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Article #23: Breaking Psychological Barriers

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Before 1954, running a sub four-minute In the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo,
mile was considered to be impossible five days after just setting the world
according to physiologists at that time. record in the 100 meters by running it in
It was thought that a four-minute mile 9.86 seconds, Lewis' 10-year unbeaten
was the physical limit of the human body. streak in the long jump came to an end,
When Englands' Roger Bannister ran a even though he put together the greatest
3:59.4 to break the world record, he not series of jumps in history. Lewis had
only broke a physical barrier but he also never before reached 29 feet, and this
broke a psychological barrier as well. day he did it three times, including 29'
Australian John Landy, who was considered 2" (wind-aided) and 29' 1" (against the
to be the premier miler of that era, was wind). But Mike Powell, who had lost 15
at a restaurant in Helsinki when news consecutive times to Lewis, unleashed the
came to him of Bannister's achievement. longest jump in history -- 29' 4" (8.90
"I had got into this frame (of mind) m). Powell had stunned Lewis and the
where I had easily the best performances. world by finally beating the 23
Bannister had only run 4:02 once. I'd year-old-record.
done it six times. I was staggered. I I've used these two stories from the
thought: 'Wow, what an amazing sports world to illustrate that the
performance', but I was pretty positive. things that often hold us back, are more
I thought if he can run that, maybe I can psychological than physical. Limiting
run it. It certainly raised my sights." barriers are more in our minds than
Six weeks later, Landy, broke Bannisters' actual reality.
record by running a 3:58.0. Henry Ford
Later that year, in the "Mile of the "If you think you can do a thing or you
Century", in a race to decide who was the think you can't do a thing, you're
fastest miler in the world, Bannister ran right."
a 3:58.8 to Landys' 3:59.6. It was the You are not limited by anything except
first time two men had run your own limiting thoughts. Many times,
sub-four-minutes miles in the same race. psychological barriers are just arbitrary
By the end of 1957, sixteen runners had standards. They could be marks such as
accomplished the feat. Now what was earning $100,000 a year, getting straight
thought impossible has become common, at A's in school, or setting new sales
least among elite runners. John Walker of records. Why is it we establish these
New Zealand ran at least a hundred marks? We as human beings are
sub-four-minute miles in his career but goal-seeking organisms. We need something
American Steve Scott has the most with to work towards. A worthy goal gives us
136. The current record in the mile is something to shoot for.
3:43.13, held by Hicham El Guerrouj of I'm sure Mike Powell, on his way to
Morocco. breaking Bob Beamons' record had
Another long-standing psychological preliminary goals he had to achieve. He
barrier in the world of sports was Bob first had to break the 25 foot mark, then
Beamons' incredible long jump of 29' 4 1 the 26 foot mark, and so forth, until,
2" (8.90 m) in the 1968 Olympics. Beamon after years of long training, spurred on
didn't just set the world record. He by stiff competition from Carl Lewis, he
demolished it. In a sport where records put it all together to break one of the
are broken by inches and seconds, Beamon greatest records in sports history.
shattered the record by nearly two feet. Many times we don't achieve our goals or
He not only became the first man to jump objectives because we believe they are
over 29 feet but he was also the first beyond our reach. When we see someone
man to jump over 28 feet. obtain some great achievement, we think
Oddly enough, Beamons' coach at the '68 it looks so easy. We just don't see the
Olympics was Ralph Boston. In 1960, long years of hard work that got them
Boston had broken Jesse Owens long jump there. Great achievements take time, no
record set in 1935. It had held for 25 matter what field you are in. Working
years. From 1960 to 1967, the record had toward your goal requires a lot of faith
only advanced by 8 1/2" inches. because you just don't know whether it
Beamons' incredible leap was thought to will all pay off. Goals are not reached
be a freak accident that would never be without struggle. Long-range goals
duplicated. It was an accomplishment that require great endurance of faith and
was totally beyond Beamons' or anyone persistence.
else's ability at that time. Beamon never Breaking down our psychological barriers
came close to that mark again. It was often comes down to trying one more time,
considered to be the athletic feat of all trying a different approach or adjusting
time. your methods just the right way. It's for
In the late eighties, Carl Lewis had sure; you will never get past your
begun to creep closer to Beamons' mark. roadblocks without trying.
With his world record speed in the 100 Success comes to those who overcome
meters, Lewis had advanced the long jump obstacles, conquers adversity and never
record to 28' 7". gives up.






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