Eliud Kipchoge shares most valuable lesson learned in 21 years of professional running

ATHLETICS Eliud Kipchoge shares most valuable lesson learned in 21 years of professional running

Abigael Wafula 07:09 - 16.10.2023

Eliud Kipchoge has shared the most valuable lesson he has learned in his 21 years of being a professional athlete.

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has come out to share some of the most valuable lessons he has learned in his 21 years of being a professional athlete as he noted that family tops the list. 

The former world marathon record holder started his career as a pro in 2002 and has never looked back since then. He started off as a track enthusiast and later transitioned to the marathon where he has made himself a household name.

He is a two-time Olympic marathon champion, a five-time Berlin Marathon victor, and a four-time London Marathon champion on top of other major milestones he has made in his career.

In an interview with TRT AFRIKA, Kipchoge started off by saying that he has dedicated his life to the sport and constantly put his body on the line, and from that, he has been able to learn that self-discipline is everything.

"I am nothing without it (discipline) because it has given me the power of knowing that I need to sacrifice one thing to achieve another,” he said as quoted by TRT AFRIKA.

Kipchoge added that making firm decisions in life, training, competition, and his moments of triumph and failure is what has helped him stay rooted.

He also noted that two important dates exist in the life of an individual, the day one is born and the day one becomes fully aware of their purpose.

"I am very comfortable in my 'no', and it doesn’t cause me sleepless nights when that isn’t received well.

"If you lie down with the dogs, you wake up with fleas, but an eagle's company will fly you to the sky with all its force," he added.

He also advised budding athletes to take challenges head-on. "There are two kinds of people: the problem evaders and those finding solutions. I choose to find solutions.”

Kipchoge has also learned the art of respect which has stood him in good stead through success and failure. "I have learned that having respect for all is paramount, regardless of where you are in life," he says.

He also noted that he has learned how to embrace and define failure and he is never afraid to fail. From failure, Kipchoge explained that he believes something good will happen.

Lastly, he holds his family very close to his heart. "Family is everything. That’s the most important lesson of my last 20 years in running. My family is my ignition key," he said.

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