My First Steeplechase Went Horribly Wrong...

I've always had a ton of respect for steeplechasers, but my respect is at an all time high after running one myself! 3,000 meters, 28 barriers, 7 water jumps. I AM SO SORE TODAY!!
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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.

[@nicksymmonds]

Which water barrier was your favorite? I am particularly proud of the flip turns in the water pit! For a limited time we are giving away free Run Gum, click here for more info: rungum.com/nickstrial

[@joshpinchuk7061]

@@owenwilliams6877 handstand one, you got a nice near vertical form from the ground.

[@rubsbalotoliii]

The canonball haha

[@samebihara683]

As a swimmer the flip turn was 👌👍

[@nicksymmonds]

@@owenwilliams6877 the water was SO shallow!!

[@nicksymmonds]

@@samebihara683 hard to do in just 20 inches of water!!

[@Luk1276h]

ever thought about trying to break the world record mile running backwards... I think its close to like 6 or 5 min. mile pace

[@maribfye]

It’s like 5:45 I think

[@julianmora3383]

unless someone else broke it, it was 5:55 last year

[@nicksymmonds]

sounds tough!!

[@xxsnottytissuexxoo3962]

do it

[@hhhsseudu]

do it

[@collinmchugh7389]

She sounds low key disappointed like the whole time haha

[@nicksymmonds]

haha she prob was 😂

[@alexmga9303]

Nick Symmonds but you’re awesome Nick. You’re really a nice guy

[@RaphaelAlilaJr]

My knees are in pain just watching this

[@jonathanwerth5706]

Next you need to move to the field events. Try a pole vault🤣

[@willgreen5895]

Jono Werth oh god

[@jeffcar6848]

Going to need Mondo Deplantis to talk that one through.

[@sammyharvey9380]

Please do pole vault

[@elim.5952]

high jump??

[@RemyConst]

That would be interesting to see.

[@mitchellpfeiffer6397]

Not sure if there was more pain in Aisha’s voice watching or Nick’s knees hurdling 😂

[@AJLapray]

Aisha's intro was gold haha

[@TheRealAwesomePossum]

Yo man's is nothing

[@eddieanderson7100]

@@TheRealAwesomePossum 🤣😭

[@Professional_Dirtbag_Hippie]

This is my event and Nick just out here flexin on me again

[@nicksymmonds]

Lots of respect for you, this is SUCH a hard event!!

[@Professional_Dirtbag_Hippie]

@@nicksymmonds Thanks Nick

[@mateocercola8713]

Mitch O'Brien how the fuck was your time slower than his

[@George-nx4bp]

@@mateocercola8713 I doubt he really meant his time is slower. Moreso flexing with the style

[@chrisvarelabenitez4690]

Typical runner: looks down at their watch even when not wearing one!😭

[@PixieRunner]

As a former steeplechaser, this made me laugh and cringe at the same time. Send some love to your knees and ankles for me!

[@cesarcoelho7227]

I started running in 77. Quit in 95. And still follow the sport that I love SOOOOOO MUCH !!! I have to tell you Nick. You are the most entertaining guy. Hopefully I will meet you someday. You are super cool guy and an amazing 1”42 half miler. I have no doubt you would had been a great steeplechaser if you had take seriously. Be safe 👍

[@celestial_357]

That's the main thing for Nick to go out there and try something while having fun

[@celestial_357]

The flip was really interesting and kool that gives me a ideas at my next swim class

[@kigen6400]

Aisha's reaction is like telling Nick that he should've never done this 😂

[@criscarrillo5459]

Her commentary reminds me of those moms who are watching and supporting their children as they do something weird😂

[@rizmkw4157]

Yo Nick you should definitely try doing some field events like Long Jump, Triple Jump and javelin etc.

[@cailyndeeb1905]

Yes please do! High jump too:)

[@pearcetoms7420]

No way I found another mkw player on a nick symmonds video

[@rizmkw4157]

@@pearcetoms7420 I was surprised to find that there are a fair few track runners that play mkw, I guess it’s similar to time trials where you just improve upon your personal bests

[@rizmkw4157]

@@pearcetoms7420 I was surprised to find that there are a fair few track runners that play mkw, I guess it’s similar to time trials where you just improve upon your personal bests

[@samanthaemme8437]

You should revist this challenge later and see how much you've improved.

[@mylesgutierrez8262]

Legend has it, if you’re early enough and tell Nick Symmonds he’s cool, then he’ll pin your comment

[@nicksymmonds]

I don't pin any comments!!

[@mylesgutierrez8262]

Nick Symmonds 😂 hello, my brother and I love watching your videos and we always wait for your next one to come out. Thanks for responding, we’re both runners and really big fans!

[@BuggatiWeryon]

i can jump 40 metres.. with 20 jumps 😂😂

[@BuggatiWeryon]

i can jump 40 metres.. with 20 jumps 😂😂

[@aud7347]

She was crying while seeing nick running Imagine how I (a youth competitive swimmer) felt when he dived.

[@sth02]

She's in genuine pain watching him run this 😂😭

[@george5858]

Why the steeplechase is the most badass event in track and field.... Historically steeplechasers match up well with their flat competitors. But it's a one way street: steeplechasers can run the flat events, however flat runners rarely have success in the steeplechase. There will be pain---lotsa pain. Krzyszkowiak, Roelants, Keino, Jipcho, Rono, Garderud, Bayi, Lopes, Malinowski, Bedford, Dixon, Panetta, Kiptanui, Koech, Cherono, Tanui. Steeplechase WR holder and 1960 Olympic Champion Zdzislaw Kryszkowiak ranked top 10 in the world in the both the 5000 (6,2,3) and 10000m (5,1,7) in addition to his land and sea specialty (3, 3, 8, 1, 1, 9) Bob Schul started off as a steeplechaser. Won Tokyo gold in 1964 in the 5000m. Good thing he switched events. He would have been no match for Gaston Roulants, who, incidentally, was also the best cross country runner in the world. Anders Garderud started off as an average 1500m guy. Switched to the steeplechase and had great success. Funny thing happened to him...by running with the men among men in the toughest event of them all, he soon became one of the best 1500/5000m men in the world -- faster than your beloved Pre. Rod Dixon, Dave Bedford and Steve Jones all dipped their toes in the forbidden waters. Out of fear from the horrors they had seen, they thought better of it, and turned tail back to the safety of the terra firma. We know what Jonesy did in the marathon. He was never going to strike terror in the hearts of steeplechasers, but he single-handedly changed the way the marathon would be run forever. The marathon has a wall. The steeplechase has thirty-five of them. Bayi started off as a steepler, couldn't hack it, switched to the easier events and set two WRs (1500, mile) then went back to the steeple, but still was no match for Malinowski. At the 1974 Commonwealth Games Ben Jipcho won the steeplechase (8:20), 5000m (13:14), and was 3rd in that epic 1500 (3:33), a triple that is unheard of even today. Jurgan Straub was a struggling steeplechaser, then set his sights on the low-hanging fruit in the 1500, for Olympic silver in 1980. Lopes was a steeplechaser, went for the easy pickings in the 10k and marathon. Greg Meyer tried, and tried, and tried in the steeplechase. SPLAT! When he finally gave up he won the Boston Marathon. I ain't lying! Bruce Bickford, the American Junior recordholder in the steeplechase, found the event too tough, so he went after some more of the low-hanging fruit in the 10k, and became the #1 ranked 10k runner in the world in 1985. Georgetown steeplechaser John Gregorek, the current American Junior recordholder, ran a 3:51 mile just for kicks. Another 3:51 miler AJ Acosta tried to run the steeplechase "just for kicks", but it was a painful nightmare that he wishes he could forget. In 1987 steeplechaser Francesco Panetta won his event at the World Champs, after taking silver in one of the weak events -- the 10,000m In 1990 Mose Kiptanui was African 1500m champion and also won the World Junior 1500m championships. He ran primarily the steeplechase until 1995 when he became the first man under 8:00. When he heard about this guy Gebrselassie breaking the WR in the 5000m with his 12:56, he said to himself "If I can run the steeplechase, then I can beat Shorty" and promptly went out and lowered Shorty's record to 12:55. Oh, in 2008 he started coaching some guy who likes to dance after he wins his races. hmmmmm... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qny7fmqboN-jm5o World record-holder Shaheen (Stephen Cherono) is the 11th fastest 5k runner of all-time with his 12:48, and he did it while beating some schlep named El Garage, El Garbage, or El Kabong, who ran a lifetime PR 12:50. Something like that anyway. ;-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqOqc2tmjaurfZY Check it out 14:50 into the video. If you think El Kabong has a kick, watch what happens when Shaheen takes him to school...steeplechase school. The School of Shock. The best steeplechasers in the world are very tiny men who adapt well to the herky-jerky improvisational nature of the event. Those athletes are ones who tend not to be "rhythm runners." Rhythm runners tend to do very poor in the steeplechase because of the event's unpredictability. The steeplechase is not a hurdle event, it is in, and of, its own. The hurdle events are distant cousins to the steeplechase. They are well-rehearsed soliloquies: step-step-step-step-jump - as opposed to the steeplechase, which is an acrobatic improv. Pack dynamics are much different in the steeplechase than in any other event; this is especially evident in the approach to the barriers where you must be completely focused and spatially aware of your physical relationship to both the rapidly approaching barriers, and to the competitors around you, all the while mindful of the split second decisions and adjustments you'll need to make to come through cleanly. Mistakes in the steeplechase are brutal and bloody. Mistakes in flat events are akin to guitar playing -- maybe get a blister on your little finger, maybe get a blister on your thumb... In the flat events you don't have to think about what's up ahead, or beside you ... or behind. You don't have to think about ... nothin'. Dumb people run the flat events, It's geniuses like Norman Einstein who can run the steeplechase! You don't get to choose the steeplechase. It chooses you. There is no other event in track and field like it. It's the honey badger of running events. It doesn't give a shit where you've been, or what you've done, it WILL humble you. Honey badger don't give a shit. The WEAK event allows everyone to run it. There is no secret handshake and no monthly dues. Everyone is invited. "Come with uncle and hear all proper. Hear angel trumpets and devil trombones -- you are invited." Funny thing is, few dare to answer the clarion call. But if you do, here's some advice for you: hold onto your balls, you're going for a ride. "Come and get one in the yarbles, if you have any yarbles, you eunuch jelly thou!" The steeplechase has made geldings out of many a brave men. Steeplechasers are fun. They are the stir in the drink. Flat Earthers are the stiffs easy to spot --they're the wet dishrags huddled together in the corner with their tin-foil caps, breath-rite strips and kinesio tape.

[@paxundpeace9970]

I agree.

[@kato8389]

this guy loves steeple almost too much

[@santihortiz]

Yes this man was an Olympian not even 8 years ago 😂😂

[@benfields6918]

Yah Nick !!! That’s so cool, thanks for the video

[@nicksymmonds]

Thanks for watching!!

[@bool0101]

Next up: Biathlon!

[@bretstevens262]

Awesome that Aisha joined in the video! Her and Will are too cool! Big fans of theirs!

[@tennisfam946]

Hey nick. That was so funny, you made my day by making me laugh so hard

[@nicksymmonds]

Very glad you liked it!!

[@tennisfam946]

I did just like I love all your other videos

[@teresastanley4581]

The flip turn for sure!!😂😂😂 great video! I ran the steeple at a few meets you were at! Canton, NY, Wartburg, Lyle, IL!!!! D3 is so proud of you, Nick!

[@michaeledelstein5833]

Enjoy your videos, but this one most of all (perhaps as I was a steepler in college, as a slower runner and the faster teammates wanted to stay injury free). Thanks for bringing back memories!

[@levengnf]

As a swimmer, not only do I appreciate this, but am impressed that your did a flipturn in that shallow of water

[@spencergambrell7819]

Nick before the race: Steeplechase can't be that hard. Let's have some fun in the water jumps. Nick 600 in: What have I gotten myself into?

[@asuthoshpranesh6925]

Thank you soo much sir for trying this event very happy to see you doing this event 💖💖

[@nicksymmonds]

Thanks for watching it!!

[@ellaf3877]

Every track is closed, all training and events are cancelled until at least May, watching people on tracks is all that's keeping me sane So thank you Nick for the entertainment

[@lauradufresne6628]

It looked liked so much fun! Huge respect to you and your channel

[@samhardy8100]

As a steepler, this was highly entertaining, whilst being highly cringey! Well done. I'm glad you're giving some spotlight to the best track event ;)

[@kymdaigle1992]

This has to be my favorite vid on his channel🤣 Its just so good i cant explain it in words lmao!

[@thaddeusdombrowski2241]

I suggested the steeplechase. You did it. Respect. Thanks, Nick. That was fun.

[@garrettboggs7908]

I wanna see you drop a steeple at top speed now! Cmon, you can break 10:00!

[@skyleryork3591]

Naw he definetly can't break 10. If he's only in 4:30 mile shape theres no way, not with his incapability to hurdle lol

[@garrettboggs7908]

​@@skyleryork3591 Never underestimate the power of Nick Symmonds, especially after he's hopped up on Run Gum. I'm not saying that 10:00 will be easy, but it's within reach.

[@George-nx4bp]

@@garrettboggs7908 I was going for sub 10 this year and I am way more natural at hurdles than Nick. I just could not see him running that quick haha

[@HandelandJ]

I was thinking sub-10 would be a good goal for him as well.

[@picsbyshrey]

lmao there’s no chance in hell he gets under even 10:20 unless he suddenly gets much better on the endurance side

[@sweptdown4264]

I didn’t know this was an event? I though it was just rainy

[@fghjsdgad]

💀💀

[@howardOKC]

haha, best comment here

[@xpsolo8610]

Same

[@mlegrand]

This channel is so good. I'm going to come watch down there some day.

[@JamesAnderson-yp5vo]

HAHAHA!!! My best all out 3000m without obstacles is 14:47 and you were dorkin around and did it in 14:00! This was so GREAT!!

[@JesseZentz]

Finally! My race. Something I am 100% confident I could beat you in. Nicely done, sir. 🤣 Wish I could still run that race, but there aren’t many masters steeples out there.

[@KolbyKennington]

Love your videos man! I've been watching for awhile. You inspired me to start my own running channel!

[@VanJolene]

Omg, I'm so glad you didn't hurt yourself! It's always fun watching first timers do steeple at All Comer's meets, but this was insane! Not to mention, that water be nasty! So fun to watch.

[@adityagarg8508]

Clicked as fast as I could after seeing your notification ❤

[@nicksymmonds]

THANK YOU for turning notifications on!!

[@timsterrockstar]

Yeah, I was a miler/800 meter runner in high school and we had one steeplechase a year for a meet at West Allis Hale Invitational in Wisconsin. I did it every year to mix things up and all the athletes from all the schools would line up by the water pit and cheer. We only did a mile, not 3000 meters. Might want to wear a helmet next time nick haha

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

A mile would be MUCH better.

[@joshkotran5746]

Hi Nick, just wanted to say that I have been watching your channel for a while and you have really improved on the quality of these videos over time, both from a production and entertainment standpoint. Keep it up!

[@zachrubicz729]

Great video nick 👍

[@nicksymmonds]

Thank you!!

[@SpartanFarron]

This might actually be my favorite video yet, perhaps only 2nd to the finish line poses. Good job, Nick!

[@nicksymmonds]

Thanks for watching!!

[@maxboesch-powers2061]

The most dedicated on KZbin! We love you Nick!

[@Max-bm3or]

Loved the video Nick! Your vids in general are really inspiring me to churn out some miles this Spring/Summer!

[@derekrubis6652]

Nick this my favorite video EVER

[@monkeymohta7163]

Hahahaha this is the funniest track video I’ve seen all quarantine! Great video!

[@sarahb4038]

There is more runnning then steeplechaseing

[@nickhasting6344]

Nick Hearts every comment doesn't he! So Hi Nick, By the way my name is Nick also

[@nicksymmonds]

I try to!! Thanks for watching my video

[@muhammadjararhassan3635]

Very entertaining video Nick Symmonds. 🙂

[@brandtanderson8743]

Here’s a free 🍪 Hello

[@nicksymmonds]

Thanks for the cookie!

[@phantomxlancerxx9128]

Cedric Rausch 🍩

[@killianbennett8985]

@Cedric Rausch gotchu🍩

[@killianbennett8985]

@Cedric Rausch another one🍩

[@ayushmarwaha6347]

Love your videos man. You are an inspiration. Keep up the good work.👍

[@luispastor8089]

Last year at a club competition our second steepler was injured so in order to not lose that point one 100m sprinters decided to enter the race and he went almost 14 minutes. He got the point. Good effort there Nick

[@karinasouder7006]

I love how his 2 mile with this was the exact same time as my normal 2 mile

[@rocketrex1928]

Nick you are such an inspiration and just made my day. I always recomend my friends to sub to your channel

[@steyn5511]

Haha such an original idea Nick! Great video💪

[@apgtrock]

This was amazing !! I’m such a big fan of both you and Aisha. 😍

[@TheAltoidBoy]

Eyyy. good to see you finally run the steeple. Ran this in college. I wish I had your finesse

[@ferrethess4121]

I wish more highschool meets did steeple. I’m an xc runner and a hurdler during track so this would be my best race probably

[@philolson5110]

This was seriously one of the funniest videos you’ve ever made

[@marcamusprime9513]

This video should have a million just from the effort

[@basehead617]

the slowmos of him going over the hurdle with his hands on them killed me

[@Dirkzy]

I feel like im watching one of the jackass movies. Im over here wincing at my computer watching the slow motion impacts.

[@robertdunn6112]

Thanks for the video Nick. You rock!!!

[@legendaryU]

This seems like a really cool way to mess up some really expensive shoes!

[@fish411]

Now we need some jumps and throws!

[@sammeisel]

That was a really good flip turn for that shallow water!

[@sammeisel]

Huge applause!

[@carsoncheek8802]

WASSUP NICK!!!! I’m almost healed! I have a week left until my edema is gone!

[@nicksymmonds]

glad to hear it. Wishing you many healthy miles!!

[@bhaveshsindhu4737]

Nick had written the serials of the events on his hand 🙋

[@novadz449]

The fact that he still ran a faster mile than most people is pretty impressive

[@sammeisel]

I love the variation to the track events!

[@lauseba6990]

Pretty Good Timing, considering all the STUNTS you were doing. Steeplechase is such a difficult race. The barriers are difficult to clear once you get tired. The water barries extremely difficult, your stomach gets a real beating once you land.

[@nikeswoosh7575]

Flappy arms 12:13 . LOL. Now we need a legit steeple PB video!

[@gjmueller]

Put it on the board. New PR!

[@BrentSnider]

Loved it! Great video, keep it going!

[@יאיראורלב]

Love you nick. Just reading your training log

[@nicksymmonds]

Love you too! Hope you are getting some good info out of that training log.

[@TheStarz2826]

HAHAHAHA Nick wearing floaties at the end made me laugh so bad!!!

[@dovhoodofficial]

Splits: 200m- 44 600m- 2:20 (1:36) 1000m- 3:57 (1:37) 1400m- 5:52 (1:55) 1800m- 7:44 (1:52) 2200m- 9:46 (2:02) 2600m- 11:46 (2:00) 3000m- 14:00 (2:14)

[@Vanlou]

Nick putting his body on the line for our entertainment! Thanks Nick! Lol

[@rampabulac311]

Hahaha! I loved those "Handstand" Feel for you, dude!!!

[@wildWESt76]

I’ve always wanted to run the steeplechase but I have too many knee problems

[@nicksymmonds]

it is really hard on the knees and ankles

[@wildWESt76]

Nick Symmonds Yeah I’ve had on and off tendinitis and IT band syndrome for my xc career

[@keilumgriffin8593]

Awesome video, looked fun and painful all at the same time.

[@Addison-lq4te]

When he said “baddest bitch in the land” I just about flew out the window. True tings 👌👏🤭

[@elliemconie]

First time doing this in u15 girls- I could not even jump over it so I had to kinda climb on top of it, stand up, then jump into the freezing water. It’s horrible when you have to run in wet shoes and you feel like they’re weighing you down. Ngl it’s kinda refreshing though ✨

[@johnfullerton599]

bro, props. i cant even run a 14 min 2 mile time with a clear track.

[@kboy6150]

That was a great video and it looked like you had a blast making it.

[@MrTrack412]

Hilarious, and I did learn a few things about the steeplechase! Thank you, Nick. Also, thank you for being a LinkedIn.com Friend!

[@joshuayu554]

now wait a minute, this wasnt in your book 🤔 maybe u should add a new chapter: KZbin and Shenanigans 😂

[@nicksymmonds]

Thank you for reading my book!!

[@jamesleann0812]

I like that turtle at the end makes me feel comfortable

[@jamesleann0812]

Ow can i get a hiiiiii

[@nicksymmonds]

@@jamesleann0812 hiiiiiii!!

[@jamesleann0812]

Owmyyyyyyyyy he really noticed me🔥

[@jakelrhodes1135]

Every thing u do is so smooth “ 8:40 ” and some how your mile time is still better than mine in the staple

[@goodman3590]

Pls make more running video. Love it

[@soccergirl6684]

I have never heard of this, but now I am interested

[@robertricker2727]

Your not Henry Marsh but looked like Nick playing in the marsh.

[@stevew5146]

This is crazier than the Polar Bear Plunge! Oops, don't want to encourage you for next winter! Okay, okay, I DARE YOU! The floats and Nick, the paddling turtle at the end topped off the insanity!!😂. 👍🌟🐢

[@craigfindley149]

The flip turn had me rollin!

[@tazpengra]

:70 laps sounds kind of easy; until there's a bunch of barriers and a water jump in the way! That was about my avg when I PR'd.