12/22/2010

Wacky Wednesday: Inspirational running quotes

Ran 3.6 miles / 5.8K + 30 min of cycling
I'm a big fan of inspirational running quotes. Such a big fan that I even have one on my Christmas card. For those of you that received one: I apologize. ;)
I love how these quotes can make you feel that there's some sort of higher meaning in being a runner and in running itself. Some quotes are so inspirational that I even get a bit emotional just reading them. Okay, you can stop laughing now. I'm a total douche, I know.
These are some of my favorite quotes:
- "The greatest pleasure in life is doing the things people say we can not do"
- "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall"
- "All it takes is all you've got"
- "Don't bother trying to be better than others. Try to be better than yourself"
- "Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can"
- "Stadiums are for spectators. We runners have nature and that is much better"
- "No one ever drowned in sweat"
- "A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts"
- "Get going. Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race"
- "Running is one of the best solutions to a clear mind"
What is your favorite running quote?

14 comments:

RunningRonald said...

Die is niet zo moeilijk: Few things in life match The trill of a Marathon ... zo geweldig!!!! quote van Fred Lebow, founder of the NYCM !!

Silly Girl Running said...

@ RunningRonald: Goeie! :)

Jason said...

I say this to myself repeatedly while on a run that isn't going according to plan:

'Keep pushing because when you are finished you can look back on that run and say to yourself I am a finisher and there is nothing I cannot do'

Emz said...

"No one ever drowned in sweat" . . . .ya you haven't seen me run. ;)

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THE photo at top.

You
are
awesome.

Nike Athena said...

I can't remember the exact quote right now (I have "The Quotable Runner" cause I'm that big of a nerd), but on rough days I repeat it, "Today I have joined the elite who got out of bed to put one foot in front of the other." and "if it were easy every one would do it."

LaVonne said...

Here are some of my favorite quotes, not necessarily running:

Act as if you already are. This is one of the many mantras that we employ when it comes time to go after a goal that is beyond what has already been accomplished. Breaking new ground physically requires you to first break that mental barrier so that it can come into being.
- Terrence Mahon, Team Running USA's head coach

No matter how hard the workout, smiling makes it feel easier.
- Chrissie Wellington, Pro Triathlete

Pain is weakness leaving the body.
- Tom Sobal, World Snowshoe Racing Champion

Never eat more than you can lift.
- Miss Piggy

Melanie said...

i love running quotes. my favorite is "the miracle isn't that i finished. the miracle is that i had the courage to begin." ~Les Brown.

thanks for putting these together!

Melanie said...

another "quote" i like is a bible verse: "i can do all things through Him who gives me strength" Phillipians 4:13. this can be one that motivates me to keep going in the middle of a tough run.

Unknown said...

I have actually become obsessed with running quotes. They're what got me to try again because I was feeling like I failed, and I desperately want to accomplish my running goals. The quote that got me back out there:

"The internet will still be here when you get back, I promise."

This summed it up. I'm on xmas break, and have no excuse not to try running again. The no time, I suck, etc just doesn't pass muster when you're on holiday break from school! I'm hoping if I develop a habit- even if it is one mile, it'll turn into two or three well into spring semester. Then five or six miles. Then a half marathon next fall. And besides, the internet will still be here when I get back from my run!

Silly Girl Running said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Silly Girl Running said...

Thanks for sharing, you guys! Those quotes are what I call inspirational!

Unknown said...

My favourite is the first you mention as it sums up why I do this crazy sport, following a life of living within my parents boundaries.

I have another, not specific to running from Dr Seuss's book "Oh the places you'll go" (a great book to inspire your kids.
It goes:
"I'm afraid that some times you'll play lonely games too. Games you can't win 'cause you'll play against you. All alone! Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you'll be quite a lot."

Happy Christmas one and all :-)

Silly Girl Running said...

@ Andy: Great quote: especially for long distance runners! Happy Holidays! :)

The peasant said...

“Today I will run what you will not so that tomorrow I will run what you cannot.” – author unknown

“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