Race Recap: 2007 Prefontaine Classic Men's 800 meters

[@nicksymmonds]

Did you find this helpful or entertaining? What other races would you like me to recap?

[@tjtrackvlogs5802]

entertaining

[@christophersmith3254]

Recap tyson fury rising from the ashes like a pheonix during round 12! 😂

[@duncanladuke1966]

Helpful, good to see that it’s always possible to surpass expectations

[@jayforrester2233]

You're one of the few 800m runner out there who actually gives tips on how to improve performances (implementing crosstraining) and I really appreciate that. I'm always a fan of your running style and how you're able to obliterate huge fields from the back. You're a master tactician, and I'll try my best to implement some of your training strategies into my 800m development for the future. Not many people put out how they became Successful on track and even if they do they normally charge huge sums which everybody dont really have.. so thanks again 🙂✌.

[@Ak-ig8os]

Yes why not I am also 800m runner I want to see your mind setup

[@mannycastaneda1364]

The one dislike is Yuriy Borzakovskiy

[@nicksymmonds]

😂😂😂

[@monikad5561]

Omg! I was thinking the same thing, Manny!! 🤣

[@arielgarcia685]

😂 lmao

[@The909stranger]

😆😆😆 👍I'm from Russia by the way

[@user-sr1ol9lf3e]

от меня еще

[@chazdavis1644]

The key was the blackout the week before. Lol. In all seriousness, I have always loved that race. Intelligently run with a monster kick.

[@nicksymmonds]

yeah, was a battle of the kickers!

[@JackHammond]

Dahm that kick is actually ridiculous...

[@nicksymmonds]

took a long time to perfect!

[@LuisMacias11]

OMG a famous KZbinr

[@brownmamba6538]

I first heard about you in 2008, when I was in 7th grade after watching you win the 800m Olympic trials. That's still to this day my favorite race to watch and I followed your career ever since. Even though high school cross country and track didn't go well for me due to all the injuries, watching guys like you, Matthew Centrowitz, and Jeremy Wariner all made me passionate about running. I haven't ran competitively in a while but I still enjoy going on runs regularly. Thanks for being such an inspiration 👍

[@nicksymmonds]

thats for following! I think you will like the 2008 Oly Trials race recap :D

[@YuckiDude]

❤

[@monikad5561]

Now I'd love to hear what Yuriy's thoughts were! He did absolutely not expect anyone passing him at this point...Ouch! 😉

[@nicksymmonds]

haha I'd love to hear that too!!

[@nikeswoosh7575]

I wish more athletes did videos like this. I traveled from Toronto to Oregon with my Dad to watch the 2012 Olympic Trials. Saw your inspiring win and Gatlin take the 100m.

[@nicksymmonds]

thanks for cheering me on!!

[@kofinater]

Love the race reviews, excited for the 2012 olympics review, that race was nuts, i watch it all the time. I'd love this type of review from everyone on that field, that race was special

[@nicksymmonds]

I'd love to hear what was going through David's mind!!

[@mr.dangrande9344]

As an older athlete (55 yrs. old) making a bit of a comeback, I’m finding your videos extremely motivating. In college, I was a cross country, and track (5,000 and 10,000 meters), running about 5 min per mile pace. Former runner under Mike Barnow (WTC). My goal is to run a sub 5 min mile at some point. If you could do a training/ advice video for older athletes, that would be incredible. BTW - I am old enough to have seen almost all of your races! USA!

[@RachBenn]

J étais entre les 95 et 2000 un champion de 800m ,mais quand je vois ta façon de gérer les courses et ta façon de courir ,je me dis que toujours tu es un grand champion. Bravo pour tout ce que tu as fait et pour ce que tu fais maintenant.

[@rtlsdemonstrations]

Inspiring. As a “no-named Division III kid” this video shows me that my story has more to come. I don’t have a lot of natural talent but boy I’ve worked hard dropping my 8k from a 35:20-29:42 in 3 years and finally being able to race sub-5 miles in track...

[@nicksymmonds]

thats a HUGE improvement!!!

[@rhysnichols8608]

2007...Nick Symmonds beasting 800s.... and halo 3 What a time to be alive

[@jnuno9877]

Do more videos like this

[@nicksymmonds]

ok!!

[@alexmga9303]

Nick Symmonds I love these videos!

[@usainvanrudisha1649]

Nick you’re my hero, I know in your book you say you don’t like watching the 2012 final but can you please do that one next? I watch that race before my big races, or a hard session. I know the commentary by heart and it always gets me in the zone. It’s actually by watching that race that I discovered you, because you had a vicious kick!

[@nicksymmonds]

its a hard race for me to watch, but I will recap that one soon!

[@Ak-ig8os]

The home town hero nick Symonds I have seen this first time superb

[@nicksymmonds]

glad you like it!!

[@robertricker2727]

I remember watching from the stands. The 2008 Prefontaine I remember watching Beikle running the fastest 10k in North America and you came up in the stands right behind me to talk to someone.

[@nicksymmonds]

Never missed a Pre Classic from 2007 to 2017!! Still my favorite meet in the USA

[@robertricker2727]

@@nicksymmonds yes some of the greatest athletes of all time competed on that track.

[@monikad5561]

Both!! So much fun to hear you recap your own race while watching it! As if we were right there with you inside your head! I LOVE it because I never get tired of listening to athletes describing the thoughts they had during a race. I find it very helpful and super interesting. I get butterflies watching races. I want more!!!! (...and I liked seeing how proud you are of that young man! ☺️) So awesome!

[@nicksymmonds]

Thanks for the comment! I'm glad you liked the video. Lots more like this coming soon!! :D

[@Bradsworld2]

Great job Nick. I think I remember this race. I loved it then and still do.Awesome. Great memory.

[@mikestocker2474]

This is the very first race I can remember seeing on TV. Even though my career as an 800 runner would end when I transitioned up to 3k/5k in college, this was one of a handful of races I would watch before meets to get in that "killer" mindset (pretty much just this and Solinsky's sub-27 10k debut tbh). Had the privilege of meeting Nick briefly at the 2012 trials and the Oxy meet where another D3 legend (Leer) stole his crown from the slow heat. Both times, his grace in victory and defeat were identical - proving again and again why he should be the model athlete for D3 dreamers like me, new to the sport HS runners, and D1 elites looking to navigate the next steps to becoming a pro. Oh, and Nick, if you're reading this I was coached by Geoff Lambert - one of my favorite/most motivating pictures he ever showed me was the All-American 800 podium he shared with you and Leer back in the day. Keep up the great videos and recaps.

[@ronbunn1349]

Thanks, Nick! Definitely find all your videos entertaining. This is right when I got passionate about the sport and you were an obvious initial hero of mine. Would love to hear about the rounds and final of 2012 olympics, or any behind the scenes stories of London. I'd be interested to hear more about your diet during training- and also wanted to add that as a hiker and triathlete, I really appreciate your multi-sport approach.

[@nicksymmonds]

thank you! I will address a lot of those topics in upcoming videos!!

[@peddlerofbombast6982]

Dude, great tactical race!!! That's what the 800m is all about!!!! Nick "The Kick" Symmonds.

[@NicholasQuintinKilian]

The GOAT 🐐!!!!!! You got me jumping out of my chair from this one!

[@jaredlupton6838]

Perfect commentary. I wish more runners would post videos like this of their races and add context to them. Wow.

[@stevew5146]

Nick, I've seen this video before, but you narrating it like you did helps us really appreciate all that went into it. Even explaining how you were feeling, thinking and strategizing was really neat. I can see now the overwhelming respect, admiration and gratitude you have for coach Radcliffe. And the gratification and pride he had for you after that remarkable climb from the bumper to the front and then to win, must have been so profound for him. Question: you said that you detected a break in his form toward the end. Do you think you would have still passed him to win if he didn't have that break? Personally I think you would have still conquered him because he was maxed out with his stride and could not go any faster where as you had a faster cadence and you had the ability (and will power) to bump it up even more making you go faster. Also you could not have timed it more perfectly whether you knew that at the time or not. Seriously, I get nervous and pumped up when this video is watched.

[@nicksymmonds]

thanks for the great message! Yes, I noticed Yury struggling towards the end, but I prob would have still beat him even if I had not noticed because I had the momentum. But we do sometimes talk about "smelling blood in the water" in regards to distance running. Sometimes seeing someone struggling a bit is enough to pump an extra shot of adrenaline through the veins!!

[@cuberynth3079]

Nick is one of the most humble guys I have ever seen

[@charlesroberts1601]

This was great inspiration, Nick. I'd usually struggle with self confidence leading into big races. Half the time I'd end up surprising myself, the other half it'd end in failure and disappointment. It's awesome to hear about the adversary you faced and still had great success, it gives us runners hope in our long term goals. Love to see more videos!

[@nicksymmonds]

the ups and down of distance running!

[@hoop1127]

Nick, Watching you run that race and seeing your reaction now was really a nice moment for me.

[@ericp12345]

Thanks for taking your time to share this with us! I am excited to see the 2012 Olympic final recap

[@nicksymmonds]

coming soon!!

[@eday1500]

These are going to be a lot fun to follow, Nick. Thank you starting these and looking forward to more!

[@nicksymmonds]

more coming soon!!

[@DanFournier]

Looking forward to more videos like this! Great source of inspiration & motivation for my own training.

[@nicksymmonds]

thanks for watching!!

[@cicirunner]

Enjoyed this immensely

[@nicksymmonds]

glad to hear that!!

[@Pioqueug000]

All this new content is giving me life! Keep it going!

[@nicksymmonds]

glad to hear that! will do :D

[@brucetharp7610]

Nice to see this kind of video without having to pay for Flowtrack. Because of Flowtrack, I have become a serious fan of Poland athletics, They have many great racing and training videos.

[@nicksymmonds]

yeah, I know Flotrack has to make money, but it is pricey!

[@gefenshachar]

Thank you for this video Nick!! Its inspiring and motivating to hear all the advice there is from someone at the top of the game

[@nicksymmonds]

thanks for watching!

[@umbrella0110]

Yes!!! Keep those race reviews coming, Nick!!

[@nicksymmonds]

will do!! :D

[@PrentisHancock1]

Great video, Nick. I'm enjoying seeing your reflections on your races. You're a great ambassador for the sport.

[@shangrila73eldorado]

That's the Prefontaine Effect: the crowd cheering and propelling the favorite runner forward. Imagine what Pre felt when all of Hayward was chanting "Pre! Pre! Pre!" Symmonds had a lethal finishing kick.

[@mohammedshaik9647]

Your videos are so inspiring man, I'm 14 and this makes me wanna push myself even more. My best 800 m time is around 2:05.

[@bryanryder7196]

How long did it take for your to develop that great kick?

[@nicksymmonds]

years!!

[@AT-zr9tv]

Fantastic! What a cool sports life you've had. So glad you're still up for challenges, with less pressure and more fun factor.

[@AJLapray]

GREAT VIDEO BRO

[@nicksymmonds]

thanks homie!! was inspired by your reaction vids

[@krakhour2]

FRIGGIN AWESOME KICK.....Was like dave wottle kick. That russian still stunned

[@nicksymmonds]

I always loved the way Wottle raced!!

[@chromebook1361]

i cant wait for the 2012 vids! well done on another great video! still to set a pr for 100 meters as my coach told me to wait as my right foot is recovering from a break!

[@nicksymmonds]

no rush back, its a long season!!

[@storck08]

This is a great insight and analysis! Looks like you have enjoyed coming back to your memories too. I have followed your career a bit when I started to run 800m myself. 1:55 was my PB in the second year of running, but I had to stop it following my injuries. Please make more videos like this!

[@nicksymmonds]

I wil!! thanks for watching. Definitely fun to relive these moments

[@thecybercs1675]

The smile on his face when watching his own interview from years ago is so wholesome

[@fidelbanuelos9601]

That was cool to see that race again. It was cooler to have you narrate it. I'd think the race or races that got you the invite to Prefontaine would be a bigger deal. My understanding is that one has to put up a top 10 time to be invited. Also, for you, I'll listen to Carol Lewis once again...🤣

[@nicksymmonds]

hahah. Once you are top three american in an event you are likely to get invited to Pre. I was ranked #2 following 2006 season

[@RamRaj-di9qm]

Ya ur correct 0:30.beast in the race.ur running style is different.

[@shangrila73eldorado]

Great race. The last 250 meters of the race was when you took over 800 meter distances. It was a damn shame they knocked down Hayward. I guess the new Nike stadium is state of the art but, c'mon, you don't knock down the Colisseum, right? I was lucky enough to see Hayward intact when I visited the campus on the day before it got demolished, and I had no clue it would be razed. I returned the next day and to my shock I saw the bulldozers ripping down the illustrious green theater for running. That was your home, that was Pre's and Bowerman's home...the demolition took a piece out of me. I'm guessing Pre shed a tear in heaven.

[@mikerider8966]

All of your races are entertaining. I’ve watched some of your races 10+ times, it’s great to hear your perspective on the race and event. In the video you mentioned being something of a D3 place holder. Can you speak on networking/politics/event success that lead to your participation that day? Love the regular uploads and insight. Hoping to see an in-depth and polished interview some day in the future.

[@nicksymmonds]

I'll make a video about that soon!!

[@nicholassteel5529]

Great job Nick....nice memories

[@johnwhite3146]

That race was so much fun to watch!

[@cesarcoelho7227]

I was there !!! I told myself WTF??? That guy is going to pass everyone . GREAT WIN !!! 🏆🥇

[@cademonk4258]

What I learned from this video- Getting slammed the week before makes you run fast

[@beowolf19751]

Very blessed and phenomenal running career!

[@FunnyWaIrus]

what an incredible runner, always has that last sprint gear at the finish

[@nicksymmonds]

Thank you!!

[@reneeneybug9900]

This is genius! I wish more pros would publish recap/commentary videos on their races. Can't wait for the London one. What is Rudisha like in real-life?

[@nicksymmonds]

he is a really nice guy. Humble, polite, and FAST!!!

[@VanJolene]

would love to see you do this commentary with the Oly Trials 2008 final you won! RIP Historic Hayward Field 😢

[@nicksymmonds]

I will do that one soon!!

[@wilsoncanfield1091]

Man what an awesome race u had it’s always fun to watch ur kick the last 200m I’m a 400m runner and I try to do the same as well.

[@zaneclone]

2 things... what were you drinking a week before that meet (lol)- and I wouldn't mind seeing that indoor mile of 3:56...!!!

[@nicksymmonds]

cant remember!! was too drunk lol. I WISH there was a video of that 3:56, but I havent been able to find one :(

[@AndDrew]

Wow to run on that same track as pre. What an honor

[@yinsot9042]

I love how you come from behind bro!

[@bretstevens262]

Wow, way to get after it Nick!

[@nathankoroush7918]

This was a fun video, I really liked this.

[@nicksymmonds]

glad to hear it!!

[@binayaduwadi2719]

Unreal finishing kick.

[@europaeuropa3673]

That tactic of coming from behind has worked in many of my races.

[@enjoylife3961]

I was born in 2007

[@elliscollins6213]

Oh my gosh haha why was I yelling for u out loud!!! 🤣🤣 ur my idol !!

[@ivanmarquez6846]

thank you Nick

[@seanmalone2530]

Pre was with you that day. Nice work!

[@Thomas-fk3cw]

Awesome race. Great job.

[@antoniopietrangelo6567]

Great race. Great race strategy!

[@Arun-ng2kg]

Wow amazing 👏..... From india

[@KonstantinMegel]

Your best video ! Do more race reviews!

[@nicksymmonds]

will do!!

[@leocossham]

That photo at 9:24 is amazing!

[@alirunsfast]

Inspiring! To out kick Borzakovski is some effort

[@nicksymmonds]

I didn't do it often, but I got him this time!!

[@Mmmmericaaaa_USA]

Awesome! Signature arms in the arm is not a lean forward though... 🙌🏼

[@MrCascadehiker]

Looking forward to the 2012 Oly recap... arguably the best Olympic race EVER!! Curious what your thoughts are about the Hayward Field renovation??

[@nicksymmonds]

that will be a fun one to recap! Shame they tore down my favorite track stadium in the world, but I am excited to see what they build in its place!

[@iankeller6211]

Great video man!

[@rvingmontanezway103]

Man That was an amazing race brings me back great memories. My PB in high school at 18 years old was 1:54.07. I Will never forget that . I would have done much better if I would’ve gone to college but never did 😫. I just now enjoy reading my bicycle 🚲 👍

[@edwardgutierrez9072]

Lol no judgement man. I had a XC 8k race one Saturday morning and I literally ran it hungover and had to stop the last mile to throw up. :O

[@Oracle_Speaks]

Great post! Congrats!

[@ABLQuality]

your content is amazing but when will you do more race recaps

[@cesarcoelho7227]

i was there . Nick was a beast

[@henrikhanssen1702]

Make race recap of the 2013 world champs!

[@nicksymmonds]

yes! that will be a good one

[@austinwilwayco]

Ah the 800m. The longest race for sprinters

[@robertricker2727]

I been going off and on since 1983.

[@UdhayChatha]

You need to do this for the Olympic final 2012

[@keinerr2002]

Hey Nick do you have any of your races at the olympics on KZbin? Enjoy your recap vids!

[@bibhaspantha1112]

I was three years old in 2008... Rn I am 14 years old and in an official race I finished 3:24 in 800m last year when I was 13.... Rn I am around 3:00... In 9 months from now my goal is 2:00... At 15... Can't believe nick Symonds finished 1:57 at 15

[@serhatcoban6797]

So you did what yuriy did to other racers to him. Great race.

[@shalom.mugenzi]

i’m a young subscriber/fan, let’s goooo.

[@tonyquinn22]

I think he won by more than just a lean. That is how it is done folks. That looks like a clear win with no controversy.

[@bmdub]

I'm having a hard time trying to imagine what it would feel like being so thoroughly exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. Adrenaline had to be coursing through your body like a raging river. How long did it take you to come down from the high and how addictive was it? It just occurred to me that chasing this high could be the reason some runners turn to PEDs.

[@CoReOmega]

do your sub 4 mile recap

[@nicksymmonds]

I would, but there is no video of it :(

[@jkathletic8231]

Well done Bro.

[@alexlakeland4738]

Do you have the videos for the fist time you went sub 2 and sub 1:50?

[@nicksymmonds]

unfortunately no, that was a LONG time ago....before cell phones were everywhere!! :D

[@Jellonova]

How are you not gasping for air when you finish?

[@nicksymmonds]

haha, that is the power of adrenaline!! :D

[@kai-de8764]

What about your 2nd place at wch 2013 It would be cool to see a video about that

[@nicksymmonds]

yes! that will be a good one. Coming soon!!

[@shalom.mugenzi]

quick question, how do you get ready for a race. i mean like the week prior what should you do to make your body preform the best it can. also which workouts should you do on that week and like preferred nutrition. and how far should your last workout be from the day of the race. if there is already a video out could you direct me to that.

[@carsonmalleet4367]

Boy how id love to kick like that! I run such a severe positive split that I need at least a ten meter lead going into the last hundred to win lol