10/25/2010 11:48 PM
By Jeremy Mosher
Photo by Victah Sailer
Tim Nelson is the tenth-fastest American of all time in the 10,000-meter 
run,
yet he enters the ING New York City Marathon on November 7 almost
totally under the radar. His half-marathon debut of 1:02:11 in January’s
USA Half Marathon in Houston further suggests great potential at 26.2
although the distance is uncharted territory for Nelson, as well as
decorated teammates Shalane Flanagan (2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist and
American Record at 10,000) and Simon Bairu (two-time NCAA Cross Country
champion and Canadian Record in the 10,000) and their coach, Jerry
Schumacher.
That a professional training group would make a wholesale marathon
debut is a novelty documented by the new web series “Rookies vs the
World,” which follows the group members to locations such as Portland,
Oregon; Mammoth Lakes, California; Philadelphia; the infield of the
Seattle Mariners’ home Safeco Field; and, of course, New York City, as
they prepare for the race. Nelson, a five-time All-American at the
University of Wisconsin and a 2009 World Championships 10,000-meter
competitor now based in Portland, raced most recently at the Rock 'n'
Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon on September 19, where he placed 11th in
1:03:03. Check out his KIMbia links Here and Here.
How long has the marathon been on the radar for you and your coach, Jerry Schumacher?
Tim Nelson: I like to tell people — and it's true —
that Jerry told me my freshman year of college that he was training me
for the marathon. It was always big picture for Jerry. That's why he...
