Five years ago Kathryn Gregory never dreamed she’d be running in the Braves Country 4-Miler Race with her two youngest sons, but that was before she became “strong enough” to do it.
“Chris and Patrick are fast runners and could have finished long before me, but they ran at my pace. We’ve always been a close-knit family, but running together is such a different experience and so much fun,” said Gregory, RN, CPN, advice nurse at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
When Gregory was 50, several things triggered a desire to get in shape. She noticed an Irongirl Triathlon announcement at work, she knew that CHOA gave discounts on gym memberships, and she read the book “Younger Next Year.”
“My last son had gone to college and I don’t start work until 5 in the evening, so I have time to exercise during the day,” she said. “I always thought triathlons were for younger people, but everyone at CHOA was so encouraging. I learned that you don’t have to be young, super fit or have a trainer to participate. I just decided to get over my embarrassment and join the gym.”
As she began training for the three-pronged competition, Gregory realized that she was already a good swimmer and her son was working at a bike shop and could give her cycling tips. Running would be the greatest challenge.
“I’m not very fast, but I’ve told myself it’s OK to slow down when I have to and even walk up the hills. It’s about finishing, not winning,” said Gregory, 55.
A typical triathlon consists of a 600-yard swim in a lake, followed by an 18-mile bike ride and a three-mile run. She has completed six triathlons in the past five years.
“I never win. There are some serious competitors out there and it would take so much more training to win, but getting involved with CHOA’s Strong4Life program and deciding to go for it was one of the best things I’ve ever done,” she said.
Gregory swims, runs or cycles every day to build stamina. She runs in the morning with her dogs at Gwinnett County parks near her Grayson home. She swims at a pool at her gym or on Lake Lanier or Lake Alatoona, often with her son, a kayaker. On days that she doesn’t swim, she often cycles 45 minutes or longer.
Since she started training, Gregory has lost weight and gained muscle. She has more energy and she is healthier. Using resources provided by CHOA’s Strong4Life program, Gregory has adopted a more nutritious diet.
Before her oldest son’s wedding last year, Gregory lost 23 pounds, bought a new dress and received more compliments than she’s ever received in her life.
But the biggest benefits have been to her emotional and spiritual well-being, she said.
“I listen to religious podcasts and music as I run and I end my workouts with prayer or listening to one of my favorite worship song tapes,” Gregory said. “I’ve seen a shift in my prayer life and in my confidence to do things that I wouldn’t have done before. I’ve seen a profound shift in how I think about the rest of my life and everything I do.”
A pediatric nurse since 1979, Gregory answers her work phone knowing that she has the willingness, wisdom, knowledge and tact to help distraught parents on the other end of the line.
“I consider myself a servant to the parents that call. My mission is to stay focused and compassionate until I make sure they are OK. I’m fully engaged in my work every day,” she said.
Gregory recently received a call from a young mother who was sitting outside a pharmacy, didn’t know what medicine to buy for her child and felt that she had no one else to ask.
“I’m not going to let you go until you know what to do,” Gregory told her.
Whether she’s dealing with an upset parent, going through scary medical tests of her own, or in the middle of a triathlon, Gregory has found the strength to get through it.
“The motto 'strong enough’ is now part of me, and I’m so grateful to my family for their support and to have an employer who cares about people,” she said. “They have so many programs to help people get active and healthy. I tell people (that) they don’t have to make good times, they just need to get involved. It will make a difference.”
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