--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It doesn't feel that good when you're…" description: "\"It doesn't feel that good when you're ahead the whole way.\" — Steve Prefontaine" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/steve-prefontaine-10079_ahead_it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ah_1789756.jpg" --- # It doesn't feel that good when you're ahead the whole way. ![“It doesn't feel that good when you're ahead the whole way.” quote by Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/steve-prefontaine-10079_ahead_it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ah_1789756.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/steve-prefontaine-10079_ahead_it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ah_1789756.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/steve-prefontaine-10079_ahead_it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ah_1789756.jpg) > “It doesn't feel that good when you're ahead the whole way.” [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being ahead can feel isolating because it removes the shared struggle that fuels motivation and connection. **In simple terms:** Winning alone can feel empty. Key Takeaway Find purpose beyond personal victory. Themes competition motivation loneliness team dynamics personal fulfillment Mood reflective inspirational serious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - racing - career advancement - leadership roles - creative projects Key Concepts psychology of achievement social belonging Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders maintain humility while succeeding? - What community ties keep achievement meaningful? A Different Perspective Success without community may lead to alienation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“Wait for you? Not likely. I've always had to run ahead of you and show you the way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/wait-for-you-not-likely-i-ve-always-had-to-run-ahead-of-you-and-show/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [No matter how much falls on us, we keep plowing ahead. That's the only way to keep the roads clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-kincaid/no-matter-how-much-falls-on-us-we-keep-plowing-ahead-that-s-the-only/) Greg Kincaid > [I was always sort of ahead of myself in some way, shape or form and trying to envision how to get further along and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-was-always-sort-of-ahead-of-myself-in-some-way-shape-or-form-and/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [“Let us not wait for perfection to come to us, and know when good is good enough to move ahead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aegelis/let-us-not-wait-for-perfection-to-come-to-us-and-know-when-good-is/) [Aegelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aegelis/) > [When I grow through the changes in my life, I know only good is ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-grow-through-the-changes-in-my-life-i-know-only-good-is-ahead/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“someday you’ll be gone, you’ll be dust, and then even less than dust. Nothing. There’s no other place to be. This world is good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-toews/someday-you-ll-be-gone-you-ll-be-dust-and-then-even-less-than-dust/) [Miriam Toews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-toews/) > [Decide that you know what you think is good for you and go ahead and do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/decide-that-you-know-what-you-think-is-good-for-you-and-go-ahead-and/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [I like to feel confident, and I never wear anything that doesn't feel like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinsley-mortimer/i-like-to-feel-confident-and-i-never-wear-anything-that-doesn-t-feel/) [Tinsley Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinsley-mortimer/) > [I have never met a woman who works who doesn't feel guilty. I mean we all deny it like crazy but deep down there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/i-have-never-met-a-woman-who-works-who-doesn-t-feel-guilty-i-mean-we/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [“It is the only thing between us that doesn’t feel settled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-sloan/it-is-the-only-thing-between-us-that-doesn-t-feel-settled/) [Harper Sloan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-sloan/) > [I don't like to talk about things until I'm on set shooting them because it doesn't feel real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ry-russo-young/i-don-t-like-to-talk-about-things-until-i-m-on-set-shooting-them/) Ry Russo-Young > [“I want to live. Doesn't everyone feel the same way?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yua-kotegawa/i-want-to-live-doesn-t-everyone-feel-the-same-way/) Yua Kotegawa > [If I'm not making something, it doesn't feel good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-blades/if-i-m-not-making-something-it-doesn-t-feel-good/) [Jay Blades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-blades/) > [If it doesn't feel like a job and I'm learning something and getting that rush that I get, I don't care if it's behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-walker/if-it-doesn-t-feel-like-a-job-and-i-m-learning-something-and-getting/) [Benjamin Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-walker/) > [And just like that, the universe goes wrong. Just like that, all the enormity seems to shrink into a ball and float away from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/and-just-like-that-the-universe-goes-wrong-just-like-that-all-the/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) ## More by Steve Prefontaine > [As far as being a coach, it's always fascinated me. It's a greater responsibility than most people give it credit for because you're dealing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/as-far-as-being-a-coach-it-s-always-fascinated-me-it-s-a-greater/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [Kids made fun of me because I was a slow learner, because I was hyperactive, because of a lot of things. Running gave me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/kids-made-fun-of-me-because-i-was-a-slow-learner-because-i-was/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [What does it prove, running in the AAU meet?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/what-does-it-prove-running-in-the-aau-meet/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [I'm going to work so that it's a pure guts race at the end, and if it is, I am the only one who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/i-m-going-to-work-so-that-it-s-a-pure-guts-race-at-the-end-and-if-it/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [When people go to a track meet, they're looking for something, a world record, something that hasn't been done before. You get all this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/when-people-go-to-a-track-meet-they-re-looking-for-something-a-world/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [I'm the one who has made all the sacrifices. Those are my American records, not the country's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/i-m-the-one-who-has-made-all-the-sacrifices-those-are-my-american/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [A race is a work of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/a-race-is-a-work-of-art/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [The AAU doesn't care about the athletes; why should I care about them?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/the-aau-doesn-t-care-about-the-athletes-why-should-i-care-about-them/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [Running gives me confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/running-gives-me-confidence/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [To hell with love of country - I compete for myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/to-hell-with-love-of-country-i-compete-for-myself/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [People say I should be running for a gold medal for the old red, white and blue and all that bull, but it's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/people-say-i-should-be-running-for-a-gold-medal-for-the-old-red-white/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [My philosophy is that I'm an artist. I perform an art not with a paint brush or a camera. I perform with bodily movement.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/my-philosophy-is-that-i-m-an-artist-i-perform-an-art-not-with-a-paint/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [No one will ever win a 5,000-meter by running an easy two miles. Not against me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/no-one-will-ever-win-a-5-000-meter-by-running-an-easy-two-miles-not/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [It's not who's the best - it's who can take the most pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/it-s-not-who-s-the-best-it-s-who-can-take-the-most-pain/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [I decided that if I was going to continue in track, that I didn't want to lose, that I wasn't going to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/i-decided-that-if-i-was-going-to-continue-in-track-that-i-didn-t-want/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) [Explore all 67 Steve Prefontaine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) ## More Ahead quotes > [Anybody who thinks that they should lead the country should go ahead and put their hat in the ring. I am not among them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-schatz/anybody-who-thinks-that-they-should-lead-the-country-should-go-ahead/) [Brian Schatz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-schatz/) > [If I have a problem with somebody, I go ahead and say what's on my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nico-hulkenberg/if-i-have-a-problem-with-somebody-i-go-ahead-and-say-what-s-on-my-mind/) [Nico Hulkenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nico-hulkenberg/) > [I once invested in a risky business. Quite a few people warned me not to do so, but I still went ahead and invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautam-rode/i-once-invested-in-a-risky-business-quite-a-few-people-warned-me-not/) [Gautam Rode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautam-rode/) > [“What lies behind us is nothing compared to what lies within us and ahead of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/what-lies-behind-us-is-nothing-compared-to-what-lies-within-us-and/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [In Life, We May Never Get The Same Opportunity Again, But There's Always Something Better Ahead...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/in-life-we-may-never-get-the-same-opportunity-again-but-there-s/) Pacifiersucker > [Makeup is only fun if it's occasional and capricious - just like it's a treat to have an empty day ahead, but it wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-coren-mitchell/makeup-is-only-fun-if-it-s-occasional-and-capricious-just-like-it-s-a/) [Victoria Coren Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-coren-mitchell/) > [There is no such thing as disposable time if you want to stay ahead of the game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-no-such-thing-as-disposable-time-if-you-want-to-stay-ahead/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm the kind of guy who comes home and checks scores for everything. I'm a sports fan in general, so I pretty much keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chadwick-boseman/i-m-the-kind-of-guy-who-comes-home-and-checks-scores-for-everything-i/) [Chadwick Boseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chadwick-boseman/) > [People are flying you places in business class. Everyone wants to take pictures of you and find out information about you. It's a freak-out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yolandi-visser/people-are-flying-you-places-in-business-class-everyone-wants-to-take/) [Yolandi Visser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yolandi-visser/) > [I wasn't putting my all into it and I was still managing to score goals, and that gave me something to dream about, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gray/i-wasn-t-putting-my-all-into-it-and-i-was-still-managing-to-score/) [Andre Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gray/) > [There's no limit to what you can accomplish, but there's always someone one step ahead of you, so it's a constant uphill battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mary-stewart/there-s-no-limit-to-what-you-can-accomplish-but-there-s-always/) [Catherine Mary Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mary-stewart/) > [I was never bothered about my position in the industry. If I had believed in it, I wouldn't have allowed anyone to get ahead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharmendra/i-was-never-bothered-about-my-position-in-the-industry-if-i-had/) [Dharmendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharmendra/) > [I don't want to look too far ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jofra-archer/i-don-t-want-to-look-too-far-ahead/) [Jofra Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jofra-archer/) > [“one who takes the first step always remains one step ahead”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabi-shaheen/one-who-takes-the-first-step-always-remains-one-step-ahead/) Rabi Shaheen > [I am not interested to sing in Bollywood. I sing for only those actors whom I admire. I sing free of cost for them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-honey-singh/i-am-not-interested-to-sing-in-bollywood-i-sing-for-only-those-actors/) [Yo Yo Honey Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-honey-singh/) Browse all 1,773 Ahead quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It doesn't feel that good when you're ahead the whole way.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steve Prefontaine" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ahead-the-whole-way/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ahead" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ahead-the-whole-way/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/steve-prefontaine-10079_ahead_it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ah_1789756.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/steve-prefontaine-10079_ahead_it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ah_1789756.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/steve-prefontaine-10079_ahead_it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ah_1789756.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It doesn't feel that good when you're ahead the whole way.” — Steve Prefontaine", "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": "Steve Prefontaine", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It doesn't feel that good when...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ahead-the-whole-way/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/it-doesn-t-feel-that-good-when-you-re-ahead-the-whole-way/#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 } } ] } ```