I had started as an average athlete - a normal boy. It took me three years to win a race. I was glad that I endured those three years - that I did not give up.
Emil ZatopekRead
I didn't know much. It wasn't possible to buy a book about Nurmi, but I found out that in order to be faster over 10,000m, he ran 5,000m many times in training. And to be better at 5,000m, he ran 1,500m many times. And to be better at 1,500m, he ran four times 400m in training.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Improvement comes from consistent effort and training at various levels.
Emil Zatopek's quote emphasizes the importance of progressive training regimens for athletes aiming to improve their performance. By illustrating how each distance requires specific focused training, he highlights that achieving greatness in any field necessitates dedication to mastering the smaller components of the overall skill.
Themes
TrainingProgressEffortConsistencyPerformance
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire young athletes in a motivational speech at a sports camp.
More from Emil Zatopek
All quotes →A runner must run with dreams in his heart, not money in his pocket.
Emil ZatopekRead
When a person trains once, nothing happens. When a person forces himself to do a thing a hundred or a thousand times, then he certainly has developed in more ways than physical. Is it raining? That doesn't matter. Am I tired? That doesn't matter either. Then willpower will be no problem.
Emil ZatopekRead
An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.
Emil ZatopekRead
You can't climb up to the second floor without a ladder. When you set your aim too high and don't fulfill it, then your enthusiasm turns to bitterness. Try for a goal that's reasonable, and then gradually raise it.
Emil ZatopekRead
If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.
Emil ZatopekRead
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