come on, now wrote:
From later in the article: "Bonus Tip: Train like Roger Bannister. That is, split the distance into four 600-yard intervals and run them at a pace that's about 10 percent faster than your 11/2-mile pace, resting 1 minute after each. Bannister used this method to train for the first sub-4-minute mile."
Oh, that's brilliant.
Actually, IMHO it is is useful tip for someone who isn't into running, and and who maybe needs to build up to running the distance, to see what it feels like...
AND an it's an even better workout for new runners (someone who is trying to get near 20min for 5km, not easy for many people) - if someone who doesn't do much mileage (20-something a week - that's 4-ish miles 5 days a week, a decent schedule for a recreational runner), a set of 4x600m at 10% faster than 6:40/mile is decent - each interval would be around 4min/km pace, on relatively short rest - I think you can mix this into a session with a couple of longer intervals, or do 2 sets and you have a good beginner race pace session. I don't think this should be belittled, and actually I would like to be able to do this session (even 1 set) at this point, having been away from running for so long.
Referencing Bannister is misleading...but that'll be tough to explain to someone who really isn't into running. Maybe at least they can understand that this on it's own isn't the whole story...