There is something about the ritual of the race - putting on the number, lining up, being timed - that brings out the best in us.
Grete WaitzRead
For every finish-line tape a runner breaks -- complete with the cheers of the crowd and the clicking of hundreds of cameras -- there are the hours of hard and often lonely work that rarely gets talked about.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success is achieved through hard work and dedication, often unseen by the public.
This quote emphasizes that while the celebration of success, like breaking a finish-line tape, is visible and often celebrated, the true effort that leads to such achievements is usually hidden. It highlights the importance of perseverance, dedication, and the solitary effort that goes into achieving one's goals, which is often overlooked in favor of the more glamorous moments of success.
Themes
SuccessHard WorkDedicationMotivationPerseverance
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech aimed at athletes, to emphasize the importance of their training.
More from Grete Waitz
All quotes →Running gives me a clearer perspective on the world, and it makes me feel special. I've never been a traditional tourist. I've always seen the world by running, and that has allowed me to view things in a different way. Places look different in the early-morning hours, when the streets are deserted.
Grete WaitzRead
When I came to New York in 1978, I was a full-time school teacher and track runner, and determined to retire from competitive running. But winning the New York City Marathon kept me running for another decade.
Grete WaitzRead
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