For every finish-line tape a runner breaks -- complete with the cheers of the crowd and the clicking of hundreds of cameras -- there are the hours of hard and often lonely work that rarely gets talked about.

I'll never do that again!

Every day I spend time on the treadmill. I am walking faster, stronger and harder than I was two months ago.

You've got to look for tough competition. You've got to want to beat the best.

What Fred Lebow went through was an inspiration for me. You have to set goals for yourself.

One day you are happy and laughing and the next you are crying.

I don't think I would have been such a good runner if I hadn't enjoyed it.