Interview from RuntheRoads.com

No one can question that Tim Nelson is having a career year.  The former University of Wisconsin standout, who trains with Jerry Schumacher’s group in Portland, Oregon, placed second at the U.S. Cross Country Championships at the beginning of the year, only finishing behind Olympian Meb Keflezighi.  Continued success brought Nelson to the Payton Jordan Invitational in early May, winning the 10,000m run in 27:36.99, which ranks him as the top 10k runner in the country this season.

While NCAA champion Galen Rupp and U.S. champion Abdi Abdirahman are considered the pre-race favorites to win Thursday evening’s 10,000m run at the U.S. T&F Championships, Nelson will challenge for the victory and looks to earn his first track spot on Team USA.

Run the Roads (RtR): You’ve had a great start to your 2009 season.  What do you attribute to taking that next step in your training and performances this year?

Tim Nelson (TN): It has been encouraging this year to see all the pieces come together.  In past years I knew I had the potential, but for one reason or another I wasn’t able to perform quite at the level that I wanted. Since our group moved out to Portland, and we have a greatly improved training situation, I have been able to put together a solid training block with very few setbacks.  I wouldn’t attribute it to anything in particular, except consistently putting in the training and doing all the little things.

RtR: You head into the 10,000m race Thursday evening having run the fastest American mark this season.  What are your expectations heading into the race?

TN: I expect a tough, competitive race.  American distance running has improved greatly over the last few years, and the 10k is no exception.  In the end I hope to finish in the top three and qualify for Berlin.

RtR: How’s training been going as of late?

TN: My training has continued to go very well.  Like I said, Portland is a much better place to train than the winters of Wisconsin.  We have not changed very much from what we have been doing for most of the year, other than a few more speed oriented workouts.  I feel just as strong as I did at the Cardinal Invitational, except with a little more speed in the legs.

RtR: You’re now living in Portland.  How’s the transition been for you from Madison to Portland?  What’s your favorite part of living in Portland?

TN: The transitions to Portland went pretty well.  It was difficult leaving my best friend back in the Midwest, but I have been able to visit her several times and she has also visited Portland twice.  I would have to say my favorite part of the Portland area is all the beautiful wilderness areas that are nearby, because enjoy hiking and mountain climbing.  While I haven’t really got a chance to do much of it around Portland, the mountains and forests I can see from my house offer an exciting foretaste.  There is also an abundance of soft-surface running trails very near to where I live, which really goes far to alleviate the tedious nature of my profession.

RtR: We don’t want to jump too far forward, but it’s our understanding that you’re perhaps planning to do a marathon this fall.  Any truth to that?  Any idea on which marathon you’d debut with?

TN: My coach and I are still discussing possibilities for the marathon.  Obviously it depends largely upon how the track season goes, but I am open to a fall marathon if things work out that way.  Otherwise, I am also considering a spring marathon.  Consequently, it would be impossible to say at which marathon I will debut.

RtR: We’ve heard you are a big movie fan.  Can you tell us a little bit about your passion for film?

TN: I may disappoint you if we were discuss movies.  I am not a big movie buff in the sense that I watch a lot of movies (especially the stuff that comes out of Hollywood).  I am more interested in the creative process of movie making.  In high school I use to make short film with my friend Clint Loveness.  We would convince some of our teachers to assign us a short film instead of a long paper.  Most of them were pretty amateurish, but we had fun doing it.  This hobby grew into a strong interest, and I completed a production related degree while at the University of Wisconsin.  In college I made a few films that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to show the world, but since I graduated and running has taken over my life, I have limited my videography skills to the occasional wedding videos for a few close friends.

Quick Six (Six Quick Questions, Six Quick Answers)

RtR: Favorite movie?

TN: Hmm…Baraka.  I recently saw it and found it very relaxing.

RtR: Favorite meet you’ve ever run?

TN: Cardinal Invitational

RtR: What shoes do you train in?

TN: Nike Air Pegasus

RtR: Favorite pre-race meal?

TN: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

RtR: What kind of car do you drive?

TN: ‘97 Saturn SC2 coupe (155,000 miles and counting)

RtR: Favorite band?

TN: Coldplay

(Photo Courtesy of KIMbia)