Athlete Quotes

The big thing is hydrating the day before the race. I will have 20 ounces of water right when I get up in the morning the day before, and I'll drink throughout the day.

More than the time, it's about how you feel - you want to be strong throughout the race.

It took years, honestly, to deal with the disappointment of Beijing.

I've always said that racing in New York is performing on the big stage.

I try to avoid the temptation with time as a total indicator for what my possibilities are for the marathon. It's the not the best indicator, but it's more how you feel, how you cover the distance and how you are able to do the training afterward.

I think the biggest thing was that I was putting pressure on myself leading up to Beijing. Now I am learning how to take that pressure off and seeing this as an incredible opportunity, but not like, 'I absolutely have to medal.'

I think sometimes you can study guys and build them into giants that they are not.

I really didn't feed off the whole Olympic experience at all, and I regret that from an athletic perspective, and also from a personal experience. I feel like I missed out, so I'm not going to do that this time.

I race kind of sparingly.

I may not drink an electrolyte beverage during the race. If I am running in an hour, I won't need one. But if you're running an hour-and-a-half to two hours or more, maybe you need a little bit of the electrolytes.

I don't really study the guys that I'm racing against.

I don't know how you keep the world record holder off your team.

I couldn't be more excited to return to the ING New York City Marathon.

For most of the track world, the Olympic year is such a huge year, and it's a big year for us marathoners too.

But it is nice to know that you have other races lined up, because sometimes you can get so focused on your next marathon that it can become kind of unhealthy in some ways. So it's nice to have something else to slap you in the face and say, all right, there is life after the Olympics.

It's kind of nice in some ways having an Olympic Trials where I finished second. You can kind of go in more under the radar facing a 2:03 guy and facing a lot of dudes who are faster than I am, whereas, before Beijing, I had one of the top 10 times in the field, or something like that.

There is no formula to making it to the NFL other than good fortune and and playing well in college.

Sports are not for everyone.

Part of my success was having a place to play as a kid.

On certain plays and situations I feel like I have the advantage. But sometimes I just have to not think about the size of the guy in front of me.

My two favorite things about being a pro player are Sunday afternoons being able to excite many fans and the money because I get to treat my family and friends and myself to nice things.

My favorite NBA team are the houston rockets and favorite college team are the duke blue devils.

If I had the hand strength to sign autographs for everybody in Kansas City, I would... but its just impossible to get to everyone.

I would want my legacy to be that I was a great son, father and friend.

I never dislike anyone that I am in competition with. I welcome the challenge. Besides, I get along with just about everyone.

I love to play pool.

I love my relationship with Coach Vermeil because it is one of the few genuine relationships that I have.

I love all sports.

Every time I fumble or drop a ball I am embarrassed.

Anything that is unexpected is the X-factor.