I would call it a different inertia .
Some athletes are simply too good because their competition sees them as unbeatable .
Same with competing against the clock .
In the book "The Perfect Mile " , a quest to break 4 minutes in a mile was hampered by mental block .
What causes that basically round numbers of certain units , become mental obstacles ?
Our own mind .
We seem be to be attracted to whole parts and as a result , we create artificial barriers in our mind .
Had units of time be redefined , traditional 4 minute mile would never be that difficult to break .