Tim Nelson 2:15:06 marathon debut

Just ahead of Steve Bolt.

STEVE BOLT! (raises arms)

What do you think of his performance, malmo?

I personally am impressed with him, and for that matter, all the American marathoners today. Time was not indicative of how well they ran and just how tough this race was. Anyone who looks at the erratic pacing can tell this.

A good effort for Nelson, I think! Looking for him to do good things in the future.

That first mile for both the men and women was WEIRD, like a minute or more slower than overall race pace. Something was going on today in the early stages.

Look at Mutai, 2:06 at London, 2:11 here, and Kwambai: 2:05, 2:04 now 2:11???

Jesse James wrote:

That first mile for both the men and women was WEIRD, like a minute or more slower than overall race pace. Something was going on today in the early stages.

Like a big freaking bridge or something?

Excellent debut if you are a 29:30 10k guy.

SOLID debut on what is definitely not a fast course...not Berlin, London, Rotterdam or even Chicago fast...Nelson is very efficient and has all the right tools to run substantially faster in due time.

MF

In comparison to his 10000m personal best his marathon debut is sub par. Yes I know it's NYC marathon which is a tougher course than flat marathons.

The problem with the American isn't the course it was the pace. Mebrahtom, Tim, Jorge, Dathan etc none of them have incredilbe foot speed like Haile and Gebre. So when the pace went out in 1:05:22 it was offically over for the Americans. Then when the 4:26 mile was thrown in it was the doom of every last of the U.S hopefuls even Mebrahtom.

The Americans keep doing the same going out slow and waiting for someone else to strike first. Mebrahtom great condition and luck worked for him in 2009 NYC; however, when will the Americans start trying to control the race like the Africans. It was enough Americans who could have agreed to dictate the pace to maximize their chances.

Mike,

I respect you but that is foolish. We heard similar comments about Torres running 2 minutes faster a year ago. How has that worked out? Americans tend to look for anything to cheer for, but today was a disaster.

That includes Shalane. This New York field is always hyped but never as good as the hype. The best female marathoner in the World right now is Shobukova. She has taken over the title from Mititenko. Both of these athletes were in Chicago along with 2 different 2:22 Ethiopians and a sub 2:22 Japenese women. That field went through the halfway 4 minutes faster than todays field on a hotter day. Shalane showed us nothing today and Nelson was worse.

Not comparing Nelson to Jorge or anyone...mutually exclusive events...for Nelson to get his feet wet at 2:15 isn't terrible...my point is that he has the tools and now a little experience and I believe that he can run faster by as much as 4, maybe 5 minutes on the right course on his second or third try...we can armchair it all we want, but, until he has a second race under his belt we're just hypothesizing...good fodder for a couple of beers worth of debate though ;}

MF

MikeF wrote:

my point is that he has the tools and now a little experience and I believe that he can run faster by as much as 4, maybe 5 minutes on the right course on his second or third try

MF

That is almost word for word what was said about Jorge last year.

Why even bother with the marathon unless they can run 2:05 on a flat course or 2:07-08 on Boston or New York.

Marathoners in 2010 have shown that on any particular day and any course it will be opened with a 1:03 first half or much slower but still closed in 1:03. The Americans can't do that right now and runners like Dathan Ritz, Tim Nelson, Ryan Hall, Jorge Torres, and even Meb need to move down to the 10000m til they can commit to being much more aggressive in the marathon!

None of those U.S runners have maxed out their potential in the 10000m which should now be an option since the marathon in 2010 has take on a new age of marathoning- in which the Americans aren't mentally ready!

stupidpacing wrote:

Why even bother with the marathon unless they can run 2:05 on a flat course or 2:07-08 on Boston or New York.

Marathoners in 2010 have shown that on any particular day and any course it will be opened with a 1:03 first half or much slower but still closed in 1:03. The Americans can't do that right now and runners like Dathan Ritz, Tim Nelson, Ryan Hall, Jorge Torres, and even Meb need to move down to the 10000m til they can commit to being much more aggressive in the marathon!

None of those U.S runners have maxed out their potential in the 10000m which should now be an option since the marathon in 2010 has take on a new age of marathoning- in which the Americans aren't mentally ready!

While I don't agree with your marathon goal times that you should run or not bother, the rest of your post is spot on - except for Meb in 10k.

Americans have to keep it fast early in the marathon or they won't fare well, unless on a hot day.

stupidpacing wrote:

... need to move down to the 10000m til they can commit to being much more aggressive in the marathon!

None of those U.S runners have maxed out their potential in the 10000m

I disagree with them moving back to 10,000 as their primary focus...I do agree that racing the marathon requires 10,000 meter conditioning.

Moreover, I believe that many/most Americans wait too late in their careers before going after the marathon...they wait until they are on the downside of their careers rather than go after it while still ascending the bell curve.

MF

I think people (especially us americans) are forgetting that they are in a race. You are racing other people. Do a time trial if you want to race a clock!

I amnot experienced enough yet wrote:

Americans have to keep it fast early in the marathon or they won't fare well, unless on a hot day.

How did that hot day work out for Arciniaga, Young, Bizuneh, and Carney in Chicago?

According to the graphic, no one slower than 2:15 on a debut ever went on to run under 2:11, much less 2:09. Of course the list isn't complete, but I would say it's not quite the debut he was looking for.

I was referring to our best talent marathoners (looking to win), not those 2nd/3rd tier or unproven guys.

oh please wrote:

According to the graphic, no one slower than 2:15 on a debut ever went on to run under 2:11, much less 2:09. Of course the list isn't complete, but I would say it's not quite the debut he was looking for.

Brian Sell did.

oh please wrote:

According to the graphic, no one slower than 2:15 on a debut ever went on to run under 2:11, much less 2:09. Of course the list isn't complete, but I would say it's not quite the debut he was looking for.

No arguing that 2:15 wasn't what Nelson was looking for...never said anything to imply otherwise...how many guys that eventually ran very fast PRs flamed out totally on their first one?

My point for the third time is that Nelson has the tools to run better and frankly, if your all time PR is your first one then you probably never maxed out on your capabilities as a marathoner...'nuff said.

MF