Japan, not only a mega-busy city that thrives on electronics and efficiency, actually has an almost sacred appreciation of nature. One must travel outside of Tokyo to truly experience the 'old Japan' and more importantly feel these aspects of Japanese culture.

Generally, speed skaters don't run that much. I'm a little bit of an exception in that I run a lot.

I tend to build bulk and muscle easily, and running seems to make sure I stay kind of stringy, if that makes sense.

If you put your mind to something, if you give 100 percent, if you sacrifice, and if you dedicate yourself, anything is truly possible.

Olympic athletes have to find a job right after they're done competing.

Winning does not always mean coming in first...real victory is in arriving at the finish line with no regrets because you know you've gone all out.

I could never focus on my upper body as a skater, so I'm enjoying having symmetrical upper and lower body muscle.