Interesting Steve Prefontaine quote on running the steeple and marathon

As yesterday would have been Steve Prefontaine's 65th birthday, there were a number of articles and tributes out about him. I thought this Pre quote from 1970 was pretty interesting/funny, and I had never seen it before so figured I'd share it.

Steve Prefontaine: "I think the trouble with many distance runners is they get to liking one race, stick to it exclusively and become stale. I dont know which is best for me. It could be the steeplechase. I haven't tried it yet, but I will."

"Yes, I've run six miles. Did it in a late February pracitice. I was timed in 28:20. It was really pretty easy. But I'm not yet in a frame of mind to enjoy six miles."

"The marathon? Well, a former Oregon runner, Ken Moore, who has become a marathoner, says a runner isn't a man until he runs it. So I guess I won't be a man for quite a while."

I read this quote in photo of a 1970 issue of Sporting News, which was tweeted by Chris Chavez here:

You can see the photo blown up here:

Also, Gary Cohen put together a very nice compilation of quotes and stories on Pre which is our QOD for today. A lot of good stuff in there from his sister, Linda, as well as the legends he raced against like Frank Shorter and Gerry Lindgren: