Tom Fordyce (BBC Chief Sports Writer), tweeted this after the Aviva London Grand Prix, late on the Friday night, well after Mo Farah had won the 3000 metres.
Crystal Palace empty. All except cleaners and a chap named Mo Farah doing endless rapid 400m reps. That's what makes you......
Rebecca Adlington (World and Olympic 800m swimming champion, August 2011)
I'm the type of person that it doesn't get me down if I have a bad swim, I just get more motivated. I'm quite resilient in that way.
This quote has been attributed in various guises to a number of people
The problem in life is not when aiming too high and falling short; it is when aiming too low and hitting the target
Meb Keflezighi (USA Olympic marathon silver medal, Athens 2004)
Two pieces of advice, picked from his book 'Run to Overcome'
"I try to carry a snack bag, kind of nutiritional first aid kit. I like to refuel throughout the day on healthy stuff. My bag usually contains a PowerBar, plus apples, bananas, raisins and dates. I always have water available."
On building training gradually - "In my first two years of running at San Diego High School I averaged about 25 to 35 miles per week. I went to 35 to 40 miles as a junior and 40 to 50 miles as a senior. At UCLA university I averaged between 50 and 65 miles a week as a freshman and sophomore (1st and 2nd year), then 60 to 75 and then 80 to 85 as a senior."
This example is a good one, as it is often said that increasing volume by more than 10% in a year/period increases the risks of injury/illness etc considerably.
"I try to carry a snack bag, kind of nutiritional first aid kit. I like to refuel throughout the day on healthy stuff. My bag usually contains a PowerBar, plus apples, bananas, raisins and dates. I always have water available."
On building training gradually - "In my first two years of running at San Diego High School I averaged about 25 to 35 miles per week. I went to 35 to 40 miles as a junior and 40 to 50 miles as a senior. At UCLA university I averaged between 50 and 65 miles a week as a freshman and sophomore (1st and 2nd year), then 60 to 75 and then 80 to 85 as a senior."
This example is a good one, as it is often said that increasing volume by more than 10% in a year/period increases the risks of injury/illness etc considerably.
Ryan Hall (USA Half Marathon 59.43, record and Marathon 2-06.17)
Sometimes I feel so weighed down by the need to hit times. Even before the warm up I can feel myself getting nervous about managing a pace. Really though that pace is totally aribitrary. What really matters is running the right effort, having fun and seeing how the workout fits into the bigger picture of training.....
...Coach was talking about not comparing workouts to previous ones. He said that if you watch today's sunrise thinking of yesterday's sunset, you missed the beauty of today's sunrise.
... I am always putting today's workouts next to my best ones and comparing the two. I strongly believe that this limits my ability to break through and get the best out of myself.... I have to look at each workout as a stepping stone to getting into my best shape ever.
...Coach was talking about not comparing workouts to previous ones. He said that if you watch today's sunrise thinking of yesterday's sunset, you missed the beauty of today's sunrise.
... I am always putting today's workouts next to my best ones and comparing the two. I strongly believe that this limits my ability to break through and get the best out of myself.... I have to look at each workout as a stepping stone to getting into my best shape ever.
John McDonnell after Arkansas won the 1993 NCAA Cross Country Title. They were unbelievable and won team after team titles year in year out.
"We told our guys to hold on for 30 minutes of agony for 12 months of glory"
John Treacy, Ireland's two-time World Cross Country Champion - a cross country tip
"Get out well, but not too quickly, move through the field, be comfortable. Strategy-wise, go with your strengths. If you don't have a great finish, you must get away to win. I've always found it effective to make a move just before the crest of a hill. You get away just a little and you're gone before your opponent gets over the top. Also, round a tight bend, take off like holy hell. I've done that a number of times. You should not be flying down the home straight. Most of your efforts should have been put forth earlier ".
Sebastian Coe (Ex World Record Holder 800m, 1000m, 1500m, 1 mile)
"Failing is part of the process of winning and often provides the greatest lessons."
"In 1973-4 (aged 17) I lost a full season due to two stress fractures and a whole series of injuries. It was a pretty depressing time. The doctor told me I would never run again." (He proved his GP wrong !)
"In 1973-4 (aged 17) I lost a full season due to two stress fractures and a whole series of injuries. It was a pretty depressing time. The doctor told me I would never run again." (He proved his GP wrong !)
Jim Ryun, ex World Record Holder for one mile
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
'If' by Rudyard Kipling
Many will know of this poem, but it is still regarded as one of the most inspirational written.
(despite the end I am sure it applies to females aswell !)
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)
Roger Black - Olympic 400 metres silver medal winner in 1996
Your successes in life are what people see, but it's your failures and disappointments that shape you, and how you deal with those. The strength I have is not from having gold medals around my neck, but from being out of the sport for two years.
From Chris Hoy's Autobiography (Four time Olympic Champion - cycling)
"For me the most potent motivational fuel was not ambition, I think, but curiosity. I wanted to see how far I could go."
Hoy also took inspiration from Graeme Obree, the World Champion and Record Holder, from Scotland. Obree broke the treasured World One Hour Record, that had been held by the famous Eddie Merckx. Two quotes from Obree -
"You always think that you are at your limit, but just when you think that, push a bit harder." (he applied this in training and racing)
Refering to racing against your strongest rival -
"It's like holding your hand in the fire. It's a case of who can deal with the pain the longest".
Hoy also took inspiration from Graeme Obree, the World Champion and Record Holder, from Scotland. Obree broke the treasured World One Hour Record, that had been held by the famous Eddie Merckx. Two quotes from Obree -
"You always think that you are at your limit, but just when you think that, push a bit harder." (he applied this in training and racing)
Refering to racing against your strongest rival -
"It's like holding your hand in the fire. It's a case of who can deal with the pain the longest".
Chris Thompson, European 10,000 metres silver medal winner
"I'm just speechless. It's a rollercoaster of all the years I have been running....10 laps to go and I go through the first sticky patch of the year. I thought - I can get through this sticky patch, but it got worse... I read Steve Redgrave's book and he said that at halfway in a race he felt that he was gone. Another team drew level and he just thought, 10 strokes, 15 strokes... I'm dragging everything up here !"
'Tommo' was a terrific junior distance runner, who had many years of disruption through injury. He deserves his silver more than probably any other athlete at the European Championships and should be an inspiration to all distance runners. I hope many of you saw the race as GB took gold and silver with Mo Farah winning the gold.
'Tommo' was a terrific junior distance runner, who had many years of disruption through injury. He deserves his silver more than probably any other athlete at the European Championships and should be an inspiration to all distance runners. I hope many of you saw the race as GB took gold and silver with Mo Farah winning the gold.
Ryan Driscoll, after his English Schools, 1500 metres steeplechase and a personal best.
Ryan had run a personal best in the English Schools steeplechase final, to place 9th. He had given it everything, only losing a couple of places towards the end. This all happened on day one of the two day championship.
Many in his position would have sat back and just enjoyed day two and this was suggested to him. I part jokingly suggested that "Of course, you will be still going for a run in the morning ?" and Ryan replied "Yes, I have already arranged to go with two others from the Sussex team !".
It so happens that the other two didn't make the run, but Ryan was out in the park, adjacent to the stadium, at 9am doing his training run. A good example to many others.
Many in his position would have sat back and just enjoyed day two and this was suggested to him. I part jokingly suggested that "Of course, you will be still going for a run in the morning ?" and Ryan replied "Yes, I have already arranged to go with two others from the Sussex team !".
It so happens that the other two didn't make the run, but Ryan was out in the park, adjacent to the stadium, at 9am doing his training run. A good example to many others.
Boris Becker - Wimbledon Men's singles champion.
"I was driven by fear. The fear of losing !"
Tonbridge 'On camp with Kelly' training 8th July - with Kelly Holmes
(not sure who the originator of the quotes was)
Behind each disappointment is a lesson to be learned.
The only real failure is the failure to try.
The only real failure is the failure to try.
Nouredine Morcelli
(ex World Record holder at 1 mile)
"When I step to the line my mind is filled with questions................................
Who will be second....................who will be third................ ??"
Who will be second....................who will be third................ ??"
Andy Ripley - ex British Lion at rugby, 400m hurdler and rower.
Andy Ripley was one of the top British all round sportsmen. Even at over 50 years old he almost made a crew in the university boat race. Unfortunately he contracted cancer and at the age of 62 is close to the end of his life (May 2010). This is a great quote from him, made in 2007, after he knew he had cancer -
Dare we hope ? We dare.
Can we hope ? We can.
Should we hope ? We must.
We must, because to do otherwise is to waste the most precious of gifts, given so freely by God to all of us. So when we die, it will be with hope and it will be easy and our hearts will not be broken.
Dare we hope ? We dare.
Can we hope ? We can.
Should we hope ? We must.
We must, because to do otherwise is to waste the most precious of gifts, given so freely by God to all of us. So when we die, it will be with hope and it will be easy and our hearts will not be broken.
Dave Brailsford, Head of the GB Cycling Team (Daily Telepgraph interview)
"You can't do better than your best"
"If you start looking at the outcome in terms of just the result it is impacted on by so many other variables that you are putting yourself and your team under a massive amount of unnecessary pressure. The one thing that you are in charge of is being at your best."
"I think that people always see reasons why they can't win. I have always been someone who thinks why can't I ?"
"If you start looking at the outcome in terms of just the result it is impacted on by so many other variables that you are putting yourself and your team under a massive amount of unnecessary pressure. The one thing that you are in charge of is being at your best."
"I think that people always see reasons why they can't win. I have always been someone who thinks why can't I ?"