Symmonds lost this race the only way he could...

A Duck wrote:

Symmonds confirms that he went out too fast and it cost him:

Symmonds post race:

"...I was right there with a hundred to go...I flipped the switch on the homestretch and gave it everything I had and the HOT PACE KINDA GRIPPED MY LEGS with 20 to go and I couldn't quite get to that line..."

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/251036-IAAF-World-Championships-Moscow-2013-Interviews-Races/video/719336-Nick-Symmonds-finally-gets-his-global-medal-in-800-at-Moscow-World-Champs-2013?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Sounds a lot like he is saying he went out to fast and it cost him the win/gold.

I'm happy that he went for it, and I'm happy that he got a medal.

I just would have been happier if he had been less keyed up, a tad less aggressive, run on the rail like Aman, and had it in the last 30 meters.

1. You are seeing what you want to see.

2. Dont try to pretend you are happy for Symmonds, at best you would be happy for American track and field getting a gold in the 800m. You have shown absolutely no respect for Symmonds, and behave towards him like the idiot trolls do against Rupp.

Le tour wrote:

Everyone who knows just the tiny amount about 800m knew Aman was the clear favourite. coach d can go from posting good comments to sometimes posting moronic comments on A Duck level, but this time he is correct.

Aman was the favorite going in, but to say something like 'you'd have to be an idiot to think anyone else could win' is completely egregious. He was a favorite but a very slight favorite at best, and favorites not named David Rudisha lose 800 meter races all the time.

I agree with Symmonds own critique of his tactics, but god damn did he run a great race. I'd give his race a 9/10, and Amans race a 9/10 as well. Aman is a more talented runner and today Symmonds would've needed an absolutely flawless race to win. Lets not let the small mistake that *might* have costed him the win cast a shadow over the fact that he ran a damn good race today and got a fantastic result.

Let's just say that Nick Symmonds utilized the best possible tactics on this day, based on his history. He has never once won a medal -

800 Metres

Rank

Mark

Wind

Place

Date

14th IAAF World Championships

2

1:43.55

Moskva (Luzhniki)

13 AUG 2013

The XXX Olympic Games

5

1:42.95

London (OP)

09 AUG 2012

13th IAAF World Championships in Athletics

5

1:45.12

Daegu

30 AUG 2011

IAAF/VTB Bank Continental Cup 2010

5

1:44.98

Split

05 SEP 2010

IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final

6

1:46.19

Thessaloniki

12 SEP 2009

12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics

6

1:45.71

Berlin

23 AUG 2009

The XXIX Olympic Games

5sf1

1:46.96

Beijing (National Stadium)

21 AUG 2008

12th IAAF World Indoor Championships

6

1:46.48

Valencia, ESP

09 MAR 2008

11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics

6sf2

1:46.41

Osaka

31 AUG 2007

its all over nick pack it up wrote:

Symmonds blew it, he might as well retire, this was his big chance for gold and he went out 1.5 seconds fast in the first lap.

Yeah getting your first world medal is always a tell tale sign that your career is over.

_This wrote:

No, the sad reality is that you are a mindless tweak with a dumb assed handle.

LISTEN TO NICK'S OWN WORDS - HE WENT OUT TOO FAST AND IT COST HIM IN THE LAST 50, 20.

HE LAYS IT OUT HIMSELF SUCCINCTLY AND ELOQUENTLY:

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/251036-IAAF-World-Championships-Moscow-2013-Interviews-Races/video/719336-Nick-Symmonds-finally-gets-his-global-medal-in-800-at-Moscow-World-Champs-2013?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Hey there kiddo, Nick says in this interview he thought they went trough the first 400m in 49 and 600 in 1.15, meaning, he was wrong about the pace.

He actually says in the interview that he tought coming trough in a 50.0 was perfect...they came trough in 50.5.

He also says a perfect first 200m for an american record attempt would be 25, but you're a moron to think you can treat a final in the WC like you would a record attempt.

A Duck wrote:

Symmonds confirms that he went out too fast and it cost him:

Symmonds post race:

"...I was right there with a hundred to go...I flipped the switch on the homestretch and gave it everything I had and the HOT PACE KINDA GRIPPED MY LEGS with 20 to go and I couldn't quite get to that line..."

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/251036-IAAF-World-Championships-Moscow-2013-Interviews-Races/video/719336-Nick-Symmonds-finally-gets-his-global-medal-in-800-at-Moscow-World-Champs-2013?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Sounds a lot like he is saying he went out to fast and it cost him the win/gold.

I'm happy that he went for it, and I'm happy that he got a medal.

I just would have been happier if he had been less keyed up, a tad less aggressive, run on the rail like Aman, and had it in the last 30 meters.

Yes, he tied up because he'd gotten out pretty fast. However, if he hadn't done that, he wouldn't have been in first place at that point. Do you think he was going to outkick Aman today? Or even pass him from a few meters back? It sure didn't look like it to me.

He also said, "[Aman] is the world champion for a reason... he's a champion, but I'm proud of myself for putting myself in a place to win it." Later he said, "I had to sacrifice time for position.... I have no idea what would have happened if I'd been buried at fifth with 100 to go."

The guy seems to have no second thoughts at all and is thrilled with his race plan and execution. As he should be. You also keep citing Aman as this master tactitian when it was Aman who took out the race in 23.5. And who was tied for the lead at the bell. And who was on Symmonds' hip with 200 to go.

By the way, Symmonds was 6th at the 200. The only two runners off the pace at that point were Lewandowski and Osagie. They finished 4th and 5th. They looked great in the final 100, though.

It's always dicey to change one variable in a race and assume everything else plays out exactly the same. Symmonds ran a great race and almost took it. He only lost significant ground to Aman and Souleiman in the last 50m with Lewandowski gaining some. However, other than Aman, he finished as far or farther ahead of everyone else close relative to their positions with 100m to go. If he goes out slower maybe he wins, but maybe he's left closing too late with Souliman. I don't know that Symmonds ran the perfect race, but there are too many variables in a championship race to really know what that is. If he makes his move with 100m to go and Aman ties up, he'd be a genius. He ran a very strong race and almost pulled it off, losing to a guy with a superior PR. Nothing to be ashamed of.

A Duck wrote:

He then went and did exactly what he said was suicidal for him, he went out in 24ish and then paid for it in the last 30meters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR0SVCbS_bI

He also said after the race "In the last few finals I said, I'm going to ignore the other runners and just focus on running a 2 second differential, and I always found myself in traffic with 150m to go, and today I said forget time, if it happens it happens, but make sure you have a clear shot to the final with 100 to go, no matter what it takes, and it cost me a little bit in the last 20 meters, but I put myself in there. I have no idea what would have happened if I'd been buried in 5th with 100 to go."

I think his quote is right on. Some races you can look at and say "that was definitely bad strategy". I don't think this is one of those races.

hayward102 wrote:

He also said after the race "In the last few finals I said, I'm going to ignore the other runners and just focus on running a 2 second differential, and I always found myself in traffic with 150m to go, and today I said forget time, if it happens it happens, but make sure you have a clear shot to the final with 100 to go, no matter what it takes, and it cost me a little bit in the last 20 meters, but I put myself in there. I have no idea what would have happened if I'd been buried in 5th with 100 to go."

I think his quote is right on. Some races you can look at and say "that was definitely bad strategy". I don't think this is one of those races.

I'm quoting you for emphasis. Hopefully A D!ck will see it and understand what a douche face he is. I used the exact same quote on another thread.

You are delusional, dude.

I'm seeing what I want to see?

Listen to Symmonds tell you the same story in detail.

It's a simple story, he went out too fast, it hit his legs in the last 50 meters. I posted that opinion here, an a few hours later Flotrack posts their interview with him where he says the same thing in granular detail:

>>>>>>>>>>>

It doesn't get any clearer than that. I said I thought he'd have to run under 1:43 to beat Aman...he shares that the race plan was to run a less hot pace the first 400, and run a new American record to win the gold -- but that he went with the hot pace and didn't follow the plan -- which resulted in silver (which he's happily accepted).

As for your illogical contention that I've "shown absolutely no respect for Symmonds," it's total bullshit.

I've complimented and supported him on this board for years. Go back and READ. I think he's tough, confident, and he goes after it, in one of the hardest events that there is. Good stuff.

--He's also done some cringe worthy acts of self promotion for which many people, including myself, have criticized him. These are things that HE puts out into the world -- outside of track and field -- and my criticizing those is completely different than the relentless personal attacks on Rupp.

If you had a brain you could tell the difference.

A Duck, I lost all respect for you today. Shame on you Bence. I'm legitimately upset you praise golden boy Rupp for silver and bash Symmonds for an incredible Silver. Shame on you.

Oregon is ashamed of you wrote:

A Duck, I lost all respect for you today. Shame on you Bence. I'm legitimately upset you praise golden boy Rupp for silver and bash Symmonds for an incredible Silver. Shame on you.

BOOM!!!! There it is, right there ^^^

God I hope Symmonds beats that fool down.

A Duck: Around the 2:00 mark in that interview Symmonds talks about sacrificing time for position because in previous championships he always found himself in traffic with 100-150 to go and it cost him.

Today Symmonds went out under 25 for the first 200... and was still in 6th. In London he trailed the field at 200 (running low 25.x) and paid for it by having to make up ground and run through traffic the last 100.

Today he put himself in the best position possible to win the gold medal, but he was simply 2nd best today. Silver ain't bad. Did you ever score 8 points or more at the pac-8 championships?

jjjjjjjjj wrote:

Symmonds went out in 6th place at 200m, which hardly seems likely to have been low 24. He may have moved a little too hard to the bell to catch Solomon, because you only get one move in an 800m, but this was the first time he ever put himself in position to medal in a world or Olympic race and it worked. Aman was going to win that race once he got out of the box as long as it was over 1:43. Had Solomon even been able to equal his season best (1:43.27), he would have had the victory and of course both Solomon and Symmonds ran sub 1:43 last year, so they could have used that strength today.

He says it was 24. Still awaiting the 200m splits...the IAAF website sucks for splits.

You saw what I saw thinking he moved too hard to catch Solomon before the bell, it seemed like he made two moves to get to Solomon's shoulder, one to move up, and then another to get to Solomon before Aman. Those cost him too.

Looking at the race with an impersonal eye, there is 3/10ths or more of loss in the way he ran it. And, if he doesn't run it that way -- maybe he's out of the medals again.

I also think considering he went out in 24, that his last 100 was a thing of courage -- he kept his form better than he has at other times in the last 100 -- he really wanted it.

...It all worked out for a medal, and he's happy, so cool.

As a fan I just wish it was gold, and the scenario in my mind for him winning...turned out to be uncannily similar to the race plan he and coach Rowland had. Their plan was to have him run 50/52 for a new American record. He didn't go with the plan and he's okay with the silver. C'est la vie.

I hope nick smashes aduck's face and does a tap dance on that filthy cheating druggie elf rupp's head

Adam C wrote:

I agree! I'm happy that Symmonds won silver! Here's guy that no major college wanted, goes to a DIII school and just works his butt of for years, wins a bunch of 800m national titles, and now all his hard work has paid off with a WC silver.

He was always very talented! So he matured late.

Flo'da boy wrote:

Symmonds didn't lose. He got beat.

That is honorable and we should all be proud.

He made a smart tactical decision based on the situation. If not perfect it was valley and it was his best chance. Their are no perfect races, no ideal runs with perfect drafting and rail hugging and weather conditions. There is just blood sweat and chance.

Nick has put in consistent effort for years and years and remained strong and never got injured. Others were hurt. So what? It's like when people say 'he would have won if he hadn't tripped over the hurdle.' Getting over the hurdle is part of the race.

Congrats to Nick can't wait to see more in 8 and even more on the 15.

And I know we'll see more good stuff from Solomon and Johnson.

Maybe they'll chase the record soon

I mostly agree with you, but you can make a case that he lost the gold to win the silver. Irony.

--There are perfect races. Ask Rudisha.

And the perfect race is any one you win. Ask Aman, who hugged the rail alot, didn't worry about being boxed, came free, and won.

Here's another thought, if Brandon runs a tad faster in the semi's, Aman is not in the finals, and Symmonds is gold.

Little things.