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Confidence Is Key For Webb, Lagat In 1,500 Qualifying
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Published: July 4, 2008
EUGENE, Ore. - EUGENE, Ore. - Alan Webb is striving for what Bernard Lagat has in abundance - supreme confidence.
Although Webb isn't particularly hurting in that department, his season hasn't exactly given him a big boost.
"I still have some work I have to do," he said. "I'm going to be ready to go."
Webb skipped the 800 at the U.S. track trials in order to fully concentrate on the 1,500-meter race, which began late Thursday night with qualifying.
He'll be competing against Lagat, Sudanese native Lopez Lomong and NCAA champion Leonel Manzano for a place on the team.
Webb had that Lagat-like swagger last season, finishing with the fastest times in the world in the mile (an American record 3:46.91) and the 1,500 (3:30.54).
This season hasn't been as memorable. He was seventh in the mile at the Prefontaine Classic three weeks ago.
"Last year was a time when I felt like no matter what you're going to do, I'm going to win," Webb said. "No matter what happens - if you go hard in the beginning, go in the middle, end, I don't care, I'm going to win. So, I can relate to that Lagat's confidence. I know that I can be back there."
Lagat is trying for the second leg of his double after winning the 5,000-meter race Monday.
"I'm feeling so good," Lagat said. And his tactics are simple - just run and advance.
"When I go to the quarterfinals for the 1,500, I'm going to be just trying to make it to that semis. The semis are the same thing. The finals are just all adrenaline," Lagat said.
The ambiance at Hayward Field - an enthusiastic and track-savvy crowd - will certainly help.
And Webb has taken advantage of that atmosphere before.
In 2001, he vaulted to national prominence in Eugene when he ran 3:53.43 in the Bowerman Mile, eclipsing the high school record of 3:55.3 set by Jim Ryun. It was a record that had stood for 36 years.
That accomplishment earned Webb appearances on national television shows, and ratcheted up the pressure.
Billed as the next middle-distance star, he has yet to fulfill that promise, failing to win a major international competition. He finished eighth at the world championships in Osaka last summer.
Webb, who won the 1,500 at the Olympic trials in 2004, is feeling a sense of urgency to make a big splash on the world's stage.
"In 2004, when I made the Olympic team, I had ambitions of doing some good stuff there," said Webb, who finished ninth in qualifying in Athens. "I think it may have been a little premature to think I could win a medal at that point. ... It would be a huge honor to go back again. It's rare in sports to have second chances. I'm trying to earn that second chance."
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