Nick Symmonds, the Run Gum CEO who defied USATF over its wear-Nike edict, turned 35 on Sunday and came out with a video Thursday. He says he’s unretiring. But Nick’s not making a comeback in the 800, where he won a world silver medal and competed in two Olympics. He says he can’t turn left anymore. So he’s challenging himself in a completely new event: the 100-meter dash. He has a 400 PR of 47.45 and figures he once was in 10.5 to 11 shape for the 1.
He’s also using his YouTube channel to promote his brand and training program.
But even though he’s masters age, he doesn’t utter the M-word. I sent a tweet about masters (which he liked), but he hasn’t responded to queries on whether he’ll run in masters nationals or WMA worlds. Kind of shy, I guess.
In any case, it’s good to see Nick exploring his sprinter side. I think he’ll eventually run 11.22.
But what say you?
Buena suerte and mazel tov on your 100-meter journey! It’s why I say: “Why do they call us masters? Because we aren’t slaves anymore!” Also: Happy M35 birthday!
— Ken Stone (@KenStoneMedia) January 3, 2019
If you post a comment with your exact prediction, I’ll award a prize for the closest-to-the-time. Remind me a year from now.
Also, speaking of overdue news: WMA still hasn’t announced its Athletes of the Year.
I wrote to Prez Margit Jungmann, and she replied: “Until the end of the year Sandy [Pashkin] collected the results and the nomination. The election of the overall winners will be done in January, the prize will be given in Torun.”
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Ken, as an historian of masters T&F you know that no M35 sprinter at our nationals has broken 11 seconds in the 100 since Rawle Delisle did the trick in 2012 with a sizzling 10.71. Of course, as you also know, Rawle enjoyed a wind of 3.6 meters per second. To be completely fair, however, I should note that in 2013 (-2.7), 2016 (-2.8), and 2017 (-2.2) the M35 sprinters had to go up against substantial headwinds.
Regardless, as a general rule we know that non-sprinters cannot break 11 seconds in the 100. I look for Nick to run 11.33.
Peter L. Taylor*
* Knows something about masters T&F but sometimes overstates his level of expertise.
The 800 at the elite level is basically an extended sprint so Nick will not be totally out of his element and a 47.5 PR is not slow. Nick said in the video that he was once in 10.5 – 11.0 shape on the “fly” which means he probably could have run from the blocks in 11.5 – 11.8. I think that staying healthy will be his main issue. Assuming that he can avoid injuries, I predict that Nick will run 11.65
First timed 100 is 11.63 — hand-timed with running start in middle-distance spikes. Not bad! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaV00QHyY5I
Michael Walker:
I hereby concede. No way he’ll run closer to my prediction (11.33) than to your prediction (11.65). Oh, well; sometimes I commit unforced errors.
Peter L. Taylor
Peter,
He has several months to get ready and Nick is in better sprint shape than I would have expected. No matter who’s prediction is closest, it will be fun to watch. Have to love his attitude and willingness to try something new.
If I’m not too late, I’ll say he could run 11.5 once he figures out how to train and gets the fast twitch muscles firing.
11.49
He could run a 11.62
Nick’s best 100 was 11.52. He had to skip his last race due to a hamstring injury. He never got close to sub 11 but he beat my prediction of 11.65. In his youtube video, Nick said that he will try again in 2020. The video is worth watching as he discusses injuries and how to handle disappointments.