this is how it is wrote:
When you're the best guy in the race by a significant margin it's easy to look ferocious.
When you're a 4:03 miler at Mt Sac or Pre or Drake or wherever, well, yeah of course you're going to tuck into the middle. You're going to be hanging on for dear life rather than making winning moves. There's only so much you can do when you've been injured and therefore are behind on your training and fitness.
It has nothing to do with motivation. The fact that Webb has lost several seasons to injury suggests he is HIGHLY motivated. He keeps running himself into the ground trying to be better. Or he keeps trying to rush back into shape which continues the injury cycle. It's not smart, but it certainly shows his desire.
I suppose that depends on how hurt he was in Spring 2009. If he was hurt or recovering than just racing is courageous. If he was in decent shape but just unable to compete, that would show some motivational problems.
Has Webb ever come out and said what kind of fitness he had in Winter/Spring 2009 before he called an end to his season?