1500m final

dube wrote:

I don't get it. Why are people happy that Webb doesn't medal. I mean, great for Lagat, but Webb has put it out there this year and has been racing great. Webb put it out there in this race as well. The difference between 1st and 8th in a race like this is just being a little more "on" or "off" on this day (less than 1 second). Why be happy he was just a little off for the sprint. Lagat was a little more on. Look how long it took him to get a gold in a WC or Olympics. Give Webb a couple more years of experience and he'll race the big races as well as he has been racing all year. I'm sure he learned a few things and will use it the rest of the year and next year in China.

You are wrong. The difference between Lagat and Webb today was huge. Lagat is a professional. Webb thinks he is, but isn't. True champions capitalize on the position that Webb had. He just isn't as good as we all though and hoped.

Looked like we (US) were going to have two medalests today but didn't work out. Congrats to Lagat on a perfectly run race. Go USA!!! First gold since when???

Webb has been able to outkick ANYONE all year. Today's last 100 was slow by Webb standards. He's obviously not feeling 100%.

If Webb wanted to run off the front like that, I would have expected him to make a bigger move earlier in the race. There's no reason to lead like that if you're just gonna kick at the very end like everyone else in the race

You don't run 3:30 and 1:43 and make some of the best in the world look like chumps in those races without being damn good. Webb's tactics were good, but he didn't have it today, as the other poster said. But he is good enough, and he'll be back to prove it.

yes, bernard lagat is far more experienced than webb and ran a more technically sound race...but, if you think that was the same alan webb today that we saw a couple months ago you are mistaken. that sure as hell wasnt the same kind of final 100 that we saw at the US champs.

Look at the winning time. 3:34 ish.

Webb had to go and hammer a race of 3:30 if he wanted a chance to medal. He started out in the lead, but at 2nd lap didn't want to lead (maybe didn't feel well), and put in too much faith into his kick. He isn't that great, at those speeds the other guys will outkick him most of the races (less so in 3:30 land).

wjw0006 wrote:

You are wrong. The difference between Lagat and Webb today was huge. Lagat is a professional. Webb thinks he is, but isn't. True champions capitalize on the position that Webb had. He just isn't as good as we all though and hoped.

We need to send Webb to his room to teach him a lesson. How dare he have a great season and race his heart out and dissappoint those who don't like him anyway!

what a disgrace wrote:

If Webb wanted to run off the front like that, I would have expected him to make a bigger move earlier in the race. There's no reason to lead like that if you're just gonna kick at the very end like everyone else in the race

that's not true, webb was leading so he didnt run into the problem of position that he faced in the semis. He just didnt look like he had that normal finish today, his last 100 was flat at best.

Dan Onymous wrote:

wjw0006 wrote:

You are wrong. The difference between Lagat and Webb today was huge. Lagat is a professional. Webb thinks he is, but isn't. True champions capitalize on the position that Webb had. He just isn't as good as we all though and hoped.

You don't run 3:30 and 1:43 and make some of the best in the world look like chumps in those races without being damn good. Webb's tactics were good, but he didn't have it today, as the other poster said. But he is good enough, and he'll be back to prove it.

Webb peaked earlier in the season. That is why he was a little off today. Alot of people knew that when he set the American record in the mile.

Webb did very well but just didn't have the extra gears at the end of the race. He is still young and will get better. Lagat is the proof that experience does matter in the homestretch!

Webby!! nothing to be ashamed off. Lagat, delivered at crunch time. And it is good for him in the twilight of his career. He went against the king.. in his entire career. Imagine facing El G year in and year out.. and in the end of your career having one real shot at winning the big one.

Webb is only 24, he will be back and he will be a world/olympic medalist and even champ one day.

Incred

Serious? wrote:

Looked like we (US) were going to have two medalests today but didn't work out. Congrats to Lagat on a perfectly run race. Go USA!!! First gold since when???

Mel Sheppard, 1908 Olympics.

Sometimes you have it, sometimes you don't. Bernard himself has said this. Maybe there's a coaching reason why Webb didn't have it today, maybe there isn't. I just hope that he and his crew figure out in time for next year.

i kinda like running wrote:

let me know if it works for you....

Hey man, thank you very much.

I never had a chance to come back and let you know how it was, but I really appreciate the help.

wjw0006 wrote:

You are wrong. The difference between Lagat and Webb today was huge. Lagat is a professional. Webb thinks he is, but isn't. True champions capitalize on the position that Webb had. He just isn't as good as we all though and hoped.

So let's get this straight. Webb takes down Steve Scott's American record and also runs a brilliant 800 and several other excellent races this spring (solo 3:51 mile at Drake Relays, etc.) and summer (USTAF, etc.) But he's isn't any good. Scott, with 130-something sub-4:00 miles, was the ultimate professional, calm, cool, always ready to race. Not Webb, oh no. Webb, he shows up at the World Champs final and the best he can do is 8th place a full second behind winner Lagat. Terrible. He should retire today. Have I got this right?

Duh.

Guys who run track know you can only really peak for one or two meets a year. Having the fastest time in April ever I think it was and setting the US mile record were indications that by the end of August he may not be at his best and he wasn't. Lagat obviously timed it so he could be in good enough shape to make the US team without being peaked. Hopefully he;ll get it right for the Olympics. I expect Kiprop to be very tough in Beijing as well. He looked very good despite only coming 4th.

Ethio Boy wrote:

Webby!! nothing to be ashamed off. Lagat, delivered at crunch time. And it is good for him in the twilight of his career. He went against the king.. in his entire career. Imagine facing El G year in and year out.. and in the end of your career having one real shot at winning the big one.

Webb is only 24, he will be back and he will be a world/olympic medalist and even champ one day.

Incred

Good post. Lagat cut his teeth racing El G, obviously great preparation and a source of many disappointments, so good for him to win a WC gold well into his 30s. He's a gracious class act and one of the best milers ever.

Webb shouldn't be too disappointed, there were no chumps in that race and he's only a kid. Hopefully he can learn a thing or two from Lagat.

mobile9 wrote:

Serious? wrote:

Looked like we (US) were going to have two medalests today but didn't work out. Congrats to Lagat on a perfectly run race. Go USA!!! First gold since when???

Mel Sheppard, 1908 Olympics.

Sometimes you have it, sometimes you don't. Bernard himself has said this. Maybe there's a coaching reason why Webb didn't have it today, maybe there isn't. I just hope that he and his crew figure out in time for next year.

I think there was a mental reason why Webb didn't have it. Did you see them on the starting line? He was nervously smiling and then jumping around and doing some high knees or whatever. Pan over to Lagat who looked confident and focused. I had a feeling Lagat might win at that moment. Then during the race, Alan took a risk with leading most of the way, knowing he did not want to be in the back like in the semis, but in the end could not hold on. Lagat ran a smart and relaxed race, sitting around 4th position and kicking at just the right moment. Now I see why everyone says Webb needs to work on his race tactics. I don't think he "choked" or anything, he just needs to work on his confidence and race strategy. Physically, he should be the fastest, but mentally he was not strong enough. In the words of the430miler, "mentallity > physicallity."

Webb looked like that (fidgeting at the line) when he won in Paris. Doesn't mean anything.