Webb running Gaz de France on Friday

Bof wrote:

Yesterday in Liege he didn't run well on the 800m.

He was half a second out of first, which is not exactly a disaster, and 1:46 is not that bad a mark.

I think Webb will run 3:33 or better.

My guess is that he was fit for the Trials but didn't have a good racing rythm.

The wind and slow pace weren't helpful.

A fast rabbitted race where all he has to do is follow and make one move may suit him at this stage (better than 6 weeks ago at Pre.) I don't see him winning this race, though.

He can still salvage a world ranking out of this year.

Didn't Khalid Skah win the world XC champs back in the early 90s about a week or so after getting his wisdom teeth pulled?

Intergalactic wrote:

2miler wrote: Willis is coming off having wisdom teeth pulled last week also...which could slow him down some.

Why the hell would he have his wisdom teeth pulled a month before the Olympics? Couldn't this have been done in December or after the Olympics?

Maybe they hurt now? Maybe they didn't hurt in December? Are you this much of an idiot?

I haven't bothered to read the rest of this thread, but the statement about "salvaging" his season is utterly stupid.There is no salvaging his season if he didn't make the cut to Beijing. Webb can only go to the National Invitation Tournament while the real contenders duke it out in Beijing.Webb may go somewhere and run faster than a 1500m finalist, which he has done numerous times - But, and life is full of buts - Webb has been unable to place in a big championship race when it counts. Posting a fast time is something that Webb has already done, doing so again, outside of a major championship event, proves nothing.

webby wrote:

It will be interesting to see if he can salvage this season in the next couple of months.

I'm sure it would prove something to himself, give him some confidence that he could still run well.

Sheze the 1 wrote:

Intergalactic wrote:

Why the hell would he have his wisdom teeth pulled a month before the Olympics? Couldn't this have been done in December or after the Olympics?

Maybe they hurt now? Maybe they didn't hurt in December? Are you this much of an idiot?

Have you heard of an X-ray? And saying "Hey doc, I have this little gig in August that's a little important"? With all the people bashing Webb about drinking at the Trials, there's no way you can just blow off the fact that Willis just had a procedure that, at the minimum, costs him a day or so of training and isn't any easier on the body than a few beers. Plus I'm sure everybody has a story of somebody they know who got dry sockets and was f***ed up for 3 weeks from it.

I heard he donated a kidney too.

if it's a good race, meaning good pacing and good temp and no tripping, webb runs ~ 3:35 for ~ 10th/11th place. he still needs another month before he starts rounding into good form, which would've been perfect if he were on the Olympic team. so much for plan A.

garland823 wrote:Have you heard of an X-ray? And saying "Hey doc, I have this little gig in August that's a little important"? With all the people bashing Webb about drinking at the Trials, there's no way you can just blow off the fact that Willis just had a procedure that, at the minimum, costs him a day or so of training and isn't any easier on the body than a few beers. Plus I'm sure everybody has a story of somebody they know who got dry sockets and was f***ed up for 3 weeks from it.

You're absolutely right. Wisdom teeth growth and movement is absolutely predictable and every athlete should visit one exactly 6 months prior to a big event in their lives.

I actually thought in the last 150 of the 800 he looked the best he has all year. Those predicting 3:33 are overly optimistic, but I think he could go high 3:34s, so I'll say 3:34.97.

Bof wrote:

Yesterday in Liege he didn't run well on the 800m.

What has been Webb's fastest mile or 1500 this year? 3:36, 3:37 equivalent?

He'll run 3:33-3:35.

Miner49er wrote:

I haven't bothered to read the rest of this thread, but the statement about "salvaging" his season is utterly stupid.

There is no salvaging his season if he didn't make the cut to Beijing. Webb can only go to the National Invitation Tournament while the real contenders duke it out in Beijing.

Not that Webb is going to do anything comparable, but I think that Komen's 3000 WR from 1996 did a little to "salvage" that season. You still see threads here about that race all the time. As for the Olympic 5000 that year--not many people seem to talk about Niyongabo here.

Webb isn't going to run anything remotely close to Komen's 3k, if he does I'll gladly eat your shorts!

FWIW many people have come out and run awesome after crappy olympics years. e.g. Bannister

I think realistically if Webb went under 3:30 and won a golden league this would be a reasonable season. It's not the same as the olympics in the slightest but GIVEN that he's not going- he needs to try and do his best.

has it ever occured to anyone on this board that Webb might in fact of been trying to peak for the Olympics? Menzano isn't going to do squat in Bejing and anyone who follows track knows that. Webb has a shot. I think USATF if more flawed for not thinking about situation like this instead of letting Goucher into the final.

Going all the way back to Bannister is quite a stretch.

Where is Medhi B?

I personally think Webb has neglected base and strength work for the last two years.

He cashed all his chips in last year, but now he is running completely dry.

If he cannot run sub 3:36 here, he needs to end the season and maybe think about running some XC/road races this fall/winter.

KOMANS ALREADY RAN 331 THIS SEASON.

either he's alredy peaked, or webb will have to settle for 2nd place.