Quotes from The Running Dream

“If the mind's not strong, the body acts weak, even if it's not. If the mind says it's too cold or too rainy or too windy to run, the body will be more than happy to agree. If the mind says it would be better to rest or recover or cut practice, the body will be glad to oblige.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“I wipe away my tears and nod, because the pain in my leg is nothing compare to the one in my heart.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“It's disturbing how fast weeds take root in my garden of worthiness.
They're so hard to pull.
And grow back so easily.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“I realize something. That wasn't a finish line for me...This is my new starting line.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“Don't sum up a person based on what you see, or what you don't understand; get to know them”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“I am a runner. That's what I do. That's who I am. Running is all I know, or want, or care about.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“As much as thinking this upsets me, I'm starting to see that I need the merry-go-round much more than it needs me, and in the end my choice is to hop back on or get left in the dust.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“It’s amazing how two thin pieces of clothing can hold such deep memories. Laughter, pain, victory, defeat, friendship, fatigue, elation… they’re all there, but only to the person who’s worn the uniform”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“Either people like running or they don't. Either people get it or they don't. And if they don't, they just think people who like it are crazy.
Which is okay.
That makes us even.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“Don't sum up person based on what you see, or what you don't understand; get to know them.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“That's the funny thing about running. The deceptive thing about it. It may seem mindless, but its really mental. If the minds strong, the body acts weak, even if its not.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“And of course I felt sorry for you, but …” He stops running. “Didn’t you read what I wrote on your running leg? Does it say, I feel sorry for you? No! It says, You inspire me. I want to be around you because you inspire me! You’re amazing. I think you’re the most …” I stop running, and I look at him. His”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“It's to have people see her instead of her condition. That's all that anybody with a disability wants. Don't sum up the person based on what you see, or what you don't understand; get to know them.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“I am a runner. That’s what I do. That’s who I am. Running is all I know, or want, or care about. It was a race around the soccer field in third grade that swept me into a real love of running. Breathing the sweet smell of spring grass. Sailing over dots of blooming clover. Beating all the boys. After that, I couldn’t stop. I ran everywhere. Raced everyone. I loved the wind across my cheeks, through my hair. Running aired out my soul. It made me feel alive. And now? I’m stuck in this bed, knowing I’ll never run again.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“But I've never spoken to a grave before.
I don't know what to say.
I don't know how.
'I'm so sorry,' I choke out, but that's as far as I get before I start crying. I feel bad that she's gone. I feel overwhelmed. And I feel guilt.
Guilt that I've recovered.
Guilt that I'm happy.
Guilt that I ever thought she was the lucky one.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“He’s only going out with you because he feels sorry for you,” she whispers as she invades my personal space on a classroom ramp. “You’re, like, his community service project.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

“I wipe away my tears and nod, because the pain in my leg is nothing compared to the one in my heart.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, quote from The Running Dream

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About BookQuoters

BookQuoters is a community of passionate readers who enjoy sharing the most meaningful, memorable and interesting quotes from great books. As the world communicates more and more via texts, memes and sound bytes, short but profound quotes from books have become more relevant and important. For some of us a quote becomes a mantra, a goal or a philosophy by which we live. For all of us, quotes are a great way to remember a book and to carry with us the author’s best ideas.

We thoughtfully gather quotes from our favorite books, both classic and current, and choose the ones that are most thought-provoking. Each quote represents a book that is interesting, well written and has potential to enhance the reader’s life. We also accept submissions from our visitors and will select the quotes we feel are most appealing to the BookQuoters community.

Founded in 2023, BookQuoters has quickly become a large and vibrant community of people who share an affinity for books. Books are seen by some as a throwback to a previous world; conversely, gleaning the main ideas of a book via a quote or a quick summary is typical of the Information Age but is a habit disdained by some diehard readers. We feel that we have the best of both worlds at BookQuoters; we read books cover-to-cover but offer you some of the highlights. We hope you’ll join us.