"I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart."
- Mike Fanelli, club coach

Learn to run when feeling the pain: then push harder.
- William Sigei

Ask yourself: "Can I give more?". The answer is usually: "Yes".
- Paul Tergat

When people ask me why I run, I tell them, there's not really a reason, it's just the adrenalin when you start, and the feeling when you cross that finish line, and know that you are a winner no matter what place you got.
- Courtney Parsons

I believe in the runner's high, and I believe that those who are passionate about running are the ones who experience it to the fullest degree possible. To me, the runner's high is a sensational reaction to a great run! It's an exhilarating feeling of satisfaction and achievement. It's like being on top of the world, and truthfully... there's nothing else quite like it!
- Sasha Azevedo

You don’t run against a bloody stop watch, do you hear? A runner runs against himself, against the best that's in him. Not against a dead thing of wheels and pulleys. That's the way to be great, running against yourself. Against all the rotten mess in the world. Against God, if you’re good enough.
- Bill Persons

Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first. ~Author - Unknown

There are as many reasons for running as there are days in the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your own self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be.
- George Sheehan

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

People can't understand why a man runs. They don't see any sport in it. Argue it lacks the sight and thrill of body contact. Yet, the conflict is there, more raw and challenging than any man versus man competition. For in running it is man against himself, the cruelest of opponents.
The other runners are not the real enemies. His adversary lies within him, in his ability, with brain and heart to master himself and his emotions.
- Glenn Cunningham

100% Pure Running
Nothing Added:
No balls, pads, bats, gloves.
No nets, hoops, racquets.
No hash marks, or helmets.
No jerseys, skirts, stirrup socks or mouth guards.
No Chewing Tobacco.

JUST RUNNING
- Nike Ad

We rejoice in our sufferings,

because we know that suffering

produces perseverance;

perseverance, character,

character, hope.

And hope does not disappoint us.

-Romans, 5:3-5

A coach is someone who always makes you do what you don't want to do, so you can be who you've always wanted to be.

Why Do You Run?
Because you're wondering if your grandchildren will too. Because its raining. Because you can, and others can't. Because its faster than walking. Because that shaky-leg-thing is all about nervous energy. Because you can't fly. Because you can fly. Because your personal best is just that, yours. Because the pain of a blister is nothing compared to the pain of stopping. Because you like the resistance the wind gives you. Because you like the resistance you give the wind. Just Because.
-NYC Marathon Ad

Good teams become great ones, when the members trust each other enough to surrender the me for the we.

If the miles behind me could be put into words before you…
You would feel my efforts, my struggles, my desires,
Most of all you would see my joy…
Watch me from afar run the trails and hills
and miles upon miles and you will see…

Games require skill. Running requires endurance, character, pride, physical strength, and mental toughness. Running is a test, not a game. A test of faith, belief, will, and trust in ones self. So hardcore that it needs a category all to itself to define the pain. When game players criticize, it's because they aren't willing to understand, not because they're stronger. Running is more than a sport; it's a lifestyle. If you have to ask us why we run, you'll never understand,
so just accept.
-Jessica Propst

________________________________________

Running is the best habit/hobby that I ever picked up. I only wish I would have picked it up sooner.

I began running senior year for Pat Pastula for the Hillsdale Cross Country team. The only reason I ran really was because Audrey Pastula convinced me to do some sport for school and she said that cross country really needed more people. She told me all of this the day before the first practice. I showed up the next morning at nine, knowing no one but Audrey. This was the beginning of new beginnings, not to be cheesy or anything : )
I went to cross country every morning from 9 am to 11 am and returned home to cry. It was the hardest thing I had ever done. I found and journal that I had kept at that time and I had written about how hard and frustrating practices were. I remember calling David while he was down in VA and crying and telling him how I wanted to quit. But he wouldn't let me; he always told me that if I quit, I would always regret it. So I stuck it out, and golly gee I'm so very glad I did. It lead to a lonnng additction where the only cure was more running (not cowbell- though I'm sure they would be very encouraging and "pump up"ing at races).

After completing one season of cross country, I ended up with two stress fractures: one in each leg, and pretty severe I might add. I was ordered to refrain from running for at least a month and I was not allowed to do any strenuous activity on my legs such as lifting or jumping. Of course, I was enrolled in Hornet Power. As soon as I was able to return to running, I jumped back on during Hornet Power, only to twist my ankle the first day back.. the first five minutes back. And then pass out in the middle of the hallway in front of every guy (hot guy I might add) in our school. Wonderful.

After recovering from that, I was in the best shape of my life. Sure I wasn't back out running five miles a day as I was in the fall, but I was lifting three times a week with cardio. And this wasn't wussy lifting, this was lifting with the boys. I was one of three girls in the off-season training program for the football boys. After they learned we were there to get better just as they were, the respected us and treated us just as they treated each other. In turn, we began to actl ike them when we lifted. During the spring, I was enrolled in Female Hornet Power (all girls) and it was here that my "man-like" lifting characteristics really came out. I found myself calling girls names and telling them they were weak "kitties" (if you know what I mean). Thank you boys.

Now, a year later, I'm struggling to make it to the gym but I still have the passion to be in shape and to run. Above all, all I want to do is run. I want to run in the Boston Marathon some day (preferable after Med School) and then just make it a daily habit. Of course the daily habit comes before the marathon.
I'm actually running a half in October with a few girlfriends from UMich. I am absolutely ecstatic and nervous as heck. 13.1 miles is a long freaking time. But I know I am capable, it's just proving it to myself now.

I love running.

I can't wait to finish that race.

I can't wait to race.

Bring it on : )