I remember in the first part of the race I was sixth and I could have gone quicker, but I had to go slow. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I couldn't disappoint people. I did not want to fail and exhaust myself, because I was the kind of runner who trained so little that I couldn't race again within another 10 days.
I was really happy with my race, though. I beat my personal best by 1.2 seconds.
I don't recall ever desiring to go as fast as possible.
I came second in a 1,500-metre running race at school. I knew I couldn't have come first, so second was my version of first.
I'm disappointed that I really haven't been able to race in a way that is reflective of the amount of work that I have done and how I have trained. But I don't regret giving this a go.
Every time I go out and race it's a goal to go out and run faster than I've done before.
I raced supremely well. I felt I was as well fitted to do it as I had ever been, and as perhaps I might ever be. I went climbing three weeks before, because I was feeling fed up with running.
This is a business, and no one enters a race not to finish first. I wouldn't say I'm in it for the competition, but I'm certainly not just in it to coast along. I want to be the best I possibly can be.
You had to decompress the pressure before the race. I taught my heart to relax. I lay down before the race. It gave me more energy just before the race.
I don't remember my first race, but I do recall various school sports days where I became way too competitive. We were seven or eight years old, and I had a very stern conversation with my relay team-mates about how crucial it was for us to win.