Beating John Landy Was My Defining Race.

We Run, Not Because We Think It Is Doing Us Good, But Because We Enjoy It And Cannot Help Ourselves

I Think That Is A Universal Adolescent Feeling, Trying To Find Your Place. The Adolescent Who Is Perfectly Adjusted To His Environment, I've Yet To Meet.

When I Was About To Break A World Record And Become Well Known, My Mother Used To Say That For Her The Important Thing Was For Me To Become A Doctor - A Career Which Had Not Been Possible In Her Generation And In Her Society. Sport Was Something To Be Set Aside.

Every Time I Ran The Mile I Was Aware Of My Own Weakness, There Was Some Opponent Who Could Give Me A Hell Of A Fight, So I Never Went Into A Race With A Sense Of Invincibility. I Always Had That Feeling Of Fragility And Nerves Which Made Me Run Faster.

To Move Into The Lead Means Making An Act Requiring Fierceness And Confidence. But Fear Must Play Some Part...no Relaxation Is Possible, And All Discretion Is Thrown Into The Wind.