Alumni Spotlight: Caroline Gregory
11/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Caroline Gregory (1997-2001) was a member of the University of Michigan women's rowing program for four seasons, joining the team in its second year of varsity status. A regular contributor in the varsity four and second varsity four boats, Gregory helped the Wolverines earn its first two Big Ten rowing titles in 2000 and 2001. Michigan finished second overall at the 2001 NCAA Rowing Championships, Gregory's senior season, a performance that put the program on the map. Gregory earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2001, graduating from Michigan with a degree in business.
A native of Farmington Hills, Mich., Gregory moved west shortly after graduation, where she attended the California Western School of Law, earning her J.D. in 2006. After starting a successful career as an attorney, Gregory chose to pursue another ambition simultaneously by training to become a professional triathlete. Gregory had participated in her first Ironman Triathlon (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run), in 2003, but racing had taken a back seat to her career. Today, Gregory is a regular on the Ironman Triathlon circuit, finishing 51st overall (fifth in women's race) with an overall time of 10 hours, six minutes and 48 seconds in the Ironman Fortaleza in Brazil on Nov. 9. She will continue her training this year as she hopes to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in 2015, while working her full-time job with the San Francisco-based software company, Accela Inc.
Q. You were part of the Michigan Rowing program just as it became a national power in college rowing. What do you remember about that experience, as Michigan won its first Big Ten championship, and finished second at the NCAA Rowing Championships during your time in Ann Arbor?
A. I'll never forget sitting down with our coaches my freshman year and learning that, at that point, no women's team had won an NCAA title. This set the tone for my four years as a Michigan student athlete. The goal was quite simple: WIN. Always. Standing on the stage and accepting the Big Ten trophies, regional champion trophies and NCAA runner-up awards was a tremendous honor. We knew we were setting the stage for the teams to come and creating a tradition of excellence specific to the Michigan Rowing program.
That said, when it comes to what I remember most about my years as a Michigan student-athlete it has nothing to do with winning, or my time on the water. I cherish the amazing opportunity I was given, simply by my status as a Michigan student athlete, to give back to the community. I will forever be changed from the time I spent at Mott's Children's Hospital with the From the Heart organization, reading to local elementary school children on Friday mornings, and serving as a mentor for troubled children within Ann Arbor public schools. Being a student-athlete at a school like Michigan offers life-changing opportunities. While the weekly visits to the Children's Hospital were suppose to be about the children, I sincerely doubt I could have touched their lives any greater than they did mine. These are the traditions I hope remain for generations to come.
Q. How did your experience at Michigan, both academically and athletically, prepare you for your life today as both a pro triathlete and a full-time attorney?
A. I've been a competitive athlete my entire life, but I credit my years at Michigan for teaching that maintaining an active lifestyle sits is the core of who I am. While balancing the busy life as a student athlete I always put academics first. I have no idea how I made time for it all. I think this desire to remain balanced greatly helps me in my pursuit for excellence as a professional athlete while pursuing a demanding career.
Most of the women I race against train full-time. While I am at work, they are home recovering between workouts, eating well, taking naps, and adding in additional training volume. While this seems inviting and advantageous, I've found challenging myself mentally AND physically is what works best for me.
Q. After graduating from Michigan, you completed your first Ironman Triathlon in 2003. What inspired you to compete in one of the most challenging athletic competitions in the world?
A. Racing an Ironman was a long time bucket list thing for me. I remember growing up and watching the Kona Ironman on TV and knowing I wanted to do that race one day. Right after graduating I ran the Chicago Marathon.
After graduating I remember calling Shelia Taormina (who was just coming off racing in triathlon in the Olympics) and asking her for advice on getting into the sport of triathlon. Immediately after I sold my single rowing shell and bought a triathlon bike with the goal of racing Ironman that year. Ironman Coeur d'Alene was my first triathlon. I entered the race with the goal of qualifying for Kona (Ironman World Championship in Hawaii) before I turned 25 years old and qualifying would become more challenging. I missed qualifying and that fall went off to law school.
Although I raced one or two triathlons a year while in law school I didn't race another Ironman until just before graduating and taking the bar exam. I thought that was my last chance to race that distance before turning my life over to the legal profession.
I never thought my future included racing professionally, but after taking the overall age group title at several races I decided to make the jump. Something I learned at Michigan was "if you want to be your best, you must compete against the best." I know I have yet to reach my ultimate potential, but with the increasing talent and depth of the professional women's field I have no doubt that I will be pushed to achieve just that. It's been an amazing journey!
Q. Are you currently training for another Ironman?
A. Absolutely. My 2014 season has been a lot about rebuilding and rebranding. I suffered a few health related setbacks the past two years, but was stubborn and steadfast in my quest for answers. I started this year in good health and have been injury free all season. The goal was to lay a foundation that would carry me through the rest of my professional racing career.
In August I placed third at Ironman Louisville, and on November 9th I competed in the Ironman Fortaleza in Brazil. All goals are set on continuing to climb up the podium. While I don't know my complete 2015 race plans I am hoping to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in 2015. There are only 35 spots for the women's professional field, so qualifying is no small feat. I am up for the challenge and incredibly excited for what the future holds for me in the sport of triathlon, and beyond!
Q. You graduated from law school at California Western in 2006, and have gone on to have a successful career as an attorney. How are you enjoying your current position?
A. Two years ago I decided to step away from the traditional law firm setting and moved to San Francisco to pursue an opportunity with a growing software company. At the time there were approximately 80 employees, but we've since grown to nearly 300. It is extremely exciting to be part of this growth, while promoting a product and service that I believe in. The fact that I no longer have to keep track of my work day in six-minute increments equates to a lot less stress. This has been a huge contributing factor to getting healthy and racing well this past year.
I really enjoy the people I work with on a daily basis, which helps me realize I made the right decision to walk away from my former life as a litigation attorney. It isn't always easy, but I am determined to prove that it is possible to succeed both in sport and career. The will to win that was ingrained in me during my time at Michigan remains stronger than ever!
Q. Do you still keep tabs on the Michigan Rowing program and how often do you make it back to Michigan?
A. Unfortunately my triathlon seasons run later and later each year. This makes it tough to get back in the fall for Michigan football games or for spring rowing regattas. I try to make it out to Michigan at least once each summer to spend time at my parents Lake Michigan home in Elk Rapids, Michigan. Living in San Diego for 10 years made me a little soft, and in turn less excited about returning to Michigan during the cold winter months. I enjoy following not only the rowing team's success but the entire Michigan athletic program. They're family! GO BLUE!
The recently created Office of Alumni Engagement strives to foster a community, recognize the holistic student-athlete and honor the great Michigan Athletics history. This alumni spotlight illustrates the impact that our alumni are having around the world and how they stay engaged with Michigan.
