The Difference is Smaller Than You Think

As many of my friends and colleagues know, I like to run.  It’s a passion I picked up when I turned 40 a couple of years ago (OK – maybe many years ago).  It’s a relatively simple, inexpensive pastime.  Just lace up a pair a running shoes and no matter where you are in the world, you can run.  You don’t need special gear, perfect weather or a well-manicured playing field.  All it takes is a bit of desire and the will to just get out there and do it.

Anyone who has ever run semi-seriously knows that the four-minute mile barrier was broken by Sir Roger Bannister.  This historic event took place on May 6, 1954 during a meet between British AAA and Oxford University in England.  The race was watched by about 3,000 spectators and broadcast live by BBC Radio.  The following announcement was made immediately after the race to those in attendance by the stadium announcer:

“Ladies and gentlemen, here is the result of event 9, the one mile; 1st, No. 41, R. G. Bannister, Amateur Athletic Association and formerly of Exeter and Merton Colleges, Oxford, with a time which is a new meeting and track record, and which – subject to ratification – will be a new English Native, British National, All-Commers, European, British Empire ad World Record. The time was 3 . .”

The roar of the crowd drowned out the rest of the announcement.  Bannister’s time was 3 min 59.4 sec.

Up to that point, the four-minute mile was thought to have been an impossible feat.  Scientists, physiologists, coaches and runners had literally placed a self-imposed, mental barrier on anyone thinking they could challenge the mark.  But with Bannister’s historic feat, he opened up the flood gates.  Within one year of the record-breaking time, an unprecedented thirty-seven runners shattered the four-minute mark.  Did these runners suddenly all get better at the same time?  My guess is ‘No.’  The only thing that changed was a little voice in the back of their head that was silenced that day.  The voice that said the four-minute mile was impossible.

How often do we listen to that little voice in the back of our heads that tells us something can’t be done?  Sometimes the difference between failure and success is just that little bit of extra ‘Umph!’ that lies within each of us.  Here’s a short video that will make you think:

Related posts:
  Bannister Breaks Four-Minute Mile - BBC
  How to Run Faster – About.com