I will always be very proud that my team, University of Colorado, and I both came in 1st at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2000. In the history of the championships, that dual team/individual win has only been reached a few times. It was the perfect precursor to becoming the only collegiate woman to compete in the 5000m final at the Olympic Trials later that year. I came in 8th overall.

2007 marks the year I won the bronze medal for the United States in the 10,000m at the IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan. It was the first – and last – time that a U.S. athlete, man or woman, medaled at that distance in the championships.

In September 2007, I headed to Newcastle, England, and attempted my first race longer than a 10K: the Great North Run, a half marathon. I won the race with 1:06:57, set a new American best by 30 seconds, and recorded the women’s fastest-ever half marathon debut in the world — a distinction that still stands today.

In November 2008, I ran my first 26.2 race, the New York City Marathon. My time, 2:25:53, was the fastest-ever American women’s marathon debut and an American course record. I earned 3rd place and became the first American woman to finish in the top three in 14 years.

When I placed 3rd in the Boston Marathon in 2009, it was the first time in 24 years that an American man and an American woman both appeared on the podium. It was an honor to share the moment with Ryan Hall.

Winning the Chicago Half Marathon in 2009 was quite a surprise. I was in 30th place headed into the final mile, and then slowly worked my way up, taking the lead from the last man around the 11.5-mile mark. My time of 1:08.05 was the fastest of the entire race for both women and men.

I’ve never thought of myself as model material, but Adam tells me I’ve been on six Runner’s World magazine covers – more times than anyone else.