Deja vu?
Monday, January 22nd, 2007
I was really excited when Alan Webb broke Jim Ryun’s high school mile record back in 2001 by running a 3:53.43 mile (at the Pre classic, no less! :D) after becoming the first high school miler to run a sub-four mile indoors. (He’s still the only high schooler to accomplish this feat.) Now, six years to the day after his sub-four indoor mile, Alan’s gone and broken another record!
This time, the record was his own personal best in the indoor mile. Webb ran a 3:56.70 to break his previous indoor record. I’m excited to see Webb in the news again as he has been out of the spotlight for a while. He initially ran at Michigan after his high school career, but didn’t find the program fit him very well. Following his first year at Michigan, he ended up going pro (signing with Nike) and transferring to George Mason University to work with his high school coach. He spent some time running longer distances, up to 10k, but now he’s miled his way into the headlines again! Let’s hope he stays there.
Check out this Runner’s World Chat with Alan Webb in which his new record and running future are discussed. He remains one of my favorite young athletes–and favorite runners in general. He really helped spark interest in running, particularly distance running, with his high school records. And it looks like he’s as into Pre as I am! Perhaps we’ll see him in Beijing next year. 
