My biggest weakness as a endurance athlete has been in not drinking enough water after training, thereby racing sometimes while dehydrated.
To be a consistent winner means preparing not just one day, one month or even one year - but for a lifetime.
The starting line of the New York Marathon is kind of like a giant time bomb behind you about to go off. It is the most spectacular start in sport.
My whole feeling in terms of racing is that you have to be very bold. You sometimes have to be aggressive and gamble.
My guess is many top athletes, distance runners included, use performance-enhancing drugs, enough so that the problem must be tackled.
I believe in keeping running simple and, in regard to shoes, that would mean no gimmicks, unnecessary cushioning, etc.
I believe you'll develop speed via strength work which includes hill running, either repeats, or running hilly courses as the Kenyans do on a steady basis.