Why did Webb go to Michigan?

Star wrote:

2001 - high school under Raczko - good

2002 - College, Michigan - bad

2003 - pro under Raczko - bad

2004-2007 pro under Raczko - good

2008 - under Raczko - eh

Better summed up as

2002 - went to college, had supply of EPO cutoff, really threw him off for a while

He had a great XC season. Finished 10th at NCAAs, I believe. I think if he hadn't gotten injured over the winter, he wouldn't have had the crisis of confidence and continued on at Michigan, but likely would have still went pro at some point prior to graduation.

Brannen got destroyed that first year too and had to re-group.

eheheeheh wrote:

Nice pic from George Aitkin's collection.

https://www.facebook.com/aitkinphotos/photos/a.344344329099280.1073741827.344338315766548/777896355744073/?type=3&theater

For a little insight into how competitive UM was in T&F/CC team at the time (and the influence of Nike w/ Webb) check out the picture shared from Mr. Aitkin ^^

See those maize and blue Zoom Kennedys they are wearing? Yeah, that was done for Michigan.

Colorado (w/ Ritz, black with gold Kennedys) was the only other school at the time to get the custom color schemes for the very popular spikes. Plus weren't they the first variants from the original yellows? (still have my last pair of yellows in the back of a closet)

Webb ran really good at UM actually. He was 12th in the NCAA cross meet . Which was great. Track times were a little off the mile he ran at PRE but he still had a nice season. Not a 3:49 though ( ha)

It was the 250K/year that Nike offered that was always on his mind! They kept it on the table and Webb went for it after his college season. It was the right move for him to move on!

He trained too hard and thought too much, and never adapted to racing rather than time trialling. He was just too good in HS to ever learn how to race. All his best races were time trial like efforts (rabbits, not a lot of positioning, not a lot tactics at all, just go fast and hold on tight). Racing is a totally different game (something most lets runners don't seem to get). And 'm not just talking slow tactical races. You can also have fast tactical races.[/quote]

This segment of nottalotta's post is one of the most accurate, most on-target, and best stated things ever said on these boards about the career of Alan Webb. (And that covers a lot of ground.)

No one will ever know how things would have turned out if he had stayed at Michigan, and if he had given Warhurst and his training system a real chance. Clearly he didn't do that.

But a few things are clear.

He didn't adapt well to the environment. I'm not even close to a Webb hater. But he was a bit of a prima donna who needed to be the center of attention, and he simply wasn't going to be that at Michigan.

He was in a hurry to be the best. He had been at the top all through high school. That was all he had known. He didn't have the patience to build properly, and learn as he did that. So even when he got to his best year(s), he was still severely lacking in experience, knowledge, competitive savvy, and maturity. Three or four years at Michigan and competing at the collegiate level would have given him more of that than he ever did develop.

va coach wrote:

He trained too hard and thought too much, and never adapted to racing rather than time trialling. He was just too good in HS to ever learn how to race. All his best races were time trial like efforts (rabbits, not a lot of positioning, not a lot tactics at all, just go fast and hold on tight). Racing is a totally different game (something most lets runners don't seem to get). And 'm not just talking slow tactical races. You can also have fast tactical races.

This segment of nottalotta's post is one of the most accurate, most on-target, and best stated things ever said on these boards about the career of Alan Webb. (And that covers a lot of ground.)

coach wrote:

va coach wrote:

He trained too hard and thought too much, and never adapted to racing rather than time trialling. He was just too good in HS to ever learn how to race. All his best races were time trial like efforts (rabbits, not a lot of positioning, not a lot tactics at all, just go fast and hold on tight). Racing is a totally different game (something most lets runners don't seem to get). And 'm not just talking slow tactical races. You can also have fast tactical races.

This segment of nottalotta's post is one of the most accurate, most on-target, and best stated things ever said on these boards about the career of Alan Webb. (And that covers a lot of ground.)

Actually vacoach your post is the most accurate too.

Here, let me quote properly for all you jokers.

coach wrote:

va coach wrote:

He trained too hard and thought too much, and never adapted to racing rather than time trialling. He was just too good in HS to ever learn how to race. All his best races were time trial like efforts (rabbits, not a lot of positioning, not a lot tactics at all, just go fast and hold on tight). Racing is a totally different game (something most lets runners don't seem to get). And 'm not just talking slow tactical races. You can also have fast tactical races.

This segment of nottalotta's post is one of the most accurate, most on-target, and best stated things ever said on these boards about the career of Alan Webb. (And that covers a lot of ground.)

No, that's incorrect---- over analysis can lead to paralysis.

Alan ran way more than one race by racing hard in the middle and pulling away. Look them up, you'll see. va coach is splitting hairs at an attempt to have "the answer".

Did Lear's book set the narrative for much of the rest of Webb's career?

Most letsrun speculation about Webb was and is the same narrative--probably because most posters' "expert" opinions came from the book.

Back in the early 2000s there was a lot of pressure/expectation for Webb to perform. Did the words and speculation of letsrun posters get in his head? In short, did Chris Lear's book (which I think attempted to find a reason for the book to exist after Lear had invested so much time following what turned out to be an unremarkable season) drive a narrative which labelled and helped derail Webb?

Magnum PI helicopter wrote:

Did Lear's book set the narrative for much of the rest of Webb's career?

Most letsrun speculation about Webb was and is the same narrative--probably because most posters' "expert" opinions came from the book.

Back in the early 2000s there was a lot of pressure/expectation for Webb to perform. Did the words and speculation of letsrun posters get in his head? In short, did Chris Lear's book (which I think attempted to find a reason for the book to exist after Lear had invested so much time following what turned out to be an unremarkable season) drive a narrative which labelled and helped derail Webb?

Lear's book didnt prevent Colorado and Goucher from success.

Or Wisconsin!!

coach wrote:

Magnum PI helicopter wrote:

Did Lear's book set the narrative for much of the rest of Webb's career?

Most letsrun speculation about Webb was and is the same narrative--probably because most posters' "expert" opinions came from the book.

Back in the early 2000s there was a lot of pressure/expectation for Webb to perform. Did the words and speculation of letsrun posters get in his head? In short, did Chris Lear's book (which I think attempted to find a reason for the book to exist after Lear had invested so much time following what turned out to be an unremarkable season) drive a narrative which labelled and helped derail Webb?

Lear's book didnt prevent Colorado and Goucher from success.

Well, Chris, it wasn't a hit job on any of the characters.

WEBB IS BACK, BABY!!!

No human on the planet has run faster than Alan Webb's American record mile FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS!!!

All the post that talk about Nick Willis being a factor, I am certain that Nick Willis and Alan Webb were not at Michigan at the same time. Willis arrived in the fall of 2002 (

http://www.mgoblue.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1191

). Webb left in the spring of 2002. I think the biggest factor as someone mentioned was Kevin Sullivan and Tim Broe. Kevin Sullivan was 5th at the 2000 Olympics. North American distance running was in a very different place at that time. Having a guy finish 5th in the Olympics in the 1500 was absolutely massive at that time.

The original question related to Oregon and Stanford. Oregon was nothing like it is today in 2001, at the 2001 NCAAs they did not have a single athlete in the top 12 in any distance race.

http://www.ustfccca.org/2017/04/archive/2001-ncaa-division-i-outdoor-championships-results

Wow. The Webb fan base crowd had really moved on. It seemed like just yesterday any story on Webb would get 10 pages or more of comments. People do move on and now he’s just a footnote in history.

I would have liked to see more reporting on his demise in the triathlon. It seemed like he sucked at that so no one talked about him quietly quitting that sport. Maybe he could get a YouTube channel. I would love to cheer him on in badminton, putt-putt, ping-pong, bowling, etc., etc. He really is a fascinating dude. Watch his Letterman interview. One of the best interviews of any guest of Letterman, ever. If you think he’s just a dumb jock, make sure you google Webb on Letterman and watch it. Clearly also a sharp and bright guy too. Thanks for all the great years, Webb. I know you have plenty of time now to read comment sections. All the best to you! You’re one of my fav athletes of any sport, of all time.

coach wrote:

va coach wrote:

He trained too hard and thought too much, and never adapted to racing rather than time trialling. He was just too good in HS to ever learn how to race. All his best races were time trial like efforts (rabbits, not a lot of positioning, not a lot tactics at all, just go fast and hold on tight). Racing is a totally different game (something most lets runners don't seem to get). And 'm not just talking slow tactical races. You can also have fast tactical races.

This segment of nottalotta's post is one of the most accurate, most on-target, and best stated things ever said on these boards about the career of Alan Webb. (And that covers a lot of ground.)

Interestingly, I heard Ovett talking during the world champs or some time this year, that the key to championship success in 800-1500m was the ability to change-up/accelerate in bursts.