Depending on who was asked, Steve Prefontaine was either a brash firebrand or an inspirational genius. For his competitors, Prefontaine’s talent and style sent shivers down their spines and made the end result seem a foregone conclusion. For his fans, he had a strange combination of charisma and mystery that gave him an indescribable magnetism. The author of Prefontaine’s biography, Tom Jordan, summed this allure up when he prefaced his book by saying, “There was something about Steve Prefontaine that demanded attention” (Jordan 3). Part of this was certainly his talent; Prefontaine once held the American record in every distance track event. However, even more remarkable than what he did is how he did it. Prefontaine had relied upon his superior
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Prefontaine’s style closely mirrors that of transcendentalist philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. The transcendentalist movement was known for their enclave in Concord, Massachusetts and intellectual essays regarding the importance of introspection and detachment in modern life. Beginning in the early 19th century, transcendentalism is widely considered the first American cultural movement, and Emerson was its leader. Transcendentalist ideas have continued to manifest themselves in popular culture ever since, allowing individuals like Prefontaine to find forge unique paths while drawing from the past. While transcendentalists and Prefontaine occupy very different worlds, they both reached the top of their respective fields by persevering through challenges and searching within for strength, and this unique approach has cemented their legacies in American …show more content…
Prefontaine’s adversity came in the form of a lack of God-given skill. According to his sister, Linda, “Steve knew he didn 't have the speed or the talent of some other runners, yet he willed himself to be great, she says. If other runners were going to beat him, Pre once said, ‘They are going to have to bleed to do it’” (Williams). How he approached this task is a testament to his mental strength. Prefontaine would run over 400 miles a month, a training regimen that would make most shutter. Even he admitted it was difficult, but he persisted nevertheless. As the first Nike spokesperson, he would often say, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift” (Jordan 80). This statement echoes words written by Emerson over a century earlier in “Self-Reliance,” saying, “A man is is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best” (Emerson 20). This philosophy of success through hard work is a core part of transcendentalism. Transcendentalism was known for its belief that any man could use this idea to find success, and Prefontaine is an example. He knew he did not have the same advantages as his competition, but he persisted. In the face of long odds, Prefontaine did not cower; he fought. Emerson showed the same resolve in his work. As leader of the transcendentalist movement, he gave over 1,500 lectures to spread his ideas. A less devoted man would have
Prefontaine’s style closely mirrors that of transcendentalist philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. The transcendentalist movement was known for their enclave in Concord, Massachusetts and intellectual essays regarding the importance of introspection and detachment in modern life. Beginning in the early 19th century, transcendentalism is widely considered the first American cultural movement, and Emerson was its leader. Transcendentalist ideas have continued to manifest themselves in popular culture ever since, allowing individuals like Prefontaine to find forge unique paths while drawing from the past. While transcendentalists and Prefontaine occupy very different worlds, they both reached the top of their respective fields by persevering through challenges and searching within for strength, and this unique approach has cemented their legacies in American …show more content…
Prefontaine’s adversity came in the form of a lack of God-given skill. According to his sister, Linda, “Steve knew he didn 't have the speed or the talent of some other runners, yet he willed himself to be great, she says. If other runners were going to beat him, Pre once said, ‘They are going to have to bleed to do it’” (Williams). How he approached this task is a testament to his mental strength. Prefontaine would run over 400 miles a month, a training regimen that would make most shutter. Even he admitted it was difficult, but he persisted nevertheless. As the first Nike spokesperson, he would often say, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift” (Jordan 80). This statement echoes words written by Emerson over a century earlier in “Self-Reliance,” saying, “A man is is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best” (Emerson 20). This philosophy of success through hard work is a core part of transcendentalism. Transcendentalism was known for its belief that any man could use this idea to find success, and Prefontaine is an example. He knew he did not have the same advantages as his competition, but he persisted. In the face of long odds, Prefontaine did not cower; he fought. Emerson showed the same resolve in his work. As leader of the transcendentalist movement, he gave over 1,500 lectures to spread his ideas. A less devoted man would have