Flanagan: “I just didn’t know how to compete against her. I felt like she had an answer to every strategy, and there was a reason why. I feel optimistic and excited this year, because we don’t have her in the race. The possibilities are open and endless for anyone.”
She's said this in about fifty interviews since Jeptoo's positive. If you read a bunch of them, it basically sounds like she thinks she could have won the Boston Marathon if Jeptoo hadn't been in the race.
HELLO Shalane, you were fourth in 2013 and SEVENTH in 2014. Even without Jeptoo in those races you would not have won.
If it hadn't been Jeptoo it would have been someone else.