Mental Running Quotes

Running is as much a mental feat as it is a physical one. It requires discipline, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in yourself. But sometimes, even the most dedicated runners find themselves struggling to stay motivated. That’s where mental running quotes come in. These quotes from running legends and other accomplished athletes will help you stay focused, inspired, and mentally resilient throughout your training and races.

The Power of Perseverance

Perseverance allows you to keep moving forward, even when every muscle in your body screams for you to stop.

1. “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.”
-Dean Karnazes, ultramarathoner

2. “Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you’re young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don’t let worn-out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself.”
– John Bingham, running author

3. “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
Michael Jordan, NBA great

4. “You’re never going to have ups all the time. So I think in those moments, you just have to deal with it the best that you can, which is to just keep fighting for your dreams and just stay as persistent and persevere as much as you can.”
–Bianca Andreescu, Canadian tennis player

5. “Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.”
–Matt Biondi, Olympic swimmer

6. “No matter how bad it feels out there, how great your opponent is playing, if you can just keep believing and keep fighting, sometimes persistence gets rewarded.”
–Robert Davis, tennis coach

Overcoming Obstacles

Running, like life, is not always smooth sailing. There will be times when challenges arise, whether they’re physical, mental, or external factors. Here are some quotes to think about during these moments of adversity.

7. “The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy. It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed.”
– Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon winner

8. “The biggest challenge in running isn’t your legs. It’s your mind. You have to train your mind to stay strong.”
–Unknown

9. “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
–Michael Jordan

10. “Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.”
–Wilma Rudolph, Olympic sprinter

11. “The only way to sustain success is to always keep pushing yourself to be better.”
– Derek Jeter, former professional baseball player

12. “Stepping outside the comfort zone is the price I pay to find out how good I can be. If I planned on backing off every time running got difficult I would hang up my shoes and take up knitting.”
–Desiree Linden, winner, 2018 women’s Boston Marathon

13. “There is more to failing than picking yourself up out of the dust, brushing off the grime and trudging onward. For every defeat, there is a victory inside waiting to be let out if the runner can get past feeling sorry for himself.”
–Ron Daws, The Self-Made Olympian

14. “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
-Booker T. Washington

15. “What I’ve learned from running is that the time to push hard is when you’re hurting like crazy and you want to give up. Success is often just around the corner.”
-James Dyson

16. “Even when you have gone as far as you can, and everything hurts, and you are staring at the specter of self-doubt, you can find a bit more strength deep inside you if you look closely enough.”
-Hal Higdon, running coach and writer

17. “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”
-Vince Lombardi, legendary football coach

Determination Running Quotes

The determination you cultivate in your training can help you overcome obstacles you may face on race day. Here are some quotes about cultivating strength and determination within yourself.

18. “The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.”
– Juma Ikangaa

19. “To uncover your true potential you must first find your own limits and then you have to have the courage to blow past them.”
-Picabo Street, American champion skiier

20. “Running is nothing more than a series of arguments between the part of your brain that wants to stop and the part that wants to keep going.”
– Unknown

21. “Success isn’t how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.”
–Steve Prefontaine, American running legend

22. “The human body is capable of amazing physical deeds. If we could just free ourselves from our perceived limitations and tap into our internal fire, the possibilities are endless.”
– Dean Karnazes

23. “Just keep going. Everybody gets better if they keep at it.”
– Ted Williams, Hall of Fame baseball player

24. “All runners are tough. Everyone has to have a little fire in them, that even in tough times, can’t be turned off.”
– Shalane Flanagan, winner, 2017 New York City Marathon

25. “When you have the determination and the courage to pursue your dreams, you will find that success is waiting just around the corner.”
– Unknown

26. “Determination, perseverance, and courage are the only things that can help you reach the finish line.”
– Unknown

27. “Each time you go beyond your perceived limit, you become mentally stronger.”
–Pat Summitt, basketball coach

28. “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”
– Derek Jeter

29. “Believe that you are mentally tough and that foundational belief will lead to positive thoughts, which will lead to actions that show that you are mentally tough.”
–Ryan Hall, U.S. Olympic distance runner

How to Use Mental Running Quotes

Wondering how you can use mental running quotes to boost your motivation? Here are some practical ways you can infuse more inspiration into your running routine.

1. Create a personal mantra. Take some time to reflect on your running goals and values. Identify words or phrases that resonate with you and encapsulate your motivation. Use these as your personal mantras during your runs. Repeat them silently or out loud to reinforce positive thoughts and keep you focused and motivated.

2. Post quotes in your workout space: Surround yourself with the wisdom and inspiration of mental quotes by displaying them in your workout area. Whether it’s on a bulletin board, a mirror, or a whiteboard, having visual reminders of powerful quotes can help you stay motivated and inspired before, during, and after your runs.

3. Use quotes as affirmations. Incorporate mental quotes into your pre-run routine by turning them into affirmations. Research has shown that positive affirmations can boost confidence and improve performance.

Before you head out for a run, recite quotes that speak to your goals and abilities. This practice can help you cultivate a positive mindset and set the tone for a successful run.

4. Write quotes on your running gear. Infuse your running sessions with extra motivation by writing mental quotes on your running gear.

Grab a fabric marker and write inspiring quotes on the inside of your running shoes, on the cuffs of your running socks, or on the waistband of your shorts or leggings. Every time you put on your gear, you’ll be reminded of the power of those words and the potential they hold.

5. Share quotes with your running community. Create a sense of camaraderie within your running community by sharing mental quotes with your fellow runners.

Start a group chat or set up a social media page dedicated to sharing motivational quotes. Encourage others to contribute their favorite quotes, creating a supportive and uplifting environment for everyone to thrive.

More Mental Running Quotes

Running coach Christine Luff is an RRCA-certified running coach, ACE-certified personal trainer, sports nutrition specialist, and youth fitness specialist. She coaches runners of all levels, from beginners to advanced, who are training for races, from 5Ks to marathons.