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Sub 4:00: Alan Webb and the Quest for the Fastest Mile
by
Chris Lear
For more than three decades, not one American schoolboy had run a sub-4:00 mile. Then, in January 2001, Alan Webb clocked a 3:59.86 mile, the fastest indoor U.S. high school mile ever. Just a few months later, the young track star achieved legendary status: he ran a 3:53.46 mile-a full 2 seconds faster than former record holder Jim Ryun. Everywhere Webb was hailed as "Amer...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
August 25th 2004
by Rodale Books
(first published 2003)
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Intriguing story, imperfect execution. My expectations weren't too high - this wasn't recommended to me, but I saw it on a shelf in a running store and figured what the heck (since I'd followed Webb since his high school days in Northern Virginia). Rodale Press books (in my experience, as a general rule) aren't necessarily the best edited, and this was no exception. Conversely, they fill a niche that the large publishing houses frequently ignore, so I can put up with their imperfections. My bigg...more
Chris Lear follows up his highly acclaimed book Running with the Buffaloes to follow Alan Webb in his quest to become the next great miler. Webb burst onto the international scene after he crushed Jim Ryun's long-standing high school record for the mile. However Webb's career stalled while at the University of Michigan and the talented runner left school after his freshman season.
Lear did a very fine job writing about the University of Colorado running program but there isn't that same level of...more
Lear did a very fine job writing about the University of Colorado running program but there isn't that same level of...more
Not as compelling as Running With the Buffaloes, but maybe that's because I'm not an Alan Webb fan. Lear gives us a good look inside the minds of top-level athletes, and their obsessive-compulsiveness as they strive to be the best. Worth a read if you're interested in how athletes work behind the scenes.
For any runner, this is a great book that covers the trials and tribulations you may face. There are good days and bad days. Every runner is different, and the different extremes of training can be both good and bad. If you like running and the thoughts on competition, this is a worth while read.
I reread this during the recent Olympic Trials. Interesting juxtaposition with the rabid pro- and [mostly] anti-Webb posts on letsrun.com of late. I thought Lear did a great job of staying objective regarding some of the controversial stuff -- e.g., Webb's decision to turn pro after the freshman year at U. Michigan that is the main focus of this book. Also, as in Running with the Buffalos, the detailed description of the day-to-day lives of young elite runners and their coaches is terrific.
All...more
All...more
Always knew the name "Alan Webb," but never knew his story. Now I know. I really enjoy the running culture and it reminded me of my races and workouts from back in high school (even though my workouts and races were nowhere near as fast as Webb's). Great book to read for anyone that's a runner. This book is good motivation to keep me running.
Sub 4:00 starts with the story of a American high school boy who had run 4:00-mile. But after 34 years no one from American high school beat the record and one day Alan Webb, new hope of american runner came out. And this book continues about how Alan Webb went to Michigan university and talks about him and his teammates.This is a great book and inspires young runners to not give up. IT also not only talks about the Alan Webb but also talks and makes us visualize the actual races and practice. I...more
Chris Lear writes well. I liked the topic of his first book better, but this is a solid story. Having met both Lear and Webb I would recommend the book. Its interesting to reflect on this book after watching the careers of the guys in this class evolve.
Alan webb a highschool attempts to run the fastest highschool mile. This book shows how he does it and then how he trains in college with all of his college team mates
I have read this a couple of times. I like it but Alan Webb is kind of a jerk sometimes during it.
If you love running then you will enjoy reading it. Some chapters are a little too repititious.
Decent coverage of the subject matter; not quite as riveting as The Perfect Mile.
Jan 14, 2009
Alec Bennett
is currently reading it
so far i like this book because its about running
good if you are obsessed with running as I am :)
ha ha ha, you knew i had to review it! ah, the ex. finally getting his dessert. good for him!
4.5 stars. Not as good as Running With the Buffaloes, but I couldn't put it down.
Not quite as good as Running with the Buffaloes, but still very enjoyable.
May 08, 2013
Shaylin
marked it as to-read
Mar 10, 2013
Rebecka
marked it as to-read
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