Racing From Trauma to Triumph

In 2021, I shared a remarkable post about Kerry Gruson and Caryn Lubetsky, a story of hope and resiliency. These women continue to amaze and inspire me, and I hope you will feel the same. Tomorrow we travel to Washington, D.C., where these two women will compete in the Marine Corps Marathon/50K for the third consecutive year, with elite athlete Caryn Lubetsky pushing Kerry Gruson's wheelchair.

Source: Julio Mendez/Used with permission

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the attack on Kerry, who was severely disabled after an attempted strangulation by a veteran. Instead of feeling anger, remorse, grief, or bitterness, she wanted to find him and offer her forgiveness in person. After a long investigation, Kerry discovered that he had passed away. She was disappointed but hopes that her story will help others achieve peace of mind, knowing that even terrible acts can be forgiven. And perhaps others will learn that living with disabilities is life-altering but need not diminish one’s passion, purpose, or impact.

Kerry sees both herself and her assailant as victims of war. Rather than harboring anger, she uses her energy to transform life’s obstacles into opportunities. She views challenges as an invitation to use the imagination, to think more nimbly, and reset expectations. She works tirelessly to break down societal barriers about perceived limitations. Her partnership with Caryn Lubetsky proves the extraordinary impact of teamwork and offers a powerful model of unity in our divided times.

Since 2021, Kerry, Caryn, and their nonprofit, ThumbsUp International, have expanded their impact and earned an additional entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest run of a duo team (12 hours in Miami and 56.1 nonstop miles). The two have continued their mission to “Race2Educate.” Following their previous MCM50K run, they joined a session of an "Extreme Decisions" course taught by Nils Olsen, assistant professor of organizational sciences at George Washington University. “Kerry and Caryn are not only elite athletes, in the ways that they continuously push themselves to new physical heights, they’re also consistently looking for ways to optimize their mental acuity,” says Olsen. The pair are the embodiment of a growth mindset, as defined by psychologist Carol Dweck.

This year, they have been invited by graduate student Dara Reyblat, captain of the women’s swimming and diving team, to speak to the Division 1 student-athletes at George Washington University on Monday, October 28, 2024. Reyblat, who met Kerry and Caryn at last year’s lecture, says, “Meeting them and hearing their stories has profoundly changed me. They showed me how kindness and an unwavering belief in unity and collaboration can transform us both individually and collectively. They give me hope for our future, showing that even in our most challenging moments, connection and compassion can light the way forward.”

Source: Julio Mendez/Used with permission

Caryn explained to the GW students last year that she uses the following techniques to get through her races.

• Set SMART Goals: Use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goal framework to create clear, attainable objectives.
• Break Challenges into Small Steps: Break down large challenges into manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• Prioritize and Focus: Prioritize tasks and focus on one challenge at a time to build momentum. (“Step by step” in ThumbsUp speak.)
• Use Visualization and Affirmations: Visualize success and use positive affirmations to improve self-efficacy and motivation.
• Develop a Routine: Create a structured routine that incorporates time for addressing challenges.

To maintain motivation she advised the following:

• Reward Systems: Introduce extrinsic rewards as a way to reinforce progress, like small rewards for completing milestones.
• Accountability: Find accountability partners or join a group for external support and encouragement.
• Embrace Failure as Feedback: Reframe setbacks as learning experiences rather than as reasons to give up.
• Resilience and Self-Compassion: Employ self-compassion. Being kind to oneself can help one bounce back from setbacks more quickly.
• Reassess and Adjust: Review and adjust goals, strategies, and progress without feeling discouraged.

At 76 (Kerry) and 53 (Caryn) years of age, these women show no signs of slowing down. Kerry says that together with Caryn, she seeks to prove we are all interdependent and demonstrate the importance of teamwork—its impact and its power. The duo feel their message is even more important in this time of strife, mistrust, and disunity. I hope we can all learn from these women and incorporate their enthusiasm and dedication into our own lives as we watch them in action on Sunday.