Athlete Quotes

Senior Men's 12K

Abdi Abdirahman (Tuscon, Arizona): It was real tough...I didn't run my race (at the start), and got stuck early, and I got cut off...and by the time I got to the front the gap was so big and I decided to hang with the second group. All things considered, I'm happy with my race...I wished I would've gone out with the first group I felt like I had a lot left. I think I passed about three guys in the last lap...the course was hard, and it took a lot out of me, but it's a good thing that I like to run hills...every time we came up on the hill I would close the gap a little...the hill helped me out.

Matt Downin (Madison, Wisconsin): I felt really good going into the race; I felt like I was in really good shape. I got a blister around the second lap and it kept getting worse and worse, and I couldn't take anymore, so I stopped. I felt pretty good, and with Dathan there I thought I could hang with him. I dropped out with about 3 1/2 laps to go...I just couldn't take any more.

Greg Jimmerson (Los Altos, California): I was pretty pleased. I got out a little bit slow. I just didn't have quite the juice. I knew I wasn't quite in the fitness or shape I wanted to be in going into the meet, but I felt like I could give it a good run, and I did. I moved up pretty well, and so I was happy with it. Someone had said that Matt had dropped out, and that there's only five so you've got to stick with it, so it gave me a little bit more motivation to keep going. Overall, it's awesome to be a part of this group.

Meb Keflezighi (Chula Vista, California): Obviously, it was a fast start, and I was up in the front. I tried to work with Abdi, but I ran into a bit of trouble with the stitch in the right side. I was picking it up off and on, and it would go away. I felt the stitch coming on about the third lap. I have problems with the stitch on and off, and it's unpredictable. Sometimes I never see it, and sometimes, when it comes, it's pretty bad. I was trying to rub it down with my right hand. Abdi ran a great race, and I think everyone else ran pretty well...Matt had that injury.

Dathan Ritzenhein (Rockford, Michigan): I knew I had to get out a little bit faster and if you don't, then they don't come back to you. I went out a little bit faster than (Colorado coach Mark Wetmore) would've liked me to, but I stayed back. Instead of moving up with 2 laps to go, I moved up with 4 laps to go. I was trying to get into the top 20, and at one point I was about 21st, and then they passed me. I worked my way back up, and I was gaining on the group, but it was too short. The 12K is so competitive.

Clint Wells (Boulder, Colorado): I got out fine but I couldn't move up, but then the soft surface started sucking up my energy, then soon you get settled down into a pace and my race didn't happen. I just hung on as best as I could. The last two times I was at Worlds I felt better, but it was still a good experience. I still have a lot of work to do.

Senior Women's 8K

Deena Drossin (Mammoth Lake, California): I knew that this was going to be a tough race, and it was the fact that we had a strong team going into the meet that kept me going, and to give me the spirit to run faster than I ever have before.

(comparing and contrasting the current team with the team in Portugal, where Team USA placed third): I didnt have the expectations that I did with that team that I did with this team. Everyone is a leader on this team. Everyone has the credentials and strong bios backing them up. I had a fabulous team behind me, and we proved that by running so strongly.

(on the course conditions): Yesterday, we could attest on how beautiful this course was. It was warm and beautiful, and the sun was peeking out. We get off the bus, and these hurricane-type winds came whipping past us, so that was not the obstacle we were looking for, but definitely something we were fighting againstI am used to running against the wind, but I dont like it.

(on Paula Radcliffes move on the last lap): Her move was more gradual, and coming uphill towards the finish, I felt like I was gaining on her, but I didnt make a move to try and reel her in. I was ecstatic and content with second place. I respect Paula and everything shes done in the sport, but when the gun goes off, shes also my competitor. I was trying to push the pace, and trying to set it on my own terms.

I felt extremely strong from my marathon training in the fall, after running New York, and that training carried over into cross country season. I had a lot of strength backing me up going into this race. I wanted to push it right from the start, and didnt want it to come down to some sort of kick.

Colleen De Reuck (Boulder, Colorado): I slipped down to 6th or 8th position on the third lap, on the last lap coming up into the wind I made up some space and going down into the golf course I was third and I looked up and thought Oh wow! Americans in second and third place - thats great. I didnt want a sprint finish, but thats what I had. It was too my advantage because it was in the rough section and into the wind so strength came into play. I didnt want to lose any positions since I knew it was like a real team event and I didnt want to be the one who caused the team to sputter. It was a great inspiration to me to look up and see Deena in second and I just wanted to hold third place. I think its so great for the States to have second and third. I really enjoyed running on this team; theyve made me feel so welcome. Ive been running a long time and Im almost 38 for me to get a medal at World Champs! Its just wonderful to be part of the team.

Jen Rhines (Saint Davids, Pennsylvania): It was really the team race that got me going. The last lap was tough, but I figured that I have to at least get the two KenyansI didnt want to lose a medal and have it placed on my headI just tried to run as hard as I can.

I heard someone yell at me saying that Deena and Colleen were second and third, so I told myself that I have to get it together.

Milena Glusac (Fallbrook, California): It was an incredible honor to be a part of this teamwe ran our hearts out for our country. I really tried to move up on the last lapI could hear people yelling that there were three women in front of me and two behind me. I couldve been a little stronger in the last lap.

Elva Dryer (Albuquerque, N.M.): race wasnt the best, but everyone else made up for it. Everyone ran fantastic and Im proud to be a part of such a great group of people. This wasnt your typical European cross country course, but we had the windAmy and I tried to talk to each other and keep us going and try to keep our pack time down, and keep in contact with the rest of the teamI felt like I was fighting myself for the whole race, even though I started out well.

Amy Rudolph (Providence, R.I.): Things didnt go as well as I wanted to but it went well for the rest of the team. The last two laps were pretty tough for me. The wind was pretty tough. Im sorry that I couldnt have done more for the team. Elva and I tried to work togetherthose girls just ran their hearts out. The coaches kept us informed throughout the race where everyone was. I heard the coaches say (Drossin and De Reuck) 2-3, and that kept me going.

Senior Mens 4K

Jorge Torres (Boulder, Colorado): It was windy in the beginning, but I was able to get out fast any way. I was around 30th early on, but I just kept pushing it and with about a kilometer left to go I was around the 15th or 16th spot. From there I tried to catch as many people as I could. It was a race that was really technical and the results are not that bad. I was trying to shoot for the top-10, but this is not that bad. There were some ruts in the course that would cause your foot to move left and right. It was definitely a strength course, and for the track runners it was tougher.

Matt Lane (Williamsburg, Virginia): The wind is pretty tough out there and the grass is pretty long. Overall it was good. I felt like I was going lactic real early, but I had a real good finish I thought. This is my first real senior world championship and its a new world. Were on the up-and-up. The U.S. is on the up-and-up. It just felt good to be out there at the level I want to be competing in.

Jared Cordes (Madison, Wisconsin): I didnt get out as fast as some of the other guys did. By the time I crossed the starting line there was only about ten other guys who were back there with me. I saw the whole field up ahead of me and I started picking off guys 1 or 2 at a time in trying to climb my way up.

Dave Davis (Portland, Oregon): I felt terrible pretty much the whole time. I dont know, it just wasnt a good race for me. I just felt flat and could never get into a decent rhythm. I just felt like I was all over the place struggling the whole time.

Tony Cosey (Knoxville, Tennessee): It didnt go very well. I felt all right pre-race, but with all the bumping and shoving going on it was difficult. This is one of the hardest courses Ive on. You can find excuses all day long, but its the same out there for everyone. My fitness just wasnt where it shouldve been today. The track season is coming up and Ive got some work to do.

Jonathan Riley (Palo Alto, California): It was a real difficult race. I had trouble getting out and I felt like I was stretching the whole way. I was never able to settle down, and in a race that short and that fast you need to be able to cruise

Senior Women's 4K

Suzy Favor Hamilton (New Glarus, Wisconsin): With about a lap to go I was surprised where I was. I was counting the places in front of me and I was surprised where I was. My goal was to get in the top ten, and I achieved that and surpassed it so I'm extremely happy. I'm really disappointed that Regina was not here. With her on our team we most certainly would've won a team medal, without a doubt. I feel like it's a shame that she didn't show up. I know she's training for the steeplechase and in my mind it makes no sense that she didn't come here. In my mind cross country is excellent training if you're doing the steeplechase. Without a doubt I would compete in this race again. After Vancouver I told myself, 'Oh my God, what are you doing?' We were so fired up after seeing the women's team take the silver. We wanted to be on that podium, and we could've been if our number one runner at the Trials would've been here. It just shows that the Americans have a lot of depth now and I think we're going to open some eyes in the distance world. We're starting to show our potential, which is exciting.

Carrie Tollefson (Edina, Minnesota): Knowing what I know now I probably would've been more aggressive on the first half of that second lap as opposed to trying to save it for a big kick. It's really hard to kick, and this is the kind of race where you just can't save anything. You have to give it all, all the time. These people out there are very good. You have to keep digging the whole way because there is no break. It's a good day. I'm very pleased. I expect a lot from myself. I want to be the best in the country.

Sarah Hann (Winchester, N.H.): It went out a little fast for me. This is the World Championships and I'm not used to the pace. I fell down on the first race and that messed me up a little bit. This was a good experience and I could see my team the whole way, which helped me along.

Sarah Toland (Boulder, Colorado): I was really nervous because I'm not used to races where we go out so fast. I consider myself more of a 4K runner really and not a sprinter, so when it went out as fast as it did it shocked me a little bit. I stuck to what I did at Cross Country Nationals in Vancouver, where I went out slow and went out to catch people. I felt really good and I wish I wouldn't have got so nervous so I could've put more aggression into the race.

Mary Jayne Harrelson (Blacksburg, Virginia): This race I expected to be tough, and you can never be prepared enough. My goal was to go out and stay with the top girls as long as I could. I was there for about the first 1,500 meters before I started getting passed. I just wanted to finish the best I could, and that was the best I could do today.

Janet Trujillo (Superior, Colorado): It was a little bit tougher than I thought. I didn't relax until about a half a mile into it because I was cold and had lost my breath. I was just trying to pick off people as I went along. I just couldn't really get it going. I had a little bit of trouble with the footing at the beginning.

Junior Men's 8K

Bill Nelson (Bakersfield, California): I always get out fast and that's my key, and then I settle back in. In this race I kinda changed it up with there being so many good people. So I got out quick and I got in the big pack and got a little frustrated until it cleared out a little bit. I caught my stride and then just started picking off people one-by-one. This was great. It was wonderful.

Rod Koborsi (Houston, Texas): It went out really quick and we expected that. I just kept trying to move up. I saw Bobby (Lockhart) up ahead of me and I worked to catch up to him and then we worked together. It worked well and that's how we finished it up. My throat is killing me right now, but it was worth it. It was a great race. You walk around and you can feel people look at you and cheer for you because you're USA.

Bobby Lockhart (Winchester, Virginia): I tried to push it for the first three laps and then see what I might have left. I know I don't have the base for this race, but I came in wanting to do well. I think I did an okay job. Honestly, to tell you the truth I just didn't have the strength. Right now I feel I'm in much better track shape, but I've had a great time running in international competition and being on the team. The last 600 meters my legs were shot.

Zachary Sabatino (Charleston, W.V.): I went out real fast and it was real physical and I stumbled a couple times in the beginning. It's just racing and it's a nice experience. This is the kind of race that you can't just do want you want to do. You can't dictate here, so I just had to play chase and it's hard catching them. I didn't run great, but I had a wonderful experience being a part of this team.

Yong Sung-Leal (San Leandro, California): It was alright, though the start wasn't very good. I couldn't hear the officials in the back and before I knew it the gun went off and it was a big surprise. Some guy pushed me and I got spiked by Zach (Sabatino) in the knee and then I got knocked behind. Then after the first lap I just worked to improve and catch other runners. Besides the start I thought it was a good race. Overall it was a good experience.

Tim Moore (Novi, Michigan): I wanted to go out hard because I wanted to give myself a chance to compete. After that I didn't feel good. This was fun hanging out with the guys, learning from the senior team members and watching the races. It is a great experience. I have no regrets about it.

Junior Womens 6K

Erika Odlaug: The race was greatI did what I wanted to doI started out patiently, and each lap I wanted to keep moving up and moving upI was on my own for a little bit, then I heard someone yell that I was 18th, and that gave me a lift. I tried to tell myself that I wanted to get into the top ten. Ive been doing a lot of strength training, so in the end I couldnt get any turnover.

(going uphill into the wind in the thick grass): I tried to be patient during that part of the race. I tried not to fight it, and just go with it, and not waste a whole lot of energy on it. The grass is so thick that it will hold you back.

Maria Cicero (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts): I wanted to compete in this race before I took my break and start training for the outdoor season. Im not totally happy with my fitness level, but Im happy. That hill at the end was really tough. This was quite an experience, one that I hope to have a lot more of.

Valerie Lauver (Allen, Texas): Im really excited with the race today. It went really wellwe all kinda saw each other, and I tried to stay with Nicole, and Nicole was trying to stay with Sara Bei. It was a lot of fun running with a team for once. The wind coming off the start was really strong, and Id try and get behind someone. I couldnt draft behind anyone, but the wind took the place of having no hills.

Nicole Lee: The ground was uneven, so you couldnt get a steady rhythmthe wind was the thing that slowed me down the mosttraveling and getting used to time schedules and meeting runners from all over the USAI never wouldve been able to meet all these runners if I werent on this teamalso watching runners from all over the worldthis experience will help me in future races.

Sara Bei (Palo Alto, California): That was great. There are so many unfamiliar faces. Back home you get used to racing against the same people and you know what to expect. This wasnt my best cross country race and we all did really well.

Kathryn Anderson (Provo, Utah): It was fun and there was a lot of people. It was really windy and there was a tough hill at the end. We all tried to keep together and finish in the top 50. We all did a good job.