As if we need another reason to be inspired by Lance Armstrong, we learn that the seven-time Tour de France winner not only ran the New York Marathon this weekend, but shaved 13 minutes off his previous time.

Last year, Armstrong finished the race at 2 hours, 46 minutes, and 43 seconds for 214th place among men. To prepare, he trained harder this year and lost seven pounds from his already fit body. Armstrong's run, along with 130 other runners, for his foundation, Team LIVESTRONG, is expected to raise over a half a million dollars for cancer research.

The seven-time Tour de France winner trained harder, was injury-free and drew upon the experience of running in the showcase event. Last year, he called the five-borough race "the hardest physical thing I have ever done."

Armstrong looked fresh in his yellow jersey at the finish after hobbling in last year.

"I came in better prepared, but perhaps I started faster than I wanted," Armstrong said. "I sort of got out there and realized I was either going to finish OK or be crawling home."

Armstrong said he needed about four months to recover from the shin splints last year, when he finished 823rd among the men. This time, he trained more consistently and included faster 18- and 19-mile runs.

"Just like in cycling, your body weight is a huge factor," Armstrong said. "It's no accident that the best in the world weigh 120 pounds."

Mike Richter, the former New York Rangers goalie, ran his debut marathon in 3:54:35. He's working to fight childhood obesity as part of the national ING Run for Something Better program.

"I loved it, it was beautiful going through the city," Richter said. "People were unbelievable. I started between the men's pros and the fire department."

The winningest goalie in Rangers history, who retired because of a series of concussions, completed an ironman triathlon this summer in Lake Placid, N.Y.