The Racing Gloves

What special equipment do you think a wheelchair athlete needs?

1 Julio and Tasha sat on the porch drinking lemonade and eating pretzels that Julio’s Uncle Jorge had made earlier that morning. Tasha popped the last bite of pretzel in her mouth and dusted the salt from her hands. “Your pretzels are great,” Tasha told Uncle Jorge when she saw him wheel into the doorway. “I’ve never eaten homemade soft pretzels before. ”

2 “They’re easy to make,” said Uncle Jorge. “Next time you come over, I’ll show you and Julio how to make them,” he added, maneuvering his wheelchair down the ramp that led from the front door to the porch.

3 A mail truck pulled up in front of the house, and a moment later, the postal carrier came up the front walk carrying a stack of mail and a small brown package.

4 “Who is the package from, Uncle Jorge?” asked Julio eagerly.

5 Uncle Jorge opened the box and removed a pair of odd-looking gloves from the crumpled brown wrapping paper. “I’ve been waiting for these,” he said, trying on the gloves. He flexed his fingers back and forth several times. “I’m going to be racing in the Boston Marathon this spring,” he told Tasha and Julio.

6 “I don’t think I knew that the race in Boston was a marathon,” said Julio, inspecting one of his uncle’s gloves. “You haven’t raced in a marathon before, have you?” 7 “This will be my second,” said Uncle Jorge. “I’ve completed plenty of shorter races during the past ten years. Last year, I did my first marathon, and I qualified for the Boston Marathon. My best friend, who is a wheelchair racer too, placed third in his age group in last year’s Boston Marathon. We have a friendly competition going, so that’s given me incentive to stick to my training schedule. ”

8 “Is your racing chair very different from your everyday chair?” asked Tasha.

9 Uncle Jorge nodded. “It has two large wheels like this chair does,” he said, gesturing to his wheelchair, “but it also has a third, smaller wheel in front. Sports tires are also different than my everyday tires. ” He grinned. “It’s kind of like the difference between wearing running shoes and loafers. ”

10 “Do a lot of wheelchair racers compete in the Boston Marathon?” asked Julio, dipping a piece of pretzel in some spicy mustard.

11 “It’s considered one of the most prestigious races,” replied Uncle Jorge. “Other than the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Boston Marathon is the only race in the world for which you have to meet a qualifying time in order to participate.

12 Tasha and Julio exchanged glances. “I wish it was closer to home so we could go along and cheer for you,” said Julio.

13 Uncle Jorge looked at him thoughtfully. “Let me talk to your parents,” he said. “Maybe you can drive up with Aunt Amelia and me the night before the race. ” He smiled at Julio and Tasha. “I’m going to need the biggest cheering section I can get!”

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

82

1. What analogy does Uncle Jorge make when he is talking about his everyday tires as compared to his racing tires?

2. How is a racing wheelchair different from a regular wheelchair? How are they similar?

Write F before the sentences that are facts. Write O before the sentences that are opinions.

3. _____ Uncle Jorge has completed a marathon before.

4. _____ Uncle Jorge will probably complete the marathon in less time than his friend.

5. _____ Tasha and Julio ate the pretzels Uncle Jorge baked.

6. _____ The package contained Uncle Jorge’s racing gloves.

7. _____ Uncle Jorge makes the best soft pretzels.

8. Check the words that best describe Uncle Jorge.

_____ impatient

_____ competitive

determined

_____ lonely

enthusiastic

9. How is the Boston Marathon different from most other races?

10. What kind of relationship do Uncle Jorge and his best friend have?

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

83