Will Webb make the Olympic Team?

Sorry for the formatting - that didn't quite turn out like I had expected.

My point is that Webb is a fast runner, not a good racer. When running against athletes of lesser fitness, Webb outRUNS them, but when it is "steel on steel" (foes are equal) - Webb is unable to outRACE them.

*There is nothing wrong with being a fast runner - I am just pointing out that he has weak racing skills.

excuse please #1 son say Teg no run 10K now #2 son say Teg no run 1500 .

Can they both be right?

i kinda like running wrote:

I'll have to admit that Webb's chances of making the US Olympic team are in danger this year, more so than in years past. But he'll make it. He just ran a 3:55 in his season opener on the track and he has the confidence of knowing he is the fastest American miler ever, on top of being 3 time US champ. Webb is a bit of a headcase, but against American-only competition he's a lot more confident. He'll be top 3, it's almost certain.

And once he makes the team he'll have a few more weeks to sharpen up. By the time the Olympics start he'll be in top form. I still say he misses out on a medal, but he'll make the final.

2012 will be Alan's year for glory.

there won't be an olympics in 2012 nitwit. this is your last shot if you're an athlete.

My prediction is that on the last lap of the trials, at least three runners will start to pull away from him. Webb will then shut down and jog in, saying he decided to save himself for Zurich.

here are just my two cents on Webb. Is he a great runner. Yes he has set the american record which means a lot. Do I think he will make the olympics. I think it will be close. Webb seems to run very well when A) He has tons of confidence. Which as of right now I can't imagine he has. B) When he has a fast race that he can kick off of a fast pace. I am a little worried for him because I don't believe he will be able to lead from the gun and run away from everyone and because I am not sure in the case of a slow race he has the wheels to go with the likes of Lagat, Manzano, Lomong, or from what I have seen if he is in it Wheating. Lagat has proven this year in my opinion that he is the man to beat. He seems to have ridiculous wheels not matter the distance or pace. Does anyone know his last 400 and 200 yesterday? That is just my two cents don't jump down my throat and take Webb out of yours.

You really lost me there.

The team will be Lagat, Lomong, and Jennings. It is obvious.

Hasn't Lomong been running a ton of races already?

And Webb's first track race he runs a 3:55 is bad? It's a huge improvement over DNF the past couple of races. How many of these other guys ran 3:55 in their first race?

I wouldn't be to worried about the guy, we have all seen how fast he is when he peaks, it's just the timing perhaps...

i feel bad for webb

everyone is on his nuts sooooo bad

let the man run, it'd be alot easier for him to make the team and then go on and have a successful olympic experience, hopefully bringing home a medal, if everyone just backed off

imagine the pressure hes under form every asshole american running nerd who thinks he should be a god. hes not he is a human and we all have bad races so get the f*** over it. you think after hes done with a bad race on the track he wants to come home to read this shit. NOOOOOO!

i agree he is a headcase, but can you blame him.

when hes running bad the entire country wants him dead, but when it comes down to it we all love the guy and just want him to succeed, so why not give him the chance and hop off his nuts for a bit.

hes fast, talented, and has potential to contend very well with the worlds best, let him do that.

Doesn't look he's done much 3:50 pace work. If he had, he probably could have handled the pace. The strength he has built up over the years gave him the 3:55, otherwise he would have been looking at 3:59.9 or 4:01.

With that said, don't give up on the lad just yet. If he can run 3:55 on his "bad" day, then I assure the boy has some good days in him and he will come to shine in 3 weeks. If he doesn't make the team in 3 weeks...look for something big this summer. Something similar to what Komen did in '96 when he didn't make his Kenyan team. Anger can be a powerful emotion, if used under control.

Either way, Webb will come out on top.

Why does everybody keep saying he has no kick, gears, or whatever? He's run :47 and 1:43 so he clearly has plently of leg turnover. He obviously just isnt sharp enough to handle 57s to 58s for a 1500 and sprint home yet. Judging from his lackluster 5k and 8k it looks to me like he is a little behind on fitness.

You whining weenies will all be rooting for him in 3 weeks because you know he is Americas best chance at earning a medal in the 1500 at the Olympics. Im sure if something is wrong with him, he is trying is hardest to overcome it.

Has anyone here coached an US athlete to Olympic Gold? How about silver? No? what about bronze? I didnt think so

For all you negative Nancies, go on your little 6 miler and dream about having the talent/work ethic that Webb has. 3:55 may sound like it's not enough to get it done in three weeks, but please tell me what he is supposed to do? Im sure he is not going to stay at home because the people on Letsrun thinks he wont be able to qualify for the Oly's

The problem with Manzano is that he flops horribly in international competition. He did not even make it out of the first round at last years world championships.

ever hear of a guy named lagat?

Maybe he is off the juice. Who knows? He seems to be undecided about looking like a weightlifter or a runner.

Webb joins a group of talented headcase American milers from the past. Remember Steve Holman getting knocked off the Olympic team, and Joe Falcon despite having 3:49 mile speed never making an Olympic team. Then there is the talented but inconsistent Tom Byers who running resume is all over the place. It got so bad for Holman that he had to consult a sports psychologist. Still none of these guys came close to running a 3:46 mile.

Last year Webb looked like the next Lagat, and this year he looks like Micheal Stember.

In the last 100 years only Lagat, Cummingham, and Shepard have got it togther mentally and won major races among American milers. Even Ryun flaked out towards the end of his short career.

Scott was a better international competitor than Webb. He was always consistent throughout the years which explains his 11 seasons being ranked in the IAAF top ten.

So Spyder, what is your reasoning for predicting Webb to race like shit every time this year? We're talking a span of months here, not just a couple of consecutive races, so what are you basing these repeated predictions on? I'd say he has a recent history (ie the last 4 years) of running well... why are you so suddenly sure he's going to suck every time out. I'm confused. It's all well and good to look at his race at Pre and say he looks out of shape, rusty, unsure, etc... but to just keep saying he sucks is a bit silly, given his credentials.

Webb can prove everyone wrong at the Olympic Trials, he obviously is not where he needs to be but only he knows why.

Chang Apana wrote:

excuse please #1 son say Teg no run 10K now #2 son say Teg no run 1500 .

Can they both be right?

Please, don´t interrupt when adults are talking!