Sagarin wrote:
Maybe Webb should consider the steeple.
Ah, I (and others) have been saying this for years. Probably a bit late (for the 2012 OG) to start now, though.
Sagarin wrote:
Maybe Webb should consider the steeple.
Ah, I (and others) have been saying this for years. Probably a bit late (for the 2012 OG) to start now, though.
What about the archery team?
hst wrote:
Sagarin wrote:Maybe Webb should consider the steeple.
Ah, I (and others) have been saying this for years. Probably a bit late (for the 2012 OG) to start now, though.
Yeah, I know... was just throwing it out there. After his 8:11 two-mile several years ago, I thought maybe he should give it a go too. In any event, while it seems he's not the Alan Webb of the past, who's to say that he isn't running through these meets, getting ready to peak in late June? 3:38.8 isn't great for him, but it's much better form than he's shown as of late, and if he's down near 3:35 or better by the trials, he has a shot.
Watching Webb steeple would be fun indeed, esp after Jager ran 826 on a first effort, but...
Webb is best as a time trialer rather than a racer, and in the steeple, the rhythm that time trialers thrive on would be less powerful.
I've never steepled, but I imagine the barriers and the water jump break up your rhythm constantly as you slow and accelerate. That probably favors racers rather than time trialers.
So we're talking psychology here, which is sloppy, but seems to me Webb might struggle with the steeple.
Plus, does he want to risk even more injury?
Not at this point. He needs to stay on plan with the 1500.
This time 5 years ago Webb was on top of the world.
Almost 7 years ago today on 4/28/2007, Alan Webb at the Drakes relays ran a 3:51 mile. This was the fastest mile ever run by anyone in the early spring. After that came the AR in the mile. However, in 2008 Webb did not make the Olympic team, and you can pinpoint his decline right there.
If he's playing it smart and somewhat running through these meets, who's to say the guy won't be going through 1500 in 3:35 en route to a 3:50+ mile at Prefontaine in a month? I wouldn't count him out of the trials.
I think that Manzano and Lomong have strong cases for 1500 now after some great racing this weekend from both of them. Manzano chased down and outkicked Lagat.
Leg speed velocity is one thing, but how about the air speed velocity of an african swallow?
Aren't the 1500 final and the 5000 first heat on the same day? Could he be doing these doubles to simulate the trials?
Noddle boy wrote:
Almost 7 years ago today on 4/28/2007, Alan Webb at the Drakes relays ran a 3:51 mile.
He's running out of time faster than any of us thought, apparently.
agip wrote:
I'm changing my mind after Lomong's 5k: Webb should not move up to the 5k.
Maybe he should skip 5000 and go straight to 10,000. He won't set any records, but it might be his best chance to make the team -- and his only (slim) chance to steal a medal in a tactical race.
Aren't the 1500 final and the 5000 first heat on the same day? Could he be doing these doubles to simulate the trials?[/quote]
Interesting point ^[quote]Hidalgo wrote:
Noddle boy wrote:
Almost 7 years ago today on 4/28/2007...
12-7=5
The 1500 prelim and 5000 are on the same day with the 1500 first.
Webb's leg speed velocity may be just right for this situation.
The 1500 prelim won't bother him and they take most to the semis.
Then he can give it a real go in the 5000 final.
Then run the 1500 semis the nxt day if he is not top 3 in the 5.
agip wrote:
Webb is best as a time trialer rather than a racer, and in the steeple, the rhythm that time trialers thrive on would be less powerful.
The "Webb as Time Trialer" myth seems to be based on the 2005 and 2007 WC races, and not much else. When he was in the groove in 2005 and 2007 prior to the WCs, he showed acumen in strung out DL type races as well as more "tactical" affairs. I acknowledge that some brain farts seem to come to the surface, but the guy has clearly shown the ability to race.
Webb will go with the 1500m. The 3:38 closely followed by the 13:49 (sick double) shows great fitness by the American record holder in the mile. That's an amazing early season double for anybody. He has plenty of time to sharpen into form and be a serious contender at the Trials. I hope he makes the team. At the Olympics I'd like to see the holder of the US record take a run at the title.
KevinM wrote:
agip wrote:Webb is best as a time trialer rather than a racer, and in the steeple, the rhythm that time trialers thrive on would be less powerful.
The "Webb as Time Trialer" myth seems to be based on the 2005 and 2007 WC races, and not much else. When he was in the groove in 2005 and 2007 prior to the WCs, he showed acumen in strung out DL type races as well as more "tactical" affairs. I acknowledge that some brain farts seem to come to the surface, but the guy has clearly shown the ability to race.
well, you don't get many chances in pro sports - you mess up twice, you are usually SOL.
But really - he won 3 national titles in the 1500 and that's about it.
No NCAA titles, only one DL type win (prefontaine mile in 3:50), 9th in round one of the Olympics, 9th in the WC final...
His 3:30 in Paris was his only major win overseas. Yet he has run 3:30/3:46/13:10/27:30. You would think he would have won some more big races with those numbers.
well, two diamond league type wins - pre and paris. point stands tho.