---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As athletes, we have ups and downs…"
description: "\"As athletes, we have ups and downs. Unfortunately, you can't pick the days they come on.\" — Deena Kastor"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/deena-kastor-27390_athlete_as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfort_2531382.png"
---

#  As athletes, we have ups and downs. Unfortunately, you…

![“As athletes, we have ups and downs. Unfortunately, you can't pick the days they come on.” quote by Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/deena-kastor-27390_athlete_as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfort_2531382.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/deena-kastor-27390_athlete_as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfort_2531382.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/deena-kastor-27390_athlete_as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfort_2531382.png)

> “As athletes, we have ups and downs. Unfortunately, you can't pick the days they come on.”

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Athletes experience inevitable highs and lows, and they cannot control when challenges appear.

**In simple terms:** Life has ups and downs you can't choose.

Key Takeaway

Accept unpredictability and stay resilient.

Themes

resilience uncertainty athletics

Mood

determined reflective

Type

motivational inspirational

When to use this quote

- training sessions
- competition days
- injury recovery
- mental health management

Key Concepts

psychology performance adversity

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you maintain motivation during unavoidable setbacks?
- What strategies help you adapt to sudden challenges?

A Different Perspective

Even with resilience, external factors can overwhelm personal effort.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete/) [Athletes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletes/) [Athletes Ups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletes-ups-1347105/) [Days Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/days-come/) [Downs Unfortunately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/downs-unfortunately-1347104/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Inspirational running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-running/) [Picks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/picks/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Unfortunately Pick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfortunately-pick-1347106/) [Ups & downs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ups-downs/) [Ups and downs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ups-and-downs/)

## Related quotes

> [Sport, as I've discovered myself, isn't easy. There are plenty of ups and plenty of downs and, unfortunately, most of the time the downs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/sport-as-i-ve-discovered-myself-isn-t-easy-there-are-plenty-of-ups/)

[Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/)

> [We all know that if you run, you are pretty much choosing a life of success because of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/we-all-know-that-if-you-run-you-are-pretty-much-choosing-a-life-of/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [I've always taken the philosophy that you have to dream a little in this sport. If you stay in your comfort zone, you're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/i-ve-always-taken-the-philosophy-that-you-have-to-dream-a-little-in/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [When the mind's an empty room The clear days come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/when-the-mind-s-an-empty-room-the-clear-days-come/)

[Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/)

> [Her days come and go like birds, her dreams like days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janette-turner-hospital/her-days-come-and-go-like-birds-her-dreams-like-days/)

[Janette Turner Hospital](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janette-turner-hospital/)

> [Wipe these tears of my face because I know better days will come soon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wipe-these-tears-of-my-face-because-i-know-better-days-will-come-soon/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“The days come and go like muffled and veiled figures sent from a distant party, but they say nothing, and if we do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-days-come-and-go-like-muffled-and-veiled-figures-sent-from-a/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [How beautiful the days, They come and go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-loesser/how-beautiful-the-days-they-come-and-go/)

[Frank Loesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-loesser/)

> [Good days come often, bad days do too, But the best days only come when I am with you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/good-days-come-often-bad-days-do-too-but-the-best-days-only-come-when/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Better days will come. Just focus on your life after finishing school. Your dreams and wishes! Don't give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/better-days-will-come-just-focus-on-your-life-after-finishing-school/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [They (the days) come and go like muffled and veiled figures sent from a distant friendly party; but they say nothing, and if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/they-the-days-come-and-go-like-muffled-and-veiled-figures-sent-from-a/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Hold back the tears, better days will come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hold-back-the-tears-better-days-will-come/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/when-the-days-come-that-are-filled-with-frustration-and-unexpected/)

[Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/)

> [Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other days that ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/today-is-only-one-day-in-all-the-days-that-will-ever-be-but-what-will/)

[Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/)

> [Everything comes and goes Marked by lovers and styles of clothes Things that you held high And told yourself were true Lost or changing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/everything-comes-and-goes-marked-by-lovers-and-styles-of-clothes/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

## More by Deena Kastor

> [Running in the morning has me appreciate all the choices that come later in the day. The choices I make after running seem healthier,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/running-in-the-morning-has-me-appreciate-all-the-choices-that-come/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [“Deena works to be present in each moment, and take her goals, large or small, one step at a time. Doing so gives her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/deena-works-to-be-present-in-each-moment-and-take-her-goals-large-or/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [I've always taken the philosophy that you have to dream a little in this sport. If you stay in your comfort zone, you're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/i-ve-always-taken-the-philosophy-that-you-have-to-dream-a-little-in/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [The beauty of running is its simplicity; the beauty of runners is that we all have a similar drive to improve. We are either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/the-beauty-of-running-is-its-simplicity-the-beauty-of-runners-is-that/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [I think it's important to keep mantras fresh (sometimes the same verse can get stale). That being said, I love this powerful statement: 'Define…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/i-think-it-s-important-to-keep-mantras-fresh-sometimes-the-same-verse/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [“I'm alone, but I'm not lonely. I like who I am. I like who I'm becoming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/i-m-alone-but-i-m-not-lonely-i-like-who-i-am-i-like-who-i-m-becoming/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [Sometimes the moments that challenge us the most, define us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/sometimes-the-moments-that-challenge-us-the-most-define-us/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [Marathons are extraordinarily difficult, but if you've got the training under your belt, and if you can run smart, the races take care of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/marathons-are-extraordinarily-difficult-but-if-you-ve-got-the/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [“Each day, I noticed Coach sent us off with a positive comment. “It’s a great day to work together toward our goals,” he’d say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/each-day-i-noticed-coach-sent-us-off-with-a-positive-comment-it-s-a/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [“With a simple shift in perspective, I had changed the outcome of the summer, and myself. I was stronger, more enduring, flexible, and independent.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/with-a-simple-shift-in-perspective-i-had-changed-the-outcome-of-the/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [One step at a time, I get to make positive choices to fulfill my dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/one-step-at-a-time-i-get-to-make-positive-choices-to-fulfill-my-dreams/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [A goal is just an awesome way to force growth on yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/a-goal-is-just-an-awesome-way-to-force-growth-on-yourself/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [Run in places you love with people you like. Enjoying your surroundings and training partners will strengthen your commitment to running and bring out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/run-in-places-you-love-with-people-you-like-enjoying-your/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [I simply adore the exhaustion that comes with training hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/i-simply-adore-the-exhaustion-that-comes-with-training-hard/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

> [I felt my throat start to close up, and I didn't think I was getting enough oxygen. I was scared, and I thought about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/i-felt-my-throat-start-to-close-up-and-i-didn-t-think-i-was-getting/)

[Deena Kastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

[Explore all 20 Deena Kastor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/)

## More Athlete quotes

> [As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-hoya/as-a-professional-athlete-and-someone-who-has-spent-almost-his-entire/)

[Oscar De La Hoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-hoya/)

> [I'd noticed him watching me for a year or so, especially when we'd play games where there was running or jumping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/i-d-noticed-him-watching-me-for-a-year-or-so-especially-when-we-d/)

[Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/)

> [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/)

[Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/)

> [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/)

[Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/)

> [I think what bothers us about fighting sports isn't the damage to the athlete but the fact that you win by doing more harm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gottschall/i-think-what-bothers-us-about-fighting-sports-isn-t-the-damage-to-the/)

[Jonathan Gottschall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gottschall/)

> [Athletes at all ages are bigger and stronger than ever before. And they are being encouraged - sometimes even incentivized, as we recently learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-jain/athletes-at-all-ages-are-bigger-and-stronger-than-ever-before-and/)

[Naveen Jain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-jain/)

> [I think life is full of challenges and problems. I don't believe that anyone is perfect. We all make mistakes. It's not a bed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-mansell/i-think-life-is-full-of-challenges-and-problems-i-don-t-believe-that/)

[Nigel Mansell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-mansell/)

> [I'd never been much of an athlete, due to a physical condition I'd had since birth (unathleticism). Perhaps if there were a sport centered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colson-whitehead/i-d-never-been-much-of-an-athlete-due-to-a-physical-condition-i-d-had/)

[Colson Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colson-whitehead/)

> [I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-didn-t-set-out-to-be-the-first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [I like to push characters to extremes so they have to make really tough decisions and there is no life more extreme than that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cleave/i-like-to-push-characters-to-extremes-so-they-have-to-make-really/)

[Chris Cleave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cleave/)

> [I don't want to say names, but there are certain companies I won't work with because of previous people they've worked with. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-morgan/i-don-t-want-to-say-names-but-there-are-certain-companies-i-won-t/)

[Alex Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-morgan/)

> [We are like highly trained athletes, who never run a race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-samuelson/we-are-like-highly-trained-athletes-who-never-run-a-race/)

[Paul Samuelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-samuelson/)

> [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/)

[Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/)

> [I didn't aspire to be a good sport; 'champion' was good enough for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-perry/i-didn-t-aspire-to-be-a-good-sport-champion-was-good-enough-for-me/)

[Fred Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-perry/)

> [Treat yourself like an overweight, out of shape person and that's what you will be. Why not train and treat yourself like an athlete?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chalene-johnson/treat-yourself-like-an-overweight-out-of-shape-person-and-that-s-what/)

[Chalene Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chalene-johnson/)

[Browse all 2,455 Athlete quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "As athletes, we have ups and downs. Unfortunately, you can't pick the days they come on.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Deena Kastor"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfortunately-you-can-t-pick-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Athlete"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfortunately-you-can-t-pick-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/deena-kastor-27390_athlete_as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfort_2531382.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/deena-kastor-27390_athlete_as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfort_2531382.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/deena-kastor-27390_athlete_as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfort_2531382.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“As athletes, we have ups and downs. Unfortunately, you can't pick the days they come on.” — Deena Kastor",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Deena Kastor",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-kastor/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "As athletes, we have ups and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfortunately-you-can-t-pick-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-kastor/as-athletes-we-have-ups-and-downs-unfortunately-you-can-t-pick-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```