Great Running Quotes

It was cold and dreary out today. I still have a food hangover from my weekend in Ridgway. I needed motivation. And like most readers, I can usually find motivation in a good quote. Here are a few great ones that got me off the couch and out the door today for a (slow) 3.4 miles…

Motivational:

“Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction.” -William James (from Scott Jurek‘s book Eat & Run)

“When you run on the earth and with the earth, you can run forever.” -Raramuri Proverb (from Born to Run)

“Most people run a race to see who is fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts.” – Steve Prefontaine

Just for fun:

“It’s the road signs, ‘Beware of lions.” -Kip Lagat, Kenyan distance runner, on why his country produces so many great runners

“You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face.” -Gatorade

Book Review: Eat & Run

I can’t remember the first time I heard about Scott Jurek. I think it was before Born to Run (where he is one of the main characters) came out but I can’t be sure… but I can tell you I’ve been a big fan of his from the moment I heard about him.

Scott burst onto the ultrarunning scene in 1999 when he won the Western States Endurance Run – a 100 mile foot race in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California… then went on to win it 7 more years in a row. He is also a two time winner of the Badwater Ultramarathon, a 135 mile race through Death Valley.

In addition to being a super-human-crazy-man who can run, er race, over a 100 miles at a time, he also powers himself on a plant-based (vegan) diet. A diet that is counter to what most people think makes a healthy, strong, athlete.

This book weaves together his journey to ultrarunning, veganism, “oh holy crap” race experiences, and even his favorite fueling tips and recipes. Pick up a copy, but have your running shoes and credit card near by. After you finish, you are going to want to go for a run and get some fresh food in your fridge!

The quote from the email signature of Scott Jurek: “Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction.” – William James