"Worst" experience helps cross-country runner

Ten-year-old Adam Prahlow used his "worst" running experience as a valuable lesson. It helped him finish third in the 2002 AAU cross-country nationals last month.

Adam is the youngest of three running brothers. Thirteen-year-old Aaron and 14-year-old Andrew also competed in the AAU nationals. The races were held in December at Iowa State University in Ames.

Adam was in the 9-10 age classification while Aaron and Andrew both ran in 13-14.

It was in a preparation run six weeks before the nationals that Adam ran his "worst" race. During a cold and rainy day, he was forced to drop out of the race because he got too chilled and weak.

After the race, Adam figured he hadn't trained properly, He also wasn't dressed right for the weather conditions.

Before running at Ames, he trained harder. He also made sure he drank more water. Then, he dressed warmer both while waiting to run and also during the race.

As a result, he not only finished the 3-kilometer race but was 3rd in a field of about 200.

But, all his preparation weren't enough at the USA Track and Field nationals two weeks later. This was supposed to be the "warm" meet because it was in Georgia. But, the day of the race had heavy rain, extreme cold and wind. Also, the course was very muddy.

He got boxed in at the start. The narrow course made it hard to pass. He finished 90th in the field of over 300. His mother, Linda, called the race a "learning experience."

Aaron and Andrew qualified for and ran in the AAU tournament in Ames. But, they finished farther back in their 13-14 age group. That was a 4-kilometer race. They didn't run in the USATF nationals.

The three boys began running road races regularly when they were quite young. Aaron ran in his first road race when he was three. Andrew was on a running team when he was four. Adam ran his first road race at five after the family moved to St. Louis.

Their interest in running comes naturally. Their father, Jim, is the track and cross-country coach at Lutheran North High School.

But, he makes sure the boys run because they like it and not because of parental pressure.

Both Aaron and Andrew have taken as much as a year off when they didn't run at all.

Also Aaron is very interested in art. He's in a Young Artists Program at the Craft Alliance. That program helps aspiring artists all the way through high school.

The 7th grader said, "I'll probably go to a college with a good art school." He wants to be a commercial artist. "But, I'll probably have another job also," he added.

Andrew began running seriously again more than a year ago. His motivation was a desire to make the Lutheran North cross-country team as a freshman. He ended the 2002 season as the sixth man on the varsity which competed in the Missouri state tournament.

However, Andrew is very interested in music. He plays the trumpet in both the Lutheran North pep and concert bands. He continues to take lessons from a private teacher.

He's got his eye on Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., "because it has a good pre-vet program." He wants to be a veterinarian.

Fifth-grader Adam is the one who's still focused primarily on an athletic career.

"I want to go to the Olympics and get my picture on the Wheaties box," he said.

Asked about his cross-country strengths, Adam believes his finishing kick is best.

The three boys all run for the Blazers Track Club. The team specializes in distance and cross-country running. Coach Blair Porter stresses what he calls the "two-minute drill."

During the last two minutes of every race, runners try to sprint as hard as they can.

Right now, the boys say they get a lot of fun out of running.

Adam said, "I enjoy it when there is competition and there are a lot of people in the race."

Brother Aaron said he likes running through the mud when it's raining. He said running helps him calm down. He suffers from anxiety and needs the physical activity to calm him.

Older brother Andrew explains the fun of running this way. "I was running with my cousin. We set out for a short run. But, we got lost and ended up at the Jamestown Mall. Then, we had to run all the way home," he said.

What started as a 3-mile run lasted seven miles. "I thought that was pretty fun," he said.