Five Famous Running Quotes to Live By

We live in an era of motivational overload.  And, with dozens of social media platforms bombarding us with inspirational quotes on a daily basis, many of them have, sadly, lost their oomph.  But that doesn’t make the wisdom locked up within each of these gems less valid.  So here are five famous running quotes that contain lessons worth living (and running!) by.

“As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are” – Joan Benoit Samuelson

The age-old question of why we run is sometimes tricky to answer.  Some run for stress relief, others use it as their “me time”.  Many use is as a way to run off frustration, and even more use it as a way to take care of and benefit their bodies.  But whatever your initial reason for lacing up, if you stick with it long enough, it becomes a part of who you are.  Running becomes less of a chore and more of an integral part of your lifestyle.

So however hard those first few months of running are, keep getting out there.  Be consistent, even if it sucks.  There will come a day when getting up at the crack of dawn for a freezing run will become something that you want to do.  And it will put the biggest smile on your face.  Just keep at it.

“Happiness is different from pleasure.  Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing” – George A. Sheehan

Sure, impulsive pleasures provide instant gratification.  But what brings happiness over the long term, is setting, working towards, and ultimately achieving goals that seemed impossible at first.  And even if you never reach that half marathon PR that you set two years ago, the process of continually striving to improve yourself as a runner, whilst listening to your body and being sensible about it, will benefit you on many levels.  Keep reaching.

“To be a consistent winner means preparing not just one day, one month, or even one year – but for a lifetime” – Bill Rodgers

Tying up with Benoit Samuelson’s quote above, running is about so much more than just running.  It becomes a lifestyle.  And if you want to excel at it, you need to treat it like more than just a part-time hobby.  Does that mean that you need to train day and night?  Not at all.  That will do more harm than good.  But it does mean making everyday lifestyle choices that will benefit your running over the long term.  Get enough sleep.  Nourish your body.  Rest and recover properly.  Train consistently.

And even though following Rodgers’ advice may not turn you into a national champion, it will definitely help you become a better runner.  It will help you face up to and triumph over your biggest competitor: Yourself.

“It’s very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners.  Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit” – George Sheehan

Many beginner runners are hesitant to enter races or run with others, simply because they fear that they won’t measure up to everyone else.  And although this fear is perfectly human, it misses the essence of running.  Taking on and triumphing over that little voice inside your head that wants to quit is where true running satisfaction lies.

So forget about everyone else.  Lace up and show that little voice who’s boss.

“That’s the thing about running: Your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success.  They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is” – Kara Goucher

Running in itself is a wonderfully powerful thing.  But perhaps one of its greatest attributes is its ability to make you see and appreciate things that so many take for granted.  Your health.  Your ability to move.  Life.

So next time you head out for a run, take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the good things.  Running has a way to make you see them much clearer.

So whether you’re a seasoned runner, or just starting out on your running journey, go ahead and take these five running quotes to heart.  They might not turn you into a champion overnight, but implementing and embracing them is sure to positively impact not only your running, but also your life.