Life is a positive-sum game. Everyone from the gold medallist to the last finisher can rejoice in a personal victory.

The most important thing I learned [from running] is that there is only one runner in this race, and that is me.

No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences.

To keep from decaying, to be a winner, the athlete must accept pain - not only accept it, but look for it, live with it, learn not to fear it.

The answer to the big questions in running is the same as the answer to the big questions in life: Do the best with what you've got.

There are as many reasons for running as there are days in a year.... But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child.

I will not last forever. But I am damn well going to know I have been here.