When did YOU give up on Alan Webb?

The final of the 2005 WC 1500 in Helsinki when he made that crazy move with 700 metres to go. It confirmed that his head was just in completely the wrong place.

Still faithful. What's the point in only standing by someone when they're on top of the world? The beauty of Alan is he shows just how human he is. His failures - real, his successes - real. Webb is just an extraordinary everyman. Why not support him?

For me, it was recently, when I read that he spent some time with Salazar, and decided not to train with his stable.

When he quite college and went back to his HS coach. Something was up, despite his much improved times. His ability to make a long term commitment seemed the issue.

I haven't given up on him yet. Not at all.

He is a supremely talented runner and, when healthy and fit, a very tough competitor. I wish him the best.

I gave up on him when he broke Ryun's record. I figured that would be the pinnacle of his career and it doesn't look like I'm too far wrong.

some coked up brit wrote:

The final of the 2005 WC 1500 in Helsinki when he made that crazy move with 700 metres to go. It confirmed that his head was just in completely the wrong place.

What are you talking about. That was the coolest thing ever. Too bad he wasn't in 2007 form during 2005. Then theat move would have paid off.

Not until he gives up on himself

After I saw him on Letterman.

That was a twofer, nothing like a double shark jump!

not yet wrote:

Not until he gives up on himself

That has already happened.

After the 2007 Worlds, when he said he'd tried going out slow and going out fast, neither worked, and didn't think there were any other kinds of strategies. At that point I thought his career was, at best, going to be like Steve Holman's in that he could only run well when pacemakers removed the burden of actually thinking. Turns out it's worse than that.

He might have a lot of physical talents but the trashheaps of pro sports are half-filled with guys like him. Time and time again he's shown he doesn't have the capacity for serious and productive self-examination.

I gave up on him when he didn't make the olympics.

I thought his prefontaine 08 experience was like his furman race in 07...oh boy was I wrong.

Seeing him get fifth, yelling at the television...30 seconds later I gave up on him, he was finished. You just knew he didn't have what it takes anymore...and that the best he would be might be a 3:50.

Thats looking unlikely even now. He's 27ish going on 40. If he ever gets fast again, it would be a major achievement for him...maybe 2010-2011, but after that he'll just be too old and won't have it anymore.

Never give up on a guy that runs:

1:43.x

3:46.x

13:10

27:34

Unless he mails it in himself.

Too freakish a range,every mark is better than anyone is the U.S, can run right this minute.Not in some set up.

After the Olympic Trials.

It was just so over by then.

Trialswatcher wrote:

Never give up on a guy that runs:

1:43.x

3:46.x

13:10

27:34

Unless he mails it in himself.

Too freakish a range,every mark is better than anyone in the U.S can run right this minute.Not in some set up.

All the more reason to conclude that recently, "...something is WRONG with AW"

The guy is competitive w/ KD/Symmmonds *and* Abdi/Rupp in their respective specialty events. He is obviously extraordinarily talented (physically).

But he CLEARLY does not think so right now. And if you do not believe it, all the talent in the world cannot help you be a champion.

Just recently when Ulrey went 3:35, actually. When Ulrey got third at USAs, he hadn't yet proved time-wise he was any better than Alan Webb, even as far as he'd fallen. And so then I figured, if only Webb was in the race, maybe he could've snuck in for third. I mean, who would've thought Ulrey would get third, surely Webb could have done that, I thought.

But obviously Ulrey must have been in 3:35 shape or close to it at the time, so it's like, Webb probably was screwed either way. Oh well.

jsquire wrote:

He might have a lot of physical talents but the trashheaps of pro sports are half-filled with guys like him. Time and time again he's shown he doesn't have the capacity for serious and productive self-examination.

^^Spot on^^

There are countless guys in every sport who had wads of talent but didn't learn their lessons until they were out of the game. They should all have the phrase "He's so talented that you can't count him out" on their tombstones.

Poster Formerly Known asGoober wrote:

Still faithful. What's the point in only standing by someone when they're on top of the world? The beauty of Alan is he shows just how human he is. His failures - real, his successes - real. Webb is just an extraordinary everyman. Why not support him?

Really?! In most of the interviews I've seen, I get the sense that he is deflecting his deeper experience with (bad) humor and anxious remarks. Seems very insecure and not really authentic. I've never been surprised by his erratic performances. I think there is a lot going on that hinders this guy and I'm trying to have compassion for him, but I'm not finding it as easily as you are. Good for you.