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50 Inspiring Quotes to Help You Power Through Any Workout

Stuck in a training rut? Can’t recapture the magic of race day? These wise words from iconic figures in running and beyond will have you raring to get back out there.

By Jacob Meschke, Hailey Middlebrook and Paige Triola

Mar 4, 2021

usa, california, dana point, man and woman running together by coastline

Erik IsaksonGetty Images

If you are planning big goals for 2021 with (real) races on the horizon, or just want to live a stronger, healthier life by becoming a runner for the first time, Runner’s World will be with you the entire way.

As with all fitness endeavors, running brings its ups and downs. There are good days and days where nothing seems to go right and your motivation drops. No matter how determined we are, it’s harder to keep pushing when our workouts flop or we run a dud race.

If you find yourself in a rough patch (like how 2020 felt for all of us!), one thing that can keep you steamrolling ahead is repeating a motivational mantra or inspiring quote to yourself when the going gets tough. Here, we’ve gathered 50 inspiring quotes from elite runners, coaches, professional athletes, and more to keep in your back pocket. Keep this page in mind when you really need more motivation to keep running.

Whatever you need to stay motivated in 2021, Runner’s World+ will be with you the entire way!

Ashley Bartholomew

Gabe Grunewald

[Why Gabe’s Message of Hope Still Resonates]

Brooks YouTube

Ashley Bartholomew

Kobe Bryant

Brainy Quote

Ashley Bartholomew

Meb Keflezighi

[10 Things We Learned in Meb’s Book]

AZ Quotes

Ashley Bartholomew

Herschel Walker

Brainy Quote

Ashley Bartholomew

Mike Tyson

Quote Fancy

Ashley Bartholomew

Ted Williams

AZ Quotes

Ashley Bartholomew

Kara Goucher

[Kara Goucher Calls Leadville Debut ‘Hardest Thing I Ever Accomplished’]

AZ Quotes

Ashley Bartholomew

Des Linden

[When I Need Motivation, I Channel Des Linden]

Boston Marathon

Ashley Bartholomew

Wilma Rudolph

[Running Tracks of Olympic Legends]

Brainy Quote

Ashley Bartholomew

Kristin Armstrong

Goodreads

Molly Huddle

[Molly Huddle: Why and How to Run Outside Your Comfort Zone]

Ben Rosario

[Kellyn Taylor of NAZ Elite on How to Have a Breakthrough Performance]

Gabe Grunewald

[Gabe Grunewald Refused to Let Cancer Have the Last Word]

Emily Infeld

[Emily Infeld Opens Up About Her Recent Hip Surgery]

Deena Kastor

[Deena Kastor Shares Tips For Coping with a Bad Race]

Eliud Kipchoge

[Eliud Kipchoge Breaks Two-Hour Marathon Barrier]

Joan Benoit Samuelson

[Joan Benoit Crushes Her Boston Marathon Goal]

George Sheehan

Eliud Kipchoge

Michael Phelps

Aristotle

Steve Prefontaine

[That Pre Thing]

Competitor Running

Haile Gebrselassie

AZ Quotes

Emil Zátopek

IOC

Des Linden

[Des Linden Gives Boston Bib to Young Fan]

AZ Quotes

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

AZ Quotes

Jesse Owens

WikiQuote

Shalane Flanagan

[The Food That Fuels Shalane Flanagan]

AZ Quotes

Usain Bolt

Fearless Motivation

Priscilla Welch

The Quotable Runner

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Jacob Meschke Contributing Writer Jacob joined Runner’s World and Bicycling as an editorial fellow after graduating from Northwestern University in 2018, where he studied journalism.

Hailey Middlebrook Digital Editor Hailey first got hooked on running news as an intern with Running Times, and now she reports on elite runners and cyclists, feel-good stories, and training pieces for Runner's World and Bicycling magazines.

Paige Triola Contributing Writer Paige Triola is a freelance writer based in Boulder, Colorado, who covers a range of topics in the athletic and outdoor recreation sphere.

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