---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was a very strange, disappointing race…"
description: "\"It was a very strange, disappointing race in that no one wanted to take it out. That's why I took the lead. I wanted some people to run the real distan..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e67/marla-runyan-41368_being-honest_it-was-a-very-strange-disappointing-race_2171584.png"
---

#  It was a very strange, disappointing race in that no one…

![“It was a very strange, disappointing race in that no one wanted to take it out. That's why I took the lead. I wanted some people to run the real distance and that was frustrating. So I took the pace around the second lap, which in some ways is suicidal...but I wanted the pace to be honest.” quote by Marla Runyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e67/marla-runyan-41368_being-honest_it-was-a-very-strange-disappointing-race_2171584.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e67/marla-runyan-41368_being-honest_it-was-a-very-strange-disappointing-race_2171584.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e67/marla-runyan-41368_being-honest_it-was-a-very-strange-disappointing-race_2171584.png)

> “It was a very strange, disappointing race in that no one wanted to take it out. That's why I took the lead. I wanted some people to run the real distance and that was frustrating. So I took the pace around the second lap, which in some ways is suicidal...but I wanted the pace to be honest.”

[Marla Runyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marla-runyan/)

## About This Quote

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

The speaker chooses to lead a race despite frustration, valuing honesty over comfort, even at personal risk.

**In simple terms:** She runs ahead to keep the race truthful, despite danger.

Key Takeaway

Lead with integrity, even when risky.

Themes

integrity leadership competition honesty risk

Mood

determined reflective serious

Type

statement personal philosophy motivational

When to use this quote

- marathon
- team relay
- personal challenge
- ethical dilemma
- leadership decision

Key Concepts

personal sacrifice ethical choices sportsmanship

Questions to Reflect On

- Is it always worth leading honestly?
- How do you balance personal safety with integrity?

A Different Perspective

Risky honesty may cause burnout.

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[Being honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-honest/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/)

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