Webb to race 1500 Aug. 14th in Europe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yung4evr wrote:

grooper wrote:

I am not doubting, im just being a realist. I hope the guy breaks the world record in the 1500 cuz he's american and im all for improvement of records especially by americans, but we'll just have to wait and see for that. He is getting a lil too old for the 1500 in my opinion. early to mid 20's is ur prime in the 1500.

Yes, I would agree. It's pretty rare that you see a WC 1500 leader in their late 20s/early 30s. There have been exceptions of course. Seb Coe made a phenomenal comeback after injury to regain his stature as world leader in the 1500, but it doesn't happen often.

Hicham El Guerrouj, 2004 (30 years old).

Perspectivation wrote:

spokane xc wrote:

i dont think salazar should ever joke about injecting hormones into his athletes' bodies.

He was referring to people getting pregnant, and Salazar still gives people the benefit of the doubt of understanding context. To me this just shows that he has nothing to hide if he can honestly joke like that and not think, "oops, what if they think I mean for performance enhancement."

No kidding!?!?! That's what he was talking about?

I don't know if Alberto is helping his athletes dope or not. I do know he has a history with it. I really hope Ritz and Rupp are clean. But, I don't think his joke shows he has "nothing to hide." I know of another famous endurance athlete who brazenly jokes about doping and acts as if people are ridiculous to even question his involvement in it. And its pretty clear he doped to 7 Tour wins.

Webb coming back this summer/fall is really a big deal, because if his return doesn't go well this time around, that really could be it for him. It makes me nervous for him, honestly. He's what? 27 years old now?

I've always liked watching Webb race, and I really want him to return to form. With a new coach, new town, new training partners, he might be ready to make some noise. But it makes me nervous because he's running out of time and his career is really on the line this time. Could he recover mentally and physically from yet another disappointing season? Mr. Webb, you better DO THIS. Time to go to the danger zone, Maverick.

spokane xc wrote:

i dont think salazar should ever joke about injecting hormones into his athletes' bodies.

I agree, but the fact that many people are suspicious of him, makes the joke actually funny.

wow the troll managed to get Webb on the entry list too. holy shit best trolljob in LR history?

It's surprising to me how many people doubt that Salazar will bring Webb back/ make him better than ever. Has no one been following American track for the past two years? Didn't the Oregon Track Project just put 3 guys under 13, sweep the US 5k, and multiple runners under the previous 10k AR? Like seriously people are so dumb to underestimate some of these guys, especially Webb, who is arguably the greatest American runner of all-time. Salazar and Oregon Track Club are on a roll right now (and no I don't think they're doping). They have made unprecedented breakthroughs in training and have been using technology to their benefit. All of this form analysis is really interesting actually. Just look at how much different Solinsky looks now... I think Webb is going to turn some heads. I predict he will be in the hunt for a medal (gold) at London.

It's crazy how deep the US is looking going into London. There are a lot of guys that will make the distance finals and that have legit shots to medal.

Symmonds, Wheating, Teg, Solinsky, Ritz, Hall, I think Jager could make the 5k final, Lagat, Manzano, Lomong, Rupp, and now WEBB.

Seriously, the US is the best it's ever been by far.

Has no one been following American track for the past two years? Didn't the Oregon Track Project just put 3 guys under 13......blah balh lah

that's monkeys at a typwriter

Jager making the 5K final in London could be tough if Lagat, Teg, and Solinsky all keep it up and choose the 5K in 2012...

You mean making the Olympic Team?

Damn right it'll be tough. Lagat, a healthy Teg, and Solinsky.. Guys like Fernandez and Jager will be dusted. Chances are at least one of them will be injured, though.

I have observed Webb closely for years. I saw him win his first big high school race in 9th grade (a 9:30 3200 to win his district), winning it against a future top grade Div. 1 runner and doing so by simply having far more speed than the competition.

He had the best speed for a young American middle distance runner ever, save for Ryun.

I continued to see him run frequently - even in training, for the next 7 years.

His problems in 08/09? Sure, the injury problems are real. But this guy is a talent, and could have bounced back on limited training. His real problem (and this is uncomfortable to talk about) was his weight. It even impacted his form - because he could no longer float easily and in a relaxed state - and merely powered his way to (for him) mediocre performances. No one is talented enough to bull their way through a top quality 1500.

Can he do well again? Of course. Does he have his weight down? Apparently. Do most of us wish him well? I would think so, and I certainly do. But track is a cruel sport for some. It is not always easy to get back to the intensity required for success, and it is not easy to get top track speed back for some after they have left it. So I concur with the poster above who evinces concerns for him - I think many of us are truly a bit anxious to see if this can work out. I would not underestimate the road before him.

(This all having been said, getting married and striking out on his own away from his high school environment is a great thing, and hopefully that will be a helpful catalyst).

cart wrote:

Has no one been following American track for the past two years? Didn't the Oregon Track Project just put 3 guys under 13......blah balh lah

that's monkeys at a typwriter

Friend of yours?

chuchillian

kajldflakdf wrote:

It's crazy how deep the US is looking going into London. There are a lot of guys that will make the distance finals and that have legit shots to medal.

Symmonds, Wheating, Teg, Solinsky, Ritz, Hall, I think Jager could make the 5k final, Lagat, Manzano, Lomong, Rupp, and now WEBB.

Seriously, the US is the best it's ever been by far.

I think the whole US track team, m and w, is the strongest ever. We have a potential medalist at virtually every distance. Except m steeple, w 5000, w 10000 and probably m+w marathon.

No chance Solinsky runs the 5k at the trials. 10k for sure.

A couple of things:

1. The article was not that bad, it was written to inform and it did that. Everyone was dying for Webb info, you get some and then complain about the messagener.

2. When you make changes to your training and biomechanics, etc., it slows you down, before it speeds you up. If Webb has only been training since June, I would only expect a 3:40 and perhaps a 3:37 after a couple of races; having trouble keeping up with Rupp in track workouts is not a good sign.

3. Webb is not old by any means, if you subtract out the Africans, the average age for middle distance PRs is 27/28 and quite a few have PRed in their mid-30s.

So does anyone have an actual link to a startlist for a 1500m race in London on August 14 that has Webb's name on it??

see the webster is down for a low key 800m in london 14th

http://www.britishmilersclub.com/

Python wrote:

You mean making the Olympic Team?

Damn right it'll be tough. Lagat, a healthy Teg, and Solinsky.. Guys like Fernandez and Jager will be dusted. Chances are at least one of them will be injured, though.

By 2012 Jager and Fernandez will beat out Teg at the 5k. (BIG if is IF they are healthy.)

You may not have heard it here first. But you did hear it here.