I like to say, and I truly believe, that every run brings new experiences. You just don't know what they might be until you actually do the run. That's one of my major reasons for pushing out the front door as often as I do-the adventure of it all.

Everyone stumbles at one time or another. It's the human condition

That's the beauty of starting lines: Until you begin a new venture, you never know what awaits you.

Motivation is a skill. It can be learned and practiced.

Why run? I run because I am an animal. I run because it is part of my genetic wiring. I run because millions of years of evolution have left me programmed to run. And finally, I run because there’s no better way to see the sun rise and set... What the years have shown me is that running clarifies the thinking process as well as purifies the body. I think best - most broadly and most fully - when I am running.

I've always liked hills. I see a challenge, a goal, and I feel instantly galvanized to achieve that goal.

Best wishes for a great marathon. Be sure to savor it. The first marathon is something special. Run long and healthy.