Alan Webb Speaks: "It was a colossal breakdown"

So far Webb hasn't got anything to boast about compared to East. East literally pushed a guy off the track at the commonwealths. He's a totl legend like Baala. If Baala hadn't been dq'd he'd have probs won but I am glad because Lagat finally did it. And let's face it lads, he aint no honkey from the hood is he?

I can understand Alan being crushed, he missed his ultimate goal. But he has nothing to be ashamed about. He had arguably the best US Mile summer in history. He took an honest shot at the gold, and fell a lil short. It's natural to be upset, but tomorrow I think he'll be fine. He went from just being in the final 2 years ago, to the pre-WC favorite this year. Just keep it up and he'll be in the mix next year.

Now Lagat, how many times can that man prove himself. I think he's relieved in alot of ways tonight. He deserved it.

Awesome race by 2 Americans, they both were in it and one of them won it.

wejo wrote:

8th is obviously disappointing but he's 1 second from first. It is a very fine line at that level.

That's exactly right. I wish more people understood that.

I think he made errors in his training and peaked too early. Just a thought. It happens.

I say congratulations to Alan Webb for a fantastic year. I can understand his dissappointment today as he had an off event (not just day). Even though he says he learned nothing, after reflection, I think he will change his mind and see some things to tweak for next year.

One thing he needs to do next year is better time his peak. I think he was on the declining side of his fitness for this event.

Alan, take a deserved rest, re-energize the batteries and come up with a game plan for next year.

This message has basically got it, except for one thing: Webb can't run a fast time simply by taking the lead and running the legs off everyone else. He's not that good. His fast times this year have come off of rabbited races, where he only had to run by himself a lap or less. That's the way European circuit races are, and they are no indication of ability to win a championship race. Think how this happened to Hicham El Guerrouj, and Webb is no Hicham El Guerrouj, not yet anyway. Guerrouj never won a championship unless a countryman rabbited, until Athens.

So, how would Webb win this race? Answer: he couldn't. In order to win, he would have had to be in great shape like he was, but be able to kick super fast off of a slow pace (like Osaka). In other words, he's not a particularly good pure sprinter, but he'll need to become one to win a championship race. Back to the drawing board Alan: develop the ability to sprint off a moderate pace. Either that, or get Lagat to rabbit for you in Beijing.

All the arm-chair milers need to cool out. Webb was in the World championship Final. He was less than one second off the win. One little gear shift which he has displayed in the past and perhaps he is on the medal stand. He is still young. way to go Alan. keep after it and we shall watch from the sidelines with hopes for more success. Rock on!

Easy Mike East. You sound like a pissed little man who couldn't get any ass from Webb and taking the anger out on this board. Easy now. We're not interested in hearing how great East was to you. Go stroke him somewhere else.

That was definitely DPOD!To say someone that was less than a second from first simply had no chance to win might be the dumbest thing I have ever read. Throw in the fact that Webb actually beat the guy that won a month before....wow, everyday I think that I couldn't possibly read something dumber and every day someone on letsrun proves me wrong.I read your whole thread thinking that something intelligent would be there and didn't find it.

Distance is dominated by the East Africans who usually work together in some capacity. For the first time in like forever the US fielded 2 in the final and they had nothing to do with each other. That annoyed me. Webb and Lagat have raced each other so much this year and they have traded wins on many occasions. Webb came in with the fastest time of the year and yet he ran out front like a novice. Lagat sat way back and absolutely hammered home. He also has the 5k ahead as well. Webb's 'gutsy' seemed more like stupidity. Lagat was flawless.

i was annoyed wrote:

Webb's 'gutsy' seemed more like stupidity. Lagat was flawless.

Kind of like your convenient post seemed more like stupidity, eh? You say "Lagat was flawless" because he won - hence the bandwagonery on your part. You're pathetic.

Even though he said he didn't learn anything, a couple days from now he will realize he learned a lot. And the more important race is in 2008 not 2007. He should take some time off, not race any more this season and get ready for a much more important race in Beijing in 2008.

i was annoyed wrote:

yet he ran out front like a novice.

eh?

Care to elaborate? He stayed clear of trouble, ran the pace he was probably expecting. I don't see anything wrong with where he was. Lagat was alongside him for most of the race. He didn't win, he took a shot at it, lost by a second. It'll happen.

webbie wrote:

Webb's performances this year demonstrate:

- Incredible strength

- Early peaking

- Fast times off of fast paces

I may be wrong, but I think Webb would have won if he'd taken it from 600m out or if 1200 had been reached much faster (2:50)...no one else in that field is in shape to run 3:46.

He probably just peaked to soon to win this race. Plain and simple. When Lagat was getting smoked earlier in the summer, it was because he was building for August, while Webb was at his best in June and July. It's just a really long season and they have to pick their battles. I'm curious as to why Webb didn't train to peak for Worlds, but I'm sure he and Razko (sp?) will adjust things if he chooses to do so next time. He's got to be happy with a great season overall.

Even though he said he didn't learn anything, a couple days from now he will realize he learned a lot. And the more important race is in 2008 not 2007. He should take some time off, not race any more this season and get ready for a much more important race in Beijing in 2008.

Reading comprehension isn´t your strong side, is it? I don´t give a shit if he was 1 second or 10 seconds behind. Fact remains: he was nowhere near winning. That he won a fast race with a rabbit only proves that he can win fast races with rabbits.

How is 8th place bad for Webb??? When has he ran better in a champs event? He should be proud he made the finals and finished well! Now he can shoot for top 5 maybe even squeak in for a bronze next year!

Didn't Webb get shoved out by Korir about 100m from home? It looked like Webb immediately lost momentum and a couple of meters to Korir, who came in 3rd. Perhaps this action was a reaction to the top of the final turn when second place Webb for some reason lost about a meter to Kiprop and backed into a couple of runners (including Korir?) who had to gear up again. Some strange things occurred to Webb in the last 200m, but it turns out Kiprop also miscalculated and he did not medal either.

Congrats ALLAN WEBB. I knew you wouldn't make it, but you tried it. I hope you will make it next year both in the Olympics and WC. Cheers to Lagat....as well.