Mo Farah: 'My secret skill is making animal noises' The 30-year-old athlete on childhood dreams, crying and his obsession with taking photo

Mo Farah: 'I can be really irritating. I’m constantly
joking around or flicking people’s ears. I have so much
energy, it’s ridiculous.'

Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty

I always run on Christmas Day. I train every day, no
matter what. Running was a hobby that became my
job. I wake up and run in the same way other people
wake up and work. But I still love it.
English and American people are so different.
I'm a proud Londoner, but I train in Portland, Oregon.
Americans are chatty and friendly, whereas English
people tend to mind their own business.
I have a sweet tooth so it's tough at this time of
year with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
When I see sweets everywhere, I can't help tucking in.
My childhood dream was to be a car mechanic. I
love taking things apart. Even today, I want to open up
gadgets, find out what's inside and play around.
Winning can be addictive. I can remember every
detail from crossing the line first [in the 10,000m and
5,000m] at London 2012 and the 2013 World
Championships. Once you've had that feeling, you
crave it again.
The last time I cried was when I saw my twin
girls Aisha and Amani being born. I also cried when I
saw my twin brother Hassan for the first time in
12 years. It feels like my life is full of twins and
doubles.
Everything I do is for my kids. When I stop
running, my daughter Rhianna and the twins will be
the ones who will be there for me.
Fathers should bond with their babies by letting
them sleep on their bare chest. That's what Bono told
me. The twins are really close to me now, so it was
good advice.
I'm obsessed with taking photographs. I didn't
have any pictures from my childhood in Djibouti so as
I grew older I took as many photos as I could. At
university, you couldn't see my bedroom wall for all
the photos.
My secret skill is making animal noises like a
lion or a dog. They're not bad.
Money can't make you happy. Growing up in
Djibouti taught me that. It helps you do things you
enjoy, but only family can make you happy.
You have to adapt to new situations in life. My
mum told me that when I moved to Britain. I was eight
years old, didn't speak English and had no friends. I
still follow that advice.
My wife Tania is also my best friend. We have
known each other since school and we used to go
round to each other's houses. It's a really special
feeling.
I wasn't afraid of turning 30 this year. In
America, they call it the "big dirty 30" and joke that
you're an old man, but I still feel like a kid.
I can be really irritating. I'm constantly joking
around or flicking people's ears. I have so much
energy, it's ridiculous.
I shave my head before a race. It makes me feel
fresh and ready to perform.
When I have finished my career I want to play
football – just for fun.