Nick Symmonds Missing the Point

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  • Kill...joy
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 9:55am CST
    re: VAcoach
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    VAcoach wrote:

    I have to admit a slight chuckle at the Quote of the Day. Symmonds thinks that just because his Beer Mile youtube post has 6000 some odd more views than his olympic trials video, then he is delivering something of greater value to the sport? Rudisha's London Gold WR has over 610,000 views. Wouldn't this support the notion that better performance trumps gimmick?

    You sound like a lot of fun to hang out with. I'd love to hear more about your awesome views on life.
  • Does it Matter?
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 10:06am CST
    re: SMJO
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    In regards to being remembered for 30 years (if it even matters) take a look at Steve Scott. He won a silver medal at the innaugural world championships, held the American record in the Mile for decades, and holds an obscure record (most sub four miles in history.) That's the sort of resume Symmonds is looking for. A WC Silver, a tough American Record, and an obscure but memorable record.

    He's the sort of runner who will have a cult following for years. Not a big name high school runner. Not a DI stud. But a guy who kept grinding, and became a multi-time US champion, a global medalist, and hopefully, an American record holder.

    He'll be remembered 30 years from now. Guarantee it, and when they interview him in 2043, looking back at his triumphs, I also guarantee that with a chuckle, the reporter will bring up the beer mile.
  • Peter Anderssons
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 10:48am CST
    re: Does it Matter?
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    The Beer Mile should be an official IAAF event - Just imagine how much funnier the Diamond League Meets would be - And what money Destilly Sponsors could bring to the sport - Heck, in Belgium they'd probably give you a top notch Ale already when you entered the arena as a spectator! :-)
  • adsfasd
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 11:45am CST
    re: Ben L Wrong
    Forum Index
    Make list of 32 year olds that are in top form in the 800ms. It is a pretty short list.

    Ben L Wrong wrote:

    Pointing Out the Obvious wrote:

    Symmonds does not have the option of setting a new WR in the 800. Nor does he have the option of winning an Olympic Gold. As such, his best chance for "lasting fame" lies in the Beer Mile.

    What if Rudisha retires before 2016? Symmonds almost beat Aman, and dominated Solomon.

    No signals of Nigel Amos last year (I think he was injured in World University Games), no signals of Kitum...and subpar performances from young Kenyans (Jeremiah Mutai, Ferguson, Rotich, Anthony Chemut, etc)

    Where is Andrews? Where is Cas Loxsom?
  • Doclove
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 2:48pm CST
    re: VAcoach
    Forum Index
    'But your worth is determined by the product you put on the track, and Symmonds has a good product.'

    Jerk!
  • Doclove
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 2:48pm CST
    re: VAcoach
    Forum Index
    'But your worth is determined by the product you put on the track, and Symmonds has a good product.'

    Jerk!
  • Lloyd Bentsen
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 3:18pm CST
    re: VAcoach
    Forum Index
    Nick Symmonds is a friend of mine (I edited his training book), and one reason that he's such an interesting character is that he sees the fun in serious things and the seriousness in fun things. This is a great example in at least three ways:

    His tone in that blog post is faux-serious. "I truly feel this is a record that should be held by an American." Come on.

    Although he's exaggerating in the post, he's serious about adding innovative and fun touches to the sport that will make it more entertaining.

    He'll give a full effort to crushing the beer-mile record.
  • SMJO
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 3:37pm CST
    re: Lloyd Bentsen
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    The record will stay in a country that actually makes real beer.
  • The Future
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 5:57pm CST
    re: Does it Matter?
    Forum Index
    Does it Matter? wrote:

    In regards to being remembered for 30 years (if it even matters) take a look at Steve Scott. He won a silver medal at the innaugural world championships, held the American record in the Mile for decades, and holds an obscure record (most sub four miles in history.) That's the sort of resume Symmonds is looking for. A WC Silver, a tough American Record, and an obscure but memorable record.

    He's the sort of runner who will have a cult following for years. Not a big name high school runner. Not a DI stud. But a guy who kept grinding, and became a multi-time US champion, a global medalist, and hopefully, an American record holder.

    He'll be remembered 30 years from now. Guarantee it, and when they interview him in 2043, looking back at his triumphs, I also guarantee that with a chuckle, the reporter will bring up the beer mile.


    By 2043 Symmonds will be an environmentalist, seeking to save what is left of the wilds, river, and ocean bio-masses he likes to hunt and fish. He'll be so busy, like most humans left, trying to save the earth and survive, that he won't be that interested in talking about his old running days.
  • nopenopenope
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 7:49pm CST
    re: Does it Matter?
    Forum Index
    In regards to being remembered for 30 years (if it even matters) take a look at Steve Scott. He won a silver medal at the innaugural world championships, held the American record in the Mile for decades, and holds an obscure record (most sub four miles in history.) That's the sort of resume Symmonds is looking for. A WC Silver, a tough American Record, and an obscure but memorable record.

    He's the sort of runner who will have a cult following for years. Not a big name high school runner. Not a DI stud. But a guy who kept grinding, and became a multi-time US champion, a global medalist, and hopefully, an American record holder.

    He'll be remembered 30 years from now. Guarantee it, and when they interview him in 2043, looking back at his triumphs, I also guarantee that with a chuckle, the reporter will bring up the beer mile. (quote)

    he was a state champion in high school so STFU no one has yet pulled off the title of being a nobody runner in high school only to become elite and no Brian sell does not count with his 4:28 mile
  • exactlylikewtf
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 7:52pm CST
    re: nopenopenope
    Forum Index
    not to mention although not "D1 stud" he is top rank in history for d3 so he could have been a D1 stud if he went to a d1 school
  • nikolasdikolas
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 8:35pm CST
    re: VAcoach
    Forum Index
    Off the track, Symmonds has dated Paris Hilton. Symmonds has been called the "Brad Pitt" of track.

    He is the part owner of a tanning salon.
  • Espn
    6 years ago 12/04/2013 11:09pm CST
    re: nikolasdikolas
    Forum Index
    If Nick's agent is smart, he is talking to TV execs. This is just the sort of "track" that Joe Sixpack will eat up and love to watch. Not quite a reality series per say, but a one off show that would be interesting to watch. And I can totally see Joe Sixpack thinking it looks easy and going out and trying it!
  • Bad Wigins
    registered
    6 years ago 12/05/2013 12:03am CST
    re: SMJO
    Forum Index
    SMJO wrote:
    Sure I did. I started running that year and was an 800m runner. The next year Cruz won the Olympics and I was very aware that he was the guy that got third the year before.

    Which you remained aware of because he won the olympics. Otherwise you'd have forgotten, or at least had to think for a while to remember him.
  • this is right
    6 years ago 12/05/2013 9:35am CST
    re: Pointing Out the Obvious
    Forum Index
    this
  • mirag
    6 years ago 12/05/2013 9:40am CST
    re: this is right
    Forum Index
    Nick misses the point as I watched the youtube of the Beer Mile but have never watched some of the other races as I watched them live, seen TV replays and have it DVR/DVD. I am sure many are like me and giving the Beer Mile more #s as like most youtube things you click to watch someone make a fool of himself.
  • The Few The Proud
    6 years ago 12/05/2013 10:35am CST
    re: Kill...joy
    Forum Index
    Glad to see some people are engaging the point of my post...let me attempt to highlight my point.

    I think Symmonds attitude is healthy and good for running, I wish more runners would loosen up and have fun. However, Symmonds and Solomon are the best shot we have in the near future to challenging East African runners. I hope that his extra curricular activities don't interfere with his pursuit of excellence because at the end of the day, excellence is the best marketing tool.
  • sbeefyk1
    registered
    6 years ago 12/05/2013 11:48am CST
    re: The Few The Proud
    Forum Index
    A beer mile isn't supposed to be run fast. It's supposed to be run fun. It would be like saying I want to set the WR at one of those tough mudder obstacle course races. It just does not matter.
  • RealBeer?
    6 years ago 12/05/2013 4:02pm CST
    re: SMJO
    Forum Index
    SMJO wrote:

    The record will stay in a country that actually makes real beer.

    Right, because you'd like to be judged by Fosters? I'll take the American craft beer scene over Coopers and Little Creatures any day of the week.
  • HaywardField
    6 years ago 12/05/2013 10:35pm CST
    re: VAcoach
    Forum Index
    Symmonds is a breath of fresh air.