American - Athlete | January 25, 1951 - May 30, 1975
It's not who's the best - it's who can take the most pain.
Steve Prefontaine
BestPainTakeWhoMost
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.
AttitudePowerAloneBestHateMe
I knew I had to show everybody that I could excel at something. But I didn't know what.
KnowExcelSomethingShowKnewHad
Did you ever run behind a slow pack? You get a trailing wind and a lot of body odor.
WindSlowYouBodyRunGet
Why shouldn't I do what I want to do... I'm an American citizen.
AmericanCitizenWantWhy
Something inside of me just said 'Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him,' and I just took off.
MeWaitSaidWantInsideBeat
When people go to a track meet, they're looking for something, a world record, something that hasn't been done before. You get all this magnetic energy, people focusing on one thing at the same time. I really get excited about it. It makes me want to compete even more. It makes it all worthwhile, all the hours of hard work.
WorkHard WorkTimePeopleMeWorld
I'm the one who has made all the sacrifices. Those are my American records, not the country's.
AmericanCountryRecordsWhoMade
If I lose forcing the pace all the way, well, at least I can live with myself. But if it's a slow pace, and I get beaten by a kicker who leaches off the front, then I'll always wonder, 'What if...?'
LiveMyselfSlowLoseWonderI Can
Every once in a while I think, 'What am I doing out here running, busting myself up? Life could be so much easier. The other guys are out having fun, doing other things, why not me?'
LifeMyselfFunMeHaving FunThink
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.
TimeRiverDinnerDriveGoPay
What I like most about track is the feeling I get inside after a good run.
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