I had a series of childhood illnesses... scarlet fever.... pneumonia.... Polio. I walked with braces until I was at least nine years old. My life wasn't like the average person who grew up and decided to enter the world of sports.

I knew that whatever I set my mind to do. I could do.

I had a series of childhood illnesses... scarlet fever.... pneumonia.... Polio. I walked with braces until I was at least nine years old. My life wasn't like the average person who grew up and decided to enter the world of sports.

My mother taught me very early to believe I could achieve any accomplishment I wanted to. The first was to walk without braces.

When the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome.

I loved the feeling of freedom in running, the fresh air, the feeling that the only person I'm competing with is me.

It doesn't matter what you're trying to accomplish. It's all a matter of discipline. I was determined to discover what life held for me beyond the inner-city streets.