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About this quote

What does it mean?
Running at maximum speed is like facing death, emphasizing the extreme intensity of the effort.
In plain terms
The fastest pace is dangerous, like dying today.
What can you take from it?
Accept extreme risks when pursuing peak performance.

Where it applies

  • endurance sports
  • high stakes work
  • personal limits

Putting it to work

  • go all in
  • accept risk
  • push limits

Questions to consider

  • How much risk are you willing to take?
  • Is total commitment worth the danger?

Another view

Encouraging self-destructive pacing can be harmful.

More from Steve Prefontaine

  1. Something inside of me just said 'Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him,' and I just took off.

    Permalink to quote #10
  2. The real reason to run a race is not to win the race but to test the limits of the human heart.

    Permalink to quote #12
  3. Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it.

    Permalink to quote #9

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