Nick Symmonds: 2008 . . .
. . . It’s Finally Here!
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #3)
Posted December 31st, 2007 at 4:56 PM by Nick Symmonds
Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Elite Athlete Blogs, Nick Symmonds
Welcome to the official blog of elite American middle-distance runner Nick Symmonds. For more information about Nick please visit: www.nicksymmonds.com
Well, it is December 31st and it is a momentous day for me for several reasons.
First of all, I turned 24 yesterday. Normally birthdays come and go for me and I don’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about them. While I certainly don’t feel old I am realizing that my body is almost fully matured and I am starting to enter the years that male middle distance runners typically peak. I’ve begun to notice that I get out of shape much faster than I used to, but also that I get back into shape faster; a rare combination of a slower metabolism and legs that have run thousands of miles.
This is also a huge day for me because it is New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow I will return to Eugene and will begin the process of sharpening up for the indoor season. My first race is in 26 days and I want to start the season out with a big win in Boston. But first, I will enjoy New Year’s like everyone else; one last hurrah before 2008!
It’s incredible how just typing that makes me nervous. “2008″ is a number that has been burned into my mind for the last four years. I remember thinking about it first in 2004. I was 19 and the Athens Olympics had just come to an end. I had glued myself to the television that summer and after the closing ceremonies the announcers said. “Well that’s it from Athens. See you in Beijing!” I remember thinking you’re damn right you will. Since that day I have been on a mission. I have put my body through hell and have spent myriad sleepless nights imagining what it would be like to represent the United States at the highest level of Track and Field in the world.
When I’m struggling through a workout I think “2008″; when I’m depressed and feel like nothing is going right, I remember “2008″, and right after I’ve won a race and am on top of the world I think “2008!”.
In fact, I work hard to quiet my mind and not think about what is to come this year. I feel one of my best qualities as an athlete is my ability to handle stress and certainly nothing is more stressful than an Olympic year.
I often wonder how some of the great athletes who have come before me handled this pressure. I’m sure some dealt with it through training and some through the support of friends and family. These will be where I draw my strength and my courage. The last thoughts I try to have as I toe the line of any race are you have trained harder than any one else here and you have the love and support of many people … you can do anything.
I admit, there are many things I cannot do and there have been times when all my preparation has not been enough. However, all that is in my hands is to be as ready as possible when I line up to compete for my place on the 2008 Olympic Team. I hope to see you all there…I’ll be the one that looks like he is about to throw up, nervously pacing, toeing the line, a prisoner until the gun goes off and am free to do what I was meant to do.
Happy New Year!
- Nick
To comment on this entry please click here and to send questions to Nick, please fill out the form below:
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: 2008 olympic team, 24 years old, age, athens, athens olympics, Beijing, beijing olympics, birthday, blog, elite athlete, elite athlete blog, elite athlete blog series, elite runner, mental prepartion, metabolism, Nick Symmonds, olympic year, preparation, pressure, professional running blog, Team USA, tfs elite athlete blog series, the final sprint elite athlete blog series, thefinalsprint.com elite athlete blog series, track and field
Like what you see? Subscribe to our feed!
WordPress database error: [Can't open file: 'wp_comments.MYI' (errno: 144)]
SELECT * FROM wp_comments WHERE comment_post_ID = '5774' AND comment_approved = '1' ORDER BY comment_date
The Final Sprint