Five Quotes to Carry You Through the Hard Days

We’ve all been there. The alarm goes off, the air is a little too chilly, or the weight of a long day just feels heavy on your shoulders. In those moments, “motivation” feels like a fairytale. When my legs feel heavy and my mind is full of excuses, I find myself leaning on a few specific words to help shift my perspective. These aren’t just Pinterest slogans; they are the reminders that get me out the door when I’d rather stay on the couch. Here are five quotes I’m keeping close to my heart right now.

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart

Just like Amelia Earhart taking off into the unknown, the hardest part of any run is the mental hurdle of deciding to go. Once you’ve stepped out the door, your natural tenacity takes over. The battle is won in the first five minutes of deciding to show up.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt

It is so easy to scroll through your feed and feel like you aren’t doing enough because someone else is running farther or faster. But your run doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to count. Your pace and your progress are yours alone. Don’t let someone else’s journey make you feel “less than” in yours.

“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t.” – Lucille Ball

I have never finished a run, no matter how slow or short, and thought, “I wish I hadn’t done that.” But I have definitely sat on the couch and regretted the runs I skipped. This is the ultimate “push” to get out the door: do it for the version of you that will be glad you did it later. And to go one step further, this is the year to do all the things. No regrets at all.

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”- Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s words are a perfect parallel for distance running, as well as all the hard things. You might have a “defeated” workout or day, but that doesn’t define you as a runner or as a person. You acknowledge the struggle, you learn from it, and you keep your spirit intact for the next one.

What is the one quote that always gets you moving? I’d love to hear your favorite mantras in the comments!

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