Carmen Graves is a professional track racer sponsored by Oiselle, and she specializes in the uniquely challenging event of the steeplechase. Graves's unexpected discovery of excelling at this event and the surprising reality that she continues to improve as a steeplechaser at the age of 33 is what this story is all about.
Graves loves to run and race, and she is exceptional, but her journey has been punctuated with moments of frustration and questioning. She's experienced crippling race anxiety and, often as the only Black woman on the starting line, feelings of not belonging. Graves also recognizes the impact of racism in the sport of track and field: how Black women and women of color are often steered toward sprint events, while white woman are more likely to be introduced to distance events.
Alongside facing these hurdles, Graves has gone through times of terrific self-discovery and triumph. She's towing the line these days with ever stronger confidence and ability, and she's feeling all the more empowered about the importance of representation. Graves has also gone through some big changes recently that are resulting in some new PRs and boosted confidence coming into the 2024 Olympic Trials. This will be Graves third appearance at the Olympic Trials, and she's coming in more ready than ever to go after a spot on Team USA. Get ready to cheer her on!
In this episode, Graves covers her fascinating steeplechase journey, and to kick things off, she gives a detailed description of the event itself. If you are unfamiliar with the steeplechase, or even if you are, this is a wonderful opportunity to sit with how truly difficult and, quite frankly, scary this event is, from a woman who is one of the best.
In addition to training and racing, Graves is the co-founder with her husband, Sean Stetler, of Denver Athletics, an all-inclusive community running club that welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities. The organization also hosts all-comers track meets, and in 2023, they hosted seven events. Graves also works full time as a program advisor for the Center of Work Education and Employment.
Please stay tuned all the way to the end of the episode, where Graves shares some post-steeplechase racing goals.
Keep Up with Carmen Graves
Instagram: @carmenpelar
Website: carmenpelar.com
Mentioned in this Episode
Denver Athletics Instagram: @denver_athletics
Denver Athletics website: denverathletics.org
Oiselle: oiselle.com
Music Credits
Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh
Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay
Rockot, via Pixabay
penguinmusic, via Pixabay
Coma-Media, via Pixabay
chillmore, via Pixabay
Grand Project, via Pixabay
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Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com
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