I know what I want when I start a marathon: to win! But what do you want? Make sure you're clear in advance and don't go out too fast.
Haile GebrselassieRead
You need three things to win: discipline, hard work and, before everything maybe, commitment. No one will make it without those three. Sport teaches you that.
Interpretation
Success in any endeavor requires discipline, hard work, and commitment.
In his quote, Haile Gebrselassie emphasizes the fundamental qualities essential for achieving success, particularly in sports. He points out that discipline, hard work, and a strong commitment are vital ingredients that drive individuals towards their goals, suggesting that without these attributes, achieving success becomes nearly impossible.
In practice
In a motivational speech to young athletes, this quote could inspire them to remain dedicated to their training.
I know what I want when I start a marathon: to win! But what do you want? Make sure you're clear in advance and don't go out too fast.
You must do as your people do. If my people are poor, I must be poor. People ask me, 'Why don't you find a personal coach or a private car?' I can't. Then I won't be part of my people.
I will always listen to my coaches. But first I listen to my body. If what they tell me suits my body, great. If my body doesn't feel good with what they say, then always my body comes first.
You know the marathon in my country is just exceptional. It's like soccer in England. If England win the world cup and Ethiopia win the marathon - it's the same.
Once you have commitment, you need the discipline and hard work to get you there.
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 30K. Sometimes, it's possible to have pain even in the finger.
I don't want to sit around the house. I want to be out there. I want to go to practice. I want to be in the huddles. That's me.
When prescribing one of the drugs I take, my doctor warned me of a common side effect: exaggerated, intensely vivid dreams. To be honest, I've never really noticed the difference. I've always dreamt big.
All good thoughts and ideas mean nothing without action
I have never had to face anything that could overwhelm the native optimism and stubborn perseverance I was blessed with.
I've learned you can always achieve more than you thought you could. There are moments when I've walked off the court, and I'm like, 'I don't know how I won that match.' It was actually impossible, but it happened, and then you realize that you can push yourself much further than you ever thought, and you can make the impossible happen.
My motivation and aspiration is the same, being number one or being number five. So that's the truth. And my goal is the same - it's to always be happy playing, it's to enjoy the game and improve always.
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