I wouldn't say there was a moment of realization when I wanted to be a runner; it was always just something I was.

I always liked running as a kid. You know how eating chocolate or ice cream makes you feel good? That's the same way that running and competing makes me feel.

The desire definitely comes from within. There are only a few people who make it to this level and those are the ones who have that innate desire.

I won't back down. I get a satisfaction from being tested and defeating the test.

You can't really explain competing in Olympic event to someone. You can say, "Oh, that was really tough." And that literally means nothing to someone. If you can give some sort of comparison, because that's really all track and field is about any way....Usain Bolt runs a time and you get to see what everybody else's time is. It would just be interesting to compare Olympians to somebody who doesn't train their whole life.

I'm not maximized yet.

I want to see where I measure up against everyone in the world and everyone who has ever competed in the sport, and there's that innate sense of wanting to challenge myself. I'm competitive in all aspects.