WEBB may be in better position than we think

I don't understand how you guys can forget this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5i_xNDhOaM&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=webb%20lagat&rls=com.microsoft

:*&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=

I'm not saying he's in shape to do this right now, but to say he can't kick is just ignorant.

I know the fact that I took 3 seperate posts to do this will receive more attention than the fact that Webb outkicked the world's best last year, but here's one more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz5JMR22AjM

I'd also like to point out the poise he showed in the Reebok meet when he avoided being boxed by Mottram with 200 to go.

All I'm saying is that the guy has a shot.

I'm not saying Webb WON'T make the team -- I hope he does -- but saying he's a lock is I think overstating the case. Anything can happen in an Olympic Trials. Joe Falcon (last American miler to run sub 3:50 before Webb) was supposed to be a lock in 1992. He fell at the start and didn't make the team. Steve Holman, this country's best miler in the 90s, who ran very much like Webb -- fast times, not so good in slow races -- made the team as a collegian in 1992 then when he was in his prime and supposedly a lock -- never made another Olympic team. The races were tactical and he couldn't kick off a slow pace. If Webb is as strong as he was in 2004 and can break the field from the front I'd say he is a lock. If he's tentative and runs in the pack then anything can happen.

Following this forums logic Lamong is a genius and Webb is now a baby eater.

Shame on him!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He never switched gears in Prefontaine. Had he, he would have run 3:52.

If he really wanted to win, he could have. Right now, the way it looks a Brit, two Kenyans, an American, a Kiwi, and probably 1 or 2 others are better than he is. Ramzi, looked tired getting outkicked in a 8:13 two mile (not that great for a 3:29 guy). And Lagat didn't even kick that hard.

Webb will either have to medal in Beijing by simply being better than everyone else, by a lot, or winning a ballsy final 6-500 meter tactical final, that will involve some of the most ferocious kicking ever before witnessed by man.

Making the finals in Beijing would be an achievement in and of itself. Winning a medal? Or winning? Good luck. I think Webb is preparing the best he can. He's going to need 1:42 speed. That may not be enough with the field that will possibly be assembled. Good luck to him-

He's better than 3:55. You must admit that. But he's not the best in the world, yet. Not even at any point last year, as there were faster runners.

We'll have to wait and see how this turns out.

Ramzi is an 800-1500 double world champ from the same year, and you say he "looked tired getting outkicked in an 8:13 two mile", for a guy who rarely ever runs the two mile.

Ramzi WAXES that mile field if he was in it. You sir, are a buffoon.

It looks as if Webb is following the good followed by bad season formula. Before last year Webb injured himself after a ill-advised 10k run. Now Webb looks to be in another funk. He just can't maintain back to back great seasons. This is why Webb is not in ELG or Lagats league.

Imagine going from being the world fastest one mile and 1500 meter runner to a guy that can't beat the US competition.

At least Scott and Spivy could maintain consistent seasons. Unlike these two, Webb could concievable finish his career without a either a World Championship or Olympic medal. For a 3:46 miler that is amazing.

Form vs class argument. Form is temporary and Webb defines class and a class above all but Lagat.

He obviously has the endurance base (entered 8k and 5k races). Speed/kick isn't something he'll have lost, he'll just need some sessions and some confidence to tweak it back into shape.

I'm a 'decent' miler myself recently ran 4.28 then 4.18 off a little injury after my base period.... I just needed 2-3 weeks to sharpen my speed/kick/race plan to drop the 10s..... I'm speculating Webb only has to do the same and he'll be in the Olympic final.

it will be really disappointing if webb doesn't even make the team, let alone make the olympic final

toyota pious 2.0 wrote:

Not even at any point last year, as there were faster runners.

We'll have to wait and see how this turns out.

Who, may I ask, ran faster than his world leading time last year? I believe being the world leader makes you the fastest, no?

Not sure what the obsession with Webb is. People are incredibly determined to overlook his shortcomings, when they are usually bending over backwards to find something to criticize people about. If Galen Rupp had run all of these bad races this year (maybe he's a bad example cause he HAS been hurt), or pretty much anyone else whose name is Alan Webb, no way would they be recieving this kind of hype.

I call this a symptom of the Webb-Ritz Generation. People that saw and still see these two as our great white threat. I'm not saying they're not - both are extraordinary runners - but I would be shocked if either came anywhere near the medal podium in Bejiing in the 15 or the 'thon.

But we're bashing Webb here, not Ritz. 346 and 143 are awesome, but that means nothing. It's last year. I don't want him to win the trials, because if he does, it means he's going to bomb at Olys. Someone said 'he's done it three times before' like that was some kind of proof that he was going to do it again. Well, maybe it is. But look at the end result. Huge bombing on the world scene. Huge bombing in almost every case where there is serious pressure, where he is not a heavy favorite, or a serious favorite, going in. He does not perform as an underdog. Where many of the greatest ever shine, he struggles to come within 10 secs of his mile PR.

I hate hating on people, but I don't want him in Bejiing. I want three guys who don't crumble when everything is on the line. I'd rather Lagat and two other guys who maybe get 10th in the finals make it, then Webb, who we will all be riding like crazy all summer after his terrible post-trial victory flex, and will ultimately bomb out.

You have to step up when it counts. That's what makes great runners great. There are men with PR's far short of Alan Webb's, who are also far greater runners.

so you'd rather have lomong who pulled a whopping 353 at pre? because that is oh so much faster than webb.....and the reason the times are nowhere close to the PR's is BECAUSE THERE're NO RABBITS

take a look, no one runs anywhere close to their PR's at olympics or WC's

All-Time US Men

1. Alan Webb 3:46.91

2. Steve Scott 3:47.69

3. Bernard Lagat 3:48.38 (he ran this time in '05- was he american yet?)

4. Sydney Maree 3:48.83

5. Joe Falcon 3:49.31

6. Jim Spivey 3:49.80

7. Todd Harbour 3:50.34

8. Steve Holman 3:50.40

9. Tom Byers 3:50.84

10. Jim Ryun 3:51.1

I see two names on this list that will be running at the Trials. Do you really think that anyone can beat them?

PS. I love Jim more than most, but isn't it depressing to see that he's still on the US top 10 list 41 years later. Did you know he's still #6 on the World Junior list for the mile. 3:51.3 in '66 - woah! Only 5 Kenyans from post-Atlanta in front of him

stat1454354 wrote:

All-Time US Men

1. Alan Webb 3:46.91

2. Steve Scott 3:47.69

3. Bernard Lagat 3:48.38 (he ran this time in '05- was he american yet?)

4. Sydney Maree 3:48.83

5. Joe Falcon 3:49.31

6. Jim Spivey 3:49.80

7. Todd Harbour 3:50.34

8. Steve Holman 3:50.40

9. Tom Byers 3:50.84

10. Jim Ryun 3:51.1

I see two names on this list that will be running at the Trials. Do you really think that anyone can beat them?

PS. I love Jim more than most, but isn't it depressing to see that he's still on the US top 10 list 41 years later. Did you know he's still #6 on the World Junior list for the mile. 3:51.3 in '66 - woah! Only 5 Kenyans from post-Atlanta in front of him

How can you say it's depressing that he's #6 on the world juniors list. News flash, a 3:51 is still really good. What? Did you expect evolution to propel us into the age of 3:20 miles 40 years later? Seriously.

Spydars Webb wrote:

from "the week that was:"

It should be interesting to watch over the next few weeks. Webb fans can take heart in this: last year, he opened up outdoors in 3:57.93 on April 7th in Furman. Three weeks later, he ran 3:51.71 at Drake. The first round of the men's 1,500 at the US Olympic Trials is on July 3rd - three weeks and four days from Sunday.

If Webb run the 1500 equivalent to last years 2nd race of 3:51.71 approx...3:35. I say he makes the Oly Team.

Webb runs 1:47.1 and, I haven't confirmed, runs 2:38xx with 400 to go a few minutes later. Without the 800, I say he finishes 1500 in 3:36.xx possibly for a win. You all can bag on him if you choose, but I think his strength might be pretty solid. Some speed work gives him a VERY good chance at the team.

What say you??

There are a lot of naysayers out there on Webb right now, but don't count me among them yet. His speed from last year is clearly not there (yet), but there are still two weeks until the trials. He ran 1:47 and 2:53 for 1200 in the same night; that tells me he could probably go 3:51-3:52ish for the mile right now. In two weeks maybe he's in 3:33/3:50 shape, and that will make the team for sure unless he makes a mistake (which he could).

I believe he knows he missed out on a medal last year from peaking too early and does not want to repeat the mistake. Everyone was saying Lagat was done in June/early July last year, and look what happened.

Not saying Webb is a lock for anything, but I certainly wouldn't bet against him just yet.

hate to hate also but troll has hit the nail on the head. webb's head is not to be trusted. his wheels are have amazing potential. his coach is less than mediocre. any coach can give workouts and splits, the masters can motivate and help one overcome one's own faults. razzie ain't up to the task and webb is stuck in his hometown high school cocoon. he needs to cut the cord, move outta reston, va, hire a coach who will kick his ass when he acts a fool, and then maybe he will reach his true full potential.

pre lived in a trailer, argued with his coach and drank beer.

alan lives down the street from mom and dad, drinks veggiesalad drinks and has a realniceguy for a coach.

Georgie Icebag wrote: and has a realniceguy for a coach.

That's not what most people in northern VA say.

stat1454354 wrote:

PS. I love Jim more than most, but isn't it depressing to see that he's still on the US top 10 list 41 years later. Did you know he's still #6 on the World Junior list for the mile. 3:51.3 in '66 - woah! Only 5 Kenyans from post-Atlanta in front of him

Yeah, but four of the five "Kenyan" juniors weren't really juniors.