 'dragged me out' means that a person is made to go out when they are not really keen on it.
Notice the following:
- She said that she will drag me out on Saturday night, as she thinks I deserve to have a good time.
- He dragged me out shopping all day on Saturday.
I was crap
I was crap; I could only run for like a minute or so.
'I was crap' means that you were not very good.
Notice the following:
- I can't play golf. When I tried, I was crap.
- She is crap at keeping in touch, so I find that I am always the one calling and writing.
lifted my mood
It just completely lifted my mood, and I was really, really happy afterwards.
When something 'lifts your mood,' it means that it makes you feel happy.
Notice the following:
- Whenever I listen to music, it always lifts my mood.
- It lifted my mood when I went to visit my friend.
it was basically down to that
The more I could run, the happier I got, and it was basically down to that, it was like an emotional thing.
'It was basically down to that' refers the main motivation or reason for something.
Notice the following:
- I failed my exams as I did not revise, it was basically down to that.
- She fell over, as her heels were too high, it was basically down to that.
it's a chore
People think that I run because it's a chore and I want to stay fit, or I want to lose weight, but actually it's all mental.
When something is a 'chore,' it means that you do not take pleasure in doing it.
Notice the following:
- It's a chore having to hang the washing out on the line.
- She says that she considers it a chore to have to cook me my meals.
Vocabulary Quiz
basically • a chore
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