Webb 3:41.16 at Antwerp

meat spin wrote:

it took him how many years to get to 3:46 and it will take him another few years to get back to that level. if he ever does get back to that level. a lot can happen. no need to go crazy over a 3:41.

You are correct in that the times are not impressive in and of themselves. However, you seem to be viewing these times as having occured in some sort of a vacuum- but it's all about the bigger picture. Webb appears to be 100% healthy with a solid strength base under him (again, there's no way AlSal okays the 5k if this weren't the case). Winning a race, especially in the manner in which he did (by blasting a 3:36 guy), is a HUGE confidence boost and is absolutely something to get excited over.

It's a matter of baby steps right now. After the initial "uh, what was that" 1:52 race, this result is a huge step in the right direction, and that is what people are getting excited about. Webb is a class act, and many of us are wishing him well.

I will wholeheartedly disagree with your statement that it will take Webb "years" to get back into world class form. If he is healthy and stays healthy, there's no reason at all that he can't be back into form by next spring.

In summation, I will agree with you that the times were nothing to go crazy about, and he obviously still has a looong way to go. That's just stating the obvious, though. What's important is that Alan's efforts would suggest that he's on his way to getting back into form.

The context in which Webb did this double just illuminates why so many relish critiquing him: with virtually no training, he was able to run a 1500 and 5000 faster than any of the talentless turds who bash him could ever hope to run.

It really offends your pride and self-worth doesn't it guys? To know that a talent as great as Webb can make a mockery if your own pedestrian PB with just a month of training? Instead of mocking him because he isn't in 3:46 AR mike shape, how about we appreciate the accomplishmets and tenacity of a guy like Webb? Set your petty jealousy aside, and hope he succeeds. And if you're not a big enough man to wish some better than you success, at least be man enough to criticize him just because he isn't running times that he's ultimately capable of running; times, by the way, which put our own humble aspirations and achievements into perspective.

The only bitch here isn't Webb; it's the talentless hacks who have the temerity to call excellent runners like Webb bitches. If you can't resist kicking a guy when he's at anything less than his optimal shape, go see a therapist. Rant over.

I am happy to see Webb run 3:41 and more importantly win doing it. I've always said that those who write him off don't understand running.

That being said, I don't get why everyone is going nuts. What did you expect him to run?

Yes, a normal athlete who runs 1:52 doesn't run near 3:40 but a normal athlete doesn't run 3:53 in HS. I was going to do an over under poll on Webb and put the time at 3:40.

I think I'm going to shut down the messageboard as its full of idiots. A few weeks ago everyone was upset Salazar said the goal was 3:37 for the year as everyone thought that was too slow.

Then he runs 1:52 and everyone goes crazy mad. Now he runs 3:41 and everyone acts like he won the Olympics.

I'll have to get Weldon's permission but look for the boards to be shut down next week. At the very least, we should have some sort of poll tax or proof of IQ to post.

lmao one of the best posts I've seen in a while. We have strong, typically disagreeable opinions here at letsrun.

rojo,

You seem to read these posts as if they are coming from the same group of people that bashed AlSal last week for predicting "only" 3:37. They're not. The people posting now are likely the ones who read all the bashing last week and were shaking their heads. So Webb posts a promising result and now we're coming out of the woodwork. We're happy to see Webb out there making steady improvements. I think you've read these boards long enough to take all the comments with a BIG grain of salt. (Otherwise, these boards would be moderated a lot more closely, no?)

No one thinks Webb won the olympics, but there is now a glimmer of hope for him. Is that not a little exciting?

This is also it.

Al Sal knows what he is doing! He has him right where he wants him; healthy and on the way to running his potential. He'll shut him down after 5th Ave.

We'll see more improvements next year.

rojo wrote:

...

I'll have to get Weldon's permission but look for the boards to be shut down next week. At the very least, we should have some sort of poll tax or proof of IQ to post.

...Or you could just rid of anonymous posting and start banning the a-holes!

^^^What he said.

Let's see you do it, rojo. Then it would prove that you maintain this site for the love of running rather than to build advertising revenue.

AW's going to have drop 10 seconds to really be competitive in a WC field.

No kidding?

rojo wrote:

I'll have to get Weldon's permission...

I was with you until this. I always wondered who would win in a fight and now it's obvious: Weldon. He gave you noogies didn't he.

Willis had knee surgery in March and ran a 3:59.x four months later. It would be interesting to see a comparison between Webb's layoff and subsequent training alongside Willis' path. Who would take it home in a 1500m right now?

Am I the only one that thinks it's strange that posts about Alan Webb are what made rojo realize the board is full of idiots?

Dennis Kaspori of Belgium has written us with some good news. His email to me stated:

Kaspori wrote:

We filmed Webb's 1.500m and took some shots of the 5.000m he ran afterwards. We spoke to Webb and Salazar again.

Salazar's lenghty interview is here:

Hopefully, the race video shows up soon.

rojo wrote:

I think I'm going to shut down the messageboard as its full of idiots.

Isn't this something reasonably identifiable within the first 11 or 12 minutes of this board's existence?

webbs interview

I think I'm going to shut down the messageboard as its full of idiots.

...by which you mean filled to capacity, no room for more?

make the message board registration only. quote if you agree with me.

Get off my bandwagon you fair-weather fans.

And Rojo, what's wrong with you? This is one of the more sensible threads on your godforsaken message board in awhile. Webb is looking strong, not complaining about his health, both he and his coach are oozing confidence, and he just backed it all up with a very respectable win in his second race after years of injury. Be excited.