This is the fifty-fifth edition of The Duluth Runner Interview Series, where I get in touch with (mainly) local runners and athletes to share a bit of their story while inspiring others to pursue an active lifestyle.

Intro

“I call myself a life long silent sports person with tennis as my primary sport in combination with track, biking, Nordic skiing, Alpine skiing, golf and more.  “Distance” running took off during my college days at Madison when I was so scared of the ‘Freshman 15’ that I started jogging daily. 

Over two decades of one to two weekly 5 or 10k’s during non snow months followed by two or more half marathons per month in the 90’s with average times of 23-25 minute 5k’s, 43-50 min 10k’s, and half marathons in 1:50-1:59, I had lots of fun. The only two full marathons I did were in the 4:00-4:30 range without training, I was fine afterwards due to my base and engine, but bored as heck. I’m proud of finishing every single event I started, even if I was last.  

Moving to Duluth in 2002 brought with it more activities such as: kayaking, canoeing, dabbling in rowing, competitive dragon boating, trail running, and mountain biking.”

Today’s guest is…Eve Graves!

Interview

Why is running important to you?

Running was important to me to keep myself and those around me sane.

What are the top two or three things that you do to prevent injury? Have you been susceptible to certain injuries in the past?

Despite 35+ years of continuous running, I avoided running injuries.  Having a strong core along with cross training to build up my supporting muscles and give the running muscles a break contributed to my success. 

Sherrie Christian, the best foot person in town, can help you stave off injuries by making sure you are in the correct shoe for you.  She was also an amazing custom orthotic maker.  Having proper shoes for YOUR foot will make you more successful too. 

Starting slowly is a recipe for safely achieving your goals.  Building a base of 5k/10k for a year, then a year of half marathons, then moving to a full is a great way to stay injury free.  I have “inherited” injured runners from other coaches who allowed them to train for a full in their first year of running. 

Taking a day for speed, a day for hills, and a day for long and slow will also mix up the way you use your muscles and make you faster. 

Something I learned from experience: If you decide to train for a race with hills and plan to walk the uphill’s, make sure you do that in your training. I typically ran all the ascents during my normal running and did a 25k where I was unsure of how I would do so I decided to walk them, my calf was angry at the end. 

Although I have not had a running injury, I have some invisible diseases that have unfortunately put an end to my running and some other activities.  Ehler’s Danlos is a connective tissue disorder that I have had since birth but figured out I had it about ten years ago.  I thought it was normal to have a PT file two feet thick. I also couldn’t figure out how people could sprain an ankle when I was able to roll mine to the bone and be fine.  One time during the Birkie Relay I was jogging back to the car and rolled it all the way to the bone. Some high school kid saw me do it and grimaced. For five years when I was in my 20’s I had to wear an SI belt when I ran because my SI was that unstable.  

Malcolm Macaulay is a genius if you want to get back to athletics.  I credit him for my longevity in running and other sports because he introduced me to “core” and how to strengthen it, which got me out of that belt.

Giving up running has been one of the most challenging things I have had to do because it was the only thing that gave me the endorphin rush and relaxation.  

Exercise is one of my priorities and I am thankful to be able to do an hour at a time these days, despite having severe stenosis in my neck/back. My physical therapy Angels Anita, Shanele, and Suzanne at In Motion Physical Therapy work their muscle energy magic on me weekly.  Acupuncture is another one of my weekly tools along with taking a daily sauna, doing Qigong, a PT routine, and more.  

My diagnosis of Cold Utricaria (allergy to the cold) as a teenager along with Chilblains, which makes Reynaud’s look like a walk in the park, could keep me inside, but I love winter so I found ways to conquer it.  I use Warmskin on my exposed areas, wear goggles, use a Lungplus (mouth worn reheater/humidifier), and buy hand warmers and toe heaters by the case so I can enjoy all the cold I want, even if I look rather interesting doing it.

What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a workout?

I’m self-motivated and tend to motivate others…or irritate them with my attempts.

@TheDuluthRunner

Who is in your workout support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?

As a long time coach I have been fortunate to work with quite a few talented coaches in high school coaching positions, and also when I coached for Northwest Club Run for five years, so I actually have people coming to me to ask questions!

When people say, “I can’t”…I say yes you can, this is how.  There is always a way, just use what does work!

When/what is your next race?

My “racing” days are over, now I just walk the events fast, or support others on bike while they race. I put on the Rivet Run/Walk, which supports the trails at Pattison State Park twice a year in July and November.  So far I’ve raised over $35,000 for the trails there. The next one is modified and in person on November 7th.

Do you prefer roads or trails and why?

Trails!!  When running trails it is so peaceful and you get to use a different muscle with every step. We are blessed with a plethora of trails in Duluth, which makes it even more fun!

What do you think about while you run?

Geez, it totally depends on where I’m running or what’s going on.  I’ve gotten through longer runs in the past by designing a house in my head.

What is your most memorable race or running achievement?

I’ve had many, but three that come to mind are the Dip Sea in California, the Beast of Big Creek in Washington State, and pushing my dad up Mount Lemmon in a wheelchair in Arizona during a half marathon at altitude. 

The Dip Sea is an “elite” trail race that is tricky to get into.  I wrote a really good essay and got in on the first try.  Beast of Big Creek is an event I suggest any trail runner does at least once.  It is an inexpensive event, beautiful trail, loads of goodies, and a great race director. 

Pushing my dad uphill for 13 miles was one of the most memorable experiences in my lifetime thus far that I’ve ever had.

@TheDuluthRunner

Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).

There are quite a few adventures I’ve had doing so many events over the years!  One to forget is the Gopher to Badger Half. We started out and immediately the rain came down in buckets and was up to our ankles, I had never been in anything like this.  Then the lightning started and I am deathly afraid of lighting.  It sure made me run faster despite the acute IT band injury I had from falling over a soccer ball.  Lightning was striking really close and we were all ducking, later I found out the faster runners saw it hit a transformer!  A bunch of us finally pulled off on a random person’s porch after we realized there was no bus coming for us. After waiting out the storm, we finished and found a mere few tortilla chips and some bread and jelly, that was it! The shirt was super neat though and is in one of my t-shirt quilts.

@TheDuluthRunner

* indicates required

What is something non-running related you would like to share with readers?

One year I mostly mountain biked and paddled, primarily in a dragon boat and racing canoe and ran very little.  The cross training and speed work from the dragon boat practices and “puking sprints” allowed me to take 5 minutes off my five mile trail running time!  Once those running muscles are there, which takes a few years of consistency and smart training, maintenance and cross training can get the job done.  

My contributions to the silent sports community are endless.  Volunteering at numerous events as a race director, timer, photographer, on boards, race committees, aid stations, sweeping, and even writing about them are just some of my background.  Two of my favorite volunteering experiences were as chief of timing for the Para Olympic Nordic/biathlon for two years and as an announcer for the International Special Olympics.

Officiating is something else I’ve done quite a bit of.  In my younger years umpiring softball and volleyball were my thing and then I moved into state Nordic ski meets, state cc meets, and more.  

Nordic skiing and skijoring are two of my other passions.  Twenty Kortes along with numerous other events including winter tri’s and skijoring are a blast and keep you in shape for summer running.  

Coaching is something I have been involved with for over thirty years as a certified coach working with preschool to the elderly, tennis, running, skiing and more.  Noticing a need for the total beginner, or person preferring to move very leisurely, about 12 years ago I started working solely with that group.  

I sustained a life changing concussion 9 years ago while coaching Nordic skiing.  My vision was permanently damaged and I have other lingering issues.  Advice I was not given, that I hope others will follow is to let your eyes and brain rest if you hit your head.  I stayed conscious, had nothing but a huge knot on my head and neck pain, but a week later, after being on the computer, watching TV, reading, my vision changed forever.  

Get out there and use what works, just keep on moving however you are able! 

Closing

Many thanks to Eve for agreeing to stop by Duluth Runner and share some of her knowledge/experiences with everyone. I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Interview Series – stick around for more to come!