After finishing Running with the Buffaloes, I snatched up Sub 4:00. Sub 4:00 is a story about Alan Webb, entering his freshman year at the University of Michigan. Before entering college, Alan had recently broken Jim Ryun’s 36 year old high school mile record. The book chronicles the 2001-2002 freshman year of Alan Webb, however Lear also discsssed other members on the team, including the promising incoming freshman Nathan Brannen. Alan Webb entered the University of Michigan with high expectations and a media circus, with everyone asking and speculating when/if Alan should turn professional.

The problem with this book is simply that Alan Webb is not all that interesting of a character. He complains about the coaching that he receives and constantly debates going back to training under his high school coach Scott Raczko. The book starts to take on the focus of whether or not Alan will stay at Michigan after his freshman year. Also, the camaraderie at Michigan is not the same as the CU team in Running with the Buffaloes. Alan does a lot of his workouts alone or just with Nate Branen. Nate Branen actually comes off as the likeable guy, who you want to see succeed and not Alan Webb.

The book was a decent read and since they’re not a lot of books on running, it’s worth a read. Chris Lear does a good job of being objective; I don’t get the impression that he slants the story. I’d rate the book as 3/5 stars.

I can’t blame Alan for going pro after his freshman year, after all, look how well it has worked for the guy! And you wondered why Alan didn’t even make the Olympic team this year.