GRAHAMSVILLE - The ancient Greeks understood the importance of having a sound mind and a sound body. While physical strength, stamina, flexibility and finesse are often the most talked about aspects of great athletes, the role of mindset, thorough knowledge of one’s sport, strategy and the ability to marshal one’s will and determination, are of equal importance. In short, the body can only do what the mind wills it to.

To understand the amazing running exploits of Tri-Valley junior Adam Furman this winter, one needs to know far more about him than his stunning times, repeated personal records (PR’s), and places in big meets, all of which are integral parts of his story. Indeed, Adam’s success is not just predicated on his uncanny endurance and speed. It is literally a function of who he is, how he thinks, what he does to prepare over and above the regimen of training and how his passion for running seemingly knows no bounds.

The Furmans are all runners. His dad and coach Chip was one of the greatest runners in Tri-Valley history and then became an integral part of the ACC Cross-Country Championship at North Carolina State. His mom Julie was a mid-distance school record setter in the 600 that stood for 18 years. She was part of the 4x800 team whose school record of 9:39 set at the Penn Relys still stands and part of back-to-back-to back Tri-Valley state championship wins. She went on to Roberts Wesleyan and ran all three seasons there. Adam’s younger brother Van is off on his own meteoric rise in all three running seasons, ever mindful of what Adam has done with a mind towards besting his times. Younger sister Anna was the top modified girls runner this fall and will ascend to varsity this coming fall. It’s a very nurturing environment.

Chip notes, “He’s always been very focused and determined. He has more interest in knowing about other people’s times and accomplishments than I ever did. He has an amazing understanding of the sport. He’s just very mature for his age.”

Adam has never been interested in any other sport except running, and from seventh grade modified to the present, that has been a three-season venture. Modified was relatively low key with three to four mile-a-day workouts. His parents were mindful of not burning him out early, but he was still a top ten finisher in invitationals. In ninth grade he moved to varsity but usually finished behind the Rush twins (Sean and Daniel). Tenth grade was the Covid year with just spring track. Adam got involved with the steeplechase and fell in love with the event. Unfortunately, at an invitational he suffered a stress fracture in his leg which ended his season.

By late summer he was back at it, training at a North Carolina State camp preparing for this past fall’s cross-country season. Adversity never stops him, not even taking a wrong turn at an early season Bear Mt. Invitational and getting disqualified. At a Pre-State meet at Chenango Valley he finished second by three-seconds and beat eventual cross-country champion Colton Kempney from Beaver River by 30 seconds. That’s when his confidence level really took off.

Ultimately Furman finished second to Kempney at states and led his team to a state championship.

“That was the hardest race I’ve ever run,” he recalls.

This winter was problematic with the cancellation of West Point as the main venue. That left the weekly meets at Sullivan County Community College, which were hardly competitive for Furman.

“I really didn’t have any goals going into the season,” he admits.

Coaches Furman and Tyler Eckhoff envisioned just getting ready for spring. But at a meet at the Armory, he set a new PR. Then he won the state qualifier in 9:21 at Ocean Breeze, besting runners from all classes in the 3200 and breaking Joe Iatauro’s record set 23 years prior.

In the state meet, the fastest race in state meet history he finished sixth, the fastest junior. Counting the Federation runners from all the other leagues around the state, he was tenth overall and beat Iatuaro’s record for the third time with a stunning 9:18.35.

In nationals he posted a 9:22.32 in the two mile, which equated to his time in the 3200 at states.

Furman trains differently for each season. They are three different sports, and Cross-Country is his favorite. Training begins in summer with runs from his house atop Moore Hill, a 2000-foot elevation. In summer, it’s about building mileage and endurance.

“I try to get back in shape after my break from spring track,” he notes.

For indoor track, initially it’s more about sprints and building speed since he already has the endurance established. The regimen changes as the big meets approach at the end of the season. Furman is incredibly adaptable. For the coming spring, the emphasis will be on the shorter distance speedier runs like the 800, and, of course, preparing for the steeplechase.

Furman has goals: “I want to hit 9:10 in the 3200 and would love to win the state championship.”

He will have to beat Kempney and other contenders, but he will fix his mind on watching what others are doing, viewing videos, all of which he defines as his “hobby.”

Colleges are lining up with their interest in him. Twenty or more so far. He wants to pursue a course of study in business administration and, of course, run at the next level, hopefully in the south. Wake Forest and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill look promising in both respects. Furman just loves to run.

“I really love the feeling afterward. I usually set a new PR.”

Adam Furman’s ability to maximize mind, body and spirit has brought him his latest honor, Sullivan County Democrat Outstanding male athlete of the winter. To be sure, it won’t be his last accolade. With the spring and then another full year ahead, the best is yet to come.

Furman File (Winter2021-22)

• Sullivan County Champion in the 1000 and 1600
• First in Section IX State Qualifier eclipsing a 23-year old school record in 9:21
• Sixth in NYSPHSAA Indoor Track Championships and top junior, new PR 9:18.35
• Nationals 14th fastest junior in two mile in 9:22.32