I’ll Run Again

The morning air was crisp, a sharp contrast to the suffocating heaviness that had been weighing on Jessica's heart for weeks. She sat by the hospital bed, gripping a fragile hand. Her best friend, Claire, lay there pale and weak, her vibrant spirit dimmed by the crushing weight of her illness.

“Jess,” Claire whispered, her voice hoarse. “You don’t have to stay here every day. I know this is hard.”

Jessica shook her head, tears welling up. “You’re my best friend, Claire. Where else would I be?”

The door creaked open, and a nurse stepped in, her face kind but guarded. “Claire, the doctor will see you shortly,” she said gently before stepping back out.

Jessica turned to Claire, unable to contain her anger any longer. “It’s not fair. You shouldn’t have to choose between surviving and paying bills.”

Claire looked away, her eyes filling with tears. “I’ve done everything I can, Jess. I sold the car, the furniture… I even gave up my apartment. But it’s not enough. And now… they’re saying I only have a few months unless I start treatment.”

Jessica clenched her fists. “You’ll get the treatment. I don’t know how yet, but you will.”

Later that night, Jessica sat in her tiny apartment, staring at her sneakers by the door. She had always been a runner, ever since high school track meets with Claire cheering her on. Running was her escape, her solace. And now, it would have to be her weapon.

She scrolled through her phone, searching for marathons with prize money. One after another, she signed up, her heart pounding as she calculated the total winnings. It would be enough to cover Claire’s treatment. It had to be.

The next morning, Jessica broke the news to her parents over breakfast. Her father’s fork clattered onto his plate. “Five marathons in three months? Jess, that’s insane. You’re not in your best health. You’ve barely trained.”

Jessica met his worried eyes. “I’m alive, Dad. And as long as Claire needs me, I’ll run again. Every time she needs help, I’ll just keep running.”

Her mother placed a trembling hand on hers. “Honey, we’re proud of your heart, but this could hurt you.”

Jessica smiled weakly. “Not as much as losing Claire would.”

Training was brutal. Jessica woke before dawn every day, her muscles screaming in protest as she pushed herself harder and harder. When she wasn’t running, she was working overtime shifts at the diner to pay her entry fees. And every evening, she sat by Claire’s bed, telling her about her progress.

“You’re crazy,” Claire said one evening, managing a faint smile. “But I’ve always loved that about you.”

Jessica laughed. “And you’ll keep loving it when I cross that first finish line.”

The first marathon was in a nearby city. Jessica’s legs burned by mile 20, but the image of Claire’s face—hopeful, scared, and worth every ounce of pain—drove her forward. She crossed the finish line, gasping for air, and when they placed the medal in her hand, she whispered, “This is for you, Claire.”

One down. Four to go.

Each marathon took its toll. Jessica’s feet blistered, her knees ached, and exhaustion weighed on her like a lead blanket. Her father called after each race, begging her to stop. “You’ve done enough, Jess,” he pleaded after her third win.

“It’s not enough until Claire’s okay,” Jessica replied. “And if it isn’t, I’ll run again.”

The final marathon was the toughest yet. Jessica felt like she was running on fumes, every step a battle. The crowd blurred as her vision swam, but she refused to stop. She imagined Claire waiting for her at the finish line, healthy and smiling.

With a final burst of energy, Jessica crossed the line. Tears streamed down her face as she raised her arms in triumph. She had done it.

The next day, Jessica handed the prize money to the hospital administrator. “This will cover Claire’s treatment, right?”

The administrator nodded, stunned. “Yes, it will.”

Jessica rushed to Claire’s room, where her friend sat propped up on pillows, a faint smile on her lips. “Jess, you did it,” Claire said, tears spilling over. “You saved me.”

Jessica grinned through her exhaustion. “I told you. As long as you need me, I’ll run again.”

Phrasal Verbs & Example Sentences

Run again – To participate in another race.

  • Example: “I’ll run again if it means helping Claire.”

Break down – To emotionally collapse.

  • Example: “Jessica broke down when she saw Claire’s condition.”

Push through – To persevere despite difficulties.

  • Example: “She pushed through the pain to cross the finish line.”

Sign up – To register for something.

  • Example: “Jessica signed up for five marathons in three months.”

Keep going – To continue despite challenges.

  • Example: “Jessica kept going, step after painful step.”

Phrasal Verb Quiz

Fill in the blank with the correct Phrasal Verbs.

  1. Jessica decided to ________ the challenge of running marathons to help Claire.

  2. Despite her father’s concerns, Jessica continued to ________ her training every morning.

  3. Claire’s condition forced Jessica to ________ ways to raise the money needed for treatment.

  4. After winning the first marathon, Jessica knew she had to ________ for the next one.

  5. Jessica didn’t ________ when faced with exhaustion; she kept pushing forward.

Answers: Phrasal Verb

  1. Take on

  2. Stick to

  3. Figure out

  4. Gear up

  5. Give up

 

Idioms & Example Sentences

In the long run – Over a long period.

  • Example: “It would be worth it in the long run if Claire got better.”

A race against time – A struggle to do something quickly.

  • Example: “Saving Claire was a race against time.”

Through thick and thin – In all circumstances.

  • Example: “Jessica was there for Claire through thick and thin.”

Hit the ground running – To start something with energy.

  • Example: “Jessica hit the ground running with her marathon training.”

A second wind – A burst of energy after fatigue.

  • Example: “She got a second wind near the final mile.”

 

Idiom Quiz

Fill in the Blank with the correct Idiom.

1.       Jessica’s father was worried, saying she was ________, but she refused to stop.

2.       Winning the marathon was a ________ moment for Jessica, showing her hard work had paid off.

3.       Claire felt ________ by Jessica’s determination and love.

4.       The townspeople came together to cheer Jessica on, proving it was true that ________.

5.       Jessica knew she had to ________ to reach her goal and help Claire.

Answers: Idioms

1.       Biting off more than she could chew

2.       Pivotal

3.       Moved to tears

4.       It takes a village

5.       Go the extra mile

 

Multiple-Choice Questions

Circle the correct answer.

  1. Why did Jessica decide to run five marathons?
    a. To improve her health
    b. To win prize money for Claire’s treatment
    c. To raise awareness for sleepwalking
    d. To train for the Olympics

  2. What initially motivated Jessica to keep running?
    a. Her father’s encouragement
    b. The cheering crowd
    c. Claire’s dire need for treatment
    d. Her love of running

  3. How did Jessica’s father react to her plan to run marathons?
    a. He fully supported her idea
    b. He begged her to stop and take care of herself
    c. He offered to train with her
    d. He ignored her plan

  4. What did Jessica always say whenever Claire needed help?
    a. “I’ll figure it out.”
    b. “I’ll run again.”
    c. “We’ll make it through.”
    d. “You’ll be okay.”

  5. How did Jessica prepare for the marathons?
    a. By hiring a professional coach
    b. By waking up early and training every day
    c. By reading books on running
    d. By running with a group

  6. What was the outcome of the first marathon?
    a. Jessica came in second place
    b. Jessica crossed the finish line and won
    c. Jessica injured herself and couldn’t finish
    d. Jessica got lost during the race

  7. What was Claire’s reaction when Jessica told her about the plan?
    a. She laughed and thought it was a joke
    b. She told Jessica it was a crazy but loving gesture
    c. She asked Jessica not to do it
    d. She ignored the idea completely

  8. How did Jessica prove her commitment to helping Claire?
    a. By organizing a fundraiser
    b. By working overtime and running marathons
    c. By donating all her savings
    d. By asking the community for help

  9. What did Jessica’s determination inspire in the community?
    a. They started cheering her on during races
    b. They donated money to Claire’s treatment
    c. They organized a marathon in Jessica’s honor
    d. They joined Jessica in her races

  10. What lesson did Jessica’s journey teach her?
    a. That running was the ultimate solution to everything
    b. That resilience and love could overcome any challenge
    c. That community support mattered more than individual effort
    d. That it’s better to avoid difficult challenges

Answers: Multiple-Choice Questions

  1. b – To win prize money for Claire’s treatment

  2. c – Claire’s dire need for treatment

  3. b – He begged her to stop and take care of herself

  4. b – “I’ll run again.”

  5. b – By waking up early and training every day

  6. b – Jessica crossed the finish line and won

  7. b – She told Jessica it was a crazy but loving gesture

  8. b – By working overtime and running marathons

  9. a – They started cheering her on during races

  10. b – That resilience and love could overcome any challenge

 

Thought-Provoking Question

  • Do you think Jessica’s decision to risk her own health for Claire was justified, or should she have found another way to help?

  • Why?