Nick Symmonds: Experience
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 19)
Posted August 25th, 2008 at 9:30 AM by Nick Symmonds
Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Elite Athlete Blogs, Nick Symmonds
Welcome to the official blog of middle-distance track star and 2008 U.S. Olympian Nick Symmonds. Be sure to check every other Monday at http://nicksymmonds.thefinalsprint.com for Nick’s latest entry! For more information about Nick, also please visit: nicksymmonds.com
It is August 24th and I have just finished packing my bags. I am about to leave China and fly to Europe for a few races, and I cant help but think back on all the incredible experiences Ive had over the last 17 days. Of course, there was a huge amount of disappointment thrown in there, but ultimately I just have to chalk another one up to inexperience and keep believing that I CAN run with these guys. With one more international championship under my belt I am that much closer to being the runner I know I can be and with determination and hard work I will make more teams and have more shots at World/Olympic medals. OK, now that Ive reaffirmed that, Id like nothing more than to share my experience at the 2008 Olympic Games!
Flying out here was a bit tedious but we had VIP treatment all the way. The highlight of the first few days was, of course, the Opening Ceremonies. It was awesome to see all the other track athletes, meet other USA Olympians from other teams, as well as President Bush and Lebron James among others!
Walking into the stadium decked out in our Polo Ralph Lauren gear made everything feel surreal. I looked over at Christian Smith and he was smiling and laughing and shaking his head. I felt the exact same way. All I could think was, “damn, its gonna be FUN to race in here!” The night ended up being hot and humid and very drawn out but was one of those moments in life that Ill surely never forget.
We got to bed that night around 2 AM and were up by 7 to catch a flight to the USA training camp in Dalian, China. Our camp was essentially a resort that USATF rented out for us for several weeks and we had two tracks, a golf course, and a board walk along the beach to run on everyday. The training, the food, the company; it was everything an athlete could need to prepare. One thing in particular that I remember about Dalian is how protective the people were. We had bodyguards follow us on every run and it was actually quite reassuring to have them as we explored the streets on our daily runs. One afternoon Dathan Ritzenhein and I decided to head out to the boardwalk and get in an easy hour. Our bike-bound body guards had no problem keeping up with us on the flats as we clicked off 6 minute miles but every time we came to a hill they were forced to jump off their bikes and sprint up the hills with us in order to keep up! After about 5 miles of this I approached a steep and foreboding hill and they just looked at me and said, “Nooo. We go home!!” I had no real interest in hauling my butt up another incline so I gave in and flipped around for the hotel.
Leaving Dalian I felt excited to return to the Athlete Village and even more anxious to compete. It was dificult watching all the other athletes and waiting our turn. When our evening finally came I made sure to get out hard and run smart to advance to the semi-finals. This first round felt incredible and I thought surely I would be in the finals. As it would happen, I came back 24 hours later to run one of my worst tactical races ever. With a half dozen 1:42-43 guys in the race I was sure the pace would be hot and I would be hanging on for dear life through 600. However, the field was content to leave the results up to a kick and I found myself jockeying for position with 300 meters to go. In order to catch the leaders I had to make a monster move down the backstretch and rather than settling in and waiting for the homestretch I decided to just work the curve hard. Unfortunately, I was doing this work in the outside of lane two and the full sprint was rapidly numbing my legs. When I went to find one more gear on the home stretch I found nothing, I had seriously miss timed my kick and crossed the finish line well out of an auto qualifying spot.
I was frustrated. I was sad and disappointed, but I signed on to represent my country to the best of my abilities in victory or defeat. I began to storm off the track, but heard my mom’s voice in the back of my head, “Win or lose, just be the first person across that line to shake your opponents hand.” Hard as it was, I found the auto qualifiers, Lopez and Bungei, and congratulated them on a fine performance. I then had to answer some very difficult questions from the media and on top of it all go in for drug testing. After a long cool down and a massage I felt a little better and immediately started to think about London.
Its funny how this sport is sometimes. I was only 45 minutes removed from competing in my first Olympic Games and already I was looking toward the future and setting new goals for myself. I know that I have what it takes to run with these guys and my long term goal is to beat them on the biggest stage in track and field. It is a goal that is four years in the future and there are dozens of steps to get there, but life is all about the journey.
My journey takes me to London, England tomorrow where I will meet up with some friends and put in a solid week of training before racing a 1000m in the Gateshead Grand Prix. From there I will travel to Italy to race in an 800m in Rieti and then Rovereto. I figure after these races I will have earned a two week break which I plan to spend at home with my family in Boise, Idaho. I will, of course, keep everyone posted about life on the road. There is always another day and another race!
- Nick
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Tags: 800 meters, 800m, beijing olympics, nicholas symmonds, nicholas symmonds blog, Nick Symmonds, nick symmonds blog
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The Final Sprint
[…] Nick Symmonds added an interesting post today on Nick Symmonds: Experience(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 19)Here’s a small readingOur camp was essentially a resort that USATF rented out for us for several weeks and we had two tracks, a golf course, and a board walk along the beach to run on everyday. The training, the food, the company; it was everything an … […]
August 25th, 2008 at 6:01 pmI was frustrated. I was sad and disappointed, but I signed on to represent my country to the best of my abilities in victory or defeat. I began to storm off the track, but heard my mom’s voice in the back of my head, “Win or lose, just be the first person across that line to shake your opponents hand.”
August 26th, 2008 at 8:32 amWow.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:12 amGreat perspective on the Olympics and life as a runner.
We only saw you out there for ~ 4 minutes. Thanks for letting us see what it was ALL about.
Keep hammering!
I was excited to find your blog since I was interested in hearing more about your race. I have truly enjoyed watching you run. I will still be a fan in 2012!! Thank you for your example of sportsmanship and positive attitude in the face of such disappointment.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:40 pmYour racing style is one of my favorite to watch because its never over until its over. There is probably not a better feeling in the world in the toughest race/sprint than drafting on someone and taking them at the last instant. The Olympics wasn’t a disappointment, just a big stepping stone with a bunch of backs to remember and store in your memory banks that one day…you will have vindication. Good luck in Europe and kick some elite butt.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:16 pmThanks for the great blog and for the great Olympics performance. I am a casual track fan, and am almost embarassed to say I had not heard of Nick until I attended the US trials in Eugene and watched him run the 800 in memorable fashion. I hope Nick becomes the greatest US 800 runner ever!
August 27th, 2008 at 3:00 amGo Nick! Loved watching you race and appreciate the message about sportsmanship and how to handle disappointments. I’ll be rooting for you.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:06 pmHi Nick,
Thanks for the honest post. What would you have done differently in hindsight ?
When I saw the 400 in 54 I knew it meant only 2 would qualify from your heat and put tremendous pressure on you to time your move right.
Also wanted to thank you for the thrilling performance in Eugene, definitely the highlight of the Trials.
Good luck in Europe !
August 29th, 2008 at 10:29 pmHey…..Nick,great job.Now show me a sub 1:44:00.That is what I see as the majic number needed to compete on the world stage.I would have thought by now that you would have conceded to the fact that in order to attain this goal regularly;you must become the dreaded frontrunner.Pre would be telling you that big time.London will be tough just to get to.Let alone medal in.Good luck Nick.Maybe I will see you sometime down at Minto Park,running with Carlos(I work with his Dad).RunHARD!!!Joey V
September 6th, 2008 at 9:32 amGreat job Nick - you’ve been doing a lot since this was posted but you’ve got a lot of fans. Keep that kick going!
Nick Symmonds on the Melaleuca Blog
August 24th, 2009 at 6:52 pm