News Messenger
  • News
    • Local
    • Sports
    • School
    • State News
    • National News
  • Obituaries
  • Opinions
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Southern Baptist
  • Legals
  • eEdition
  • Classifieds
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Login
Subscribe For $2.50/Month
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Local
    • Sports
    • School
    • State News
    • National News
  • Obituaries
  • Opinions
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Southern Baptist
  • Legals
  • eEdition
  • Classifieds
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
News Messenger
No Result
View All Result
  • National News
  • VA State News
  • WV State News
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Content
  • Subscribe
Home Sports

Christiansburg runner has beer named after her

July 5, 2022
in Sports
24
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By Marty Gordon

NRVsports@ourvalley.org

This past week, Christiansburg runner Carmen Graves helped unveil a beer at hometown brewery Iron Tree named Blue Collar Beer after her and her philosophy of being a blue-collar runner who lays down fast times while holding a full-time job..

Blue-collar runners “grind on the daily to fit in both work and training,” Graves said. “They are the runners who don’t have a running contract, but still have big dreams.”

Her dream is of qualifying for the steeplechase in the Olympics. She initially qualified in 2016 but sustained a plantar fasciitis injury that sent her to the sidelines. Her time was 9.52, barely hitting the Olympics qualifying standard of 9.53. This year the committee lowered the standard to 9:50, which worried her because she hasn’t run under 9:50 in over six years.

“I ended up qualifying with a personal best time of 9:47 at the Portland Track Fest (May 27),” Graves said. “It’s exciting because I know that I can run faster. I fell in the water pit and still ran a personal best in Portland, so I am excited to see how fast I can run while staying on my feet.”

A 2009 graduate of Christiansburg High School, Graves now lives in Denver. After an outstanding career at CHS and Roanoke College, she went on to run in the professional ranks.

“I identify myself as a blue collar runner,” Graves said. “I work full time in education and coach track and field while also rubbing elbows with full-time professional runners.”

This past week, she said, “It’s probably not the best recovery strategy, but after a long day at work and a hard training session, I just want to relax on the couch with my husband, my dog, and a cold beer. It’s hard to find a good IPA that hits the spot just right after a run,” Graves said.

“My taste buds seem to be sensitive after physical activity, and the typical IPA can taste too harsh and strong. The perfect post-run beer to me is light and refreshing while still holding the integrity of an IPA; hence, Blue Collar Runner,” she said.

Graves said it was important to work with Iron Tree Brewing Company because they are helping to make downtown Christiansburg special.

“The Brewhouse Manager, Seth Locklear, has been great to collaborate with, and he took all my

suggestions into consideration,” she said.

Iron Tree Brewing Company is a new brewery that is not yet at the point where it is canning beers yet, but it’s definitely a possibility in the future for Graves and her newly named beer.

“I’ve been healthy and happy, which has allowed me to get into consistent training for the last four years,” she said. “Moving to Denver and training at high altitudes has also been a good change.”

Previous Post

VT 2022 class of All-Americas is largest in program history

Next Post

Virginia, Norfolk Southern finalize plan for NRV passenger rail

Next Post
Virginia, Norfolk Southern finalize plan for NRV passenger rail

Virginia, Norfolk Southern finalize plan for NRV passenger rail

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join Our Newsletter

  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Local
    • Sports
    • School
    • State News
    • National News
  • Obituaries
  • Opinions
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Southern Baptist
  • Legals
  • eEdition
  • Classifieds
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Login

© 2020 Mountain Media, LLC.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Forgot your password?

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Back to login