forever strong
BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
The same passion, persistence and athlete’s attitude that was central in Nicole Gross’ life as a triathlete and coach has also been the driving force in her recovery.
One year ago, Nicole stood alongside her sister and husband at the finish of the Boston Marathon. It was a special weekend to support their mom, Carol, whom Nicole coached and encouraged on her journey to Boston.
Nicole, a USA Triathlon Certified Coach, soaked in the energy of Marathon Monday and was thrilled to cheer for her mom as she crossed the finish line — just like Carol had done so many times at Nicole’s swim meets and triathlons over the years.
But before Carol could complete the race, their lives were flipped upside down.
Nicole and her sister, Erika, were standing a few feet from where the first bomb went off. In a moment, the joyous energy of the world’s most historic marathon turned to terror, shock and chaos. Nicole knew tragedy had struck, and felt helpless lying on the ground, unable to get up.
“I remember looking down and having a clear vision; seeing legs that were once capable of standing and running. But I had no ability to stand up and run for safety,” Nicole says.
The explosion fractured two bones in Nicole’s lower leg, nearly severed her Achilles tendon and ruptured her eardrum — but it wouldn’t tear apart her family, strength or passion for the endurance community. “I’ve always
known she was strong, but I’ve seen her more determined than ever to work to get her strength back,” Carol says, proud of the way her daughter has handled her recovery.
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
After 34 days in the hospital and a year of vigorous rehabilitation, surgeries and physical therapy, Nicole has relearned how to stand, how to walk and how to swim. This April, she’ll be participating in the B.A.A. 5K, the Saturday before the 118th Boston Marathon.
But Nicole’s recovery hasn’t come without challenges. As a former swimmer at the University of Tennessee, Nicole’s competitive edge and love for endurance sports led her to triathlon, where she excelled as an athlete and coach. Exercise had always been her comfortable, familiar place — and when it was taken away, she had to find new ways to heal.
“I’ve had to really learn how to handle all of this without the go-to — exercise. So I’m learning a whole lot more about me from the inside out,” Nicole says. “I’m learning healthy ways to cope that don’t require breaking a sweat or pushing my body.”
34 USA TRIATHLON SPRING 2014
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