August 3, 2021

Quotable Quotes

Many great quotes have been spoken. Here are a few with our interpretation for endurance athletes who want to improve.

Related Articles

Be A Goldfish

The Habit Of Discipline

Do This! Performance Directives For Endurance Athletes

Whenever I hear a quote, I like to write it down. 

Below you’ll find a few quotes I have logged over the years spoken by various people, followed by my thoughts on what they mean for athletes.

"Never mistake activity for achievement."

If you research new training protocols, that’s activity. Going for a swim, bike, or run is an achievement. 

If you search for a better diet plan and read a few books on the topic, that’s activity. If you actually eat a healthy meal, that’s an achievement.

If you download a meditation app and create an account, that’s activity. If you sit and follow a guided meditation, that’s an achievement.

Activity will never produce a final result. Achievement will.

"You need to do what you need to do, regardless of whether you feel like it or not."

Feelings don’t dictate outcomes. Some days it’s cold and wet, and you don’t want to train. Sometimes you’d rather sleep in. If performance is your goal and you want to become a better athlete, you need to do the work, regardless of whether you feel like it or not.

Cut Race Times, Not Corners.

Racing at your potential and enjoying training is easy when you’re following the right programme.

"Worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace."

Many aspects of racing are out of our control, so there is no point wasting energy on them. You may have to race in horrendous weather, a competitor could cut you off,  or you could cramp or have a problem with your equipment. 

Worrying about what might happen in tomorrow’s race takes away today’s peace.

What kind of athlete are you? Do you race from the front or sit and kick? Know your strengths, develop them, then use them to your advantage to beat your competitors.

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."

As athletes, we’re all blessed with unique talents. For some, it’s a naturally efficient technique. For others, it’s a strong structure that is resistant to injury or the ability to tolerate a high training load. For others, it’s a high pain threshold, a strong competitive drive or the ability to set a plan and follow through.

Whatever the gift, you’re lucky to have the ability to compete and must always give your best. Otherwise, you’re doing yourself a disservice and sacrificing your gift.

Related Articles

Be A Goldfish

The Habit Of Discipline

Do This! Performance Directives For Endurance Athletes

Ben Pulham

Ben Pulham is the founder of Coached, a personalised training programme that helps runners & triathletes optimise, track and enjoy their training.