Exploring the methods used by Franz Stampfl and Percy Wells Cerutty to help their athletes break the barrier of the first four-minute mile, this paper will attempt to unravel some of the myths surrounding the training of great athletes in the 1950s. The training of Stampfl has long been regarded as cold and scientific, whereas the methods of Cerutty relied upon a tacit knowledge of the body derived from the use of distinctive training philosophy - the creed of the 'Stotan'. In effect the 'battle' between the two coaches was seen to be ideological. However, a close examination of the methods employed by both Stampfl and Cerutty highlights that they largely relied upon similar training methods which developed embodied habit, and it was simply where the training took place that was distinct.