Don’t get us wrong, you have the runners who are so passionate about running that all they feel when they go into each run is complete excitement and they are completely motivated to complete the run to the best that they can.
Or, there are the runners who are still in a love/hate limbo with their running, and these people really need to motivate themselves to put on their running trainers and get those miles done.
No matter which category you fall under – whether you are a person who has pure love for running, or whether you are someone who needs that extra motivational push right until the end of your run – then we definitely have a running quote or two for you!
The variety of running quotes that we have compiled here is pretty endless – because no two runs are the same. You might thoroughly enjoy one run, but then the next run you might be feeling dismal and unmotivated.
So, consider this us throwing your running trainers at you and saying ‘hurry up and get on with it!’ Okay, that seems kinda aggressive but you get what we mean.
We have quotes that can give you a laugh, and this will distract you from the ache in your legs, or if you need that nudge in the right direction then we have some motivational quotes here for you too.
1. ‘I breathe in strength and breathe out weakness’ – this quote comes from Amy Hastings Cragg, and this is her mantra during her marathons that helps push her forward.
Ultimately this is a great quote to hold on to for those moments where you feel somewhere between pushing forward and giving up. This will motivate you to carry on running for sure.
2. ‘Someone who is busier than you is running right now’ – this comes from Nike, and this quote is that gentle nudge to push you to get those running shoes on. There is always time to get a run into your day, so stop making excuses!
3. ‘As we run, we become’ – this quote is from 1968 Boston Marathon winner Amby Burfoot, and it’s all about pushing yourself to the best of your ability. That’s right, running can really help you to reach your true potential.
4. ‘I didn’t feel like running today. Which is exactly why I went’ – this is a pretty common feeling amongst runners. Everyone has that day where they just feel like they can’t be bothered to pull on their running trainers.
Maybe you are heading towards the end of the week and you are exhausted, or maybe it is cold and wet outside. Whatever the excuse – put it to the back of your mind, because you know how much better you will feel once you have done that run!
5. ‘Go as long as you can, and then take another step’ – this is another anonymous quote, but this is a great idea to take into account when you are on your run. It is important that on each run you know your limits but that you work hard to push yourself as much as possible on your run.
So, you might hit your target for this particular run but then you can try and push yourself to go even further.
If you are particularly fond of journaling, or writing in general then you should consider documenting your runs in your very own running journal which can help you to see your progress as you go along and will help keep you motivated and push you onto your next run.
Funny Quotes
1. ‘Run. Because zombies will eat the untrained ones first!’ – thank you to the Zombie Apocalypse Survival Guide for this one. If the possibility of a zombie apocalypse motivates you, well then this is the quote for you.
It is a pretty logical thought, because after all the zombie movies out there, it is kind of obvious that these guys are fast! So, you will need to have a pretty great pace to be able to get away from them.
2. ‘I’ve got 99 problems but I’m going running to ignore them all for an hour’ – this twist on the Ariana Grande song is somewhat entertaining, and pretty relatable.
Running is a great way to let go of some of that built up stress that you have been holding on to throughout your day. It is a great way to unleash some of that anger and feel pretty empowered while doing so.
3. ‘There is magic in misery. Just ask any runner’ – Dean Karnazes articulates what we just spoke about really well.
If you are in a bad mood, or if you are in a creative rut, or if you just need some alone time – but not the kind of alone time where you sit in a dark room and meditate (we can’t all do it, and that’s okay) then head out on a run.
It is a great way to channel any emotions that you are feeling, and the buzz that you get afterwards will definitely put a positive spin on your day.
4. ‘Act like a horse. Be dumb. Just run’ – thanks to famed track and field coach Jumbo Elliot, this quote has a touch of comedy and a whole lotta truth in it. Running is all about concentrating on that, it is about being in the moment and just focusing on getting yourself to whatever your target might be.
This is essentially the mindset and the logic of a horse, because humans can’t hear them complain and they keep going until they have reached the finish line. This is what you need to do when you run, you need to get to your own finish line.
5. ‘Long distance running is 90% mental and the other half is physical’ – Rich Hall gives us this layered quote that can be taken both literally and also for its comedic value. This is all in that key word ‘mental’.
Sure, running is all in the mind and it is about how far you are really willing to push yourself. But, it can also seem pretty crazy to non-runners. So, if you are crazy enough to get on board with the trend then you can definitely go for it and feel as wild as you want.
If you have got to the point where you are feeling motivated for your next run, but your running buddy is not, then you could surprise them with a fun vinyl sticker that is guaranteed to make them smile. This way they can carry around your token of motivation however they wish.
Warm Up Quotes
1. ‘What seems hard now will one day be your warm-up’ – unfortunately, we do not know who this quote has come from and we are better than to just take the credit for it.
But, in the running world this quote could not be more true. When it comes to running it is all about progressing onto the next thing, and so one day your warm-up will be something that has previously challenged you.
2. ‘A short run is better than no run!’ – this is another unknown quote, but this is similar to a phrase we used earlier.
It is always better to do something than to do nothing at all, so if you are not feeling particularly motivated but you know you need to head out for a run then just do what you can, and stop when your body tells you to.
Sometimes our best runs can come at the times where we least expect it or where we do not put pressure on ourselves and just listen to our bodies.
3. ‘Legs, we have got this’ – if you are just warming up and you are still not quite in the running zone, if your mind is not quite there with it, or if you just generally do not feel up for a run – remind yourself that you can do this.
Your mind is just holding you back for whatever reason. This is kind of annoying but it happens to us all sometimes. Use this quote to help give you that boost when you are not quite feeling in the running mood.
4. ‘A year from now you will wish you had started today’ – Karen Lamb is hitting us with some real running wisdom here, and she really is not wrong.
It is true that you will never regret doing any form of exercise, sure motivating yourself to do the exercise is hard at first but there is no better feeling than that ultimate endorphin high that you get when you have completed a run or a workout of any kind.
5. ‘You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back’ – the last quote that we are ending on is from Steve Prefontaine and this is a great way to motivate you to get your run done.
After all, what he is saying is absolutely true, you need to push yourself as much as you can when it comes to running. It is all about reaching new limits and finding new goals, and it all comes down to staying motivated.
And, remembering why you went for that run in the first place.
If you particularly enjoy reading, then there is a wide variety of books on the market that you can pick from.
But, we feel that there is nothing more authentic than reading through a true firsthand running account – Amazing Racersdoes this as it outlines lots of different inspiring stories from runners – so there will undoubtedly be one that resonates with you.
Hi, my name is Matt Williams and I have been competing in races all over the world for almost a decade. My love for running began when I was a child, always alongside my parents as they trained for their own triathlons.
I now chase the race all over the world, mixing my two passions - sightseeing and racing. I have been through 10 countries and countless cities, and I’m only getting started.
If you want to experience the high of finishing your first race, please enjoy my website full of advice and personal experience. Who knows - maybe I’ll see you on the track one day!
