--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He was not a runner, my father, but he…" description: "\"He was not a runner, my father, but he was quick. I always remember it was very difficult to escape from him when he was angry. If he wanted to beat us..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/haile-gebrselassie-9166_angry_he-was-not-a-runner-my-father-but-he-was_112110.png" --- # He was not a runner, my father, but he was quick. I always… ![“He was not a runner, my father, but he was quick. I always remember it was very difficult to escape from him when he was angry. If he wanted to beat us he would always catch us. Even me, he could always catch me.” quote by Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/haile-gebrselassie-9166_angry_he-was-not-a-runner-my-father-but-he-was_112110.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/haile-gebrselassie-9166_angry_he-was-not-a-runner-my-father-but-he-was_112110.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/733/haile-gebrselassie-9166_angry_he-was-not-a-runner-my-father-but-he-was_112110.png) > “He was not a runner, my father, but he was quick. I always remember it was very difficult to escape from him when he was angry. If he wanted to beat us he would always catch us. Even me, he could always catch me.” [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even without formal training, innate speed and determination allowed him to dominate, especially when anger fueled his pursuit. **In simple terms:** Natural talent plus fierce drive makes one unstoppable. Key Takeaway Innate ability plus intensity yields success. Themes determination speed parental influence anger Mood intense motivational Type personal anecdote inspirational When to use this quote - sports competition - project deadlines - personal challenges Key Concepts motivation psychology nature vs nurture Practical Applications - channel anger into focus - recognize natural strengths Questions to Reflect On - How can passion be harnessed without resentment? - When does anger become counterproductive? A Different Perspective Relying on anger can cause burnout or strained relationships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Angry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angry/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Runner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/runner/) [Runners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/runners/) ## Related quotes > [Considering that the race is star-studded no runner will be willing to set the pace for the others. This is why a record will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/considering-that-the-race-is-star-studded-no-runner-will-be-willing/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [I have to change a lot of things before I become a good marathon runner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/i-have-to-change-a-lot-of-things-before-i-become-a-good-marathon/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [Tears streamed down my face as I crossed the finish line. I was a new person, a runner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-king/tears-streamed-down-my-face-as-i-crossed-the-finish-line-i-was-a-new/) [Thomas King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-king/) > [I am a runner. That's what I do. That's who I am. Running is all I know, or want, or care about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/i-am-a-runner-that-s-what-i-do-that-s-who-i-am-running-is-all-i-know/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [Don't compare yourself with anyone else. The world is full of runners, so you'll probably see one every time you circle the block or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/don-t-compare-yourself-with-anyone-else-the-world-is-full-of-runners/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [The Possibilities in racing tactics are almost unlimited, as in a game of chess, for every move there is a counter, for every attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-stampfl/the-possibilities-in-racing-tactics-are-almost-unlimited-as-in-a-game/) [Franz Stampfl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-stampfl/) > [There is a unique energy surrounding the Boston Marathon that you can't help but feel. It includes every runner and every person along the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-hastings/there-is-a-unique-energy-surrounding-the-boston-marathon-that-you-can/) Amy Hastings > [A coach can be like oasis in the desert of a runner's lost enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-doherty/a-coach-can-be-like-oasis-in-the-desert-of-a-runner-s-lost-enthusiasm/) [Ken Doherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-doherty/) > [A runner is real when she takes the first step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarissa-pinkola-estes/a-runner-is-real-when-she-takes-the-first-step/) [Clarissa Pinkola Estes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarissa-pinkola-estes/) > [The idea of being a show runner was very attractive to me, to create and control something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nic-pizzolatto/the-idea-of-being-a-show-runner-was-very-attractive-to-me-to-create/) [Nic Pizzolatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nic-pizzolatto/) > [Actually, ambition won't get you that far. You'll shift gears. You'll see something that's shinier. But if you believe... then you're the long-distance runner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/actually-ambition-won-t-get-you-that-far-you-ll-shift-gears-you-ll/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [Anybody can be a runner. We were meant to move. We were meant to run. It's the easiest sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-rodgers/anybody-can-be-a-runner-we-were-meant-to-move-we-were-meant-to-run-it/) [Bill Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-rodgers/) > [The runner's greatest asset, apart from essential fitness of body, is a cool and calculating brain allied to confidence and courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-stampfl/the-runner-s-greatest-asset-apart-from-essential-fitness-of-body-is-a/) [Franz Stampfl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-stampfl/) > [I am an avid runner, mainly on weekends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-wilson/i-am-an-avid-runner-mainly-on-weekends/) [Patrick Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-wilson/) > [To be a champion long-distance runner you have to run on the edge of death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toshihiko-seko/to-be-a-champion-long-distance-runner-you-have-to-run-on-the-edge-of/) Toshihiko Seko ## More by Haile Gebrselassie > [When I run in Ethiopia, I look out and see eucalyptus trees and rivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/when-i-run-in-ethiopia-i-look-out-and-see-eucalyptus-trees-and-rivers/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [I always tell young athletes the same thing, 'Wherever you go, whatever you do, what must your top priority be? Running.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/i-always-tell-young-athletes-the-same-thing-wherever-you-go-whatever/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [This hand is not very active always, because it was in this hand that I carried my books. My carrying hand was always my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/this-hand-is-not-very-active-always-because-it-was-in-this-hand-that/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [My father thought sport was something fun - he didn't know it was a way to make money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/my-father-thought-sport-was-something-fun-he-didn-t-know-it-was-a-way/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [Why should I say I will retire in three or four years? You retire the very moment you utter those words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/why-should-i-say-i-will-retire-in-three-or-four-years-you-retire-the/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [The marathon always starts after 30K. That's where the problems start. You start without any problems, without any pain. All the pain comes after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/the-marathon-always-starts-after-30k-that-s-where-the-problems-start/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [My father didn't think running was sensible. He told me running is just wasting time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/my-father-didn-t-think-running-was-sensible-he-told-me-running-is/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [The more you are getting older, you lose a little something. Of course there is another advantage, because of your long experience you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/the-more-you-are-getting-older-you-lose-a-little-something-of-course/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [I was the kind of child who worked hard every day with the cows and sheep - I was a very aggressive boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/i-was-the-kind-of-child-who-worked-hard-every-day-with-the-cows-and/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [I want to avoid injuries by running only road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/i-want-to-avoid-injuries-by-running-only-road/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [When I had no shoes I was comfortable - I used to run barefoot. When I wore shoes it was difficult. To run in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/when-i-had-no-shoes-i-was-comfortable-i-used-to-run-barefoot-when-i/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [That is not enough. Sport has been great for me, a great learning place that if you want to achieve you can, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/that-is-not-enough-sport-has-been-great-for-me-a-great-learning-place/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [If you are a really good marathoner, you have to run New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/if-you-are-a-really-good-marathoner-you-have-to-run-new-york/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [Eradicate poverty. This is all that matters in my country. When I am out training I think about this a lot; when I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/eradicate-poverty-this-is-all-that-matters-in-my-country-when-i-am/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [I have to change a lot of things before I become a good marathon runner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/i-have-to-change-a-lot-of-things-before-i-become-a-good-marathon/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) [Explore all 75 Haile Gebrselassie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) ## More Angry quotes > [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [There's only so much for a man to take...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-gilchrist/there-s-only-so-much-for-a-man-to-take/) Kirsten Gilchrist > [It is afraid of an informed, angry public demanding the constitutional government it was promised - and it should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/it-is-afraid-of-an-informed-angry-public-demanding-the-constitutional/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [“When you feel terribly angry, you're possessed by anger ghost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-feel-terribly-angry-you-re-possessed-by-anger-ghost/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/) [David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/) > [Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying or getting overly angry or to maintain control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-haysbert/sometimes-you-have-to-laugh-to-keep-from-crying-or-getting-overly/) [Dennis Haysbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-haysbert/) > [When you're frustrated with people, when they've made you angry, it just may be because you haven't given them enough time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/when-you-re-frustrated-with-people-when-they-ve-made-you-angry-it/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [When I was writing 'Black Panther,' on one level, I was angry because DC would never let me write 'Batman,' so I was doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-priest/when-i-was-writing-black-panther-on-one-level-i-was-angry-because-dc/) [Christopher Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-priest/) > [Another step had her backed up against the wall, and he braced his arms on both sides of her. "I'm beginning to look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-lindsey/another-step-had-her-backed-up-against-the-wall-and-he-braced-his/) [Johanna Lindsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-lindsey/) > [I'm an angry guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gandolfini/i-m-an-angry-guy/) [James Gandolfini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gandolfini/) > [Apparently, I'm the angriest man. I don't know. It's just an interpretation. If it was someone else, they might be called focused or competitive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alun-wyn-jones/apparently-i-m-the-angriest-man-i-don-t-know-it-s-just-an/) [Alun Wyn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alun-wyn-jones/) > [In the 1998 Oscars, I found myself in the bathroom in a stall, next to Tom Selleck. So I leaned over and I said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hanks/in-the-1998-oscars-i-found-myself-in-the-bathroom-in-a-stall-next-to/) [Tom Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hanks/) > [Of course I get angry, but I want to use my brain a little bit and not just smash things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kacey-musgraves/of-course-i-get-angry-but-i-want-to-use-my-brain-a-little-bit-and-not/) [Kacey Musgraves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kacey-musgraves/) > [“Rather than being incensed by the nature of the bruise, maybe we should be inspired by the possibilities in the bruise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/rather-than-being-incensed-by-the-nature-of-the-bruise-maybe-we/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) [Browse all 3,857 Angry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angry/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He was not a runner, my father, but he was quick. I always remember it was very difficult to escape from him when he was angry. If he wanted to beat us he would always catch us. 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