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Carmen P. Graves

@carmenpelar

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Steeplechaser —> Trail Runner
Pro Runner for @merrellrunning
Fueled by @openfuel
Co-founder of @denver_athletics
Colorado 📍
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Just another lovely day in Colorado 🐐⛰️ Starting to taper and loving the extra time and energy 💫 taken in Waterton Canyon by @carmenpelar
6
3 days ago
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One week out from @kodiak_ultramarathons Why skip the marathon and go straight to a 50K? It’s complicated. @merrellrunning 📷: @_guaresti_ by @carmenpelar
14
4 days ago
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Merrell x 5280 Run Club x Off Days Denver 🫱🏽‍🫲🏻 taken in North Table Mountain by @carmenpelar
4
5 days ago
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A rare free weekend led us to the mountains to soak up the first few days of fall. Decked out in @merrell taken in Colorado by @carmenpelar
11
10 days ago
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Slowing down and smelling the roses is something that doesn’t come natural to me. Then I started trail running, and all I can do is absorb the little moments that connects me to nature. It’s truly the best part of my day 🥰 @merrellrunning taken in Green Mountain by @carmenpelar
2
16 days ago
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More photos with @ruthie.molitor at Red Rocks. Just two gals, a camera and a mood board ✨ taken in Red Rocks Park by @carmenpelar
6
21 days ago
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Kismet Cliff Run: A slightly dramatic race recap of my experience as a former track athlete, tackling my second Skyrace. Leading up to the race, I knew Kismet Cliff Run was going to be a challenge. Unfamiliar and rugged east coast trails, steady rain in the forecast, and about 4,600 ft of elevation gain were a few variables I expected and felt mentally prepared for. Swipe to continue… The first couple of miles were fast and runnable with some low profile obstacles. I eased my way into a group of competitive women and the pace felt easy leading into the first climb. I felt in control, mostly running and minimal hiking on the ascent. I was flying downhill and found myself in the lead at the start of the main climb before mile five. The next three miles were technical and required skilled power hiking and climbing with hands and feet over big rocks. This is the “Skyrunning” portion that I struggle with. Swipe to continue… I felt fit and capable leading into the race but I quickly realized I didn’t have the skillset to navigate this type of terrain. My brain was working overtime trying to figure out the best lines to take, where to place my feet, and which direction to go after clearing an obstacle. I dropped from first to third, with fourth and fifth ladies on my heels at the summit. I was so relieved when I reached the main summit because it was time to crush the downhill and gain on the leaders. Fear replaced relief when I realized the first section of the downhill was just a big slab of granite rock (imagine a rock water slide down the side of a mountain ☠️). Swipe to continue… The rain was officially a factor. I fell hard on my back and it took me a while to get back up. After the fall, the race turned upside down for me. Even though I decided to go slow to stay upright, I went down on my back again. If there was an aid station nearby I would’ve dropped right then. Luckily, I had no choice but to keep going. My race was “slipping” away (lol) with every slow and cautious step I took. I finally started figuring out the technique on the fly - short and choppy steps, like pumping the breaks on a car. My new goal was to just to get to the finish line taken in Echo Lake State Park by @carmenpelar
9
22 days ago
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Happy to finally announce my partnership with @openfuel 🗝️🐆 Since starting mountain running, I’ve been lucky to find a brand that values sustainability while also meeting my fueling needs. I’m so stoked to join the open fuel team and represent this amazing brand ✨ photos: @ruthie.molitor taken in Colorado by @carmenpelar
21
a month ago
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Kismet Cliff Run half marathon tomorrow, my second Skyrace for this series! Excited to see what my legs can do on some rugged slippery east coast trails. Photo 1 & 4 @skyrunner__usa Photo 2 & 3 @coreewoltering taken in North Conway, New Hampshire by @carmenpelar
8
25 days ago
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My new profile photo and some quotes that keep me going. Photo 1: @_guaresti_ @merrellrunning #trailrunning #skyrunning #mountainrunning #runningmotivation #merrellrunning by @carmenpelar
6
2 months ago
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I visited my family this past weekend and jumped into the Draper Mile. It was a shock to my legs to go from racing a 15 mile Skyrace to a 1 mile road race within a week. I immediately went lactic and held on. Fun fact: the course record (4:31) was set by me in 2014 when I was 23. Fast forward 12 years later, I never thought I would still be racing competitively. Record setting days are behind me, but I was still able to squeak out a 4:39 mile (and win my age group 😂). Thankful for my longevity in this sport and hopeful for more years ahead. taken in Blacksburg, Virginia by @carmenpelar
9
2 months ago
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The Merrell Trail Team North American Summit held in Hoodsport, WA was such a special experience. I was able to meet all my teammates in person and make new trail running friends. I also had the opportunity to meet the Merrell product team to learn about future shoes designs and provide feedback on current products. We ran together, we ate together, we laughed and danced together. Words cannot express how grateful I am to be apart of this amazing team and the trail community as a whole. So much love to everyone who made this experience possible. Photo 1,2,&4: @_guaresti_ @merrellrunning @merrell @skyrunning @skyrunner__usa @beastofbigcreek taken in Hoodsport, Washington by @carmenpelar
14
2 months ago
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