Physiology of Runners 6: The Mind

As I was pondering on a few key characteristics of runners and running in general, I thought to my self.... "What is the hardest part about running for me?"  I came to the conclusion that the hardest part about running for my self was the mental aspect of the sport.
I struggled alot in high school with my mind and being able to control it during races and make it a tool instead of a hindrance.  If I didnt race as well as I wanted I would beat my self up and cause all sorts of stress on my self to simply work harder, train harder, run longer.  I just wanted to work my self to death in order to win.  My sweet loving mother made me a little book my senior year with a bunch of motivational quotes in it for me to read before races. There inside was a quote that would start to change my life as a runner forever.  The quote is by one of the worlds most famous runners of all time, Steve Prefontaine.

“Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you              traveled from where you started.”


I love this quote not only because its a great running quote, but also because it exactly what our Savior said in 3 Nephi 27:27  "...What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I AM."
He wants us to be even as he is.  But does that mean that we have to be perfect all the time?  No, He wants us to strive each and every day to reach this goal of "perfection", though knowing that we cannot do It on our own.  SO, to tie it all around Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started, meaning that the savior isnt worried about where we are in the end, but how far we have come to reach him.  I bear witness that this is Gods Kingdom on the earth and we can all return to live with him, if we will abide by this piece of doctrine.