I deliberately returned slowly to training after Raphael was born and everything, apart from being bitten by a dog while out training in Monaco at the beginning of the year, has gone pretty well.

Plenty of people who are 38 have run really well in the marathon.

I set myself some specific goals, but the key one is just getting myself into as good a shape as possible for one day this year: the Olympic marathon.

Go in any direction..seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.

I was glad I did a year abroad, because it helped me as an athlete and as a person. That took me out of my comfort zone. Watching the French athletes train in the Pyrenees made me realise what I had to do to become a top athlete.

I've been to three Olympics and I don't feel I've ever quite achieved my best at any of them.

Every time I go out and race it's a goal to go out and run faster than I've done before.