The sub-four minute mile.
This was an athletic feat considered impossible for most of modern history.
That is, until Roger Bannister, at age 25, ran the mile in 3:59.4 on May 6, 1954.
Since then, over 1,400 humans have surpassed that mark.
The current record for the mile run is almost 17 seconds faster at 3:43.13; set by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco in 1999 at age 24.
That’s a pace of 15 miles per hour!
While this physical feat is impressive, the real story is in the mental aspect of achieving lightning quick speeds.
A sub-four minute mile?
IMPOSSIBLE!
Humans did not believe that it could be achieved.
Once Bannister broke through, it opened the door for others to achieve a similar goal.
Why?
Did humankind get significantly stronger and faster in the mid-1950s?
Of course not.
Simply put, the body achieved what the mind believed.
Or as Henry Ford quipped: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t - you’re right.”
How can this Bannister-like mental toughness be applied to mere mortals?
Simple.
Start by identifying complacency and comfort in daily activities or training routines.
Has that bike ride covered the same distance in approximately the same amount of time for the past 5 years?
Time to break through.
Not just by a little bit - smash through.
Can the ride be done in half the time?
Probably!
Will it take a Bannister-like effort to get there.
Absolutely.
Lifting weights?
Awesome!
Time to smash through.
Bench pressing 135 pounds for 3 sets of 10?
Well done.
Next session, warm up and then begin adding weight to that 135 pounds on the bar 10 pounds at a time.
Complete 2-3 quality reps, then add 10 more pounds.
Keep going.
Recruit a spotter.
Struggle a little bit.
Summon that inner Roger Bannister and smash through that wall.
Break the 200 pound mark.
Now a new standard has been established!
Do not revert back to the comfort of the casual bike pace or easy press reps.
Raise the bar! (Pun intended)
Use the new found level of exertion to take the training to the next level and transform not only physically, but mentally.
Smash through those self-perceived barriers.
Whether one thinks they can or can’t - they are right!
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