Steve Prefontaine has 47 quotes
Steve Prefontaine is a well-known name around the world since he was a long-distance running great in America. In his entire life, he had set seven national records.
But he is no longer with us because he was killed in an automobile accident.
He used to celebrate his birthday on the 25th of January, 1951.
And he lived his youth with his complete family, including his father, mother, and two sisters.
During his formative years, his flamboyant personality was evident. As a result, everyone was drawn to him.
Furthermore, he was on a football and basketball team in high school, although he only got a few chances to play.
He then realized his running ability and interest.
He gradually improves his running and is now considered the champion.
But, regrettably, on May 30, 1975, he was killed in an automobile accident.
Here are some of the best Steve Prefontaine quotes: humorous, philosophical, inspiring, and many more.
“To give less than your best is to squander the gift.”
“Something inside of me simply shouted, ‘Hey, hold on a second, I want to beat him,’ and I took off.”
“A lot of people compete to see who can run the fastest.
I race to see who has the greatest guts, who can suffer himself to an exhausting pace and then punish himself even more at the end.”
“I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running over the years, but it always comes back to where it started.”
It all boils down to self-satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.”
“I’m going to strive such that it ends up being a pure guts race, and if it is, I’m the only one who can win it.”
“A race is a work of art in which people can be impacted in as many ways as they are capable of comprehending.”
“I’m an artist, according to my philosophy.” I make art without a paintbrush or a camera. I act through physical movement.
Instead of displaying my art in a museum, a book, or on canvas, I display it in front of the masses.”
“When people go to a track meet, they’re searching for something new, a world record, something never done before.”
You get all this magnetic energy from people concentrating on one thing at a time. It really piques my interest.
It motivates me even more to compete. It makes all the hours of hard labor worthwhile.”
“Some people create using words, music, or a brush and paints.” When I run, I like to create something beautiful.
I enjoy causing people to pause and exclaim, ‘I’ve never seen somebody run like that before.’
It’s more than a race; it’s a way of life. It is doing something that no one else is. It’s being imaginative.”
“On a good day and in the proper race, nobody can defeat Frank Shorter at 10,000 meters… except me.”
“Kids teased me because I was a slow learner because I was hyperactive, and for a variety of other reasons.” Running helped me gain confidence.”
“Every now and then, I wonder, ‘What am I doing out here jogging, busting myself up?'” Life could be a lot easier.
‘If the other guys are having fun and doing other things, why can’t I?'”
“I’m the one who has made every sacrifice.” Those are my records in America, not the country’s.”
“I competed in an international competition, and now I know what the big boys are capable of.”
You don’t just go out and run. There is offense and defense.”
“I compete for myself, not for the love of nation.”
“I’m guessing you chose x-country since you were too tiny to play football.”
“People say I should be running for gold for the old red, white, and blue and all that nonsense, but it’s not going to happen.”
“Running against Poles and Czechs would be like running against high school students for me.”
And I despise the AAU’s gung-ho, “run for the red, white, and blue” attitude. If that matters to certain people, then more power to them.
But, damn it, I wish they’d just leave me alone so I could do what I want to do: compete against the greatest.”
“American athletes, particularly distance runners, are at a significant disadvantage in comparison to the rest of the world.”
We’re required to follow all of the laws, such as not being allowed to instruct while still training and earning a salary.”
“If you’ve been to college, you should keep your voice quiet.”
If you hold your drink incorrectly, men will come across the room and cold-deck you.”
“I like to be able to go out to supper every now and then.” “I enjoy driving my MG up the McKenzie.”
“I used to tell a newspaperman, ‘Hey, reporter, what sort of a foolish question is that?’ when he asked me weighty questions straight after a race while I was still upset. Now I at least attempt to respond.”
“Even if I lose by straining the pace all the way, I can live with myself.”
But if the tempo is slow and I’m beaten by a kicker who leaches off the front, I’ll always wonder, ‘What if…?'”
“I don’t just sprint out there.” I prefer to keep people interested in what they’re watching.”
“If somebody wants to beat me, they should set a world record.”
It’s not about who is the best; it’s about who can bear the most agony.”
“This is my final year at Oregon, and it means everything to me.”
The folks up there have been wonderful to me, so if it takes three races to win the Pac-8 championship, I’ll do it.
Sure, I’ll be fatigued, but the people cheering will help me cross the finish line.”
“I knew I had to prove to everyone that I was capable of excelling at something.” But I had no idea what.”
“It’s my business if I want to go to Europe and be thrashed by the Europeans.
Every race I lose teaches me something and makes me stronger.”
“I made the decision that if I was going to continue in track, I didn’t want to lose and I wasn’t going to lose.”
“If the AAU doesn’t care about the athletes, why should I?”
“Coos Bay is a sports-oriented community.” To be somebody, you had to be an athlete.”
“19 world records.” That is not what I desire. Yes, later. And when it comes, I’ll figure out how to live with it, but it won’t be my first love.”
“Why should I not do what I want…?” “I’m a U.S. citizen.”
Also, read Florent Manaudou, Flora Duffy ‘First Bermudian Gold Medalist’, Daniëlle van de Donk
“If the Olympics come around and I’m in good enough shape, I’ll compete.” But I’m not going to represent the United States; I’m going to represent myself.”
“I have a positive mental attitude and believe I am divine, but I also believe it takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.”
“Why not, if you can make money with your talents?”
“It’s difficult to run a mile when you’re not a miler and to kick when you’ve led the entire race.”
