How strong is Alan Webb?

RunnerNYC23 wrote:

I expect him to compete. Not once or twice a year when he feels like it...everytime. If you're a runner, try to relate. When you go out there and run a workout, do you just dog the workout after your first interval is slow? If you have respect for yourself and actually want to compete against yourself and that watch...you fight. Then when you are done, you can be happy with yourself that you pushed yourself even though you felt like you didn't have anything in your tank. I just want to know what he thinks of himself after a race when he knows he didn't give it his all. I'm not saying he isn't a phenomenal runner...but if you aren't committed to pushing yourself, mentally and physically...then don't run the race.

I used to share your attitude. I'd gut it out in every workout, outkick people on easy runs, get fired up for every single race, the whole nine. I did not race well doing that, and my long-term development stalled for years. I've since learned to attach less moral importance to "pushing myself," have figured out that not every workout (or, gasp!, even race) has to be all out, and I've improved a lot since then.

And you can't really be serious when you suggest that Webb isn't "committed to pushing [himself] mentally and physically." The dude has been under a microscope since he was 16, and he has better range than any other middle-distance runner in the world, bar none.

How many times have you ever see Mottram, Lagat or someone like Famigletti get anything over 4th or 5th? They are tough.

On the pain of running the mile, Alan told usatoday.com: "The pain can be pretty bad. But when I'm on pace, the excitement gets me through each lap. Adrenaline can get you beyond the pain."

But when I'm not on pace...

Webb is the fastest American miler ever. That's all one really needs to say.

RunnerNYC23 wrote:

How many times have you ever see Mottram, Lagat or someone like Famigletti get anything over 4th or 5th? They are tough.

On the pain of running the mile, Alan told usatoday.com: "The pain can be pretty bad. But when I'm on pace, the excitement gets me through each lap. Adrenaline can get you beyond the pain."

But when I'm not on pace...

Fam? Are you serious? Fam?

...Fam?

Fam is running well now when it doesn't even matter, just like last year, and the year before it. Don't count on anything big when it counts. Do not put Fam in the same sentence as Lagat. Do not put Mottram in the same sentence as Lagat.

To the OP--it's pretty pothetic that you lose respect for Webb just because of something like this. He is an amazing runner, and his times obviously speak for themselves. So, maybe he loses confidence every once in awhile when he's off pace--maybe he doesn't have this whole psychology of racing thing down pat and conquered, but who really does? So much of racing is mental, and believe me, sometimes the mental aspect of the sport can be tougher to work on than the physical. I myself have had this happen to me--my splits are a little off and I'm not feeling the greatest, and knowing that they're off makes me panic about not being able to keep up (and feel discouraged about it too), and this panic and discouragement in turn affects me physically too. The mind is so powerful, but the mind and body are connected quite a bit. This kind of thing happens to so many runners, but it seems like you got this whole psychology of competition thing down--give yourself a pat on the back. Sigh.

RunnerNYC23 wrote:

How many times have you ever see Mottram, Lagat or someone like Famigletti get anything over 4th or 5th? They are tough.

On the pain of running the mile, Alan told usatoday.com: "The pain can be pretty bad. But when I'm on pace, the excitement gets me through each lap. Adrenaline can get you beyond the pain."

But when I'm not on pace...

Since you are a mentally tougher runner, you should race Webb someday and show how great you are.

PS He will smoke u

Maybe he is mentally TOUGHER than most to be able know when to call it a day (risking the mental letdown when you DNF or place very poorly).

I imagine that elite runners run at that fine line between their limit and over their limit. When racing at that level, why risk going over the limit (possibly blowing up the engine that pays your bills), when there is no possible way that you can win. Maybe he just knows his limit better than most. Maybe for him a 4th or 5th hurts worse than calling it a day when he knows he's pushed to his limit and it wasn't good enough on that day.

Plus he has run faster for the mile than any American ever, he must be at least a decent runner.

As i've said before, mottram is tough and has the killer instinct. He has ruined his career chasing money though and not managing his season well enough. Webb could be a monster if he got his head right.

I had nothing but respect for him until two weeks ago when I watched him walk down Boyleston Street before the start of trials talking to a friend during the singing of the National Anthem when everyone else was somehow able to be respectful.