I was glad I did a year abroad, because it helped me as an athlete and as a person. That took me out of my comfort zone. Watching the French athletes train in the Pyrenees made me realise what I had to do to become a top athlete. Paula Radcliffe More Quotes by Paula Radcliffe More Quotes From Paula Radcliffe Never set limits, go after your dreams, don't be afraid to push the boundaries. And laugh a lot - it's good for you! Paula Radcliffe dream success motivational Today was not about times, it was about getting in there, enjoying the race, and enjoying the atmosphere Paula Radcliffe atmosphere race running Go in any direction..seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs. Paula Radcliffe sight feet running You can be strong and true to yourself without being rude or loud. Paula Radcliffe true-to-yourself being-strong rude You can't become a winner overnight, or even in a couple of years-it takes time... You will lose races and you will have to accept that, learn from it and believe that you'll win the next one, knowing that you'll probably lose that as well. All the time you have to keep believing that one day you will win. Paula Radcliffe couple running believe Actually I don't choose to expose myself in public. I choose to compete; the other side just comes with the package. Paula Radcliffe packages sides Every time I go out and race it's a goal to go out and run faster than I've done before. Paula Radcliffe race running sports From my training I can get a good idea of what I'm capable of. Paula Radcliffe training i-can ideas There's always going to be somebody who takes a dislike to you and you can't waste time worrying about it. Paula Radcliffe wasting-time waste worry In the marathon anything can happen. Paula Radcliffe anything-can-happen marathon happens I start planning then that's dangerous because then I have a target that I'm blinkered towards and I won't listen to the warning signs quite so much. I'd rather be in shape and then look around and say there's a race next week and jump into that than have it planned. Paula Radcliffe target race next-week I have not had the chance to go out there and do myself justice in an Olympic marathon yet. I have not been able to get to an Olympic marathon injury-free yet. Paula Radcliffe able chance justice The biggest danger is trying to put too much pressure on yourself, trying to get in too good shape. Paula Radcliffe too-much shapes trying Doing the long endurance stuff seems to have given me the strength to sustain the speed. I think my body is just a lot stronger (thanks to the marathon)... By increasing the long runs, I found that does not take anything away from the speed but increases the strength on the track. Paula Radcliffe running long thinking As an athlete, there are advantages being with a team and getting regular physio... Paula Radcliffe advantage team athlete In the week before a race, I try to stay away from germ areas. I keep disinfectant wipes in my bag for when I have to use a supermarket trolley or something like that. Paula Radcliffe bags race trying I can't imagine living and not running. Paula Radcliffe imagine running sports The cheats always have a way of justifying their behaviour - everyone else is getting away with it, so why shouldn't I? But because they're so reliant on the drugs - and the drugs are not always perfect, you're not guaranteed to peak at a big event - they don't have the confidence to look in the mirror and know that they can go out and give their best. If you're clean and you've prepared well for a race, that's where you have an edge. Paula Radcliffe drug perfect giving You see, with me, when I'm nervous, I smile and laugh. Paula Radcliffe nervous smile laughing I actually got a nice surprise about being a mother because I expected it to be harder and to have to make more adaptations. Paula Radcliffe surprise nice mother
