Craig Mottram Feature Story

[MJD]

jack- webb

LMAO.

[15mph]

agree jack- webb raced against the best in the world that day like a scared little rabbit. threw it away so he didnt have to lose it. i hope for his sake he gains confidence and races eventually like a savvy veteran.

Then what do you say to both Lukezic and Myers for not making the finals. Like Byers Webb runs on nervous energy and adrenaline. Some times its leads to great races and other time it leads to tactical mistakes.


I believe Scott is right in saying Webb will probably end up being America's greatest distance runner.

[SQUACKEE]

agree jack- webb raced against the best in the world that day like a scared little rabbit. threw it away so he didnt have to lose it. i hope for his sake he gains confidence and races eventually like a savvy veteran.

[kuha]

"I'm a bit confused by all the hyperbole over Alan Webb."

First, Jack, let me say what a fan I am. That run in Berlin was glorious. Sorry about that nasty incident in NYC in '49...

In answer to your question, trust me: you're not alone. Webb is a tough, gutsy performer who had fabulous early promise. He then spent several years wandering in the athletic wilderness. It's great that he's now back to fully world-class status. However, I can't imagine that anyone outside the US (or maybe North America) could even begin to understand the rabid following he has (at least in the virtual realm of chat rooms like this). In part, these folks are searching for a miling saviour, with all the complicated religious and psychological baggage that this suggests. Webb has become the central focus of the "could," "should," and "might" crowd. All this is only tangentially related to what happens in the so-called "reality community."

[Jack Lovelock]

Alan Webb

I'm a bit confused by all the hyperbole over Alan Webb. As far as I can see, he's a terrific international / world class runner but he looks to me as if he finds it difficult once he gets outside the US to really believe in himself - ditto Michael East when he races in Europe (a good comparison maybe?). The WC finals this year merely proved this - Webb's burst was outstanding but utterly stupid - he literally threw the race away, although credit to him for having a go (if that's what he was doing - maybe he just bottled it?). This is what he needs to address - he looks frightened when he races. If he doesn't address this he will be forgotten about sooner rather than later. As for the comparison with Mottram, I'd give Mottram the nod any day of the week at the moment, but remember that Mottram's medal in the WC this year came after a disappointing 8th in the Athens 5k - Webb should look at that and believe that he could still break through for 2007 if he stays healthy. Here's hoping he does. Personally, though, can't see it......

[15mph]

Re: Craig Mottram Feature Story

Webb is younger and will end up accomplishing more than Mottram. When Webb runs a 3:45/3:46 mile we will forget about Mottram.

What crap.

At this stage Mottram has a medal, and I suspect he gives no more thought to Webb, than he does any other runner.

Too much "potential" not enough result. I sincerely hope both of them have long and satisfying careers. Its rare in our sport.[/quote]

In some respects you are right. Mottram has had his big international race. Webb has yet to break 3:47 for the mile, which will be Webb's "big race". A lot of what I said was troll bait. Mottram is a great runner, but Webb is almost there.

When a 22-year-old American runs 3:48 for the mile you have to take notice. Most of the time we have to wait for a US miler to reach 25 until they break 3:55.

Webb 2005 landmarks.

1.WC finals (Jason Pyrah last Olympic US 1500 meter finalist 2000)
2. Sub 3:50 mile (last American to break 3:50 - Jim Spivey 91)
3. IAAF top ten ranking (last ranked American - Holman 1998)
4. 2 mile AR

Both Lagat and Webb have at least stopped the horrible US 1500-meter slump.
The 1500 has suddenly gone from one of America's weakest distance events to its best. Can you think of any distance event where there are two US runners ranked in the top ten.

[15mph]

Re: Webb VS Mottram

Wow, there is already a Webb vs Mottram thread. My mission is accomplished.

You don't recognize a dyestat type Webb vs Ritz take-off? I was funnin' with you. Clearly, I have to work on my delivery.

I was the one that made you do the take off. Actually, it is also the kind of thread they post on letsrun.

[mal]

Re: Craig Mottram Feature Story

Webb is younger and will end up accomplishing more than Mottram. When Webb runs a 3:45/3:46 mile we will forget about Mottram.[/quote]

What crap.

At this stage Mottram has a medal, and I suspect he gives no more thought to Webb, than he does any other runner.

Too much "potential" not enough result. I sincerely hope both of them have long and satisfying careers. Its rare in our sport.

[MJD]

Re: Webb VS Mottram

Wow, there is already a Webb vs Mottram thread. My mission is accomplished.

You don't recognize a dyestat type Webb vs Ritz take-off? I was funnin' with you. Clearly, I have to work on my delivery.

[eldrick]

eldrick,
I mean, have you ever been accurate?

very often

i'd be a complete twonk if i went around posting estimates that were completely off the mark

Should I start listing athlete's personal bests for you?

if it makes you happy



i prefer to explore an athlete's potential

[15mph]

Webb's 800 speed passable for 3:47 mile

Steve Scott's 800m PR = 1:45.05

So it is possible to run the mile in the 3:46 to 3:47 range with 1:45+ 800-meter speed. Webb also has sub 13:15 5k endurance. I don't think Scott ever broke 13:20 for 5000 meters. I am now convinced Webb will get the American record for the mile before the next Olympic games.

Ok, I that is enough Webb talk for now. What else can I say?


I wonder if Myers and Lukezic will jump to the next level. Now that would be interesting.

[twittering debutante]

Komen 3:46.38 mile PR

Lagat 3:47.28 mile PR

[ZZrunZZ]

Steve Scott's 800m PR = 1:45.05

[26mi235]

Blathering on about Webb as much as you do is silly, especially on a Mottram thread.

I appreciate Webb's versatility, but Mottram is even more versatile.

The number of sub-3:50 milers who have broken 13 for a 5K can be counted on one hand.

Personally, I thought it was an excellent article about Mottram.

If we include sub-3:50 equivalents for the 1500 (which is only about 3:33.0) I think we get a much larger set of qualifiers (Geb, Lagat, Komen, KB cold do it) ...

[15mph]

Webb VS Mottram

Blathering on about Webb as much as you do is silly, especially on a Mottram thread.

I appreciate Webb's versatility, but Mottram is even more versatile.

The number of sub-3:50 milers who have broken 13 for a 5K can be counted on one hand.

Personally, I thought it was an excellent article about Mottram.

I think this comparison makes sense since Webb and Mottram are so similar. Mottram is faster in the 5k, but Webb is quicker in the 1500, mile, and two mile. Webb is on his way to becoming the most versatile US distance runner since Prefontaine. Actually, Webb is already faster than PRE in every event.

"A good troll can change a topic at will to fit his agenda."

Wow, there is already a Webb vs Mottram thread. My mission is accomplished.