Nick Symmonds Post Race Comments

sounds like the dude's head is in the game. i watched leo's flotrack interview and he said "we're here to win". i like the confidence of US middle distance runners right now.

contrary to popular opinion, I could see an 800 / 1500 final each with 3 americans next year.

-USA USA USA!!!

Let me say first that I like Nick Symmonds, A LOT.

He's a heck of a better runner than I ever was, or will be.

But his mentality is EXACTLY why Americans are NOT winning like some think they should.

"It cost me my lane and cost me my whole race."

Bullcrap, Nick. Stop externalizing. YOUR actions, and your actions alone, cost you the race.

"I thought when he was coming up on my shoulder, "I've got to hold him off. I've got to hold him off""

Then why DIDN'T you, Nick? This is precisely the moment in time where you failed. Listen to your heart, take control, do what you FEEL, NOT what you THINK.

"To do so would have meant kicking from 150-160 meters out which also would have cost me the race."

You don't know that, and you lacked the courage to react and rise to the occasion of winning later in the race. You did not push yourself, you were conservative rather than going for the win. It was a rather slow race, wasn't it? Maybe you could have kicked from 150m out and won, but you will never KNOW this as a fact--you may have decided this to be true, but you will never KNOW for sure.

That is what courage is all about, Nick--going into the unknown, doing something that doesn't seem to make sense at the time, but which forces you to adapt and do something of which you never believed yourself capable.

Talk to anybody who's ever had a real breakthrough performance, and they will tell you this. Talk to Amantle Montsho. Talk to Kirani James. They will tell you. They didn't take "no" for an answer. You did.

You show us that you understand that this was your failure when you say that "you just didn't create the space for yourself", but you don't indicate that you understand WHY you didn't create the space for yourself.

It's because you lack the sheer desire to win, and the courage to throw caution to the wind and let something extraordinary happen.

Too bad, because many believe you really could have medalled. I'd love to see you medal at the Olympics--and if you do, I'll make sure to write a glowing review on this board, maybe even on this thread. Nothing beats redemption.

Oh please, not more from you.

If you're so big on courage, how about finding the courage to keep quiet and not bore us to tears with all your excessive drivel. Thanks in advance.

If you really believe in yourself you can overcome the odds and win. I know because I saw it in Disney movie.

You are the biggest arm chair coach on LR. Do us all a favor and shut the hell up.

Agreed with the prior posters. This is a stupid post.

wejo wrote:The last hour as i was lining up here I spent an hour thinking 'How do I beat Rudisha'"

not a very productive use of an hour

the sports pro shrinks get you to visualise your own perfect race not someone else's

'To do so would have meant kicking from 150-160 meters out which also would have cost me the'

No. I agree with sprint geezer he should have gone at this point and run wide round the turn

He didn't run badly but I would have took the chance if I had his ability

I really don't know why people are saying that the US is sucking.

The US is on top of BOTH the medal table and the placing table right now, with strong US events yet to come.

If you want to look at a country that really is sucking, look at China--5th in both the medal and placing tables, with only 2 medals so far, yet over a billion people.

Or even worse, India.

The US is still pretty great, but is seeming less and less great all the time.

And "armchair coaching", that was funny.

From exactly what vantage point do you think Symmonds' coach watches tape?

Right.

Amantle Montsho and Kirani James would have taken the chance.

I didn't like criticizing Symmonds, I think this race was maybe uncharacteristic of him, and a one-off criticism based on this single race is unfair.

That was why I limited it to talking about this race in particular, not about him in general...or at least that's what I tried to do.

Too bad, I was really hoping for him. I bet he can't wait for the Olympics.

Reg wrote:

Oh please, not more from you.

If you're so big on courage, how about finding the courage to keep quiet and not bore us to tears with all your excessive drivel. Thanks in advance.

I agree with you 100%. Speed Grezzdog 100m time is only 14.7 seconds. What the F*** is he talking about?

While I hate to agree with Sprint Geezer, the only way to race when it comes down to the final laps or half a lap of a race is to REACT, not to THINK.

Sprint Geezer wrote:Amantle Montsho and Kirani James would have taken the chance

drivel

those 2 have never run an elite 800 race in their life

they woudn't have a damn clue what the best tactics woud be for it or whether it woud be better to kick then or wait for stretch

only an idiot kicks off the bend in lane 2 when 160 - 180 out & running an extra 2m compared to guys in lane 1

Sprint Geezer wrote:

And "armchair coaching", that was funny.

From exactly what vantage point do you think Symmonds' coach watches tape?

That's not the point and you know it. You usually come off as a reasonable and intelligent poster, don't ruin it with comments like that.

Who doesnt kick from 150 out in an 800?

AOler wrote:

Very insightful analysis. Thanks.

Most ppl will criticize u for your comment about the weak mental strength of an American. But the truth hurts. Thanks for telling it the way it is.

He might give you a pat on the back if you blow him.

Sprint Geezer, this is some of the most maudlin tripe I've ever encountered on this board.

Your hackneyed generalizations about "courage" reflect the know-it-all-wannabe's telltale lack of concrete, event-specific, knowledge.

Hcjcjcjc wrote:

Who doesnt kick from 150 out in an 800?

Nobody can sustain their top gear for 150 meters...

Disagree with the analysis by Sprint Geezer, I think he is blaming himself for everything. He admitted all his mistakes and didn't "woulda/coulda/shoulda medalled" about it.

Love Nick Symmonds and I think he actually is on the verge of a breakthrough. In the final I could see him about to get boxed and kept hoping that he'd make the decision to kick early, or to surge, hold his spot, then kick. Something out of his traditional pattern of racing.

He seems to be a very smart and self-aware guy, and if he's aware enough to make those comments he's aware enough to learn from them. If his talent and training allow the breakthrough he'll get there.