SELF: Of all the people I’ve talked to, you’re among the most alert and energetic still, so I’m so impressed.
Graves: Yeah, I don’t know how I’m actually functioning still [laughs]. This is my fifth marathon. I have number six on December 1 in Seattle, and then seven is Eugene in April, and eight is San Francisco.
I did my fourth one two weeks ago, and that was tough. I spent a lot of time on the course by myself, and that was probably the first time I really had to push myself because I lost course support around mile 17.
What led you to start running in the first place, or getting into the marathons?
Graves: My wife. Somebody had mentioned to her that they didn’t think she could do a half [marathon], and it got her into it, and I’m like, “Yeah, I’ll do one half with you.” And then we finished and I saw it was half-price for the next year, so I did it again. Our first marathon was in 2022. And she was so excited to do this one this year.
What do you find rewarding about marathoning in general, as a physical feat or an emotional one, or both?
Graves: Both. It shows me I don’t give up. It’s really hard to do some of these runs, and when I’m out there at mile 20 and I just want to stop and say, “No, I’m done,” I’m showing myself what I can do. And at the end, that just makes it absolutely worth it. Once you finish, you have such a feeling of accomplishment, a rush of endorphins. It’s incredible.
