A great result for the former U.S. Olympic runner and U.S. Champion.
A great result for the former U.S. Olympic runner and U.S. Champion.
Great result? No.
In his prime he could run ~8:30-8:40. That guy ran a 3:56 mile and 3:34 1500m in his career without even focusing on these events. His endurance was fantastic for a 800m guy.
Now barely breaking 12 is not a "great result". He is 36, look at what Geb, Lagat, etc. have done when they were that old. Willis is older and even competing still, and I'm sure he wouldn't consider a 12 min 2-mile a great result for him.
I would say he is nowhere near the level he had just a few years ago, and subpar performances for an Olympic athlete should not be cherished to be something they aren't. Many runners have proven time and time again that you can still be very competitive in the late 30s, early 40s if they stay dedicated to the sport and don't quit.
Many hobby joggers with a lot less talent than Symmonds (that wouldn't even make a college team, or can only dream about Olympics) can run that time at 36 years old. So if someone who has around the best talent in the world for running runs a 12 min 2-mile, don't label it as fantastic performance.
LateRunnerPhil wrote:
Great result? No.
In his prime he could run ~8:30-8:40. That guy ran a 3:56 mile and 3:34 1500m in his career without even focusing on these events. His endurance was fantastic for a 800m guy.
Now barely breaking 12 is not a "great result". He is 36, look at what Geb, Lagat, etc. have done when they were that old. Willis is older and even competing still, and I'm sure he wouldn't consider a 12 min 2-mile a great result for him.
I would say he is nowhere near the level he had just a few years ago, and subpar performances for an Olympic athlete should not be cherished to be something they aren't. Many runners have proven time and time again that you can still be very competitive in the late 30s, early 40s if they stay dedicated to the sport and don't quit.
Many hobby joggers with a lot less talent than Symmonds (that wouldn't even make a college team, or can only dream about Olympics) can run that time at 36 years old. So if someone who has around the best talent in the world for running runs a 12 min 2-mile, don't label it as fantastic performance.
POTD
He survived his BLM controversy?
He was pulling your leg. He ran 9:22 last month
I'm a couple years younger than Symmonds, run about 50 miles a week, and have never come close to the times that Symmonds can run. I can run two mile under 11 minutes in the middle of my training runs. Nick Symmonds has really let himself go.
Although I agree with the sentiment of your post, I'd be very surprised if Nick could've run 8:30-8:40 in his prime despite his mile pr.
Who is this nick guy?
Are you crazy? He got MAXIMUM points on the Army fitness test from the run. US Army members are the most elite and deadly in the world, and Nick MAXED out the run test with plenty of time to spare.
If anything Nick should run less and do more pushups and situps because he was low in those parts. If you can max out every part of the Army fitness test you are one of the best athletes IN THE WORLD.
Not to be confused with Greg wrote:
Although I agree with the sentiment of your post, I'd be very surprised if Nick could've run 8:30-8:40 in his prime despite his mile pr.
yeah, being an 800 focused guy, maybe something closer to sub 9 is more realistic. but i wouldnt be shocked at 8:30 to 8:40 in his very best form.
either way, the sub 12 is kinda lame. he said at the end he was coming back to do it again. might have purposely been slow so he can show some huge improvement down the road?
I think he was something like 4:40 last year for a mile, so he's got to be closer to 10:30 shape...if he is running at all. if not, he'll be there in 3 weeks, anytime he wants.
He just looks like a fit 36 year old at 5'10" and 180 pounds. Hard to believe that he was world class. But then Ryan Hall has taken a similar approach at the same age and he was a marathoner.
He had several problems with his situps and pushups. I think he did only 30 pushups before he took a rest break on his knees.
I'd like to see him do the new ACFT with its six events.
11.54..! What's happened to him? Didn't he do a 4:4X mile recently? 12 minutes is a 5 minute mile then a david45 mile lol
LateRunnerPhil wrote:
Great result? No.
In his prime he could run ~8:30-8:40. That guy ran a 3:56 mile and 3:34 1500m in his career without even focusing on these events. His endurance was fantastic for a 800m guy.
Now barely breaking 12 is not a "great result". He is 36, look at what Geb, Lagat, etc. have done when they were that old. Willis is older and even competing still, and I'm sure he wouldn't consider a 12 min 2-mile a great result for him.
I would say he is nowhere near the level he had just a few years ago, and subpar performances for an Olympic athlete should not be cherished to be something they aren't. Many runners have proven time and time again that you can still be very competitive in the late 30s, early 40s if they stay dedicated to the sport and don't quit.
Many hobby joggers with a lot less talent than Symmonds (that wouldn't even make a college team, or can only dream about Olympics) can run that time at 36 years old. So if someone who has around the best talent in the world for running runs a 12 min 2-mile, don't label it as fantastic performance.
Wow, imagine caring this much about what Nick Symmonds does for fun.
hes just a big bodied type dude, several yrs removed from his prime.
probably much more of a "grinder" than a natural talent. He has some speed talent, but even in HS/College he was a mid-pack XC dude at best. I recall HS PR's in the mid 16s for 5k?
This is terrible, very very terrible! :(
Symonds 47-1:42-3:34.
Brazier 47-1:42-3:35.
Murphy 47-1:42-3:36.
Engels 1:44-3:34.
Sowinski 46-1:44-3:44
Sure.
He has about the best PRs on the list but I guess he tried harder than those other guys who were more talented. Stupid comment to think that they did not all do equivalent training and have PRs that reflect their level of talent.
Use it or lose it, MFers.
LateRunnerPhil wrote:
Great result? No.
In his prime he could run ~8:30-8:40. That guy ran a 3:56 mile and 3:34 1500m in his career without even focusing on these events. His endurance was fantastic for a 800m guy.
Now barely breaking 12 is not a "great result". He is 36, look at what Geb, Lagat, etc. have done when they were that old. Willis is older and even competing still, and I'm sure he wouldn't consider a 12 min 2-mile a great result for him.
I would say he is nowhere near the level he had just a few years ago, and subpar performances for an Olympic athlete should not be cherished to be something they aren't. Many runners have proven time and time again that you can still be very competitive in the late 30s, early 40s if they stay dedicated to the sport and don't quit.
Many hobby joggers with a lot less talent than Symmonds (that wouldn't even make a college team, or can only dream about Olympics) can run that time at 36 years old. So if someone who has around the best talent in the world for running runs a 12 min 2-mile, don't label it as fantastic performance.
I’m 15 and I’m Jv. Put me against the former Olympian in a 2 mile and I’d win. 12 minutes is pathetic
indoorszn wrote:
I’m 15 and..
Stopped reading right there.
I’m a D2 female runner. Our coach explicitly told us not to visit LetsRun forums.
Great interview with Steve Cram - says Jakob has no chance of WRs this year
RENATO can you talk about the preparation of Emile Cairess 2:06
adizero Road to Records with Yomif Kejelcha, Agnes Ngetich, Hobbs Kessler & many more is Saturday
2024 College Track & Field Open Coaching Positions Discussion
Hats off to my dad. He just ran a 1:42 Half Marathon and turns 75 in 2 months!