Luyện theo cấu trúc Cambridge IELTS 17 · Speaking Part 1–3: Running and Physical Challenges

1. I've come to like it, although I definitely didn't at school. What I appreciate now is how simple it is: you just need a pair of trainers, and you can go out whenever you have half an hour. It's also the best way I've found to clear my head after a long day.

2. I try to do something four times a week. Usually that's two runs, one swim and a short workout at home, but if work gets busy, the first thing to suffer is my exercise routine, unfortunately.

3. Most people go to the parks early in the morning, before it gets too hot. You'll see hundreds of people walking, jogging or doing group dance exercises around the lake. Gyms are popular among younger people, but they're quite expensive.

4. Not really, apart from compulsory PE lessons. I was quite a bookish child, and I think I was a bit embarrassed about not being good at team sports. It's only in the last few years that I've discovered I actually enjoy being active.

5. I already have, actually. I did a ten-kilometre race last year, and now I'm thinking about trying a half marathon. A full marathon still sounds a bit daunting, but maybe one day.

I'd like to talk about the first half marathon I ran, which was in my home city about eighteen months ago. A colleague had signed up and persuaded me to join her, even though at that point I'd never run more than about five kilometres without stopping.

We had roughly four months to get ready, so I found a beginner's training plan online and followed it fairly strictly. The idea was to build up stamina gradually: three short runs during the week and one longer run at the weekend, adding a kilometre or so each time. I also changed my diet a little, cutting down on fried food and drinking far more water, and I bought a proper pair of running shoes, which made a huge difference.

The hardest part wasn't actually the physical side but fitting the training into my schedule. Because of the heat, I had to run at around half past five in the morning, and dragging myself out of bed in the dark was a real struggle. About halfway through, I also hurt my knee and had to rest for ten days, which really knocked my confidence, because I was worried I'd lose all the progress I'd made.

On the day itself, I paced myself carefully and managed to keep going, although the last three kilometres were incredibly tough. When I finally crossed the finish line, I felt a mixture of exhaustion and enormous pride. I remember thinking that if I could do this, I could probably manage a lot of other things I'd been avoiding. It taught me that consistency matters far more than talent, and that's a lesson I've tried to apply at work as well.

1. Part of it is accessibility: running is cheap and you can do it almost anywhere. But I think social media has also played a big role. People share their routes and race results online, and that creates a sense of community and a bit of friendly competition. Organised races have also become social events, with music and crowds, rather than just serious competitions.

2. For many people, it's about proving something to themselves. In everyday life, progress can be hard to measure, whereas training for a race gives you a clear goal and a visible result. Others are motivated by health, perhaps after a warning from a doctor, or by raising money for a charity, which gives them an extra reason not to give up.

3. I'd argue that ordinary people should be the priority. Elite success can certainly inspire people, but the benefits for public health come from getting large numbers of people to be a little more active, and that requires investment in things like safe parks, cycle lanes and affordable facilities. Having said that, a small amount of funding for top athletes is reasonable, because they act as role models.

4. In general, yes. Many jobs used to involve physical work, whereas now a lot of people spend eight hours a day sitting at a desk and then go home and sit in front of a screen. On the other hand, people today are probably more aware of the importance of exercise, so those who are active tend to be very committed.

5. I think the key is to offer variety. Not every child enjoys competitive team sports, so schools could include activities like dance, climbing or cycling, and focus on personal improvement rather than winning. If children associate exercise with fun rather than embarrassment, they're much more likely to keep it up as adults.