Techniques
Using novel techniques, Roger Bannister perfected his mile. When training, Roger Bannister would run up to 40 minutes at a time and up to 53 miles per week. One of his most frequently used techniques was interval training. This method consists of intense running and sprinting for varying distances. Roger Bannister pioneered this practice, making it one of the most common training methods.
Roger Bannister crossing John Landy (Image courtesy of Running Tribe)
During his training, Roger Bannister was in medical school at Oxford University. He utilized the information provided to him at Oxford to train for his mile. An interviewer said that Roger Bannister believed that running was a science.
Roger Bannister- Everest on the track (2016) (Video Courtesy of m.youtube.com)
"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves."
~ Roger Bannister
Roger Bannister(41) at the starting line (Image Courtesy of heraldscottland.com)
"I couldn't touch my toes with straight legs, but I
could break 4 minutes for the mile."
~Roger Bannister
He used light weight shoes, that were a total of 4.5-ounces, giving him less weight to carry. He popularized this and it is now a standard practice in professional and collegiate sports. When Eluid Kipochonge beat the world record for the two our marathon, he was wearing Nike Vaporfly's, a 6.9-ounce shoe. These shoes were a similar advancement derived from Roger Bannister.
Roger Bannister training (Image courtesy of All Posters)
Photo: Roger Bannisters training schedule
Image courtesy of samuelakerstein.com
"Its not only okay, its good to shootfor high goals even if you dont make it. Its what you become in the pursuit that counts, not if one attains the goal."
~ Joseph Sheader, Track and Cross Country Coach
Photo: Roger Bannister holding up his track shoes
Image courtesy of Daily Mail