Sprinter Tyson Gay met with the media on Thursday afternoon before heading to practice for Saturday’s 200-meter dash at the Adidas Grand Prix.

“Are you back?" was one of the questions asked to the fourth place finisher from last year's Summer Olympic Games in London.

“I think so,” Gay said. “I’m feeling good. I’m still balancing between running hard in practice versus just hitting the times my coach wants me to hit in practice, because I’m so used to running hard and running faster than those times.”

A lot is different about Gay that has him heading into Saturday’s race as the world leader in the 100-meter dash. Just a year ago, he was coming off some small low-key meets and New York would be his first real test. He passed the test with his 10.00. 

So what has changed? Gay has been lifting more weights. His diet has changed. But more importantly there’s a new positive mental attitude for him. 

Usain Bolt ran 10.09 at the Cayman Invitational on May 9. Yohan Blake pulled up injured in his 100-meter season opener. None of these things concern Gay. He is focused on himself and building on the first season in which he finds himself healthy. 

“Regardless of whether they’re running or not, I do not look at my year as depending on how they’re doing,” Gay said. “I don’t wish (injury) upon anyone. I saw Wallace Spearmon pull up the other day. I do not like to see people hurt, because I’ve been hurt more than anybody and I know what that truly feels like.”

Gay is considering doubling at the US Championships in Des Moines, but may not race as much in the weeks leading up to it. As of right now, the Prefontaine Classic on June 1st may be an option, but he could also keep things low-key with a tune-up closer to his training base in Clermont, Fla. 

Notes: Cameron Burrell is Tyson Gay’s pick for the Dream 100. Gay has been mentoring him over the past year, but if Burrell finds a way of getting to the starting line for the US Championships, the two will be rivals.