Honestly, what is wrong with Webb?

It's worth noting that in his last two races, Webb is not going out and even splitting. In both races, he was in the lead at the bell and ended up finishing close to last. He closed his 800 in 59 or 60, and he lost 8+ seconds to the winner of his heat in the final lap of the 1500. It's not just that he is losing to nobodies, it's the way he is losing to nobodies that is most distrubing.

We don't have any of the inside details, but I wonder if Webbs situation right now is anything like Salazar's in Duel in the Sun: can't string more than a few weeks of good training together, and for some unknown reason, just isn't good anymore.

He is just trying to get his odds increased so he can lay down a massive bet win tons of money and flip off all the haters

Father Time remains undefeated.

Apart from the strong likelihood that an early bloomer fades much faster I think whatever he's taking to keep his hair is messing up his testosterone levels.

Generally these products act on testosterone metabolism.

He's better off bald and fast.

Do you guys think that mayb he doesn't care if he makes the trials? Maybe he just runs for fun, trains a few days a week and mixes it up with average college guys. Can we assume that just because he was once a world class runner he can't become a rec runner.

I play on a softball team and I don't care if I suck, I cared if I sucked when I was playing baseball at a decent level. Thoughts?

to this?

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs463.ash1/25422_1414079432476_1247251800_1229500_1634798_n.jpg

SMJO wrote:

I think whatever he's taking to keep his hair is messing up his testosterone levels.

Generally these products act on testosterone metabolism.

He's better off bald and fast.

I assume you mean Propecia. Is there evidence that Propecia slows your running?

If he is pointing towards 1500m, the primary concerns are regaining some 800m fitness, not peaking early, and not wasting too much time doing pointless mileage. Webb needs about 50-60 good miles/week to make the team.

what happened to him? he was well coached to 3:46 but made the critical mistake of believing more is better and thereafter went backwards and needed to reset. Things went fine with Salazar so long as Webb was undertraining. Once Salazar started pushing stupid volume and training Webb like somebody else (a 5000 runner without 1:43 800 best), I'm certain Webb sensed he was being coached into a corner, justifiably got frustrated, and wisely left.

who really gives a damn what Webb runs at Florida relays or some low key meet back east? if he's getting anywhere, all the better reason to keep the cards close and point towards the meaningful goals.

Look for f---'s sake the kid took EPO to get himself to 1.43 and 3.30/3.46 when he is probably a 1.48, 3.39 talent at best (have you ACTUALLY seen him run?)

He did no less than many of his contempories and the dude has made his $$$, holds an iconic American record - why should he continue to cheat?

Now with no incentive to take PEDs he is what he is - the physical and mental safety net is gone but who really cares?

I say good on the guy. If I was him I would do what guys like El G did - step out of the game graciously and enjoy life.

Boom.

poppp wrote:

People, talent does NOT go away.

This is true, and there is little use denying that Webb has talent.

But, it's been mentioned above, he may have peeked early. He may have been more precocious than talented.

Groundskeeper Willie wrote:

But, it's been mentioned above, he may have peeked early.

Peeked at what?

I have always been a big Webb fan but this fall to earth is too extreme to justify. He should be able to run 1:50 and 3:45 in his sleep, and maybe even 3:40 off base training.

Something is wrong, and its more than mental.

ITMA wrote:

Father Time remains undefeated.

Yes, perhaps he was lying about his age all along and he is really 37 now.

there could be a physical problem, but I'm reminded of Peter Snell in '65. He started his season with some good races, then 18 year old Jim Ryun beat him at the US nationals. He went on to a string of very flat races then retired.

After the 800/1500 golds of the year before, he may have lacked motivation. It ain't easy maintaining a world class edge in the middle distances.

Ryun himself, after his two untouchable years '66-67 was never the same.

Salazar also burned out young after several very intense years.

Maybe the physical problem is simply not moving one foot in front of the other fast enough.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

Yes, perhaps he was lying about his age all along and he is really 37 now.

Not everyone is Lagat, and Lagat has had to move up to the 5000. El G and Coe both quit being competitive in their early 30's and retired. From an age perspective, Webb has probably peaked as a miler.

personally, whenever I see someone so inconsistent like Webb in his performance, appearance, and weight....I suspect diet rather than training. Usually something like gluten insensitivities, but it could be anything that disturbs his digestive system which leads to deficiencies which leads to hormonal imblanace which leads to performance issues.

Webb has GVH, short for Graft-versus-host. His hair transplant is rejecting his body. His slow times are symptomatic of the graft-rejection process. Webb has to remove his hair graft or eventually die.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

t94bell wrote:

Anyone considered the fact that he might be holding back in races for a specific reason? You know, hold back now, get an idea of racing, then perform well at the Olympic Trials? It seems that not giving 100% in a race is a concept unfamiliar to many athletes here.

At this point I have great doubts that he will qualify for the Olympic Trials.

Stating the obvious!

I am a big Webb fan and I'm absolutely certain he is not done; just look at what he did less than a year ago. He beat Rupp in an early season road 5k and was improving in the mile evey time he ran and got down to 3:36 1500m. I don't have any answers for his performance this weekend, it simply does not make sense no matter how I look at it. But, even if he is in the twightlight of his career, no body declines that fast. With that said, Webb is known for running horrible one week and running much faster in the next week or two. However, even running much faster does not put him anywhere near being able qualify for the USOTs, which is only 2 months away.

Webb will definitely be back, just probably not this year and probably never at his previous level.