Q. How does it make you feel to know you’ll be representing the United States in the Olympics?

A. I have represented the United States on a few occasions at the world championship level, and I have to say that putting on the USA uniform is pretty amazing. Other countries always want to trade for our uniforms. Representing this country for the Olympics is really the ultimate dream. It still blows my mind to think that I am one of the three people in the marathon that gets to represent the USA.

Q. What’s your mindset heading into the games?

A. I am definitely not taking a “happy to be there” approach. I plan to be in the best shape of my life and hope for the best with the heat and humidity.

Q. A lot has been made of the weather conditions in Beijing. How much of a concern is it to you?

A. I admit starting a marathon in 80-degree heat is a little daunting. The marathon is challenging under ideal conditions, so this one will probably be the toughest of my career. The United States is doing everything they can to help us prepare for the heat. We will have cold vests to warm up in — they’ll help to keep our core temperature down before the race. Also, most of the athletes are required to be in China two weeks prior to their event in order to have time get acclimated with the extreme conditions. Currently, I have been practicing drinking during all my runs and trying to run during the hottest part of the day.

Q. Aside from your event, what are some of the things you’re looking forward to while in Beijing?

A. I am hoping to go to the opening ceremonies, but the U.S. team is staying in Dailan (China), which is a plane ride away, so I am not sure if it is logistically possible. Other than that, I am looking forward to seeing the day-to-day culture in China and sampling some “real” Chinese food. Unfortunately, I won't get a chance to do much site-seeing before the race. But, I have already planned a trip to the Great Wall with my family and friends afterwards. I just hope I will be able to make it up all the stairs!

Q. Do you have any specific goals or things you’re trying to accomplish?

A. To be realistic, I’m aiming for a top-10 finish. My coach, Bob Sevene, coached gold medalist Joan Benoit in the 1984 Olympics. He also coached Cathy O’Brien, who finished 10th in 1988, so I think I am in good hands. The great thing about the marathon is that there is so much unpredictability — the favorite usually never wins.

Q. Could you talk about your training regimen leading up to the games?

A. Right now I am running 100 to 110 miles a week. I usually do one track workout a week, one longer marathon workout, and a long run up to 22 miles. I’ve been running anywhere from 10 to 20 miles a day, and that’s on my easy days — sometimes twice a day — along with lifting weights. I train every day with no days off until after the race.

Q. Your heartbreaking finish in the 2004 trials has been well-documented. What was different this time around?

A. It was really hard to rebound from just missing the Olympic team in 2004. Physically and mentally, I was just exhausted. I needed a few months to get my legs and heart back into training. But the great thing about running is that there’s always another race. My coach and I made a four-year plan to finally reach the Olympics. Of course we were not anticipating a major injury that would cause me to lose all of 2007! Prior to getting injured, had just PRed in the 1,500 meters to the marathon, so I had a lot of confidence to fall back on. I think that was the key going into 2008, knowing I could do it rather than hoping I could do it.

Q. Everyone knows injuries are a part of sports, but you’ve had one in particular that was extremely frustrating. Could you describe it?

A. The injury happened in 2006 when I dropped some heavy luggage on my foot. It was really my first serious layoff [from running]. In hindsight, I cracked my second metatarsal (right in the middle of my foot) and then kept running on it. That is until it broke all the way through during a track race in Switzerland. Unfortunately, it got misdiagnosed when I returned and I was still trying to run. I finally got a bone scan and I had to wear a boot for eight weeks. Recovering from the damage from running on a broken bone and compensating for it was worse than the actual fracture. Runners can be so stubborn. It was a good year before I could run without excruciating pain. Actually, I considered retiring because I did not think my body would cooperate. But I am happy to say that I feel 100 percent now.

Q. Shifting gears, could you talk a little bit about your ties to Winston-Salem?

A. I was born at Forsyth Hospital in Winston-Salem and attended Forsyth Country Day School from kindergarten through the 12th grade. I graduated in 1993. I think I have my 15-year high school reunion this summer — ouch. After high school, I went to UNC Chapel Hill and walked on to the cross country and track team. My dad, John Phillips, and his wife, Debbie, live in Winston along with my uncle and aunt, Len and Anita Wilson. Other than my mom and sister, who live in California, the rest of my family lives in eastern North CarolinA.

Q. You’re a California resident now — certainly a long way from North CarolinA. What do you miss about this area?

A. I always have to hit Krispy Kreme when I go visit my dad back in Winston. We have been known to stop right after he picks me up from the airport. I also love the smells, particularly after a summer thunderstorm, and the sound of the bugs at night. I miss running around Salem Lake and some of my other favorite places. More importantly though, I miss the friendliness of the people. I remember coming back to Winston with my college roommate, who was from New York. People would wave or strike up a conversation with us out of the blue. She asked if I knew them and I said, ‘No, that’s just what people do in Winston-Salem.’ It freaked her out, and she still talks about it.

Q. Your husband also has some ties to Winston-Salem, correct?

A. Jon is from Boston, but ran track at Wake Forest University. He was a great runner in college — an ACC Champion and All-American in the 5000, 10000, and Steeple. It's great to have a husband who understands what it takes to keep running at this level.

Q. Talk about your earliest memories of running. What initially drew you to it?

A. My earliest memories are of me running around the P.E. course at Forsyth Country Day. We had a mile course through the woods with a lot of hills and a fast downhill finish. I loved the sensation of running, but I never considered doing it competitively until Marcus Reynolds [a student] called and recruited me to the cross country team because they need more runners. My high-school coach, Doug Pierce, created a great balance between fun and competition. I ran cross country all four years and won two state titles. I also ran track and won 11 out of 12 state titles in the 800, mile, and two mile [events]. My times were solid, but by no means stellar. It was encouraging though, because I improved every race. Believe it or not, my best friend from high school, Susan Sloan, and her husband, David Frisco, are coming to Beijing to watch me run!