Tweet
I am about half way through Sub 4. I guess Webb was a very good competitive swimmer and started training at about age 2 or 3. As late as early high school, he was still making that his focus athletically and training very hard. He would jump into the odd race and do very well but that is consistent with any swimmer that jumps into the annual track meets. They usually do very well. I have seen it time and again. So by the time he runs his 3:53, he has been training his aerobic system for 15 years which is very likely at least 10 years longer than many other age group phenom milers. Is it possible that he has less in the well than others in the same boat because all those years of training have already brought a lot out of him? This is meant as no disrespect to Webb but the thought hit me when I was reading the book.
-
-
Re: Question about Webb
I read the "4:00 mile" book Tuesday night. It gives a very insightful look at the pressures facing young elite distance runners. Like most good sports books the emphasis is on characters rather than the actual sport. After reading this book I now have a better understanding what Webb is going through. He wants to prove himself right away only to be betrayed by his body. In one off race described in the book Webb stated I wanted to go faster but had nothing in the tank.
I liked how the book covered the relationship between Webb and his teammate Nate Brannen. They seemed to be competitive and at the same time they helped each other out. So far this year Brannen's mile time is a full second faster than Webbs.
It will be interesting to look down the road a few years and see who has become the more successful miler.
Coach Warhurst is the most interesting character in the book. He saw a gold mine in Webb, but saw that goldmine fade at the end of the season as rumors spread about Webb leaving Michigan. It was especially distracting for those Webb rumors to come out just before the Penn Relays. The team had to concentrate on the meet while the thought of Webb leaving was in the back of their minds.
After reading this book I come to the conclusion that Webb couldn’t adjust to being just another college 4-minute miler. Hopefully bigger things are in store for Alan Webb.
You know whatever happens to Webb in the future Coach Warhurst will definitely be watching. -
Re: Question about Webb
Personally, I thought Webb came off as a bit of spoiled brat, having a minor tantrum when Brennan beat him in a 800 - Nathan Brennan was probably on par w/ Webb as a HS athlete (1:46, and 3:59 in his one and only mile attempt) yet received almost second string attention. I can understand leaving UM for the cash, but his continual questioning of War Dog's coaching was sad - Kevin Sullivan is the best North American miler of the last decade and he has no problems with the coaching... nuff said on the coaching. Personally I root extra hard now for Brennan, Sullivan and even Willis (2:49 and 1:47 @ Penn Relays ouch!) to out produce Webb...
Cheers,
ErikComment
-
Re: Question about Webb
In the book Brannen was a bit incensed when Webb got upset in losing to Brannen in the 800meters. "This is my best event (800m), who does Webb think he is, does he really expect to walk over everyone" said Brannen after winning an 800 meter race. Sullivan who was watching the race consoled Brennen and said, "Webb still has a lot to learn".
It seems that Warhurst's milers are a close-knit bunch. Even after becoming an international superstar Kevin Sullivan still visits Warhurst and keeps tabs on the young miling talent at Michigan. In the book Sullivan warns Warhurst and others on the team that Webb is talented but don't expect his great workouts to transcend to successful races. After Sullivan said that Webb suffered through his first bad race at MT SAC. Sullivan went through the same rough learning curve that Webb did his first year. In fact Sullivan was less successful than Webb in his first year at Michigan.
However, Sullivan stuck it out at Michigan and eventually became the Western Hemisphere's best miler.Comment
-
Re: Question about Webb
You are right annoying Sullivan is the best miler in North America when Krummenacker isn't running the event.Comment
-
Re: Question about Webb
David, on his game, can't be beaten. Frankly, I am sick of hearing about Webb. Give him a break!
Also am bored with the "Brannen" attitude. Where was his 800 at Canadian Nationals?Comment
-
Re: Question about Webb
Ok, ya know what people... don't diss Nathan Brannen, he is the coolest, most down to earth, nicest, funnest person on this earth.. he works his ass off and he deserves credit... don't diss him... he's amazing....Comment
-
Re: Question about Webb
Krummenacker's mile PR looks a little soft compared to Canada's Sullivan. He should stay with the 800.Comment
-
Re: Question about Webb
Krummenacker is a little faster than Sullivan. His 3:31 1500pr is actually a sub 3:50 mile. I don't think Sullivan has broken a 3:50 mile yet.
Krummenacker is using the 800 meters to prepare for a fast 1500 meters.
Overall distance running in North America is in bad shapeComment
-
Re: Question about Webb
You mean men's distance running. The women are doing just fine.Comment
-
Re: Question about Webb
Unfortunately, nobody cares about women's distance running.Comment
-
Re: Question about Webb
>Unfortunately, nobody cares about women's
>distance running.
I don't know your motives for posting to this board, but your contributions will carry more weight when you use your real name. Then again, maybe not.Comment
-
Re: Question about Webb
I can't use my real name. The CI....ooops.
Got to keep quiet.
I have nothing against women track, but the press certainly doesn't care in the least.
I am waiting for the first women to break a 4 minute mile.
When that happens everything changes.Comment
-
Re: Question about Webb
>I have nothing against women
>track, but the press certainly doesn't care in
>the least.
Allright, name me a male sprinter that does credit card ads. Name me a male trackster who has been on the cover of ESPN Magazine. Name me a male distance runner that the AP has done a lengthy bio on within the last 2 months. Change those "males" to "females" and you get Marion Jones, Marion Jones, and Regina Jacobs. I seriously doubt both parts of your claim -- the press DOES care, and you DO have something against women's track.Comment
-
Re: Question about Webb
I have no feelings good or bad about Women's track. I admit US women distance runners are better than their US male contempories. This is really not news to anyone.
The press is bias towards male athletics. Why is Alan Webb getting more press than our world class women milers?
Wouldn't you say Jacobs and Hamilton had a better season than Webb?Comment
Comment