8/15/08

BEIJING — Somewhere along the way, the nasty notion invaded, and then took up residence.

This happens sometimes with distance runners. When you least expect it, a thought arrives, and burrows, and you cannot get rid of it. If you want to know why Kara Goucher finished the 10,000 meters Friday with her personal best time, and struggled to hold back tears, you need to get inside her head.