Alan Webb jumped into the national scene in high school with his success at the Footlocker National Cross Country Championships and more notably with his success in the mile. He smashed Jim Ryun's HSR… + See More +
Alan Webb jumped into the national scene in high school with his success at the Footlocker National Cross Country Championships and more notably with his success in the mile. He smashed Jim Ryun's HSR… + See More
- See Less - Alan Webb jumped into the national scene in high school with his success at the Footlocker National Cross Country Championships and more notably with his success in the mile. He smashed Jim Ryun's HSR of 3:55.3 at the Prefontaine Classic with a time of 3:53.43. Webb is also the first high schooler ever to run a sub 4:00 mile indoors.
After a year of running at the University of Michigan, Webb turned pro and started running for Nike under high school coach, Scott Raczko. He broke the American Record in the Two Mile at Nike Prefontaine Classic in 2005 in 8:11.48. Webb has since broke Steve Scott's American Mile Record (3:47.69) in Brasschaat, Belgium in a time of 3:46.91 and has also racked up personal bests of 1:43.84 in the 800m and 3:30.54 in the 1500m.
Just to add a note to my previous post; when Herb Elliott, who was never beaten at a mile or 1,500 meters, set his final world record, it came in the 1960 olympic 1,500 meter final and was the natural result of the high level of competition, not a staged record attempt or an obsession for a fast time.
I believe that the obsession of the public and the athletes for records and fast times rather than athletes just running to win and letting the records come when and where they may, is having a negative effect on runners such as Alan Webb, who has become conditioned to races that do not develop naturally from the circumstances but are choreographed, and do not teach athletes how to respond to real race circumstances (i.e., look at Alan Webb's bizarre semi-final and poorly run final at Osaka that played right into Lagat's hands).
Records should come naturally, out of the heat of competition; there is no need to try and create a record circumstance.
It is very clear after watching the major men's 1,500 meter and mile races this year at the world class level leading up to and including the 2007 world championships 1,500, that there are two kinds of races being run:
1) The artificially set-up races where promoters want to see a record or at least a very fast time and rabbits are utilized to produce such, and:
2) The world championships and olympic games, which are not arranged by time-concerned promoters and, therefore, tend to become purely tactical affairs.
If Alan Webb ever hopes to win a world championship or olympic title, then he needs stop involving himself in these races that are concocted to produce fast times or records and learn what to do when a race is run without pacemakers, is not run at record pace, and becomes very tactical. He has the talent to win in these major venues, but he needs the experience of real racing rather than these staged events.
Kaelin, you need to stop ripping on Webb. All you've done is get on his case. First about his form and now his speech. The man is tired for crying out loud. Let's see how well you'd talk right after running that fast if you don't die in the attempt. So shut up and support our athletes for crying out loud.
i have an idea how about people stop arguing on this.. its super annoying... if ur that obsessed with track that u argue over dumb stuff then shut up losers...
Thanks Scott for telling Mark that "your an idiot." (I think you meant to say "You are an idiot." But that is reading and writing skills for people past second grade skills.) Also, what you say about journalists needing to formally introduce themselves is hogwash. The journalist's job is to get the questions in. And to get the GOOD questions in at the RIGHT MOMENT. This guy got the right questions in at the right moment. And Scott doesn't even see what was edited out before the interview began. It's clear who the idiot is here. Somebody that's not very happy about Alan Webb getting the record. Stay in your arm chair, Scott, and let the real journalists get the questions in while you busy yourself with formalities that would take up all the time you would have had to ask questions instead.
Scott Donahue. Mark knows most of these athletes from years of interviewing them here on flotrack. so why would he introduce himself to someone he already knows? Do you introduce yourself to your friends everytime you see them?
check out some of the other races, and interviews here on Flotrack. he's had 15 interview with these guys, they know who he is, and they're thankful that someone repects the sport enough to drive from place to place, just to video these meets so americans can watch the races for free.
Mark seriously you need to learn how to interview an athlete. It's horrible the way you just walk up to the athletes and start asking them questions without the courtesy of introducing yourself, saying what your from, and telling the viewers the name of the athlete. It's bad form and shear amateurism. You seriously need to learn interviewing etiquette, because it's painful to watch you interview guys like Mottram, Web and Ritz. It really is.
This is so exciting. I just graduated from college and I know how tough it was training for nationals. Imagine training to break an American Record. Congratulations all your hard work paid off. To say I am "impressed" is an understatement.
It is nice to see these races. However, the male lead announcer needs to do his homework. His amateurish approach made me think I was at a junior high trackmeet. I could do tons better, as could almost any track aficionado. I'd almost rather havesilence than his incompetence. Send him back to announcing school...please!
What's next? Alan never says the two words, probably because he respects it so very much. What's next? I'll say it for him: "World Record!" Go for it, Alan! (I enjoyed every second of this footage. Thanks for posting it!)
What's next? Alan never says the two words, probably because he respects it so very much. What's next? I'll say it for him: "World Record!" Go for it, Alan! (I enjoyed every second of this footage. Thanks for posting it!)
Steve Scott will always be known as one of America's best distance runners. He consistency and longevity were amazing and he is even a better person than runner!
Is it just me, or does this interview make him sound alot like Nick Symmonds...makes sense though, although used to being good, this is a new level for him, and I think like Nick was/still is, Alan is a little bit in shock here.
If Webb stays injury free he can break the world record next year.It's ironic that his agent set the Irish record in the race with Steve Scott.The man is bad.Great for U.S.A. track&field.
remember what i had said ....web is a tiger, the Pre of today....no doubt he did it....congrats webb.....it is a real thing no need of speculation of doping...work hard ,extra hard like webb and reach the sky
Very well done, Alan. Congratulations on a stupendous accomplishment! I do hope you also have a sense of something higher in life, a purpose (besides personal glory and titles) behind all the effort and training and records. All the best.
Alan, perhaps you can retire at Michigan. Have you used up all of your college eligibility? Way to go..Freakin' incredible. It looked so easy. Next summer: WR. Please don't overtrain!!!!
Great! you came through-when everyone and youself would say you would do it...you did! Big..very Big.
Congrats Alan, and Scott and all the hard work you have done to get here.
Alan Webb Post Race Interview
please enough with the nonesense history. no one cares man, besdies half of your facts are off.
You cannot even spell the word "you're." Stop watching track and get an education.
I believe that the obsession of the public and the athletes for records and fast times rather than athletes just running to win and letting the records come when and where they may, is having a negative effect on runners such as Alan Webb, who has become conditioned to races that do not develop naturally from the circumstances but are choreographed, and do not teach athletes how to respond to real race circumstances (i.e., look at Alan Webb's bizarre semi-final and poorly run final at Osaka that played right into Lagat's hands).
Records should come naturally, out of the heat of competition; there is no need to try and create a record circumstance.
your an idiot!
1) The artificially set-up races where promoters want to see a record or at least a very fast time and rabbits are utilized to produce such, and:
2) The world championships and olympic games, which are not arranged by time-concerned promoters and, therefore, tend to become purely tactical affairs.
If Alan Webb ever hopes to win a world championship or olympic title, then he needs stop involving himself in these races that are concocted to produce fast times or records and learn what to do when a race is run without pacemakers, is not run at record pace, and becomes very tactical. He has the talent to win in these major venues, but he needs the experience of real racing rather than these staged events.
Your an idiot!
check out some of the other races, and interviews here on Flotrack. he's had 15 interview with these guys, they know who he is, and they're thankful that someone repects the sport enough to drive from place to place, just to video these meets so americans can watch the races for free.
i mean...USADA...um?
"Running, running, hear the beat
Busting lungs and pounding feet.
Racing, pacing, rather die
than give up or let them by."
AOK....I get extra points. But what do I do with them? :-)
Hey, lay off Alan's interview. He is obviously speechless. I'm sure you would all be speechless if you just set an American record.
Busting lungs and pounding feet.
Racing, pacing, rather die
than give up or let them by."
GO ALAN! You are a Stud. To pop this in a low-key meet is seriously impressive.
-- extra points if you can name the famous owner of this quote.
You inspire many.!!
Next World champion ??
Kenya who?
Ethiopia who?
Morocco who?
Congrats Alan, and Scott and all the hard work you have done to get here.