My doctor told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.

I ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never give up, no matter what else happened.

Believe me, the reward is not so great without the struggle.

Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.

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

I believe in me more than anything in this world.