The four minute mile was considered to be the "perfect mile". Achieving
this goal seemed near impossible for even the fastest, most competitive runners. For years professional sprinters had attempted
this and failed. The book "The Perfect Mile" written by Niel Bascomb captures the intense fight to be considered the worlds
best. The athor gives an inside look at the lives of three young men trying to make it to the 1952 oympics, as well as the
infamous goal of the four minute mile. Bascomb shows the reader how the athletes emotionally as well as physically reach their
different goals. The beginning of the book seemed a bit confusing and hard to keep up with, due to the many last names and
sports terms. However, throughout reading it the passion of the runners and the story became present. In each of the early
chapters Bascomb explains the journey all three men go through to get to the olympics. Later the story shifts to a similar
new goal each man is attempting to achieve.
Bannisters journey to the olmpics-
After reading the first chapter I felt a bit lost. Bascomb starts
by introucing the first runner who was trying to make it to the olympics in Helskini. I felt myself trying to remember the
ten-plus names given in the first chapter. However, one part of the chapter that was very intresting was the description of
Bannister's homeland. The grim location was Britian right after World War 2 and a depression. The country
was in desperate need of a victory of any sort, and Bannister felt that was his duty. Bannister had broke the world record
for 3/4 mile, and thought he was capable of the three races in the olympics. Bascomb gave a brief description of each boy.
Bannister was an intelligent medical student at Oxford. It was at Oxford that he relized his talent for speed. After
winning over 20 races at Oxford, including the "Benjiman Franklin Mile'' he was ready to go to qualifications for the
big times.
Wes Santee-
Wes Santee was an Amercan Runner who was attending the University
of Kansas. Bascomb described Santee in an ironic type of way. He was a large 6'1 built man, however, he was as nervous and
shy as they come. Santee's chapter started a bit different from Bannister's. Santee had already made it to the olympics when
the chapter first started. The author kind of did things backwards, as he described his journey afterward. He also had won
many races and awards, including the American record for the 3/4 mile. As the reader I felt that the author portrayed this
American runner as confident and ready ror the olympics. I saw myself in this runner. I too get extremly nervous, but get
the job done with pride.
Landy-
The last of the three runners was John Landy. Unlike the other
two runners who were top choices to represent their countries, Landy was last on the list to make the 1952 Australian team.
Bascomb informed the reader what this meant. Quaifying last meant the athlete could perform but did not have the funds given
to him. The event that got Landy into that last position was placing second in the British AAA championship. Bascomb
gave a bit of a clue to the reader when he described Landy's mental state as being relaxed and calm he implyed that this
would help him in the future. Landy was excited to make it to the Helskini olympics but a bit nervous. The Australians were
the weekest team.
The olympics-
As the reader I felt like I too was at the 1952 olympics.
The author described everything from the weather to the sounds. Unlike the begining of the book, this part was easy to understand
and quite enjoyable. I felt that the author wrote this section in an entertaining, easy to read style. The USA started of
by taking the gold which put a damper on two of the three runners. Santee's first event started off rocky as he noticed the
warm-up was completely different then what he was use to. He had finished his first race 13th. The worse he had ever placed.
Landy was also dissapointed as he too finished with a fifth pace finish. The pattern continued as Bannister finished fourth
After a few more dissapointing races the boy's hopes were shattered. The chances of winning the olympics were over. All the
hopes and dreams from previous races seemed like nothing at this point. All three men decided it was time for a new challange
and goal.
The new challange-
Bascomb allowed the reader to understand the boys let the olympics
go and were prepared to make new records and still become notorious. After some races and training the men began to read about
each other. They knew each person was a threat being that they were all racing the same races and trying to attempt the same
ultimate goal. "The four minute mile". It has never been done and by the way Bascomb described, it seemed impossibe. As the
reader I understand the difficulty and the hard work needed to even attempt this goal. I also enjoyed reading this part, because
it was soley about these three characters. Landy was working with a 4:00.2 mile which seemed close but I learned it was very
far away. Santee was working with 4:00.6 and right in the middle was Banister with 4:00.3. It took each runner all the training
and help they could get to now off those few seconds. These few chapters described each of the runners diets and schedules
which really helped me understand the dedication. "The Perfect Mile" really examplified how the runners had a competition
with each other as well as themselves. Bannister became the first to reach the world record. He had ran the mile in 3:59.4,
as the crowd went absolutly wild he could not believe his ears. After almost collapsing it took the runner some time to actaully
realize he was the first to break the world record. It was when the other runners heard the news that they began to train
even harder. They knew they could not receive the title of "first", but were hoping for "better". Landy was the next to reach
the goal at a time of-3:58! He also held a record now. After a few years of vigirous workouts Santee realized he was not going
to break the record but came as close as possible with 4:00.1. The men all achieved goals but it was Bannister who ran the
first ''Perfect MIle''.
All three men look back at their days of running with pride. The
author explained the discipline and dedication it took to get to the place they were. Bascomb explained how each man
in his own way will always be a legend, because they trained longer and harder then any athlete today. "The Perfect Mile" presented
each runners story in a realistic, entertaning way. Although a bit confusing at parts the story of the three men was passionate
and entertaining.
