1.
The real purpose of running isn't to win a race, it's to test the limits of the human heart.
Bill Bowerman
Explore the boundaries of the human spirit through running.
2.
The idea that the harder you work, the better you're going to be is just garbage. The greatest improvement is made by the man or woman who works most intelligently.
Bill Bowerman
'The notion that effort alone is an indicator of success is baseless. The greatest progress is made by the individual who exercises the most wisdom in their work.'
3.
Men of Oregon, I invite you to become students of your events. Running, one might say, is basically an absurd past-time upon which to be exhausting ourselves. But if you can find meaning, in the kind of running you have to do to stay on this team, chances are you will be able to find meaning in another absurd past-time: life.
Bill Bowerman
4.
Victory is in having done your best. If you've done your best, you've won.
Bill Bowerman
Success is in giving your utmost effort. If you have given it all, you have succeeded.
5.
There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people.
Bill Bowerman
There's no such thing as inclement weather, just inadequate individuals.
6.
Everything you need is already inside.
Bill Bowerman
All the resources you require are already within reach.
7.
If you have a body, you are an athlete!
Bill Bowerman
8.
The athlete makes himself, the coach doesn't make the athlete.
Bill Bowerman
9.
Don't give anything away. Never make it easy for the guys you are trying to beat.
Bill Bowerman
10.
A teacher is never too smart to learn from his pupils. But while runners differ, basic principles never change. So it's a matter of fitting your current practices to fit the event and the individual. See, what's good for you might not be worth a darn for the next guy.
Bill Bowerman
11.
To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.
Bill Bowerman
12.
If someone says, 'Hey, I ran 100 miles this week. How far did you run?' ignore him! What the hell difference does it make?.... The magic is in the man, not the 100 miles.
Bill Bowerman
13.
If at the end of a race you know yourself that you have done your best, you're a winner.
Bill Bowerman
14.
This killing of Israel athletes is an act of war. And if there's one place that war doesn't belong, it's here. 1200 years. From 776 B.C. to 393 A.D., your fellow Olympians laid down their arms to take part in these games. They understood there was more honor in out running a man than in killing him. I hope the competition will resume, and if it does, you must not think that running or throwing or jumping is frivelous. The games were once your fellow Olympians answer to war – competition, not conquest. Now, they must be your answer.
Bill Bowerman
15.
There is no bad weather, just soft runners.
Bill Bowerman
16.
God determines how fast you're going to run; I can help only with the mechanics.
Bill Bowerman
17.
I think people can handle 150 to 200 miles a week. But something has to give somewhere. If he's a student, how's he going to study? He may be at the age of chasing and courtship, and that's an important form of sport and recreation, too.
Bill Bowerman
18.
It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission.
Bill Bowerman
19.
A teacher is never too smart to learn from his pupils.
Bill Bowerman
20.
I still bother with runners I call hamburgers. They're never going to run any record times. But they can fulfill their own potential.
Bill Bowerman
21.
Several of my critics have said, 'Bowerman just tacks up a piece of paper in the locker room and turns his runners loose.' They're partially right. I do give the athletes a relatively free rein and for good reason. One of my principles is? 'Don't overcoach.'
Bill Bowerman
22.
Now to explore the limits of the one competitor above everyone else you've always loved to face: Steve Prefontaine.
Bill Bowerman
