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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.