1:57

Over a decade of hard work allowed me to shave 15 seconds off my personal best in the 800 meters. Shaving time is all about CONSISTENCY and not about immediate gratification. Aim to get just a little bit better each and every year!
Visit Lettr Club: lettrclub.com
Buy Run Gum Here: amzn.to/2V3JBfM
Thank you for watching this video. My favorite days are those that stimulate me physically and mentally. Athletics keeps my body fit, entrepreneurial business keeps my mind fit. Welcome to the life of the ATHLETEPRENEUR!
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--
Nick Symmonds is a two-time Olympian and a serial entrepreneur. He is the founder and president of Nick Symmonds, LLC and the co-founder and CEO of Run Gum, a caffeinated chewing gum company that gives people a quick boost in energy and focus with their revolutionary energy gum.
Nick holds a degree in biochemistry from Willamette University. He is also an Eagle Scout, a published author, and an accomplished fly fisherman and mountaineer.
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Follow Nick Online Here:
Instagram: / nicksymmonds
Facebook: / nicksymmonds
Twitter: / nicksymmonds
Website: nicksymmonds.com
My Company Run Gum can be found here:
KZbin: / getrungum
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Facebook: / getrungum
Twitter: / rungum
Website: rungum.com

[@unbearablepun8608]

2012 Olympic Final: 1. World Record 2. National Record 3. Personal Best 4. Personal Best 5. Personal Best 6. National Record 7. Season Best 8. Personal Best Goes to show this was the fastest 800m race of all time

[@akh721]

The slowest runner in 2012 olympics was faster than the winner in Tokyo marathon 800m final

[@APBCTechnique]

I was a state champion at 800m, I’m now disabled and can’t walk in the last 2 years since an accident. I always followed your career and enjoyed your running Nick. Trying to get back walking now. Enjoy all your fun videos Thanks for Cheering me up !

[@nicksymmonds]

I am so sorry to hear that. keep working hard, I will keep you in my thoughts, hoping to see you back running one day again soon!!

[@skrinix]

same here... ankle injury took me out. still can’t run 5 years later now... but these videos are fun & nostalgic. hopefully we can all have another chance on a track one more time. sorry to hear about your situation.

[@bostonpage4071]

My Pb is 1 48s

[@MrCheezez123]

Boston Page for 800 meters? That’s almost as good as nick.

[@Hahahaha-uj9pu]

APBC Technique and UK Osteopathy let's go mate u can do it

[@elijahebbert6884]

Imagine running 1:42 and getting 5th.

[@nicksymmonds]

yeah, that one stung a bit!

[@harrytrower405]

@@nicksymmonds what a race to be a part of though!

[@Harihar_Patel]

@ya2pir2gojlr Yes, but Mr David Rudisha is super human.

[@joan7446]

Well, it means that you are in the fastest race ever.

[@kaifiqbal4603]

1:42 get it

[@BubbaBlackmon]

I ran 154.5 in the 800 as a freshman in college and finished second. I stayed within 5 yards of the leader thinking I would out kick him in the last 100 yards. He ended up running under 153 as I faded at the end. I later found out the guy who beat me was John Crist who was a 3 time national champion in the decathlon and took 6 th place in the 1984 olympics.

[@communistscum6736]

I stg i thought you meant 154 seconds. Good shit man

[@Shadooke]

@@communistscum6736I’m near to track what did he mean?

[@ZidaneSteiner]

I got a scholarship to Willamette for running the 400m. I would have been a freshman in 2003, funny to think we would have ran together. I went a different direction in life. So cool to see this

[@rajitrajpal7703]

I thought D3 dont give scholarship

[@VineKey51]

@@rajitrajpal7703 you're right. They don't.

[@nyk0l3tt3]

@@VineKey51 they "dont." But somehow I knew football players who earned a TOTAL SAT score 900 (so think 400-450 for math/reading) getting way more than I got for merit.

[@VineKey51]

@@nyk0l3tt3 yeah - a lot of times they get other financial assistance that's supposedly for different measurables...but everyone knows what it's actually for

[@charliezhang2679]

@@nyk0l3tt3 900 isn't too bad

[@dedgar6161]

People be sleeping on d3. Little did they know, the best American 800 m runner went d3

[@nicksymmonds]

lots of incredible athletes in D3!!

[@99certain45]

@@nicksymmonds Definitely! Out here in New England, some of the DIII 8k invitational meets during XC had several runners in the 24s!

[@connorharriman6321]

I ran 1:57 as a sophomore in high school. Could have turned into the next Nick Symmonds. Somehow I didn't manage to drop 15 seconds though. Only ever dropped 2.

[@nicksymmonds]

1:55 is still a very good lifetime pr!

[@DempseyDaPro]

You didn't use PED's

[@maltherunner]

@Comedy run gum

[@TrilogyNjStorm]

@@maltherunner lolol

[@dubplateriddim]

You didn't have the right supplements bruh.

[@spit-fire]

You always motivate me. My goal is to run a 1:59. My pb is currently a 2:03. If you can improve that much then it gives me hope to at least improve by 4 seconds. Thank you for the video!

[@trofee8]

Same goal for next season rand a random 2.13 last year. I have the speed now only the endurance training

[@nicksymmonds]

four seconds is not that much! definitely attainable

[@s.k.sanchez]

You can do it. I had a pb of 2:00 and tried to break 2 for 2 years and i just Ran 1:57

[@yaircohen9664]

Wish you the best ! You can do it!

[@djc0108]

Dart Bick Good luck with it, go get it, you can do it 👍👍👍

[@Wavygravvy]

I always thought the 400 was the toughest foot race in track, after coaching HS track for a few years and really understanding the physical demands of the race. The 800 takes the cake.

[@alansamuel2454]

The 400 m, the 800 m and the 400 m hurdles are perhaps the three hardest.

[@Wavygravvy]

@@alansamuel2454 I would agree, I am bias towards the 8, but all 3 of those require an insane amount of strength/endurance. The pain cave is real!

[@nicksymmonds]

the 800m is especially challenging because of the tactics. if runners stayed in their own lanes it would take a lot away from the 800m

[@glywnniswells9480]

Cross country harder the longer the race the harder it is. 2 min of pain is easier than 30

[@bastokrepublic]

I had another window open so I could watch each of the races you're talking about as you go along. I'm very impressed with you as a runner, especially your ability to deliver your best in the biggest races. You deserve to be very proud of what you've accomplished!

[@yaircohen9664]

How you react when you got injured is really inspiring. Thank you nick for sharing it with us

[@nicksymmonds]

injuries are never easy! But remember everyone has to deal with them

[@treetrunkgames8572]

Thanks for taking the time to help us young runners, I know you must be busy with your normal life so thanks for still making time for this!

[@nicksymmonds]

I actually really enjoy making these videos! Glad you are finding them helpful :)

[@greghammett7894]

Nick, this is such a great video. This has me reminiscing about my running "career" the last 20+ years. Congrats on your amazing career and cheers to the future version of yourself! May it be as rewarding! Thanks!

[@vasiliosniamonitakis3705]

So inspiring Nick, thank you for taking the time to inspire us with your legacy! 👏🏻🏆💯

[@jq96tr45]

Nice Video, Im 23 and I quit track 2 years ago but I missed it too much and started running a month ago again. You give me a lot of motivation expecially with your big times beeing in the late 20s. Thanks for giving so much motivation through your videos 💪🏼

[@troliskimosko]

nearly 15 years to drop 15 seconds. Crazy determination

[@donsolos]

still absolutely and utterly blows me away that rudisha beat you by 2 seconds. so underrated its insane

[@radicalleavemealone-ist7751]

I really appreciate how you lay it all out on the table for us in your videos.

[@sharonmason1586]

I liked your charting. I was smiling along with you talking about your races and times. I didn't know about some of these injuries-what a come-back!!!

[@nicksymmonds]

yeah, looking at the chart the injuries really jump out!

[@lukeduffy5208]

Can you talk about money in contracts and stuff? Seems a really taboo subject

[@nicksymmonds]

yeah, but thinking about how I want to make that video for awhile. It is a tough one because there are NDA's in the contracts

[@sleeknub]

@@nicksymmonds even just giving folks an idea of how they are structured without giving too many specifics would be interested.

[@trentsantoro7300]

Watching you motivated me in the 600m Indoor and the 800m outdoor. I went from a 1:40 600m to 1:29 in one year. And the 800m I went from running a 2:44 to a 2:05 in two years like I never knew you can motivate me this much

[@tredmills227]

You were my hero in high school man, good to see ya still doing well.

[@DonLee1980]

Dude, I just tried a 800m run at 90% effort after my interval workouts. Took me 3:24. Essentially twice the time you took at the London olympics. Sure you didn't win a medal there, but your performance was still world class. Me on the other hand... I'm training for a 10k run in Ethiopia in November. I got a lot of work to do.

[@notevenhereanymore3038]

You’ll make it bro. Everyone starts somewhere but can still do something great.

[@jayure1346]

How did it go?

[@josiah2365]

Great video!! I’m a (2nd fully committed year) 800/400 meter runner with aspirations for a 1:55 and 48 this summer, this helped set the perspective for patience.

[@elclashh209]

It's inspiring to see how you ran good but not outrageous prs in hs and through hard work and dedication climbed to a world-class level. With all the work you're putting into this channel you'll probably become a world-class KZbinr as well. I can't wait to see the periodization video as I never seem to be able to peak at the right time.

[@nicksymmonds]

its funny, the youtube game is kind of similar. I want 1M subscribers tomorrow, but I know that isnt realistic, so I'm just focusing on gaining a few with each new video. Very grateful for those of you who have been supporting me as I build this channel!!

[@albertbrooksjr.1435]

Awesome life story!!! Thanks for your dedication to the sport.

[@nicksymmonds]

glad you enjoyed it!!

[@michaelreif2681]

Great advice Nick! Keep on making the progression . . . in life!

[@nicksymmonds]

thank you!!! I will :D

[@BrianPhobos]

Great video Nick , I remember those years 2007 and 2008. You shocked everyone and it was awesome. You are one of my top 5 favorite Track & Field athletes of all time!

[@PrentisHancock1]

Really impressive, Nick, seeing you break down how your 800 career progressed. You were indeed a late developer, but, you achieved an incredible amount. 1:42.95 puts you right up there amongst the all-time greats. And your silver in 2013 was a great achievement.

[@sirelegant2002]

That was so insightful, thanks Nick

[@andrewryder1319]

There are so many inspiring moments in this video. Thank you!

[@KshitijMiler]

Thanks for the amazing insights of your career Nick! Truly Inspirational

[@nicksymmonds]

glad you liked it!!!

[@KuIJohnQ]

Really cool video. Surprised there are still people doubting your progression times. Also, your recovery from a potentially "career-ending injury" gives me hope that I can beat a chronic ankle condition I've been struggling with.

[@nicksymmonds]

injuries are the worst!!! But most of the time we get through them

[@paultoy9611]

I only wish myself and my son had shared your training progression.Thank you Nick.

[@nicksymmonds]

its all about consistency!

[@maxchau8558]

Nick is my hero!!!

[@chrishays5560]

Your progressive refinement approach and candid characterizations are very helpful. Especially for framing my kids progression during and accross track seasons.

[@nicksymmonds]

thanks! kids all want to run world class times tomorrow. I try to encourage them on focusing on getting just a little bit better each day

[@crazymonkee608]

Very inspiring, Nick!

[@vinnyknapp3459]

you are such and inspiration man! amazing career so stoked for you! cant wait to get some run gum!

[@get2riz]

Thanks Nick for some good advice. Needed that.

[@pacervault3350]

Fantastic example of what talent, persistence, and a little luck in the form of good health, will get a person if they believe in the process! Great narrative. All those incremental PRs are so much fun. Some of my favorite memories at Hayward Field are watching your epic wins! (Especially 2008!) I can't believe Rudisha forgot to step off to give you the win you deserved : )

[@jimmy250]

This is pretty inspiring, thanks for sharing your story Nick.

[@nicksymmonds]

very glad you liked it!!

[@keithaverill1223]

Great video Nick...thanks!!!

[@ericholmes7789]

Great video! Goes to show commitment pays off!

[@nicksymmonds]

yeah, if you spend enough time at anything you are bound to get relatively good at it eventually! :D

[@OfficalKingTyGaming]

I never ran the 800m at all I started out in the 200m in middle school. When I seen you ran the 800m. You made it so easy. My sophomore year in high school I went up to the 800m my first meet I ran 1:57. My senior year I finished with a time of 1:53 got the school record along with the state record in 2007. I went to Barton county community collage (juco) where I first ran under 1:50 my freshman year 1:49.5 representing the U.S. Virgin Islands also the country record. You was my and still my inspiration and motivator

[@DwiteTheSpriteKnight]

It's good to see that you're still enjoying running.

[@ddahstan6876]

Thank You Nick for sharing your progressions and your passion of the sport! You were a beast and still are winning races! Not Fair. 🤣😊 Life isn't good when we don't keep on huffing and puffing! Thank you for being a life motivator.

[@AstroLaVista]

I remember timing myself running two laps of the track in my youth and the time of 2:05 is now seared into my brain, mainly because I tried so hard I could taste blood! Sub 1:43 is just seems super human to me. It's great to hear your story :)

[@aero5194]

Wow! You are an absolute legend! Congratulations for such a successful career!

[@nicksymmonds]

thank you!!

[@aero5194]

@@nicksymmonds When I lived in Switzerland I remember I went to a big track event with all sorts of people there. I was only around 10 so I don't remember much about it but it was around 2011ish and at the time the only person I knew that was there was Usain Bolt. Any chance that you ran at that event?

[@giordanocerisier1568]

Loved this video!! respectable role model thank you man

[@nicksymmonds]

very glad you liked it!! thanks for watching

[@elliottchard]

The fact that you used what could've been the worst year of your life and turned it into something positive (rungum) is hugely inspiring

[@samjenkins4182]

Love from the Gem State, would love a video on the best cross training for runners.

[@nicksymmonds]

Go Idaho!! Will make a cross training episode soon

[@wingzfan102]

Watched you run at the US Outdoor Championships back in 2010 in Des Moines, IA and it was such a fun time! I broke my leg in football my senior year and came back to run my 800 PR at the state track meet and last competitive 800 I would ever run

[@Jellonova]

Nick Symmonds is amazing

[@nicksymmonds]

thank you!!! I appreciate you following my channel

[@IsaiYuno]

Nick, thank you so much. This was really inspirational, you should do a 5k progression video!

[@nicksymmonds]

I don't have enough data points to plot! I never really ran 5K after HS

[@ubercopywriter]

@@nicksymmonds did you run cross-country in college?

[@jbird1777]

That was awesome that he talked about David Rudisha!!!!! :D

[@highpriestlordjosephleetow2667]

Fantastic, looks good.

[@sanjudevi7788]

From 17 years you are following your dream I like that.

[@cyrushaynes5026]

“I had a great rabbit... but he forgot to step off the track” 😂12:49

[@TpolTime]

Never took running seriously but I ran 2:06 in a school sports day when I was 15. After discovering and enjoying Nick’s channel I wanted to see what I could do now at the age of 33. Low and behold I ran 2:06!!

[@paultoy9611]

It'll be exciting watching you conquer this 100m challenge.

[@nicksymmonds]

thanks for following me on this new adventure!!

[@theslightlyrecklesstrailru1546]

Really interesting stuff! 2014! Great year! Way to realize you needed to start RunGum then!

[@nicksymmonds]

it was a tough year emotionally, but we made the best of it!!

[@kortex628]

Very nice video, thank you

[@brandongarner643]

From Eastern Idaho and watch the HS state track meet every year. Love seeing your name for the 4A class record.

[@nicksymmonds]

ha! thats so cool I still have it. Would love to see it broken though!!

[@raingodmusic]

you are so cool. i like the run gum tattoos and the Olympic rings. and i like your devotion

[@cesarcoelho7227]

Nick whoever didn’t believe on you or your times they weren’t jerks. They were idiots and clueless about track& field. Congrats on your career . i was fortunate to watch you @ Pre in 2007. Wish you the best

[@Iam18]

I just randomly stumbled across Nick Symmonds from watching the turtle 100 dollar race. I didn't know much about him. Some cool stuff, I used to run a lot in catholic school. I've always been a good runner (relative to my peers). Crazy the guy who got first place against Nick in 2012 currently holds the world record. That was some super human year for all the runners.

[@CentsTwo]

2013 was the best year to watch you run also very cool to see how so much changed from 2000 not just with you look at those photos now all phones can take better pictures, and even the style of clothing has changed on the track.

[@nicksymmonds]

2013 was probably my favorite year as whole

[@KaiDettman]

I'm a senior at 1:53.6 right now. The competition in California means that it's still probably 3 seconds from winning state, but hopefully I'll run in the state finals. Seeing this video is giving me hope for good college times. Also, I'll keep high altitude training in mind.

[@JP-is5kv]

Inspired me !!!🙌🏼

[@danielsalazar8836]

This an awesome story

[@nicksymmonds]

glad you liked it!! :D

[@gregmccarter3243]

you are really a great runner for the type of body you have......

[@katis999]

thanks!

[@nicksymmonds]

thank you!

[@alokdhaked296]

Love you sir

[@sjgardne]

I am a HS state 400M champion (sub 48)-i injured knee in college. Your run gum is pretty cool idea.

[@PancakeTiger358]

Amazing

[@roonthegoon114]

I think you’re inspiring me to switch my main event to 800

[@mlrj12]

The difference between a champion and also ran is.......elusive. Good coaching, psychological, good timing in periodization are all factors. I can think of many T&F athletes over the years who perform well in early season low key meets but never win in high pressure championship meets. Nick obviously knew how to rise to the occasion when it really mattered.

[@nicksymmonds]

I had GREAT coaching! Also, I just LOVED the pressure that came with championship racing.

[@Num1YogscastFan]

Hey, Nick, would love it if you talked about periodisation. I often look at your programme leading up to the 2012 Olympics and try to digest how and why it's changing from month and month. Would be great to get your take on how workouts specifically changed throughout the season. Thanks

[@nicksymmonds]

yes! Will make this video sometime in April

[@EddieStyle]

Really interesting!!!

[@nicksymmonds]

glad you liked it!!

[@malachitisch7494]

Stefan Holm (Swedish High Jumper) has a really cool chart like this for his career. He was so resilient too. He jump basically the same PR when he retired at 32. Deep squats for the win!

[@MrMustangs1992]

Saludos.... I had the opportunity to run a 1:56 in High School in 1994... Became The Texas State Champ class 1A. as a Sophomore.. My respect to you for an awsome career...

[@FairfieldWyatt]

Legend.

[@RdMxReAperz]

Hi Nick, I've been listening to the rungum podcasts the past few weeks now, they're great! Just stumbled upon this channel of yours, good job responding to the comments, definitely a good way to connect with your fans and keep the channel more active. Just a note of you are to do another video like this. Your way of graphing this is nice for the viewers since they can see the numbers easily translated but the time should be in seconds only. For example, 1:57 translates to 117 seconds, where you have it just written as 157, which is 2:37. This messes up your performance improvement percentage. For example, your progression from 1:57 to 1:55: Performance Improvement Percentage = (((new time - old time) / old time) * 100) Using your numbers you would get: (((155 - 157) / 157) * 100) = 1.27% Using seconds: (((115 - 117) / 117) * 100) = 1.71% It looks like a small difference but I'm sure as you know at elite levels of racing every % of improvement is a big deal. Anyways, keep up the great work. It was interesting to listen to you talk about your progression throughout your career.

[@nicksymmonds]

very good points!!! Glad you like the podcast and you and enjoying my channel

[@robertjnoriega5748]

Ive got a big meet tomorrow and im trying to get 5:00 minutes in the 1600 and this really motivated me to go out there and get it thx nick

[@nicksymmonds]

glad you found it helpful. Good luck!!

[@neilahuja844]

Inspiring story

[@EddieStyle]

Trully inspiring

[@nicksymmonds]

very glad you liked it!!

[@MamaWho]

Aye thanks for making this video tho because this is my first year in track as a sophomore and I’m running a 2:03 right now. I was going to settle for a 2 flat this year but joe that I see you were running a 1:57 I wanna go sub 2💪

[@nicksymmonds]

train hard, race hard. You can crush 2 with enough work!!

[@Ak-ig8os]

A great journey

[@nbecker]

hey man great video. as someone who was severely injured and worked back into running in college I love the honesty and great video. you should think about going on shark tank with run gum hah!

[@gdm9937]

I ran a 2:19 as a sophomore. Quite running for a year though, getting back into it for junior yearp

[@coachhebert8468]

What's up man? My nephew Brandon Johnson PR running with you...good luck with your channel....Coach Hebert

[@linusfondin464]

Last year I realised I loved 800m with a time of 2,20 Today I ran a 2,09 800m! - 2021/06/20

[@GamingSpiral]

How you doing in it now?

[@wss33]

Great progression! But you really are talented. Sometimes it's sad to see people try and try and get nowhere.

[@phatshah7377]

Seem like a really nice person.

[@Wavygravvy]

Got a chance to watch a local runner clock a state best, 1:50.02..so damn strong!

[@nicksymmonds]

that is a great time!!

[@robertricker2727]

Just think your soph year high school to pr was over 15 seconds or more than 100 meters gap very impressive.

[@nicksymmonds]

yeah, crazy when you put it like that

[@felixnavidad10]

Awesome in depth video! What was your favorite workout to prepare for the 800?

[@nicksymmonds]

thanks! I dunno about favorite, as it hurts like hell, but 3x400 off 4 min rest is the best workout to prepare for the 800 IMO

[@jonathanhole2972]

7 of the 8 finalists in the 2012 olympics never ran faster times again. That's insane!

[@asadyusoff6047]

Love the content! Did you ever use altitude tents during training if you couldn't access altitude training spots?

[@nicksymmonds]

yes, I did use an altitude tent one year..hated it. The science behind them is good, but it can be hard to sleep in them

[@john.p5241]

1k and you have 200k congrats