“Every time I fail I assume I will be a stronger person for it.”  

~ Joan Benoit

Joan Benoit is one of the best marathon runners in history. At the 1984 Olympic Games, Benoit won the gold medal in the first-ever women's marathon at the Olympics. She also won gold at the 1983 Pan American Games. Benoit set the American record in the marathon in 1985 with a time of 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 21 seconds. This record stood for 18 years. 

Before her marathon days, Joan Benoit attended Bowdoin College for two years before transferring to North Carolina State University. At NC State, Benoit received a running scholarship and ran cross country for two seasons. In her two seasons, she won All-American honors, won an ACC cross country championship, and won the Broderick Award for the best college cross country runner in the country. 

Benoit's advice can ring true for any athlete. Failure is a hard thing to face but it is something that happens to every athlete. The most important thing about failing is that you learn from it and keep on moving forward. The best athletes in the world, including Joan Benoit, have had to face countless obstacles. Use your failure as motivation for next time.