by Jeff Benjamin
Sam Prakel, photo by Paul Merca (copyright held by Paul Merca)
Sam Prakel is one of those young athletes that will surprise many one day. On the cusp of a big breakthrough, Sam ran a 3:50.94 mile in Boston in March 2019! Prakel was sixth in the US outdoor champs 1,500m in Des Moines last July 28. In Feb 2020, Sam was seventh in the 1,500m at the US champs in Albequerque, New Mexico.
Jeff Benjamin sent Sam some questions on training in the current era, and this is how Sam responded:
Awaiting The Baton In The Relay Exchange Zone – Profiles Of Athletes, Coaches & Legends During The War Against Corona
Profile # 24
5-Time All-American & 3:50 Miler ADIDAS Runner Sam Prakel
By Jeff Benjamin
How is your daily training/coaching regimen going and how challenging has it been for you in this environment?
“I have tried to keep my daily training routine pretty close to what it normally would be during the season, even though the training I’m doing is slightly different and alone for the most part. Having a good routine is important during this time since everything else is so unstructured among all the cancellations. With all the tracks in my area closed, I have been doing a lot more longer, endurance work on trails along with more hills to still work on the power I’d normally get from track work. Weight training has also been a challenge with all the gyms closed. I’ve been getting creative with some at-home lifts using just bands and light dumbbells and kettlebells. There is so much you can do to work on strengthening your weak areas, and now is a great time to focus in on that. Getting back to some solid mileage has been fun too, and a good reminder of why I got into the sport in the first place- I just enjoy running and being outdoors.”
What advice can you give to runners, -especially youth, high school, collegiate- who are challenged during this time as well?
” The best advice I could give right now is to find enjoyment in the training. If you can love the process of getting stronger and faster, you will be in the sport for a long time. Races will be back eventually, and you want to be ready to go whether it’s this summer or this fall. Go explore a new running route or try a new workout. As long as you’re safe about it, now is a good time to have fun with it and use it as a healthy distraction from the stressors in other areas of life.”
