Distance running Quote by Haruki Murakami
““No matter how much long-distance running might suit me, of course there are days when I feel kind of lethargic and don’t want to run. Actually, it happens a lot. On days like that, I try to think of all kinds of plausible excuses to slough it off. Once, I interviewed the Olympic running Toshihiko Seko, just after he retired from running and became manager of the S&B company team. I asked him, “Does a runner at your level ever feel like you’d rather not run today, like you don’t want to run and would rather just sleep in?” He stared at me and then, in a voice that made it abundantly clear how stupid he thought the question was, replied, “Of course. All the time!””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Unknown, 2025
Even elite athletes admit to feeling lazy and making excuses, normalizing occasional lack of motivation.
In simple terms: Even top runners feel lazy sometimes.
Key Takeaway
Accept occasional low motivation.
Themes
motivation
humanity
self‑compassion
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
interview
insight
When to use this quote
- training
- daily routine
- goal setting
Key Concepts
psychology
performance
self‑talk
Questions to Reflect On
- How to balance rest and discipline?
- What excuses are most common?
A Different Perspective
Excuses can become self‑sabotage.
