23rd Cooper River Bridge Run
PACU nurses run for health, camaraderie
by Cindy Abole
Public Relations
Patrice Katsanevakis, Tricia Christie and Dawn Jones share something
beyond the 12-hour hospital shifts spent caring for recovering surgical
patients at MUSC Hospital’s Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).
Patrice
Katsanevakis
For the past six years, the nurses have learned to value their friendships and their health by sharing in a passion that’s as athletic as some of the physical work they do moving and transporting patients.
They all share a love for running.
PACU
nurses Tricia Christie, left, and Dawn Jones prepare for an evening run.
This fleet-footed trio credits the positive benefits of running that have grounded them to become stronger, healthier and disciplined caregivers and weekend athletes. Their efforts and determination have helped them to conquer some of today’s most serious health problems that include weight gain, smoking and even skin cancer.
“As we run and train, we naturally motivate each other,” said Christie, who overcame a three-pack-a-day smoking habit several years ago. “It’s a perfect relationship.”
Because of work schedules and family commitments, the group seldom gets the chance to race together. But they do find time to support each other. On Mondays, it’s not unusual to find Jones, Christie and Katsanevakis huddled in a quiet corner conferring with each other about their weekend race results or just checking in.
“We usually make recommendations for upcoming races, discuss problems with sports injuries or other training challenges,” Christie said. “No matter what happens, we’re always trying to encourage each other.”
Christie’s passion for the sport was triggered almost overnight. She was inspired to take up running later in life in an effort to control some unhealthy habits including smoking and weight gain. By last year, Christie was running races and placing in her age group at the Fleet Feet and the Turkey Day Runs.
Katsanevakis and Jones ran the Bridge Run previously and yearned for a chance to return to a healthier lifestyle. In 1992, Katsanevakis was diagnosed with melanoma, or skin cancer. She quit smoking and sought ways to become more physically active through walking and aerobics. Last year, she completed the Bridge Run for the first time in years and recently placed first in her age group at the James Island Connector Run.
“Running is one of few sports that requires little effort,” Katsanevakis said. “There are no extra costs, no special equipment needed except for shoes and a location. It’s a great stress reliever.”
Jones chose to train for the event under the encouragement of friends and the structured guidance offered by the Cooper River Bridge Run Clinics. Today, she’s working on staying fit and tackling the bridge again.
“The running clinic has been a great way to jump-start me back into running and racing,” Jones said.
Meanwhile, these nursing professionals are spending their spare time preparing for the April 1 event.
“There’s not many excuses for people to be inactive,” said Katsanevakis, who is proud that her three teenagers run track for Wando High School. “As a parent, I hope that I’ve been a good role model to my kids. I want them to learn that a commitment to exercise is a commitment to themselves. It’s the best preventive medicine.”
On-Line Registration http://www.bridgerun.com