Quote

I've had a lot of success over the years racing in New York, but the main point is that I feel the marathon is a different event, a lot more my event.

Whenever I'm being invited to the New York City Marathon like today, I need to think twice because I know it's a very tough race.

I couldn't be more excited to return to the ING New York City Marathon.

The Cardiff Half Marathon has already proved itself to be one of the biggest and best road races in the U.K., and when the best athletes in the world run on the same course, the times should be spectacular. But the real beauty of this event is that ordinary runners get the chance to line up on the same start line as the best athletes in the world.

What I think a lot of great marathon runners do is envision crossing that finish line. Visualization is critical. But for me, I set a lot of little goals along the way to get my mind off that overwhelming goal of 26.2 miles. I know I've got to get to 5, and 12, and 16, and then I celebrate those little victories along the way.

Marathons are hard because of the physical pain, the pounding on the muscles, joints, tendons.

I don't have great running technique, but I like to run. I've heard from countless people that the last six miles of the marathon is all mental. But what better city to have this in than New York City where there are millions of people there supporting you?

In the marathon a crazy athlete can just keep pushing from the beginning, at a championship you don't need a time just to win the race.

Have you seen a marathon race? Some runners will be leading right from the first - but after the halfway mark, it is the runners at the back who take over while the early leaders fade out.

I try to avoid the temptation with time as a total indicator for what my possibilities are for the marathon. It's the not the best indicator, but it's more how you feel, how you cover the distance and how you are able to do the training afterward.