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I’ve signed up for my first marathon – London – and it’s simply the best running quotes (and mantras) that are going to see my through my training.
When you think about it, running is more than just a sport – it’s a journey, a mindset and for some, even a way of life. I did get to the point in my own journey where I was unsure if I was running because I truly wanted to, or if it was something I thought I should do.
Choosing to do a marathon was something I did for myself, so I’m trying to keep out all the noise of social media, focus on my training and remembering that I need to trust the process.
Running Tips On The Blog:
I don’t know if you’re a seasoned runner, a beginner a beginner lacing up for the first time, or someone needing a little inspiration to push through a rough patch, these motivational running quotes will keep you moving forward.
From legendary athletes to famous thinkers, here are some of the best running quotes I’ve found to help fuel your passion and your miles.
Motivational Running Quotes
- “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” – John Bingham
- “If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.” – Emil Zatopek
- “A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts.” – Steve Prefontaine
- “Only the disciplined ones in life are free.” – Eliud Kipchoge
- “A good laugh and a long run are the two best cures for anything.” – Amby Burfoot
Funny Running Quotes
- “If you run 100 miles a week, you can eat anything you want. Why? Because… look at the size of you!” – Rob de Castella
- “There is no such thing as a bad run. There are just some runs that feel better than others.” – Hal Higdon
- “I go running when I have to. Like when the ice cream truck is leaving.” – Milton Berle
- “Run like there’s a hot guy in front of you and a creepy one behind you.” – Unknown
- “Fast runners and slow runners both cross the finish line. The difference? The slow ones get more value for their money.” – Unknown
Inspirational Running Quotes
- “The real purpose of running isn’t to win a race, it’s to test the limits of the human heart.” – Bill Bowerman
- “Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don’t have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever giving up.” – Amby Burfoot
- “Act like a horse. Be dumb. Just run.” – Jumbo Elliot
- “The best way to become a runner is to run.” – Ronald Rook
- “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Running as a Metaphor for Life
- “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” – Steve Prefontaine
- “The only way to do something in life is to do it.” – Walt Disney
- “A marathon is like life with its ups and downs, but once you’ve done it, you feel that you can do anything.” – Unknown
- “Every marathon I ran, I knew I had a faster one in me.” – Dick Beardsley
- “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 to quit.” – George Sheehan
For Those Training for a Big Race
- “It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” – Vince Lombardi
- “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Success isn’t how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.” – Fred Lebow
- “Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic.” – Tim Noakes
- “The human spirit is indomitable.” – Dean Karnazes
Whether you need motivation for your morning runs, a little inspiration before your next race, or just a reminder that running is one of the greatest metaphors for life, these quotes should do the trick.
Running is as much a mental sport as it is a physical activity, and the words of legendary runners, coaches, and thinkers can push us past our comfort zone.
Which of these motivational quotes resonates most with you?
Let me know in the comments, and happy running!
Elle
