After running six half marathons, I decided to take the plunge and begin training for a full 26.2-mile race – a full marathon. After hearing multiple horror stories about undertraining, overtraining, and hitting the dreaded “wall”, I decided to go for it. My training runs nowadays are anywhere between 10 and 16 miles, and it’s pretty daunting thinking about how far I still have to go. Running at 5:30:AM in the dark and cold New Hampshire air isn’t always easy, and the motivation isn’t always there. I started a journal of motivational quotes to get me up and out the door and excitedly doing so.

If you’re looking for that motivation to push the extra mile, run a new PR, or even just lace up your running shoes and hit the road, these running quotes may give you the motivation you need to do so.

1. “The obsession with running is really an obsession with the potential for more and more life.” - George Sheehan.

2. “Sometimes the best runs come on the days you didn’t feel like running.” – anon.

3.“Run often. Run long. But never outrun your joy of running.” - Julie Isphording

4. “Actually, I can.”

5. “That’s the thing about running: Your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is.” - Kara Goucher.

6. “Go as long as you can, and then take another step.” – unknown

7. “Today I will do what others won’t so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” – Jerry Rice

8. “Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears.” – Laird Hamilton

9. “I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can’t run, what they would give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them. I know they would do the same for me.” — unknown

10. “It’s supposed to be hard. The hard is what makes it great.” — Unknown

11. “I think I get addicted to the feelings associated with the end of a long run. I love feeling empty, clean, worn out, and sweat-purged. I love that good ache of the muscles that have done me proud.” - Kristin Armstrong.

12. “Run the first two-thirds of the race with your head and the last third with your heart.” – unknown

13. “The more I run, the more I love my body. Not because it’s perfect, far from it, but because with every mile, it is proving to me that I am capable of more than I ever thought possible.” - unknown.

14. "I run because it's so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can't. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you're capable of so much more than you thought." - Arthur Blank

15. "I will. Just watch me." - unknown

Run on.