Drexel Long

If you followed track and field in the early 1990s, you probably heard about Drexel Long. One of the most accomplished 400-meter runners in the country, she was the 1994 Southwest Conference 400-meter champion (with a time of 52.93) and was a six-time All American track athlete while attending the University of Houston.

“I ran because it was fun, a challenge, gave me a goal to strive for and I loved the true teamwork on the relays,” Long says. “It also got me a free education!”

Long was born in Philadelphia, but as an “army brat,” was raised all over the country. She attended high school in New Jersey, where she played field hockey and ran track.

“I was actually ranked number two in the nation in 1991, my senior year in high school, in the 400 meters, right behind future Olympic champion Marion Jones. I was awarded a full track scholarship to the University of Houston, where I majored in kinesiology with a concentration in sports administration. I’ve been in Texas ever since.”

The 38-year-old Long ran for legendary UH track coach Tom Tellez.

“Coach Tellez and his assistants were some of the best in the country. They are the people who coached Carl Lewis, LeRoy Burrell and other Olympians. I competed in just about every event there was, 55, 60, 100, 200 and 400 meters, the 400-meter hurdles, 800 meters, all the relays and the long jump.”

Long says she qualified for the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials, but was advised by Tellez to refine her training and target the 1996 Trials. However, by that time, she was focused on becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college. An attempt to qualify for the 2000 Olympics was derailed by a training injury. She officially retired from competitive running in 2000 and began teaching 11 years ago.

“I became a physical education teacher because I wanted to help students become lifelong fitness learners. I also wanted them to become healthy at a young age. I teach at three middle schools in the Houston and Cypress-Fairbanks areas. I love teaching because I can be a walking billboard of health and fitness for my students.”

After competing from ‘03-‘09 in various natural, drug-free bodybuilding competitions at the amateur and professional levels, Long found her passion in CrossFit.

“I have been doing CrossFit at least five days a week since last year. I workout at CrossFit West Houston and at Lifetime Fitness City Center.”

At 5’ 7” and 142 pounds, Drexel says she eats a very clean diet consisting of five to six meals per day. She balances lean meats, veggies and carbs and a Body By Vi protein shake after her intense CrossFit workouts.

“I drink Neuro energy throughout my workout and take vitamins. I eat to stay in sports model shape, so I am always ready for a photo shoot. I am an FMI alumna (Fitness Model International).

Long has been a sports model since 2007 and recently became a Visalus Body By Vi 90-Day Fitness Challenge (Msguns.bodybyvi.com) promoter and distributor.

“It’s a program that was created to help people lose weight, gain muscle, maintain what they have created, achieve better health and stay fit.”

She is a woman who wears many hats, but would one day like to put it all together for her dream job.

“One day I would love to become an athletic director for an athletic conference, college, school district or private school

—Lisa Malosky

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