A couple of points:
USA and Kenya have a trials to compete at worlds and these teams seem to get the majority of the medals.
Of course they have a trials because they are so deep and can't rely on a subjective system.
As far as running indoors, Lagat usually has a serious indoor season and has quite the collection of outdoor medals on the World scene.
Geb, El G and Bekele have held indoor world records and performed nicely outdoors.
I noticed Webb skipped indoors in 2008 after a fantastic 2007 and was flat at the 2008 Trials.
There's nothing wrong with skipping indoors. It's not a major season and you keep your base training going.
Wheating did a lot last year. XC, indoors- doubling, outdoors- doubling, part of the summer circuit.
But no XC this year.
No indoors.
He'll have a long time between races.
He may be strong and rested. Or he may be a bit flat.
We'll see. I want to see what he is capable of doing without the taxing college seasons.