A Day in History

Hampton University becomes first HBCU to add women's triathlon

Photo Credit: Hampton University - University Relations

Of course I meant to update this blog WEEKS ago. As usual, life got in the way. But the great thing about blogging is that there are no deadlines. I write when I can. Often times in one sitting and click publish. I read somewhere that "blogging is not writing, it's graffiti with punctuation." Totally agree. Where else can I begin sentences with "And" and "But", use words like "sorta", and add transitional sentences that have nothing to do with the paragraph before....

About the pic above
It happened ~3 weeks ago. Hampton University officially became the first historically black university to add a women's varsity triathlon team. And somehow I got to be part of that day (more on this later). Did I see it coming? Well sorta. So if you follow my blog, I wrote back on June 12: "just the other week I spoke with students from Texas A&M who were at the USOC training center. Their project is to establish the first NCAA Women's Triathlon Team at an HBCU. How cool would that be if it were to come to fruition?" I still remember the conversation. In fact, I was kind of pessimistic about the idea of the program because of: funding, lack of HBCUs with a swimming program (they have disappeared over the years), and wondered if there would even be an HBCU willing to take it on.

Well.... Hampton University decided to add the program to their roster and USA Triathlon donated $225,000 to the program. I think it's going to take a lot of work to get the program up and running (and lasting), but no matter what, when it comes to diversifying the sport I think this is a huge step in the right direction. I'm a huge believer in the power of image. You achieve to be what you see...

Photo Credit: Hampton University - University Relations

When I gave my speech at the announcement I mentioned that I often get asked 'what can be done to open the sport to more minorities'. I think this is a good start. I can't help but wonder how different my development as an athlete would have been if this initiative existed when I was a 17 year old college freshman. I swam all four years of high school, and ran track in college, but this type of opportunity did not exist when I was a collegiate athlete. But who knows...maybe I'm just supposed to be right where I am, at this moment, blogging about this announcement, while working on getting my butt across the finish line at IRONMAN 70.3 Texas in April. Anyhoot ... I am excited that the next generation of triathletes will have this amazing opportunity to develop their talents.

With BTA Members (and my friends): Sabrina Bri Hamilton Adams, Shelia Redd, and Howard Price

One other cool thing from that day... I met USA Triathlon CEO Rocky Harris. He couldn't be more down to earth. I thought I might pass out from nerves. He said "don't worry, I'm speaking first and I'll mess up...the good news is that they edit out the mistakes and print the good stuff." Side note: he didn't mess up, but it did help ease my nerves ;-)

To read more on my thoughts and the official press release click the links below...
- My interview with the Washington Post: here
- Interview with Channel 13 News: here
- USA Triathlon's official press release: here

Training

On it goes. Let me tell you, I wish I had appreciated my down time after IRONMAN 70.3 Atlantic City!! Being a bum was so wonderful at first. Then it sucked! I didn't know what to do with myself with all that free time. After a couple of weeks my coach began to gradually incorporate running back into my routine with some easy swims. Then I went to Baltimore for the NBMA Summit and ran the Baltimore Half Marathon for "fun". That course was NOT easy. Hills on hills on hills. I crossed the finish line in 1:27:38. Not super fast but for an off season fun run I was satisfied.

Baltimore Half Marathon: 9th Female / 4,348 Women

I'm pretty much back in the swing of things - swimming, biking, and running everyday, adding volume, ramping up the intensity...wishing I could go back to those first few weeks post IRONMAN 70.3 Atlantic City when I was a bum ;-) But when you have goals you just have to keep on truckin.

Racing
I did a local road race the week before Thanksgiving - the 757 7-Miler. It was cold, I wanted to hibernate, and ... well... I just couldn't really push myself. You know how some days you're in the zone and willing to embrace the "hurt"? This day wasn't one of them :-( 6:30s felt comfortable. So I ran ...6:30s for every.single.mile. I shouldn't even be admitting this, but I kept looking around to see where the other women were and thinking "pleaseeeee don't let this turn into a race".

Thank you fellow Point 2 / Flat Out Ambassador Amber Kuszak for the pic and cheers.

But you know what? I finished. I won. I set a female course record....because it was an inaugural race haha!!

And I got to represent my new sponsor In and Out Express Care - a healthcare provider with multiple urgent care locations in Hampton Roads. They also specialize in sports injuries.

I am so grateful for their support and I look forward to representing them in the upcoming triathlon season. For a list of their current athletes and our bios click on the logo below.

Next on the agenda:

I will be in Tempe, AZ this weekend for the Outspoken: Women in Triathlon Summit. I'll be on a panel discussing the 'current state of women in triathlon'. Speaking of ... being a woman, an African American woman, in triathlon I have had my fair share of instances when I wonder if it would have been different if I was a man:
 - Example a) This year at my local triathlon I ran out of transition zone onto the run course and a male volunteered shouted out to me “make sure you pace yourself”. For a split second I thought to myself "wait, am I going too fast, maybe I should slow down". Keep in mind that I have the run course record.
 - Example b) At IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman I was on the run leg and the guy next to me asked if I was doing a relay (I beat him to the finish line 😉)
 - Example c) At the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships last year I was asked if I was a freakin volunteer!! I raced the previous day.

Obviously none of them meant any harm, but it will be interesting to explore topics like this further at the Summit this weekend.

I'll update my blog once I'm back in town. Hopefully it won't take another month!! You can stay in the loop by following me at:
Instagram: @Sikahenry
Twitter: @Sika_henry
Facebook: @Sika.henry

Happy Holidays <3