When a Running Quote Says What You Can't Yet
This is something I hear often in session: I want to start running again, but I don’t feel like myself. Whether it's coming back after an injury, a long break, or a major life transition like having a baby, the first steps are never just physical. They’re emotional, layered, and sometimes fraught with doubt. I was recently featured in Peloton’s collection of inspirational running quotes, and it reminded me how often we turn to small, powerful phrases to help carry us through moments of uncertainty.
Because sometimes, a single sentence says what you can’t yet name.
When Words Help You Start—or Keep Going
One of my favorite quotes: "It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." —Confucius. I hear echoes of this all the time in therapy. It’s not about speed, it’s about presence. You showed up. You moved. You tried. That’s the part that matters.
Another quote that struck me: "There is magic in misery. Just ask any runner." Not because running is always miserable, but because transformation often starts in the hardest moments. When you're tired, doubting yourself, or unsure why you’re even trying—those are the moments where change begins.
A few more that stick:
"Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up."
"Your body can stand almost anything. It’s your mind that you have to convince."
II often hear clients say, "I used to run all the time—why can’t I get back into it?" Sometimes it’s because life has shifted. You had a baby. You changed jobs. You’re carrying more mentally and emotionally than you realize. These quotes can offer a kind of self-talk—a way to hold compassion and determination at the same time.
The Emotional Layer Behind Motivation
Peloton’s piece offers a beautifully curated list of quotes—but what it doesn’t fully explore is why these words matter so much. Quotes resonate because they touch something deep—fear, grief, hope, longing. They meet us in the quiet spaces between effort and outcome. In therapy, I often help clients unpack what’s beneath the resistance. Not laziness, but overwhelm. Not apathy, but fear of failing or not being who they once were.
This is especially true in postpartum. Clients often say things like, "I want to feel strong again," or "I miss the version of me who could just go for a run without planning around feedings or naps." Quotes can’t solve this—but they can anchor you. They can say, "Yes, this is hard. And yes, you’re still worthy of care."
Let the Quote Be a Starting Place
If you’re feeling stuck—mentally or physically—maybe one of these quotes is the nudge you need. Or maybe it’s simply a reminder that you're not alone in your doubt. Quotes won’t do the work for you, but they can remind you why it’s worth starting again.
Write one down. Put it by your shoes. Whisper it before you leave the house. Let it be a bridge between who you were and who you’re becoming.
Therapy can be a space to explore what’s behind the hesitation, the grief, or the drive. If you're curious about beginning that work, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.
