On Top Of The World: Exclusive Interview With Lauren Fleshman

By Mario Fraioli
Published Aug. 30, 2011
Updated Mar. 15, 2012 at 5:09 PM UTC

Fleshman finished fourth in her semifinal heat at the world championships on Tuesday night in South Korea, earning a spot in the finals. Photo: PhotoRun.net
Fleshman leads her semifinal heat of the 5,000 meters on Tuesday night. She finished in 15:34.04, less than a second out of first place. Photo: PhotoRun.net
Fleshman won the 5,000m earlier this year at the Aviva Diamond League Meeting in London, running 15-flat. Photo: PhotoRun.net
Fleshman won the the 5,000m at the USA Outdoor Championships in 2010, a race which resurrected her running career. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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The world championships finalist will move up to the marathon this fall.

Interview by: Duncan Larkin

Fleshman finished fourth in her semifinal heat at the world championships on Tuesday night in South Korea, earning a spot in the finals. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Until a few weeks ago, former Stanford University standout Lauren Fleshman was going to sit out the upcoming IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

But things changed for the 29-year-old on August 6 when she won the 5,000-meter event at the Aviva Grand Prix in London, clocking 15:00.57. That ‘A’-standard victory secured a slot for Fleshman on the U.S. squad for the championships, which also includes American-record holder Molly Huddle and Amy Hastings.

After the World Championships, Fleshman, who owns a 5,000m PR of 14:58.58 and is coached by Mark Rowland, plans to transition her efforts toward a marathon debut in New York City this November.

Competitor.com caught up with Fleshman by email as she was making final preparations for her semifinal heat on Tuesday.

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FILED UNDER: Interviews / New York City Marathon TAGS: ElliptiGO / Interview / Jesse Thomas / Lauren Fleshman / Mark Rowland / World Championships

Mario Fraioli

Mario Fraioli is a senior editor at Competitor magazine. A cross-country All-American at Stonehill College in 2003, he now coaches the Prado Women's Racing Team in San Diego and was the men's marathon coach for Costa Rica's 2012 Olympic team. His first book, The Official Rock 'n' Roll Guide To Marathon & Half-Marathon Training (VeloPress, 2013) is available in bookstores, running shops and online.