Steve Prefontaine: The Gift

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

Some people create with words, or with music, or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, "I've never seen anyone run like that before." It's more then just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better then anyone else. It's being creative. Life’s battles don't always go to the strongest or fastest man, But sooner or later the man who wins is the fellow who thinks he can. Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.

You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back. A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else. Life’s battles don't always go to the strongest or fastest man, But sooner or later the man who wins is the fellow who thinks he can. Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started. You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there.

Someone may beat me, but they will have to out run me to do it. Having a true faith is the most difficult thing in the world. Many people will try to take it from you. Never give up.