No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences.

The desire to run comes from deep within us — from the unconscious, the intuitive, the instinctive. And that desire becomes a passion when the runner learns to race. Then, the race becomes all — the lovemaking of the runner.

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.

Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing.

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.

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

Of all the races, there is no better stage for heroism than a marathon.