Nicole’s husband, Michael, witnesses her inner athlete on a daily basis in the way she faces tough physical and mental challenges.
“She understands that not every day will be a success and that hard work and positivity will see her through to the finish. Two key attributes to being successful — be it in triathlon or life,” Michael says.
Six months after the tragedy, Nicole’s wounds had healed enough for her to get back in the pool — a moment that brought her full circle.
“I had goose bumps throughout my whole body during that first 50 freestyle that I dove in and completed. It was a nice reminder of where I started, and that was always in the pool,” she says.
Nicole has come a long way, and a lot of her progress is due to her positive, competitive spirit. When describing her mental attitude, Carol says, if you ask her to do 10 reps, she’ll do 20.
A NATION OF SUPPORT
While there’s still a long road of recovery ahead, Nicole is hopeful for the future, and thankful she isn’t on this journey alone.
Her family has given her strength and support. From her husband, whom she describes as her rock and everyday hero, to her sister, who has handled the loss of her left leg and the setbacks in her recovery with courage and positivity.
Nicole also has found hope in her athletes, including Cadie Jessup, a single-leg, above-knee amputee whom Nicole coached through her first triathlon back in 2010.
“Cadie has been a huge inspiration to me before, during and after Boston,” Nicole says. And her return to an active lifestyle is a constant encouragement to Nicole and Erika.
What happened in Boston shook the entire endurance community, and Nicole has been humbled by the generosity of others.
She’s received an overwhelming amount of support from coaches, athletes, medical staff and her home city of Charlotte, N.C., among many others.
“Just knowing that people cared enough to reach out in whatever capacity, through cards, through emails and texts, to wanting to take care of my athletes while I had to be forced to take care of myself, is just tremendous,” Nicole says.
Along with her husband, Nicole is eager to pay it forward to the community that helped save their lives. Even in her hospital bed, she was ready to give back.
“It wasn’t long before Nicole caught wind that one of her doctors was training for a triathlon. He was without a coach until Nicole took over his training program and began coaching him from her hospital bed,” Michael says. “Her passion for helping others achieve greatness knows no bounds.”
THEIR BOSTON MARATHON FINISH
Nicole is coaching her mom again — to her Boston finish.
Having some quiet time to work on Carol’s training plan has been a blessing for Nicole as it gives her a sense of normalcy.
“I send her text messages literally five to six times a day and she gives me updates about her run workouts,” Nicole says.
They share a special connection through training that helps close the gap in distance from not living near one other. When Carol is out on a run, she says it feels like her daughter is right beside her, and it helps her to work harder.
“There is a very special bond that we have this year as she trains me to finish the race,” Carol says. “This, more than any other race, has a special meaning for us. It will close a chapter in our lives and hopefully be a very healing moment for our family.”
Nicole and her family will return to Boston for the anniversary of April 15 and will stay through Marathon Monday in celebration of the nation’s strength, bravery and unity.
“It’s going to be magical,” Nicole says, and she knows the race’s energy will be unlike any other year — past or future — because of how the city has been so resilient. “Runners are going to have a lot of reasons to be at the start and finish line.”
It’s not too late to help Nicole and her family through the Be Strong Stay Strong fund. For more information, visit
www.bestrongstaystrong.net.
USATRIATHLON.ORG USA TRIATHLON 35
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