Quotes By Paula Radcliffe

You can wish as hard as you like but all that really matters is the shape you're in on the day of the race. I've always felt these really big races aren't necessarily won by whoever is the fastest. They're won by the athlete who is the smartest and in the best shape on the day.

I don't like going away from my children.

I have been doing 120 miles a week, when normally I would do about 140.

I can swim I'm not bad, but not great.

Yeah, ideally, I'd probably wish to be more anonymous. But scrutiny and success go together. And I want to be successful.

You can be strong and true to yourself without being rude or loud.

Plenty of people who are 38 have run really well in the marathon.

I don't feel guilty in having pleasure!

I deliberately returned slowly to training after Raphael was born and everything, apart from being bitten by a dog whilst out training in Monaco at the beginning of the year, has gone pretty well.

I'm confident of what I have to achieve in the buildup to London 2012.

If 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.

From my training I can get a good idea of what I'm capable of.

You see, with me, when I'm nervous, I smile and laugh.

I have always loved running on the roads, ever since I used to take part in relays for my club when I was 12 and 13. I felt really at home on the surface.

It's important that athletes can compete on a level playing field. And youngsters coming into the sport can know that if they are working hard and training hard, they'll see a true reflection of where they stand and what they can achieve worldwide and not be swayed by people who are cheating.

A half marathon is a good way to have a bit of fun and race against those girls and learn a bit more about them.The world half marathon is a world championship at the end of the day and it's important. I've win it twice and it's a quality event.

In the marathon anything can happen.

If you look back at my marathons and ask whether I would swap one of them for my one balls-up, of course I would. But you can't choose. You have to make the best of it on the day.

As an athlete, there are advantages being with a team and getting regular physio.

I prefer just a women's race. It's a totally different game mentally.

Never set limits, go after your dreams, don't be afraid to push the boundaries. And laugh a lot - it's good for you!

Every time I go out and race it's a goal to go out and run faster than I've done before.