Seriously, what is up with Alan Webb?

[110hedgeNYC]

I was at Reebok yesterday.

Very solid meet, by the way. Hats off to the organizers. They are building this meet each year. Apparently there were over 11,000.

Anyway, Manzano looked great. He looked sharp, had a great closing 100, and 3.34 this early bodes well.

Even allowing for the idea that Webb may be "training through" these early meets, the guy should still be able to run 3.37/3.38 training through and at least look decent doing it.

Webb didn't just run 3.42, but he looked awful. He was struggling to run 3.42.

Is he overtrained? Injured?

Seriously, what is going on with Alan Webb?

I submit that this guy needs a new coach and a change of atmospere, new location, etc. Something is seriously not working for a guy with so much raw talent.

[bad hammy]

Re: Seriously, what is up with Alan Webb?

Even allowing for the idea that Webb may be "training through" these early meets, the guy should still be able to run 3.37/3.38 training through and at least look decent doing it.

Apparently he was training through the OTs last year.

As for your conclusion, all I can say is that given his obvious talent his results over time are abysmal. A change in coaches/scenery probably could not hurt. Or maybe he should just ditch the hair . . .

[kuha]

There's a theory going around that he is a cigar store Indian. It seems a bit unlikely, but if true would explain quite a bit.

[Django]

His races really are baffling! If he's looking ahead and planning to peak at Berlin, I hope he'll keep in mind what happened last year, and also remember that, after all the hard training, he'll have only a limited number of opportunities to compete in races in which he might win in fast times. I just hope he's not putting all his eggs in one basket, and counting on a single big race in Berlin!
I'm eager to see the race in Eugene next Sunday, and hope to see Webb run really well!

[Master Po]

In the interest of including some data in the discussion, here are AW's 2009 stats that I know of (perhaps I missed something else he ran earlier in May?):

31 January George Mason U. 4:04:91 (1) (also 1:52.06 in this meet)

7 February Reebok Boston 3:57.64 (4)

14 February Tyson Inv. 4:05.6 (4)

28 February USATF 3:45.82 (2)

18 April Kansas Relays 3:58.9 (1)

25 April Drake Relays 4:00.61 (1)

30 May Reebok 3:42.58 (10)

While I wish AW the best, I have no advice for him, and I have no theories about his performances (though I am intrigued by the theory kuha reports earlier in this thread...)
:wink:

[tandfman]

Re: Seriously, what is up with Alan Webb?

Very solid meet, by the way. Hats off to the organizers. They are building this meet each year. Apparently there were over 11,000.

I don't see how that's possible, given the seating capacity of the place.

[Marlow]

I'm going with the 'Ultimate Peaker' theory! He's just simmering on the back burner till USATF!

[lovetorun]

Like I said on one of the other threads, he looks heavy like he has gained weight. His legs look thick. It seems odd because I don't remember him looking so heavy, sluggish. Maybe he joined Fam in the junk food habit.

I know Manzano looked bad and then came back, but I have a feeling Webb will not....he's done for the year I predict. I'd love to see him show his talent again but, for whatever reason(s), he's losing it.

[bruce3404]

Re: Seriously, what is up with Alan Webb?

Very solid meet, by the way. Hats off to the organizers. They are building this meet each year. Apparently there were over 11,000.

I don't see how that's possible, given the seating capacity of the place.

According to their website, the main stands hold 5,000; they added backstretch seating this year and I would estimate another 2,000 people filled that area. I have some comments on this meet, which I'll address in a new thread.

[110hedgeNYC]

actually the capacity on the backstretch is just over 3,000, and it was probably 85-90% full on Saturday. there were at least another miscellaneous 500-1000 standing around and the 5000 capacity main stadium was sold out.

there were 9,000 or better without doubt. as far 11,000. perhaps not. they announced 11,000 ish, but maybe they were rounding up.

in any case, they have been adding numbers every year and this was the biggest yet.

... back to Webb. the guy is a mystery.

[mr.pc]

I don't know what "cigar store indian" means, but if it means "head case," I agree. When someone's performances are erratic, but generally much worse than their raw talent and training volume would indicate, it's the most obvious explanation. What's-her-name had the same problem. Alan needs to start over with a new coach.

[bruce3404]

He IS a mystery. He looked horrible yesterday and I almost couldn't believe it was the same guy only two years removed from his 3:46 mile. Actually, it was pretty sad watching him struggle to not finish last. I hope he can find his way again; there's way too much talent to let go to waste at such a young age.

[BillVol]

I think his T&FN covers should be vacated. This guy is a pipe dream for US mid-distance fans.

[knite]

I too just shook my head when I saw Webb at the back of the back in the race, and what it appeared to have almost happen immediately.

He looked HORRIBLE, and maybe a change of coach is necessary at this time in his career.

[Run DMC]

Is it possible he was sick? This race was bad even by the standard of his results from THIS year. He has broken 4min and won some races. He was never even in the picture for this one and ~4:00mi pace.