I knew I had to show everybody that I could excel at something. But I didn't know what. Steve Prefontaine More Quotes by Steve Prefontaine More Quotes From Steve Prefontaine A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more. Nobody is going to win a 5,000 meter race after running an easy 2 miles. Not with me. If I lose forcing the pace all the way, well, at least I can live with myself. Steve Prefontaine To do anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. Steve Prefontaine To give anything less than your best is to give away the gift. Steve Prefontaine It's not who's the best - it's who can take the most pain. Steve Prefontaine best who take pain For me, running against the Poles and Czechs would be like running against high school kids. And I hate all this gung-ho, run-for-the-red-white-and-blue attitude that the AAU spouts. If that's important to some people, fine, more power to 'em. But, damn it, I wish they'd leave me alone to do what I want to do - run against the best. Steve Prefontaine alone best me attitude This is my last year at Oregon, and it means a lot to me. The people have been great to me up there, so if I have to run three races to win the Pac-8 title, I'll do it. Oh, sure, I'll probably be tired, but the people shouting will carry me across the finish line. Steve Prefontaine great me tired people I have a positive mental attitude, and I think I'm divine, but I also think it takes a heck of a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Steve Prefontaine think tears attitude positive If you can make money with your talents, why not? Steve Prefontaine why your you money Why shouldn't I do what I want to do... I'm an American citizen. Steve Prefontaine citizen why american want I used to say, 'Hey, man, what kind of a stupid question is that?' to a newspaperman asking me heavy things right after a race when I'm still in an emotional state. Now I at least try to answer. Steve Prefontaine try me man stupid I like to be able to go out to dinner once in a while. I like to be able to drive my MG up the McKenzie River on a weekday afternoon. I like to be able to pay my bills on time. Steve Prefontaine river drive dinner time Did you ever run behind a slow pack? You get a trailing wind and a lot of body odor. Steve Prefontaine slow you body wind I'm the one who has made all the sacrifices. Those are my American records, not the country's. Steve Prefontaine american who made country
