Steve Prefontaine

It doesn't feel that good when you're ahead the whole way.

If the Olympics come around, and I'm in shape, then I'll compete. But I won't be representing the United States; I'll be representing myself.

Why shouldn't I do what I want to do... I'm an American citizen.

What does it prove, running in the AAU meet?

World records at 19. I don't want that. Later, yes. And when it comes, I'll learn to live with it, but it won't be my first love.

I decided that if I was going to continue in track, that I didn't want to lose, that I wasn't going to lose.

I knew I had to show everybody that I could excel at something. But I didn't know what.

Coos Bay is a sports-minded town. You had to be an athlete to be somebody.

I don't care about being on television.

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.

Did you ever run behind a slow pack? You get a trailing wind and a lot of body odor.

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.

I've been in international competition, and now I know what the big boys can do. You don't go out and just run. There's an offense and a defense.

Nobody likes tainted victories.

If he's having a good day and running the right race, nobody can beat Frank Shorter at 10,000 meters... nobody except me.

No one will ever win a 5,000-meter by running an easy two miles. Not against me.

Something inside of me just said 'Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him,' and I just took off.

I'm the one who has made all the sacrifices. Those are my American records, not the country's.

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.

I know places you better speak low if you've been to college. Men will come across the room and cold-deck you if you hold your glass wrong.