Alan Webb to retire and become Triathlete (Link)

he can't compete with top triathletes after a couple of months training!

he loses way more on the bike than he gains on the run!

Alan Webb confirms Millrose will be retirement track race. ``Burned out from running,'' now training for triathlons. Webb, 31, texted, ``I am serious about triathlon. I am in Arizona working with a USA Triathlon group right now. Something I have always wanted to do since I was a kid. And I am burned out from running.'' Webb burst onto track scene as a high school star and ran a 3:53.43 mile in 2001 to break Jim Ryun's HS record. In 2007 he broke Steve Scott's American record with a 3:46.91, a mark he still holds. News of his retirement was first broken by Runners World, via Webb's longtime agent, Ray Flynn.

just sayin wrote:

lol...

put webb on a bike and he'll prob max out at 30 km/h

no chance he ever gets up to 40

the guy would just get left way behind on the road

you people have no clue!

No. You have no clue. I went from 31km/h in my first Duathlon to 37km/h by the following year and I did nothing but bike to and from work every day.

Webb could do 40km/h easily within a year.

Mike Woods is a runner of similar talent to Webb who switched to cycling after an injury stopped his running career. He's doing fine.

WEBB IS NOT BACK, BABY!!!

we'll see where he is in the water. that is the #1 determining factor to how well he does in the ITU, there are others but what level he gets to in the water is #1.

doesn't matter if you are a fantastic runner like webb is, if he is more than a few seconds down out of the water, that gap will be 1-2min coming off the bike. he could do well even with that gap but he won't win. it will be a couple years until he is very good.

it also depends on his commitment level and how much he wants to truly go for it. this cannot be a hobby for him, or some diversion.

In my mind, burned out from running = burned out in general. i think he'll dip his toes in but not truly commit, and in two years he'll be watching me and my bro dominate in rio thinking "aw yea uncle rico coulda been an olympic champion".

I'll agree with you that Webb will do well on the bike as Mike has. The bike is dangerous though due to the high speeds, variable road conditions, and perhaps a lack of experience in bike racing. Could Webb be a successful triathlete? I believe the answer is yes. It will take some dedicated effort, and if he pursues the triathlon I wish him well.

I have to agree with 'just sayin' on this one. You guys have no clue. Great runners do not necessarily translate into great triathletes, and sometimes the biggest hurdle is the bike. He will need longer than two months to excel at all 3 disciplines...give the sport some respect.

Best of luck to Webb, I hope the transition goes well for him.

This is typically the case with flynn when his athletes don't make him as much money or have lost their luster/value to ray, he spends a fraction of the time on them as in the past. not to say that shouldn't be expected but it's still a flynn hallmark, one that has made it very 50-50 when asking his former athletes for a recommendation on him. some love him, some couldn't be happier to be out from under him. either way, tough for webb, sure wish the best for that kid, he was the most inspiring us runner of the last decade, IMO. didn't accomplish quite what meb, rupp, and possibly others did, but he ALWAYS laid it out there, and there was that time where we all thought he *might* just end up the world champion. and to do it clean, even more commendable.

Hardloper wrote:

Ruddiger wrote:

Are agents normally so detached from their athletes?

It seems Flynn knows no more about Webb than the average message board lurker: I think he's in decent shape, he might have some money saved up, I'm almost certain his name is spelled with two b's...

Too true...

First I think Flynn is one of the good guys in our sport and have no problem casting him wearing a white hat.

It sounds like he wants Webb to make the definite announcements to me, nothing more.

Why should he divulge any thing about a clients assets. I hear him saying to the interviewer- you're bright enough to think Webb made some money and if wise he still has some, well, so am I.

I think he's in decent shape--- is conversational. He's not giving a detailed technical fitness report here. That pretty much tells me in Flynn's opinion Webb is in decent shape.

How freekin' in shape do you need to be go on a swansong farewell tour anyway?...and how precise does your business agent-not your coach mind you- have to be when responding to a general question about your current fitness. As the Meet Director of Millrose do you really expect Flynn to say, just fit enough to waddle about the track waving', grinnin' and aw shucksin'?

[quote]Hardloper wrote:

[quote]Ruddiger wrote:

Can Webb wear his toupee in the water? Or will he wear a swim cap throughout the entire Tri?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Can Webb wear his toupee in the water? Or will he wear a swim cap throughout the entire Tri?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Can Webb wear his toupee in the water? Or will he wear a swim cap throughout the entire Tri?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Can Webb wear his toupee in the water? Or will he wear a swim cap throughout the entire Tri?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Can Webb wear his toupee in the water? Or will he wear a swim cap throughout the entire Tri?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Can Webb wear his toupee in the water? Or will he wear a swim cap throughout the entire Tri?

Inquiring minds want to know!

I can't believe millrose is the last time Webb will step on the track.

Damn this sucks.

WiT wrote:

First I think Flynn is one of the good guys in our sport and have no problem casting him wearing a white hat.

It sounds like he wants Webb to make the definite announcements to me, nothing more.

Why should he divulge any thing about a clients assets. I hear him saying to the interviewer- you're bright enough to think Webb made some money and if wise he still has some, well, so am I.

I think he's in decent shape--- is conversational. He's not giving a detailed technical fitness report here. That pretty much tells me in Flynn's opinion Webb is in decent shape.

Also true.

He's retiring because he can't afford to just run anymore. When the Nike direct deposits stop rolling in and ya have a family to support...

We can say now that his legacy will be one of incredible talent and range with some great performances but ultimately was too inconsistent and won 0 medals at any international championship. He ranks below Jim Ryun, Steve Scott, and Jim Spivey.

Alan's a decent guy who meant a lot to the sport. But Flynn and just about everyone in the sport have been very patient with him. His peak was almost seven years ago.