Joan Benoit quotes:

I look at victory as milestones on a very long highway.

Doing something for yourself like running, and using it to test yourself, will only make you feel better about your career or your family role.

Love yourself, for who and what you are; protect your dream and develop your talent to the fullest extent.

Every time I fail, I assume I will be a stronger person for it. I keep on running figuratively and literally, despite a limp that gets more noticeable with each passing season, because for me there has always been a place to go and a terrible urgency to get there.

Running is 80 percent mental.

Years ago, women sat in the kitchen drinking coffee and discussing life. Now they discuss the same topics while they run.

Running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are.

Every time I fail I assume I will be a stronger person for it.

Coffee doesn't do it for me; it's running that gets me going.

There's not a better feeling than when you have found that moment of balance and harmony when both running and life come together. Then you know why you run and that you couldn't live without it.

You can't depend on other people, you have to run your own race.

One hour with a child is like a ten-mile run.

Recognize your victories.

Winning is neither everything nor the only thing. It is one of many things.

When I first started running, I was so embarrassed I'd walk when cars passed me. I'd pretend I was looking at the flowers!

Marathoning is a metaphor for life, so there are a lot of parallels you can draw. I tell people to follow your dream, follow your heart, follow your passion, run your own race and believe in yourself. I think anybody who wants to succeed has to have passion. My love for this sport, you can't instill it in someone else.

The challenge and the energy running requires may be a selfish one, but it actually motivates me to be stronger in my relationships.

There will always be something to strive for. My hope is for the heart to strive forever.

My philosophy on running is, I don't dwell on it, I do it.

Confidence is a belief in myself and my ability. I built my confidence through hard training. I believed there was no one out there working any harder than me.

It's funny. I'm attracted to things that don't have any impact on life. People say I've done a great thing for women. I don't think I have. People say I've given people courage. That makes me feel good, but I don't see how I do that. I think my running is a selfish thing. But it provides the challenge that allows me to feel good about myself. How can I expect to do well in other activities if I don't feel good about myself?

Keep varying the program. Your body will tell you what to do.

If you feel like eating, eat. Let your body tell you what it wants.