For those of us who have not run a sub-4:00 mile, what is the coolest "barrier" you have broken and which was the most satisfying or difficult?
When I broke 4:00 in the 1500m, it was an afterthought, I was in the heat of battle didn't think twice about it, but never did it again.
When I broke 8:30 over 3000m, it came so easy that it didn't dawn on me, but was able to do it again and again.
Going sub-14:30 was probably the most difficult and most focused I have ever been in a race situation, it was intense, but in hindsight, the coolest part was actually getting below 14:00 for 3 miles. I used to read books on Pre and Shorter and 3 miles was the distance they race frequently and to be in the "13-min" club was cool to me.
It was gratifying to finally get under 24:00 for 8km, but this one came over many years of hard work and failed attempts, but also came when I was on fire in terms of training routine and racing. I think I basically red-lined the whole race.
I was never able to get under 30:00 for 10,000m... I ran in the days of pre-Stanford 10K's and only approached the barrier at Penn Relays, but it's one to get after to be a sub-30:00 runner.
As one progresses, sub-2h30' is a challenge. You have to be talented, but in some very hard work, and then have everything go right on the day of the race. I've failed in my attempt, within 80-seconds of that barrier, but it's nice.
So, these are all personal "barriers", but what's been a "barrier" for your guys?