Very sad news about Sir Roger Bannister. It doesn’t feel like modern sport creates legends like this anymore. It's hard to believe that more people have climbed Everest than run a sub-4 mile. I came across this quote from him while reading his obituary on the BBC News. and it jumped out at me. I've not read this one before but right now, when I'm in the middle of training hard for Hamburg it resonates. I think what he means is that it's still possible to enjoy the 'good things in life' and be a good runner. You can still have those drinks, that burger and fries. Or as I understand it of Sir Roger, the odd cigarette. I love the idea this conveys, it's really liberating to think everyone can achieve their goals without becoming a monk. The idea that Sir Roger conjures up is reminiscent of the romanticised tales of the heady days of football where world class players could destroy opposition on the back of a 24-hour bender and a 40-a-day smoking habit. I think those days are gone. I also don't think the spirit of this quite works for me. No.1 I don't have the talent of Roger Bannister. 2. I know I have to commit 100% to get the results I want. Right now, that means I'm alcohol, sugar, dairy, grain and gluten free, training 6 times a week and living a monk-like existence that I'm pretty sure all of my friends will agree makes me even more boring than I was before. So for me, I guess it makes no odds really. Plus it's worked for me in the past so I'm going to stick with what I know. Right now I'm off to sit in a dark room with a glass of tepid mineral water and a bag of spinach. ——————- P.S. I owe Sir Roger Bannister a personal debt for another reason. Without his astonishing achievement I'd have spent far more time scrabbling around for ways to write introductions to running features! ———— #running #rogerbannister #iffleyroad
