Dathan Ritzenhein (4th)

I felt great early on. Training had gone really well. My body felt good until about 17 miles, then I started getting spasms in my hamstrings. I had to check off a little bit and those three got away. I was just trying to hold it together.

Somebody told me I was 39 seconds back, but then at about 24 miles somebody in the crowd told me Abdi was dropping back. I started to gain but I didn’t have enough time to catch up.

(Before the hamstring spasms) I was very comfortable at the pace we were running.

[The hamstrings have] been a continual problem for me.

Now I have to turn my attention to the track and make the 10K team.

I’ve had a lot of success at 5K, 10K and the half marathon. I think I’ll turn my attention back to the track. That doesn’t mean I’ll never run another marathon, but for the time being I really want to turn my attention back to that. I don’t want to make too many emotional decisions right at this time, but that’s one of the things I think is pretty obvious right now.  It doesn’t mean that I’ve given up on the marathon, but right now I want to do what I’m best at.

I’m trying to take a positive out the disappointment, but I’m also trying to do what’s best for my career as well.

Deena Kastor (6th)

It’s bittersweet. Houston created a great stage for the athletes to shine in. I gave it my best today. I stayed engaged the entire 26.2 miles so I couldn’t ask for more; it just wasn’t enough today. Once I hit 20 miles I knew it was going to be a rough last lap and it proved just that.