15 quotes
"The music of a marathon is a powerful strain, one of those tunes of glory. It asks us to forsake pleasures, to discipline the body, to find courage, to renew faith, and to become one's own person, utterly and completely."
- George Sheehan
Transformation
"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 you to quit."
- George Sheehan
Self-awareness
"My times become slower and slower, but the experience of the race is unchanged: each race a drama, each race a challenge, each race stretching me in one way or another, and each race telling me more about myself and others."
- George Sheehan
Personal Growth
"The music of a marathon is a powerful strain, one of those tunes of glory. It asks us to forsake pleasures, to discipline the body, to find courage, to renew faith, and to become one’s own person, utterly and completely."
- George Sheehan
Inspiration
"We may think there is willpower involved, but more likely … change is due to want power. Wanting the new addiction more than the old one. Wanting the new me in preference to the person I am now."
- George Sheehan
Motivation
"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 you to quit."
- George Sheehan
Adversity
"Why race? The need to be tested, perhaps; the need to take risks; and the chance to be number one."
- George Sheehan
Ambition
"The obsession with running is really an obsession with the potential for more and more life."
- George Sheehan
Ambition
"We may think there is willpower involved, but more likely change is due to wanting power. Wanting the new addiction more than the old one. Wanting the new me in preference to the person I am now."
- George Sheehan
Change
"My times become slower and slower, but the experience of the race is unchanged: each race a challenge, each race stretching me in one way or another, and each race telling me more about myself and others."
- George Sheehan
Reflection
"No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences."
- George Sheehan
Contentment
"Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you meant to be."
- George Sheehan
Determination
"Success means having the courage, the determination and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be."
- George Sheehan
Self-improvement
"Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling, enduring, and accomplishing."
- George Sheehan
Achievement
"Of all the races, there is no better stage for heroism than a marathon."
- George Sheehan
Bravery