You don't run 26 miles at five minutes a mile on good looks and a secret recipe.

I admire runners older than I - they are now my heroes. I want to be like them as I grow older.

Experience has taught me how important it is to just keep going, focusing on running fast and relaxed. Eventually it passes and the flow returns. It's part of racing.

As I've been able to once again gain the benefits of speed work, I'm enjoying my running more and more.

Three half-mile repeats on the track at 5-K race pace with a short recovery jog in between shouldn't scare anyone away-and it will improve your speed.

I also held several masters running titles.

I think it is that parents just don't kick their kids out the door as much as they used to. I think the demise of sandlot sports has had a lot to do with it.