Appreciating Alan Webb

Webb in his winning days (TrackAndFieldPhoto)

We haven't heard a lot about Alan Webb lately, but it's hard to get too deep into a conversation without his name coming up. While Webb recently confirming that he's moved back to Virginia and will be coached by UVA's Jason Vigilante, he has yet to run a race this summer. There have been grumblings about some injuries ever since leaving Alberto Salazar and the Oregon Project, but hopefully we'll see him later in the summer, after Daegu, and at minimum, at the 5th Avenue Mile (where he ran 3:53.72 at the end of 2010).

With the London Olympics just a year away, any true US Distance fan is likely hopeful that Webb can get sharp and compete for a spot on the team, as like Tiger Woods in Golf, Track is better when Alan Webb is competing at a high level. His tenacity and passion make him exciting to watch every time he's in the field, and when he's on, he is extremely tough to beat. His 2007 1500 time would right with Silas Kiplagat as the world leader this year and his 800 that same year would be just .01 behind Nick Symmonds.

That in mind, I've compiled six classic Webb races below that show the talent he has and the promise that could still be there if he can get healthy and fit again. The races are in chronological order and, of course, start with his High School American Record of 3:53.43 at the 2001 Prefontaine Classic. Next up is his epic battle with Dathan Ritzenhein at the Cardinal Invitational 10k in 2006, where they traded the lead most of the race, before Webb won in a kick. Next up is the first of four races from his magical summer of 2007. The first is his win over Bernard Lagat at USA's, where he pulls another gear out with 50 to go. His joy after the race is exhilarating. Next is his first Golden League win in Paris. He outkicks Mehdi Baala in the last 100 and quiets the French crowd in the process. Next is his strange, but amazing American Mile Record of 3:46.91 in Brasschaat, Belgium. And finally is his outkicking of Gary Reed in Heusden to PR in the 800 with an electric 1:43.84 (in similar fashion to his win over Lagat at USA's).

Without further adieu, here are six classic Alan Webb races:

Where it all began: Webb's 3:53.43 at the 2001 Pre Classic (5/25/01)


Battle with Ritz to run 27:34 for 10k at the 2006 Cardinal Invite (4/30/06)


Pulling away from Lagat  to win the 2007 USATF 1500 (6/24/07)

3:30.54 1500 PR and first Golden League win in Paris (7/6/07)


American record of 3:46.91 in Brasschaat, Belgium (7/21/07)


1:43.84 800 PR at Heusden (7/28/07)


Also, check out  "Sub 4:00: Alan Webb and the Quest for the Fastest Mile" by "Running with the Buffaloes" author (and UNC MBA grad), Chris Lear on Amazon.com

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Hobby Jogging: 3/5/11 - Cary, NC - Cary Distance Festival 10k

Saturday was one of those races that just never really felt right. I was excited about the race and drove the course Friday night to get a feel for it, but a few miles in, I realized I just didn't have it! Everything started off ok though. Got over to the race, picked up my number and John and I knocked out an easy 2 mile warm up on the course. Did my usual strides and an easy jog up to the line with a shake out stride and walk back to the start and was ready to roll. The whistle was blown to kick the race off and I got off the line well. John and I ran together for a very good first mile in 5:38-9 and were slowly picking those off that went out too fast. We hit the longest hill on the course on mile 2 up Maynard and that is where things started to go off track.

We made the turn at 2 miles in around 11:38 and this is where I started to fade. At first I wasn't worried as I thought I would catch a 2nd wind after the 2nd mile, but that never happened. 2 weeks of traveling and shotty training due to a dinged up shin and calf were starting to catch up with me. All the strength I had felt negative splitting my last few races and workouts was not there. During mile 3 about 4 guys passed me. I locked on to the back of the train and held on the best I could as we hit the 3 mile in 17:40 and 5k in 18:22 or so.

The second half of the course was back in some neighborhood behind downtown Cary. Lots of twists and turns including a 180 degree turn at around 4.5 miles had my right leg hurting pretty bad. I was getting slower, but couldn't do anything about it. Hit 4 miles in 23:58 and 5 miles in 30:15. This is not what I had planned! Chugged through the last mile and was able to get one scalp in there from a fading triathlete looking runner. Dug in the last 400 or so to finish 9th overall in 37:46 (and 2nd in my age group). Not my best day, but not a total loss.

The bright side of the race was that it was the 4th race of the Second Empire Grand-Prix and I was able to hold serve at 2nd overall (when they compile the results). I am liking my chances to finish top 5 overall (the ultimate goal) and will be happy to have a short break after next weeks Run for the Oaks 5k. Also, this course wasn't easy. It kicked my butt a lot more than I thought it would. Lots of hills, very windy and too many turns on the 2nd half, so a great strength workout at minimum. Finally, I don't love the time, but not too long ago it would have been a great one, so I'll accept that as a small victory to acknowledge how far I have come in just 2 years of competing!

For more info, check out: http://patprice.com/running/races/reports/20110305CaryDistanceFest.htm

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Hobby Jogging: 2/7/10 - Washington, NC - Polio Plus "10K" Road Race

This was my first race of 2010 and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Training had been going great and I was excited to see what I had in me after some good workouts and tempo runs. Drove down to little Washington the day of and the race started right by the NC Estuarium on the water. It was 30-ish degrees and a little windy so I wore my compression shorts with Nike Running Warehouse compression shirt, shades and my Remington toboggan (which was fitting as there was a Duck Call competition at the other end of the water). Ran into my buddy Nic Boerio at the start and knew he'd get out to a good start, so decided to follow him.

The gun went off and I hung with Nic for the first half mile or so at a good clip before easing into a good pace. Hit the mile at 5:32, maybe a little fast, but I felt good. This is where I encountered my first problem. At about 1.5 miles there was a road crossing. I see Nic go across chaperoned then I see the 2 volunteers just talking to each other as I approached. I said "little help" to get their attention 3 times and they awe shucks'd me and said I'd have to wait on the traffic. Screw that. I screamed at them "come on MF-ers, it's a road race. Do it right" before darting into traffic and entering the cemetery portion of the race (on a Sunday mind you). Classy, I know, but I was pissed. Shook it off and cruised by the 2 mile mark at 11:23. Gathered myself on a tough mile 3 before I started rolling again. Hit the 3 mile mark at 17:29 before rolling through a neighborhood and putting down a nice 5:46 4th mile (23:15) and then a 5:40 5th mile (28:55). Nic was way up and there was no one in sight behind me, so I just followed where the volunteers told me to go.

As I approached the waterfront, I realized I was getting closer to the finish than I thought. Damn, short course I thought. Sure enough, cruised through the finish in 33:44 and was very happy with my "36:27 10k effort" (as someone's GPS watch said 5.76 miles) but had a lot left because I didn't kick because the race ended before I thought to pick it up. I guess a race is a race, and I got 2nd overall and got some nice hardware to put on my fridge. Strong start to the year. If they tie the loose ends up, this will be a nice race as it is a beautiful course and had a great post race party on the water at Pirate's Pub.

More information available at: http://patprice.com/running/races/reports/20100207Washingon10k.htm

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