Zat0pek
05-13-2005, 11:16 AM
http://www.iaaf.org/magazine/news/Kind=262144/newsId=29357.html
From the end of the article:
“It's a lot different running in Europe than it is in the US,” he said. “It's so competitive, and I feel like I can't have any expectations. You just have to go in. It sounds as if you don't believe in yourself, but it's so competitive. There are no guarantees in anything. It's almost easier. You know you're not expected to win every time. So you're just like, 'I'll go, if I get fourth, that's fine, if I get first, that's cool too.”
Webb doesn’t foresee any major changes in his attitude and approach. After all, he doesn’t see any reasons to make any changes.
“Basically, I’m just running more workouts, better workouts, and experimenting with workouts. I just have to continue the same and more.”
When he’s not busy pounding 70 miles per week in training, he’s pursuing his economics degree at nearby George Mason University. To get his mind off of both, he plays his guitar. But athletics fans needn’t worry that he’ll trade in the world’s major athletics venues for a concert stage. “I only play alone, at home, when no one’s around.”
Webb knows that the expectations from fans and observers at home won’t go away, and again, doesn’t mind in the least.
“Some of the pressure’s gone away,” he said, “but the great thing about last year is that now it’s a different kind of pressure. There are new expectations. I finally moved on and it’s closer. It’s happening.” As opposed to the ‘Next Great Miler’ tag he’s been carrying, he said, “It’s right now. My accomplishments are more dynamic. And I don’t mind that kind of pressure. It’s easier when the pressure and expectations change.”
Thinking ahead to Helsinki, he’s partly basing his own expectations on his Athens experience.
“Well, hopefully to make it out of the first round,” he said of his most immediate goal next August, again laughing. “I have to take that one pretty seriously. I need to act like you’re supposed to win that race.”
On a more serious note, Webb added that all his training efforts now are firmly pointed to his three races in Helsinki.
“I feel good, everything’s gone pretty well,” Webb said, explaining his light fall and winter racing load. “I didn’t do any racing in the fall. I sort of just recharged and took my time coming back. I was pretty happy with the way training went and I’m really happy with my fitness.”
In the back of his mind though, expectations are far higher than advancing from the first round.
“I feel great about it, especially after going through what I went through last summer. It was an eye-opener. Now I know what to expect going into those races, and everything that goes with it.”
From the end of the article:
“It's a lot different running in Europe than it is in the US,” he said. “It's so competitive, and I feel like I can't have any expectations. You just have to go in. It sounds as if you don't believe in yourself, but it's so competitive. There are no guarantees in anything. It's almost easier. You know you're not expected to win every time. So you're just like, 'I'll go, if I get fourth, that's fine, if I get first, that's cool too.”
Webb doesn’t foresee any major changes in his attitude and approach. After all, he doesn’t see any reasons to make any changes.
“Basically, I’m just running more workouts, better workouts, and experimenting with workouts. I just have to continue the same and more.”
When he’s not busy pounding 70 miles per week in training, he’s pursuing his economics degree at nearby George Mason University. To get his mind off of both, he plays his guitar. But athletics fans needn’t worry that he’ll trade in the world’s major athletics venues for a concert stage. “I only play alone, at home, when no one’s around.”
Webb knows that the expectations from fans and observers at home won’t go away, and again, doesn’t mind in the least.
“Some of the pressure’s gone away,” he said, “but the great thing about last year is that now it’s a different kind of pressure. There are new expectations. I finally moved on and it’s closer. It’s happening.” As opposed to the ‘Next Great Miler’ tag he’s been carrying, he said, “It’s right now. My accomplishments are more dynamic. And I don’t mind that kind of pressure. It’s easier when the pressure and expectations change.”
Thinking ahead to Helsinki, he’s partly basing his own expectations on his Athens experience.
“Well, hopefully to make it out of the first round,” he said of his most immediate goal next August, again laughing. “I have to take that one pretty seriously. I need to act like you’re supposed to win that race.”
On a more serious note, Webb added that all his training efforts now are firmly pointed to his three races in Helsinki.
“I feel good, everything’s gone pretty well,” Webb said, explaining his light fall and winter racing load. “I didn’t do any racing in the fall. I sort of just recharged and took my time coming back. I was pretty happy with the way training went and I’m really happy with my fitness.”
In the back of his mind though, expectations are far higher than advancing from the first round.
“I feel great about it, especially after going through what I went through last summer. It was an eye-opener. Now I know what to expect going into those races, and everything that goes with it.”