Will Robbie Andrews Be the Catalyst to Transform Alan Webb's Career?

Webb is an idiot training for the 800/1500 will do nothing for him he would be the better at the 5000 at this point in his career. I think it may be too late for Webb though and I would be shocked if he ran well this year.

Webb is 29 (born 1-13-83).

If he doesn't make the Olympic team, yes, his career will probably be over because he will not get any shoe company support. Olympic years are pivotal not just for track performance but it's also when contracts turn around. Webb is no longer the up and coming prospect and if he doesn't make the team he has no present, so why would a shoe company invest in him?

I guess I will assume that Webb is running the mile for the simple reason that he wants to run the mile. That is the only explanation. Unless his body can't handle the sustained workouts of longer distances. Obviously he has great middle distance times...from 5 years ago. So does Lagat. But even back then Webb wasn't that fast and couldn't handle the kicks of most of the elites. It may be Webb is just slow now and can only max out at 55 second splits. Which is bad for running the mile but is fine for running long distances. I just get the feeling he is self punishing himself trying to get back to his glory days of middle distances instead of accepting where his real talents may lie nowadays.

In any case his "relative lack of success" in the 5K/10K I call choosing not to run the event. Or to look at it another way, his relative lack of failure in the 5K/10K shows that he can do well in those events.

On this, you don't know what you're talking about. When he was right in 2007, his kick was tremendous.Webb 2007 Paris Golden League against 3:28 runner Mehdi Baalahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BZvfkk7-5YAt 2007 World's Trials, against 3:26 runner Lagat, with scenes from his demolition of Lagat in the kick at Reebok June 2, 2007:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5i_xNDhOaM

jjjjjjjjjj wrote:

On this, you don't know what you're talking about. When he was right in 2007, his kick was tremendous.

At 2007 World's Trials, against 3:26 runner Lagat, with scenes from his demolition of Lagat in the kick at Reebok June 2, 2007:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5i_xNDhOaM

Wow! I've never seen this. I got the last 100 right at 11.2? Pretty focking amazing.

foreman is basically right about the Webb of today. I want to see Webb make the Olympics but if he's getting outkicked by college kids in the 800, it's hard to see him getting into top 3 shape for the 1500 i.e better than one of the following: Lomong, Manzano, Centro. On the other hand Webb has shown good overdistance ability in the past, and the 5000 is not particularly strong event this year since most of the Schumacher group is still recovering from injuries. Webb might have a shot.

Come on. At least try to make an argument. He ran 55.6 seconds the last lap. That is very mediocre at that level. The only question is why so many others in that race were not up to par.

Check out the 2007 World Championship race. Webb ran sub 55 and about 7 guys left him in the dust. Especially Lagat.

Career on the Brink wrote:

At 28, this is Webb's last chance. But will tp Andrews be enough to re-energize Webb's career? Only time will tell.

I'd be more concerned that the "interesting" side of Webb might rub off on Andrews.

Best to both of them.

ryan foreman wrote:

Come on. At least try to make an argument. He ran 55.6 seconds the last lap. That is very mediocre at that level. The only question is why so many others in that race were not up to par.

Check out the 2007 World Championship race. Webb ran sub 55 and about 7 guys left him in the dust. Especially Lagat.

+1

Webb outkicked a Lagat who had already run the 5000m and wasn't peaked yet. BFD.

noce wrote:

foreman is basically right about the Webb of today. I want to see Webb make the Olympics but if he's getting outkicked by college kids in the 800, it's hard to see him getting into top 3 shape for the 1500 i.e better than one of the following: Lomong, Manzano, Centro. On the other hand Webb has shown good overdistance ability in the past, and the 5000 is not particularly strong event this year since most of the Schumacher group is still recovering from injuries. Webb might have a shot.

It shouldn't take too long for Webb to get back into shape if he puts in some consistent training. It takes a lot less time if you've already run the times.

Cardiac Kid wrote:

Wow! I've never seen this. I got the last 100 right at 11.2? Pretty focking amazing.

About 12.8, I think.

Sniffing wrote:

noce wrote:

foreman is basically right about the Webb of today. I want to see Webb make the Olympics but if he's getting outkicked by college kids in the 800, it's hard to see him getting into top 3 shape for the 1500 i.e better than one of the following: Lomong, Manzano, Centro. On the other hand Webb has shown good overdistance ability in the past, and the 5000 is not particularly strong event this year since most of the Schumacher group is still recovering from injuries. Webb might have a shot.

It shouldn't take too long for Webb to get back into shape if he puts in some consistent training. It takes a lot less time if you've already run the times.

He hasn't run WC competitive times in 5 yrs. When it's been that long, it does take a lot to get back to that level. From what I've seen so far, I don't think there is any way he can back to that level this year.

How long did it take him to get back to 1:50 (or whatever shape he's in right now)?

Sniffing wrote:

How long did it take him to get back to 1:50 (or whatever shape he's in right now)?

1:50? Seriously? A 1:50 and 75cents will buy ya a cup of coffee and that's about all.

Webb should be appreciated for what he has accomplished:

A high school record that can last for a very, very long time, an American record in the mile that doesn't look to be threatened anytime soon, and the perseverance to keep trying to come back. The body of work as a professional on the world stage fell short of his potential. His racing instincts never seemed to match up with the talent either. At a major televised championship ( can't recall which one) he bounced back and forth to the lead then faded out of the medals. The interviewer asked him what his strategy was. He said he didn't really have one! This spoke volumes.

Unfortunately, I think his "10 years" are up, or whatever it is said the window of time is for the majority of elites.

I agree with most of this but your nuts if you don't think guys like Wheating can not threaten the mile mark and who knows what Centrowitz will do after a season of running rabbited races. Odds are they don't get there but it isn't like those records are unassailable.

justacoach wrote:

Webb should be appreciated for what he has accomplished:

A high school record that can last for a very, very long time, an American record in the mile that doesn't look to be threatened anytime soon, and the perseverance to keep trying to come back. The body of work as a professional on the world stage fell short of his potential. His racing instincts never seemed to match up with the talent either. At a major televised championship ( can't recall which one) he bounced back and forth to the lead then faded out of the medals. The interviewer asked him what his strategy was. He said he didn't really have one! This spoke volumes.

Unfortunately, I think his "10 years" are up, or whatever it is said the window of time is for the majority of elites.

There is absolutely no reason Webb couldn't kick with the best milers. He has better 800 speed than Lagat, better 400 speed than most (a 47.x in high school), and the distance strength to use his speed when he needs to. We've seen him kick well before. The only problem is that he's getting old and hasn't had consistent training in years.

My knees hurt wrote:

It is crazy that Webb beat Rupp 16 months ago. Even if Rupp was dogging it, think of the difference between the two in the last 16 months. Webb beat Rupp at a 5k, now he couldn't stay with Rupp for the first 5k of a 10k.

if webb was going to beat rupp, it had to be at meaningless race like the turkey trott. otherwise he would have been a headcase and lost. meanwhile rupp probably had big races on his mind and intelligently just ran a controlled holiday fun run.

I don't see anything wrong with Webb running with a 1:44 guy (andrews) in preparation for the 1500. Andrews brings a fresh enthusiasm and passion that perhaps Webb will use to rekindle his passion and enthusiasm. These athletes are both uber competitive and absolutely hate to lose, so their workouts should be terrific together. With that said, if anyone is going to truly benefit from this relationship, it's going to be Andrews learning how to push a controlled pace earlier in the race and then use his ferocious kick.