It was a tough race, and Tommy Chen was thirty minutes off the pace. Exhausted and suffering the effects of both mountain sickness and hypothermia, he was overwhelmed by the fear that he might die alone and far from civilization. He was participating in the 2014 Ultra Bolivia Race, a 170-kilometer marathon through one of the world's harshest regions. Chen was so determined to finish the race that he overcame the fear and sickness to take his first victory in an ultramarathon. It would not be his last.
這是場艱難的比賽，陳彥博落後領先選手三十分鐘。極度疲憊、高山病發作和體溫過低的他，開始擔心自己會在這片蠻荒之地孤獨死去。當時他正參加2014年玻利維亞超馬賽，這項長達 170 公里的賽程要通過世界上最為險惡的地區之一。然而，他下定決心要跑完，最後克服恐懼與病痛，贏得了他個人在超馬賽事中的第一場勝利。而這勝利也不會是最後一個。
Tommy Chen is a regular participant in ultramarathons. He has run in every extreme environment on the planet, from the ice fields of Antarctica to the vast deserts of Africa. May 2018 saw him high in the Himalayas, battling through terrible pain in his feet to win the six-day "Bhutan―The Last Secret 200km 2018." He ran for a total time of more than 23 hours at altitudes of up to 3,600 meters above sea level.
陳彥博經常參加超級馬拉松。全球每個極端環境，從南極洲冰原到非洲的大沙漠都有他的足跡。2018 年五月他在喜馬拉雅山與雙腳劇痛奮戰，為了贏得六天的不丹 200Km 高山跑超馬賽。在海拔超過 3,600 米的高度，他總計跑了超過 23 小時。
Running extreme marathons hasn't made Tommy wealthy or even very famous in the wider world. There are usually few people around to see him cross the finish line in his races. He insists on running so that he can go beyond his limits. "What I've conquered is my fear and doubt in myself," he said after one victory. Often he is completely alone as he runs through the wilderness. The feeling of isolation is a challenge as great as the long distances, but a well-trained ultramarathon runner learns how to cope with loneliness.
參加超馬並沒有讓陳彥博致富或聲名遠播。通常沒有什麼人會見證他越過比賽終點線的那一刻。他堅持繼續跑是為了能超越自我。他曾經在一場勝利後表示：「我克服的是我對自己的恐懼和懷疑。」當他穿越荒野時，他往往是完全孤獨無伴的。那種與世隔絕的感覺，就跟漫長的距離一樣，都是同等巨大的挑戰，但是訓練有素的超馬選手都要學會如何克服孤寂。
In fact, Tommy has faced an even greater challenge than an ultramarathon. In 2011, he developed throat cancer. For a top athlete, this was a severe blow. After surgery, however, he continued to train against the advice of his doctor. He almost paid a high price in a marathon in Greece when his surgical wounds opened up and his nose started bleeding. It took Tommy more than nine hours to complete the race, and he came almost last. Under the circumstances, just finishing that marathon was a massive victory.
事實上，陳彥博曾經面臨過一項比超級馬拉松更為巨大的挑戰。2011年，他得了咽喉癌。對頂尖運動員來說，這無疑是晴天霹靂。然而手術後，他無視於醫生的建議，繼續練習超馬。在一場希臘舉行的超馬中，他幾乎付出了高昂的代價，當時他的手術傷口裂開，鼻子開始流血。陳彥博花了九個多小時才完成那項馬拉松，而且幾乎名列最後。在那樣的情況下，光是跑完就是了不起的勝利。
Running ultramarathons in difficult environments has also changed the way Tommy looks at the world. Once, surrounded by ice and snow in a race called the Polar Challenge, he came to appreciate the true power and beauty of nature. In his own words, "I felt my every movement echoing with the pulse and rhythm of nature." Now, one reason he keeps on racing is to appreciate the natural world on foot.
在艱困的環境中跑超馬也改變了陳彥博看待世界的方式。有一次在名為「北極大挑戰」的競賽中，冰雪從四面八方包圍著他，那時他初次體悟到自然的真實力量與美麗。「我覺得我的每一個動作都呼應著大自然的脈動和節奏。」他如此說著。現在，他持續比賽的理由，就是要用雙腳去欣賞大自然世界。
Over the years, Tommy Chen's story has had a far-reaching influence, encouraging people to pursue their dreams against the odds. "Everyone has the opportunity to change themselves. Just use the positive power of your dreams," Tommy says.
多年來，陳彥博的故事影響深遠，鼓勵了人們衝破困境，追尋自己的夢想。他說：「每個人都有機會改變自己，只要利用夢想的正面力量就可以。」
- tough [tʌf] adj.
困難的，棘手的；堅固的，結實的
Choosing between the two colleges is a tough decision, and Grace still hasn't made up her mind.
在這兩間大學間選擇是個艱難的決定，而 Grace 仍然還沒下定決心。
These hiking boots are made of a tough material and should last a long time.
這雙登山靴由堅固的材質製成，應該可以穿很久。 - exhausted [ɪgˋzɔstɪd] adj.
精疲力竭的，極其疲憊的
Exhausted after working for twelve hours, Dave fell asleep as soon as he got home.
工作十二小時後疲累至極，Dave 一回家就睡著了。 - exhaust [ɪgˋzɔst] v.
使精疲力竭；用完，耗盡
Looking after the children all day exhausted Karen, so she went to bed earlier than usual.
照顧孩子們一整天累壞了 Karen，所以她比平常還早就上床睡覺了。
The medical supplies at the refugee camp have been exhausted, and many people are dying of disease.
這個難民營的醫療用品已經耗盡，許多人死於疾病。 - overwhelm [͵ovɚˋhwɛlm] v.
使招架不住，使難以承受
The help he received from his friends overwhelmed Peter, who was very moved by their kindness.
得自於朋友的幫助令 Peter 感動得不知所措，他被他們的好意所打動。 - overwhelming [͵ovɚˋhwɛlmɪŋ] adj.
巨大的，無法抵抗的
When the starving children were shown on TV, the charities supporting them received an overwhelming response from the public.
當那些挨餓的孩子們出現在電視上，幫助他們的慈善團體收到大眾的大量回應。 - civilization [͵sɪv!əˋzeʃən] n.
文明社會，文明
After six months in the jungle, the scientists were pleased to get back to civilization.
在叢林待六個月之後，這些科學家們很開心能回到文明社會。 - region [ˋridʒən] n.
地區，區域
The region has been deprived of rain for so long that there is a severe water crisis.
這個地區很久沒下雨了，出現很嚴重的水源危機。 - regional [ˋridʒən!] adj.
地區的，區域的
Mr. Waters has been promoted to regional manager for the Northwest area.
Waters 先生升職為西北地區的區域經理。 - victory [ˋvɪktərɪ] n.
勝利，戰勝
Today's win means the Bulls have had nine victories in the last ten games.
今天贏球意味著芝加哥公牛隊已經在最近十場比賽中拿下九次勝利了。
Janet dedicated her victory in the tennis competition to her mother.
Janet 將她網球比賽中拿下的勝利歸功於她媽媽。 - victor [ˋvɪktɚ] n.
勝利者
Susan came in third, only four seconds behind the victor of the race.
Susan 第三名，跟賽跑第一名只差四秒。 - victorious [vɪkˋtorɪəs] adj.
勝利的
Keep training hard and practicing, and one day you will be victorious.
繼續努力訓練並且練習，有一天你會取得勝利。 - extreme [ɪkˋstrim] adj.
極度的，極端的；極限的
If you drink and drive, you are putting yourself and other people in extreme danger.
如果你喝酒開車，你是在將你自己跟其他人置於極度危險之中。
Curt enjoys extreme sports even though a lot of them can be very dangerous.
Curt 非常享受極限運動，即使它們有很多可能相當危險。 - extreme [ɪkˋstrim] n.
極度，極端
It is difficult to imagine the extremes of cold you would experience at the South Pole if you went there.
很難想像如果你去南極，你會感受到的極度低溫。 - extremely [ɪkˋstrimlɪ] adv.
極度地，非常
Most people in this area are extremely poor and in need of basic necessities.
這個地區的大部分人都非常貧困，需要基本必需品。 - vast [væst] adj.
廣大的，巨大的
Some birds fly vast distances during the spring and autumn.
有一些鳥會在春天跟秋天飛很長的距離。 - wealthy [ˋwɛlθɪ] adj.
富有的，有錢的
When Evelyn became wealthy, she bought a large house in the best part of town.
當 Evelyn 變有錢，她在鎮上最好的地方買了一棟房子。 - wealth [wɛlθ] n.
財富，錢財
People say the old man possesses great wealth and his home is full of precious artworks.
人們都說那個老人擁有很大一筆財富，他的家充滿珍貴藝術品。 - conquer [͵kɑŋkɚ] v.
克服，征服
Crystal finally conquered her fear of heights and went for a ride on the Ferris wheel.
Crystal 終於克服她對高度的恐懼，搭上摩天輪。 - conqueror [ˋkɑŋkərɚ] n.
征服者，勝利者
In the early nineteenth century, the French emperor Napoleon I was the conqueror of most of Europe.
在十九世紀早期，法國君王拿破崙一世是歐洲多數地區的征服者。 - isolation [͵aɪs!ˋeʃən] n.
孤獨，孤立；隔絕
The old woman experienced a sense of isolation after her son moved out.
這位老太太在她兒子搬出去之後，感到了一絲孤獨。
The wooden house stands in complete isolation on the side of the mountain.
這座木屋孤零零地坐落在山的一側。 - isolate [ˋaɪs!͵et] v.
使隔離；使孤立
Because the disease could spread, the sick woman was isolated from the other patients.
因為這種疾病可能傳染，這位生病的女士被跟其他病人隔離。
The mayor's bad behavior isolated him from the other members of his political party.
這個市長的差勁行為將他自己從政黨其他人孤立出來。 - isolated [ˋaɪs!͵etɪd] adj.
隔離的；孤單的
Some people in this region live in remote and isolated villages.
這區的一些人住在遙遠又與世隔絕的鄉村裡。
When Dan was studying in New York away from his family, he felt quite isolated.
當 Dan 離開家人去紐約唸書的時候，他覺得滿孤單的。 - challenge [ˋtʃælɪndʒ] n.
挑戰
Samantha enjoys her new job because it has more challenges than her old one.
Samantha 很喜歡她的新工作，因為這份比她以前的工作還要有更多挑戰。 - challenge [ˋtʃælɪndʒ] v.
向...挑戰
I'm going to challenge Simon to a game of chess to see if I can beat him.
我要向 Simon 挑戰下棋，看我能不能打敗他。 - challenging [ˈtʃælɪndʒɪŋ] adj.
具挑戰性的
I cannot figure out the answer to this math question—it is too challenging for me.
我想不出這題數學的答案－－它對我來說太有挑戰性了。 - loneliness [ˋlonlɪnɪs] n.
孤獨，寂寞
Joe overcame his loneliness by joining a sports club and meeting lots of new people.
Joe 藉由參加運動社團跟認識許多新的人來克服他的孤獨。 - lonely [ˋlonlɪ] adj.
孤獨的，孤單的
If you are feeling lonely, there are numerous activities you can take part in.
如果你感到寂寞，有很多你可以參加的活動啊。 - athlete [ˋæθlit] n.
運動員
Mary is a talented athlete who represents her college in both cycling and rowing competitions.
Mary 是個非常有才華的運動員，代表她的大學參加單車和划船比賽。 - athletic [æθˋlɛtɪk] adj.
運動的
I'm not as athletic as my brother, who is good at soccer, baseball, and basketball.
我不像我哥哥那麼擅長運動，他很會踢足球、打棒球和打籃球。 - surgery [ˋsɝdʒərɪ] n.
（外科）手術
Because of her age, it took Janet a long time to recover from heart surgery.
因為年紀的關係，Janet 花了好長一段時間才從心臟手術中恢復。
Doctor Lee performed a few minor surgeries at the hospital this morning.
李醫師今天早上在醫院執行了幾個小手術。 - surgeon [ˋsɝdʒən] n.
外科醫生
Don't worry. The surgeon who will carry out your operation is very experienced.
別擔心。要幫你動手術的外科醫生很有經驗。 - surgical [ˋsɝdʒɪk] adj.
外科手術的
The patient is about to go through a risky surgical procedure.
這個病患即將要經歷一場風險很高的手術歷程。 - bleed [blid] v.
流血
Pamela is bleeding from a cut on her finger that she got when chopping onions.
Pamela 切洋蔥的時候切到手指，正在流血。 - massive [ˋmæsɪv] adj.
巨大的，大量的
The massive mountains were a magnificent sight that filled us with awe.
高聳巨大的山巒呈現出一幅壯闊的景致，讓我們充滿敬畏感。 - surround [səˋraʊnd] v.
圍繞，包圍
The palace is completely surrounded by guards, so no one can get close to it.
這座皇宮完全被守衛才環繞，所以沒有人敢接近。 - surroundings [səˋraʊndɪŋz] n.
環境，周圍
We enjoyed the beautiful surroundings as we walked along the quiet beach.
我們在寧靜的海邊散步時，很享受這漂亮的環境。 - echo [ˋɛko] v.
發出回響，傳出回音
Patrick shouted out his girlfriend's name, which echoed across the valley.
Patrick 大叫女友的名字，整個聲音在山谷間迴響。 - echo [ˋɛko] n.
回聲，回音
I could hear the echo of my own voice on the telephone line.
我可以在電話中聽到我的回音。 - far-reaching [ˋfɑrˋritʃɪŋ] adj.
影響深遠的
The works of Shakespeare have had a far-reaching influence on world literature.
莎士比亞的作品對世界文學造成了深遠的影響。 - pursue [pɚˋsu] v.
追求，實行；追趕
While pursuing his aim to get into Harvard, Vincent learned a lot about himself and his abilities.
Vincent 在追求自己進入哈佛讀書的目標時，更加了解自己，以及自己的能力。
Nicole bravely pursued the man who had taken her bag away.
Nicole 勇敢地追趕那個搶走她的皮包的男人。 - opportunity [͵ɑpɚˋtjunətɪ] n.
機會
George hasn't had much opportunity to hang out with friends since his daughter was born.
George 沒有那麼多機會和朋友聚聚，因為他的女兒出生了。
Rachel takes every opportunity to meet up with her uncle whenever he comes to London.
只要 Rachel 的叔叔來倫敦，她就會把握所有機會和他見面。 - off the pace
（在競賽中）落後領先者
David is only two seconds off the pace and has a great chance of winning this race.
David 只有落後領先選手兩秒，有很大機會贏得這場賽跑。 - insist on
堅持
Whenever Betty goes out to lunch with someone, she insists on paying for her own meal.
當 Betty 跟人出去吃午餐，她都堅持要付她自己那份餐點。 - pay a...price
付出...代價
Lucy paid a terrible price for not seeking professional help with her problem.
Lucy 並沒有找專業人士協助處理她的狀況，最後付出了慘痛的代價。 - come to
（到某個狀態才）開始
When recovering from the illness, I came to understand how important it is to keep healthy.
直到從疾病中康復，我才開始了解到保持身體健康有多重要。 - against the odds
衝破重重困境
Against the odds, my grandmother graduated from college at the age of sixty-five.
我的奶奶突破重重困難，在 65 歲時大學畢業。
