Baby Speedster

By Jim Ryun

Perhaps more than any other sporting achievement, the 4-min. mile is something we all can measure ourselves against. We walk the mile, run it, drive it--and share a sense of awe when a runner breaks what not long ago seemed the insurmountable barrier of the 4-min. mile. So when Alan Webb, 18, who weighs perhaps 140 lbs. when his clothes are dripping wet, ran the mile in 3:53.43 in May, besting my 36-year-old high school record by nearly 2 sec., it was a milestone not just for track and field but for sport in America.

The full measure of Alan's achievement will emerge as younger athletes, inspired by his feat, push themselves further than they otherwise might have. His triumph has the potential to spark a renaissance in track and field, motivating Americans to take an interest in a sport many seem to have forgotten.

I was not surprised that Alan broke my record (his time was truly remarkable), and I was pleased that he had done so. We first met two years ago after he had beaten my sophomore record. I saw in him then not just extraordinary talent but also the willingness to make the sacrifices necessary to reach his potential.

Success in competitive running comes from pushing yourself hardest when your body is most exhausted and when the rewards are most distant. It comes from all those weekend and early-morning runs alone, without teammates to spur you on. Those who have trained with Alan say his efforts in practice are even more impressive than the record he set. As amazing as his 3:53.43 was in May, it is possible his best races are yet to come. His toughest challenge now may be the burden of high expectations.

Many will be watching to see how he performs in college. He must be sure to allow himself to develop at his own pace, not to get caught up in other people's hopes for the 2004 Olympics or future world records. From what I've seen of Alan, he will deal with the spotlight just fine. He is level-headed and confident in his God-given abilities and seems ready to build on his early successes.

Jim Ryun is serving his third term as a U.S. Representative from Kansas. His 1965 high school mile record of 3:55.3 was unbroken for 36 years