Humans are a TOUGH animal! We can do anything.

If I performed poorly, I knew the eyes of the sports world would be turned away from me. In that situation I knew the NCAA would crush me for sure. But if I could run well, they would not dare to hit me with everyone looking in my direction. I HAD to have a good race.

I had on my team a girl who at age twelve just missed the world mile record for her age group. But at 20 she just couldn't run.

Speedwork is terribly overrated! I remember talking to runners after distance races and someone is sure to say they were able to run fast off base work with no speed work at all. The truth is speedwork doesn't work. Lots of miles, and then fast miles gets you there much quicker than speed work.

I never did cross training or lifted weights or put anything between myself and my passion for running.

I would instill in my team an attitude of role modeling. We run to teach other people the value of physical activity. In all things, be humble and appreciative; hurt no one; help anyone you can.

Based on my experience; I would develop fast speed before anything else. Get your young runners so they can run and teach them speed.