Running is just such a monastery- a retreat, a place to commune with God and yourself, a place for psychological and spiritual renewal.

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.

Life is a positive-sum game. Everyone from the gold medallist to the last finisher can rejoice in a personal victory.

Life is the greatest experiment. Each of us is an experiment of one-observer and subject-making choices, living with them, recording the effects.

If marathoners finish they win.

The most important thing I learned [from running] is that there is only one runner in this race, and that is me.

Running makes you an athlete in all areas of life...trained in the basics, prepared for whatever comes, ready to fill each hour and deal with the decisive moment.