Mind games of the long-distance runner

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Speaking to the Standard at his winter training retreat in Kenya, the world 5,000-metre champion admitted he has not even checked the dates the Games start or when he is competing. He insists he won't visit the Stratford stadium before it is time to run.

He said: "I don't even think about it. I don't even know exactly when the Olympics is or when my heat is. I switch off and don't panic about it."
The 28-year old from Hounslow has moved with his wife and daughter to Oregon to work with his new coach Alberto Salazar who is credited with turning him into Britain's greatest long distance runner with a 10,000 metre silver to add to his 5,000 gold at the world championships.

But even on his trips back home - he was last in the UK to receive third place at the BBC Sports Personality Awards - he refuses to visit the Olympic site, adding: "I won't go in the stadium because a running track is a running track. I will go in for my heat and my final and that is it.

"It's not longer or shorter, it's just another track. Some athletes like to go in and familiarise themselves but you just get more nervous."

Kenya is long distance running's global hub, or more specifically Iten, a rural mountain town of 5,000 inhabitants overlooking the Kerio Valley.

Situated 2,600 metres above sea level its thin air and seclusion make it an ideal choice for Britain's endurance running base and since it opened last year has attracted British athletes including Paula Radcliffe, and world 1500-metre silver medallist Hannah England. The Brits also gain inspiration from the heritage of Iten, which styles itself as the "town of champions" and is home to legends such as marathon great
Lornah Kiplagat.

Farah said: "It's just easy. You sleep, you train. There are no distractions, nothing." As he trains, Farah remembers arriving in London from war-torn Somalia almost two decades ago. He says the city's welcoming nature served him well as a shy boy and will make it a good Olympic host.

He said: "Although I live in the US I'll always be a Londoner. It's where I started as a runner. The city has treated me well. It's a very accepting city and that will help during the Olympics."