Author Profile
Steve Prefontaine
1951 – 1975 • American • Athlete
47
Total Quotes
Top Topics
Collected Meditations
Showing 47 quotesIf 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.— Steve Prefontaine
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.— Steve Prefontaine
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.— Steve Prefontaine
I knew I had to show everybody that I could excel at something. But I didn't know what.— Steve Prefontaine
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
Did you ever run behind a slow pack? You get a trailing wind and a lot of body odor.— Steve Prefontaine
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
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.— Steve Prefontaine
If he's having a good day and running the right race, nobody can beat Frank Shorter at 10,000 meters... nobody except me.— Steve Prefontaine
No one will ever win a 5,000-meter by running an easy two miles. Not against me.— Steve Prefontaine
Something inside of me just said 'Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him,' and I just took off.— Steve Prefontaine
I'm the one who has made all the sacrifices. Those are my American records, not the country's.— Steve Prefontaine
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
topics:
Attitude