Lance Armstrong added another athletic feat to his to his impressive array of accomplishments when he completed the New York Marathon two weeks ago. But not without help.
From miles 10 to 20, Armstrong was paced by Olympic medal winner Joan Benoit Samuelson '79, The New York Times reported.
The seven-time Tour de France winner completed the race in two hours, 59 minutes, and 37 seconds, barely faster than his goal of three hours.
The Times report said that Samuelson took over pacing duties from former marathon champions Alberto Salazar and German Silva at mile 10.
At mile 12, Samuelson said, Armstrong's shins started bothering him. According to the Times, Samuelson encouraged Armstrong by giving him "focus points," essentially dividing the race into small sections.
"I have no doubt that he would have finished if we weren't there to help him, but I think breaking the three-hour barrier would have been questionable," Samuelson told the Times. "I think the marathon is a mental game, and he's got that down pretty well."