13 Running Quotes to Encourage You!

Felling less than enthusiastic about waking up early to run? Dreading the potential boredom of hitting the treadmill? When I find myself wanting some extra motivation, I tend to get that much needed boost through quotes and mantras. (If you're trying to become a more balanced runner, click over to read some helpful tips.) Here are 12 encouraging running quotes that will motivate you to simply get out the door, switch up your training plan, or even go on your very first run! You can do it!

“Run often. Run long. But never outrun your joy of running.” –Julie Isphording

“Training is what you are doing while your opponent is sleeping in.” –Brian Owen

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” –Dean Karnazes

“Even when you have gone as far as you can, and everything hurts, and you are staring at the specter of self-doubt, you can find a bit more strength deep inside you, if you look closely enough.” –Hal Higdon

“If one could run without getting tired I don’t think one would often want to do anything else.” –C.S. Lewis

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” –Albert Einstein

“I’ve learned that it’s what you do with the miles, rather than how many you’ve run.” –Rod DeHaven

“Remember, the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running.” –Sarah Condor

“Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is the one who endures that the final victory comes.” –Buddha

“Running is a road to self-awareness and reliance­­­—you can push yourself to extremes and learn the harsh reality of your physical and mental limitations or coast quietly down a solitary path watching the earth spin beneath your feet.” –Doris Brown Heritage

“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” –John Bingham

“Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living. If you’re not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you’re not demanding more from yourself—expanding and learning as you go—you’re choosing a numb existence. You’re denying yourself an extraordinary trip.” –Dean Karnazes

“The reason we race isn’t so much to beat each other…but to be with each other.” –Christopher McDougall

What are some of your favorite motivational quotes? Feel free to leave them in the comments or send me a message, I’d love to read your best quotes!