My key to dealing with stress is simple: just stay cool and stay focused.
I always try to do better than I have before, so I think it would be good to break the world record.
I won't back down. I get a satisfaction from being tested and defeating the test.
That is when the crowd really lifted me. That last 600 meters I was not running with my own legs. It was incredible.
I remember growing up, having sports to go to, having recess, those were the things I looked forward to. Yes, I'm an athlete, but I had buddies who weren't, and they looked forward to it, too.
I guess the decathlon's never an easy walkthrough.
The more you do, the more attrition you experience.
The great thing about this is, and not to pump my own tires, but I feel like I'm not maximized yet. I feel like I can still run faster, jump higher, which I think makes it special. Hopefully, going to London, I'll be welcomed into the decathlon community.
When I was growing up, I used to watch 'Power Rangers' and 'Ninja Turtles.' It seemed like every movie had someone doing martial arts in it, so I would go around punching and kicking trees.
When I'm later in the competition, I get antsy. I'm seeing everybody else go and achieve things. It's like I'm just twiddling my thumbs.
You try to figure out the best way to throw the shot put, or the perfect way to long jump, and you don't ever get it. You just chip away, chip away, chip away as time goes on.
Now that I'm older, I see the benefits of having free time to release energy.
If I won a second Olympic title, maybe I would be tempted to go after a third.
I think a challenge for myself is to see how many times I can get above 9,000. That would be a good challenge.
I can't remember when I wasn't running around doing some sort of a sporting activity.
I would like to have a decathlon where all of my throws are really consistent and set the tone. That I'm good all-around, not just a speed and jump guy.
I don't have one specific person that I think is the most athletic person.
I'm not much of a gym rat; I'd rather be running, but if it enables me to run faster, then I guess I can tough it out.
That's what we want people to do. Select a goal or gold and go after it.
I want to see where I measure up against everyone in the world and everyone who has ever competed in the sport, and there's that innate sense of wanting to challenge myself. I'm competitive in all aspects.
