Webb Is In Trouble

ttc wrote:

He only finished 1.5 seconds behind the much sharper Lomong. Webb's still 3.5 weeks away and ran 3:55 in his debut. IMO, he didn't look like he was laboring, but that he lacked gears.

Lagat is pretty much a lock, but that leaves two slots up for grabs. Lomong is ahead of Webb at this point...and then there's Manzano. It's going to get interesting that's for sure. Webb seemed to be a lock in 2004 and the past 2 Worlds, but this time it doesn't seem quite as certain.

This was actually Webb's best race of the year. He's rounding into form. I'm sure all of you have done this yourself, going from being rusty one day to in great shape 5 weeks later. Lagat barely qualified for worlds last year at 1500.

Although I'm a fan I believe he is in big trouble. None of Razko's athletes are running were they need to be at this point. Not knocking him (Razko), but many of them had great season's last year and everyone knows the Olympic Year there are sleepers that come out of the shadows. I fear Webb will not make the US team for the games. Yes 3:55 is very good to open, but not good enough and he will not be able to kick with Lagat, Lamong and Manzano. There's about 4 others that have just as good of a kick.

You could be right. He looks like he has been in the weight room and put on too much upperbody weight IMO.

He does look like he's running with the deer in the headlights look, like what the f--k is happening here. He appears to have lost his fight and of the opinion that it will be fine. I'm sure he has faith in his coach and that his coach is telling him it will be fine, but he's going to be in for a shock in another 3 weeks. He will not make the team if he runs on just his talent and with -0- desire to win.

Maybe it is the extra weight from all the hair. Where did it come from?

Gabe Jennings will beat Webb for the 3rd and final spot on the Olympic team at the Trials. Lagat and Lomong will go 1-2.

Gabe Jennings will beat Webb for the 3rd and final spot on the Olympic team at the Trials. Lagat and Lomong will go 1-2.

LOL - that was great. It made my weekend!

Not sure about Gabe, but I will say there will be someone that no one expects that will make the team. I'm not predicting who that will be but someone has been out there training for 10 years and knows this is his only shot. Whoever that person is will find themselves just where they dreamed with 300m to go at the OT's and will kick like never before. That just leaves Webb with a shot a 2 spots. Slim margin of error.

I'm not a Webb fan, but here's how I see it:

We all have a radar on Webb based on his BEST performances. Today he ran 3:55 and looked "terrible" (against the standard of his best shape).

IF Manzano was in that race today and ran 3:55, what would people be saying? "He's got a lock on the Oly Team!" What about Lomong? Same thing.

The reality is that Webb had a poor performance today by his standards. But Webb's poor performance is a 3:55. What's Manzano's? 3:59? Slower? What's Lomong's? The same.

Webb and Lagat, compared to all the best 1500m athletes in the USA, are exactly what their PR's show they are: the best in the world vs. mediocrity.

Not so fast. Lamong ran 3:53.97 to beat Webb easily. Plus Lamong was attempting to be at the front of the race. I agree that Webb showed no guts or desire today. Both are needed in this sport.

webb will run in the 1500 final in beijing

A 3:55 rust buster! To be honest, I don't know many people out there that can do that. trust me, I have seen worse openers.

too late wrote:

Not so fast. Lamong ran 3:53.97 to beat Webb easily. Plus Lamong was attempting to be at the front of the race. I agree that Webb showed no guts or desire today. Both are needed in this sport.

That is supremely unfair. Webb's a huge talent, but his guts and desire are on par with that talent. It's to the point of being overly aggressive and in the past, overly anal with a coach for perfection.

Where is Webb racing next weekend?

Hold on there, Tonto.

Lomong was in that race, and wiped the floor with Webb. Had Manzano been in that race, he would have beaten them both, I'd guess a mid 3:52~ based on his Big XII performance. Webb's PR means nothing if he can't get a ticket to Beijing.

on flocast he said something about Indy? Is there a meet there this weekend?

Webb's "rust buster" was a 3:51 last year.

I think this was Webb's worst 1500/mile race since 2003 or so. His stride looked short and choppy, and lacking the power that was there last year.

Ok everyone would agree with me that last year was alan webbs best year. Do you guys remember how he did last year at Prefontaine, terrible in the 2 mile....it was just a bad race today, a "rust buster", and he will be on par in the trials maybe he'll suprise us all in the trials, or lock on for 3rd positon and do somthin big and peak right for the olympics