Featured Client: Alex Crabill
Featured Client: Alex Crabill
I met Alex Crabill about a year and a half ago when he and several of his UCLA cross country and track & field cronies would come to my Runner’s Yoga 90210™ class on Monday nights in Beverly Hills. Since then he has taken his running to a new level and not just in one distance category. A top competitor in the 1500m, mile, 3000m, 5000m and even the marathon, Alex said, “After going to class weekly, I noticed subtle changes in the way I approached racing. Everything began to have more purpose; every second, every step, every breath.”
As an athlete competing for UCLA at the NCAA level, Alex says that Runner’s Yoga helped him find the edge he needed. He went on to say, “My training was intense, but my mind was all over the place. Yoga helped me to focus my breathing and my thoughts in sync with my body, as well as work on general flexibility.” When it came down to put his yoga practice to the test Alex responded with a personal best in the mile blazing into the finish line first with a time of 4:02.49. He continued to use Runner’s Yoga in his training and preparation for the prestigious 2010 Berlin Marathon and finished the race 20th overall with a time of 2:20.38, a record that is now tied for sixth all-time in UCLA school history. He incidentally was also the first American to finish the race.
Crabill currently in his senior year is still competing for the Bruins in their outdoor track season. Just a few weeks ago in a dual meet he and two of his teammates swept the 1500m event and then he came back and won the 3000m event, proudly helping the Bruins beat Tennessee 111-50! He has another home meet this weekend at UCLA’s Drake Stadium if you want to go catch a glimpse of greatness.
As I tell all my runners, now using yoga to complement their training, when they step up to that starting line, whether it’s Boston or Berlin, or 5000m on the track or one’s first 5K open road race, their physical training has already been completed. What they do mentally in the race will make all the difference. I’m so glad this renewed mental strength has happened for Alex and wish him continued success in his running career.
May you all have the same courage to try something new like yoga and the fortitude to thrive in it when it works!
Namaste’
Angie
Photo Credit: Kent Morikaw
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Angie,
Thank you for all your kind words. Your energy and charisma would make anyone want to succeed. As you have said, training is not just about making yourself physically able to run a race, but preparing your mind as well, so when that difficult point comes late in a race, your mind is strong enough to will your body forward. Runner’s Yoga helps all of my training come into focus, and you help us visualize that diffcult point every training session. If I keep taking myself there mentally, I know that in a race I will know what to do. Best of luck with your class, and namaste’.
Alex
Angie
I love your website awesome story about Alex. Of course I echo his remarks about your class. You know how much I value you and the class is a life changing experience. It is hard to find the appropriate words to express how amazing my life has changed since I have had the pleasure of being a part of Runners Yoga. You are a Gift to the World.
Peace
Keith
Right on!