You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.

I have a positive mental attitude, and I think I'm divine, but I also think it takes a heck of a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

For me, running against the Poles and Czechs would be like running against high school kids. And I hate all this gung-ho, run-for-the-red-white-and-blue attitude that the AAU spouts. If that's important to some people, fine, more power to 'em. But, damn it, I wish they'd leave me alone to do what I want to do -- run against the best.

Having a true faith is the most difficult thing in the world. Many will try to take it from you.

The AAU doesn't care about the athletes; why should I care about them?

If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

You probably choose x-country because you were too small to play football.

Don't be afraid to give up the good for the great.

It doesn't feel that good when you're ahead the whole way.

What I want is to be number one.

If you can make money with your talents, why not?

It's hard to run a mile when you're not a miler and to kick when you've led all the way.

I knew I had to show everybody that I could excel at something. But I didn't know what.

If I want to go to Europe and get thrashed by the Europeans, that's my business. Every race I lose I learn from and get tougher.

To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.

I like to be able to go out to dinner once in a while. I like to be able to drive my MG up the McKenzie River on a weekday afternoon. I like to be able to pay my bills on time.

A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they're capable of understanding.

I don't just go out there and run. I like to give people watching something exciting.

This is my last year at Oregon, and it means a lot to me. The people have been great to me up there, so if I have to run three races to win the Pac-8 title, I'll do it. Oh, sure, I'll probably be tired, but the people shouting will carry me across the finish line.

Something inside of me just said 'Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him,' and I just took off.