A crowded, hectic setting in midtown Manhattan, much like what he'll see in 6 1/2 weeks when he runs his first New York City Marathon. He thinks he can finish within one hour of the winner.

"It's been harder physically than I expected," the seven-time Tour de France winner said Wednesday. "Just the pounding. The aches and pains associated with running. My hips, joints. Running is an impact sport, certainly as opposed to cycling."

"The longest run I've done, I think is 13 (21 kilometers)," he said. "I better do a longer one soon. Probably not a bad idea."

The November 5 race will certainly help Armstrong raise awareness and money for his foundation and cancer research. It will come a month after an important date in his life: October 2 will mark 10 years since he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Armstrong is ready for something that will last well past the marathon,questions about whether he ever used performance-enhancing drugs.

"I've sort of prepared myself to deal with it for a long time," he said.

And could he envision a time when people will stop asking?

"Probably not," he said.

Doping has been a hot-button issue in many sports, especially cycling of late. Recent Tour de France winner Floyd Landis tested positive for elevated testosterone and suspended American cyclist Tyler Hamilton is facing a new doping investigation.

Last week, Frankie Andreu and another former Armstrong teammate who spoke on condition of anonymity told The New York Times they used an endurance-booster before the 1999 Tour de France, the first of Armstrong's seven victories. Neither rider tested positive and both said they never saw Armstrong take any illegal substance.

Armstrong, who's often said he's the most tested athlete in the world, has never tested positive for banned substances. Before he retired from cycling, he was subject to tests at any time _ his manager said testing officials once showed up at the home of Armstrong's then-girlfriend, Sheryl Crow.

"I get lumped in with all of the stuff that happened," Armstrong said.

Armstrong has vehemently refuted each allegation, either in the press or the courts.

"My impression is that people, or fans, or people potentially on the fence, they like it when you come out and fight. They like it when you say, 'No, no, no, you got it wrong, this is what is right' and you lay out the facts, again," he said.

"It's like our approach has been with these bozos that try to get sideways. We sue 'em," he said. "And we win every time."