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

Baltimore Half Marathon & NBMA Summit

Off Season Racing

Proud of my top 10 finish in a competitive field and on a monster course!

It's hard to believe that it's been a month since IRONMAN 70.3 Atlantic City -- my last big race of the year. My coach gave me a lot of time off. Perhaps too much time off for my liking. The first week of doing nothing was glorious. The second week I started to get a little stir crazy... to the point where I pretty much asked my coach 'how much more of this do I have to endure?' Don't get me wrong. I totally understand the importance of recovery. I know I can't be in peak shape / race weight all year, but it's not easy watching your fitness slip away and the pounds pile on. I also thrive off of having a busy schedule. Not having to train on my lunch break and after work = too much time on my hands = overthinking / scouring the internet / living on social media. The one plus: I didn't feel like I needed a nap during work hours :-)

Speaking of social media... I have such a love-hate relationship with these apps. On the one hand, it's a great tool for connecting with others. I love being able to use my Blog, Facebook, etc to address the lack of diversity in endurance sports, expand awareness by showing what is possible, and provide a face to identify with. On the other hand, I hate how much emphasis companies place on having "Instagram followers." Literally! When you apply for some of these ambassador programs they straight up ask you how many followers you have. Am I the only one that feels uncomfortable and a bit embarrassed having to post pics of myself everyday, using filters and hashtags?? Sometimes it's cool though. I enjoy sharing certain things, but it does feel a bit like bragging. Exhibit A:

View this post on Instagram

Look what came in the mail today 👀 Hitting 3,000 Ferguson employee mailboxes this week 😎 #postergirl #employeebenefits #healthbrochure #ferguson #fit #magazine #cover #me #pic #picoftheday #triathlete #zootsports #point2 #ride #bike #cycle #riding @hedwheels @bikeonscott

A post shared by Sika Henry (@sikahenry) on Oct 18, 2018 at 11:14am PDT

Onto the important stuff.... NBMA Summit & Baltimore Half Marathon

Every year the National Black Marathoners Association puts on a summit. It's a chance for us to meet in one location, honor outstanding running achievements, induct honorees into the hall of fame, and participate in the 5k/half marathon/marathon taking place that weekend.

With the Mayor of Baltimore, Catherine Pugh

First, I didn't know the mayor was black. Second, I didn't know she founded the Baltimore Marathon, and third, I didn't know that she was such a talented distance runner in her youth.

With Marilyn Bevans

She is the first African American female to break 3 hours. She also came in second at the 1977 Boston Marathon.

This year I was seated at a table with Alisa Harvey (qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 800 and years later in the marathon...crazy!), Gary Corbitt (historian, distance runner, and also Ted Corbitt's son), as well as Roosevelt Giles (Chairman of Atlanta Life Insurance Company) and Senior VP Howard Stephenson, and Coach Nicole from Conversation PACE. It's always a pleasure being in the company of such amazing people who all have unique stories.

I joined NBMA back in 2015; when I really started getting into road racing. In fact, the co-founder (Tony Reed) talked me into doing the 2015 Dallas Marathon. I was pretty naive back then. I was "coaching" myself, I had never flown to a race before, or participated in an event that large. I didn't know anyone! It was my 3rd marathon. I ended up crossing the finish line in 4th, with a new PR (3:07). That weekend gave me the confidence to come out of my shell and see how much further I could push myself. A couple months later I lowered my marathon PR to 3:06, then to 3:00:06, and then...well...I sort of quit so that I could focus on triathlon. So far it's been worth the transition...

IRONMAN 70.3 World Ranking (AG)

USA Triathlon State (VA) Ranking (AG)

Run for Fun

At the expo with my Mom, Dad, and friend T (Culpepper Glazer)

Mom: Are you nervous for the half marathon tomorrow?

Me: No, but I'm kind of bummed that I'm not fit enough to chase a PR and race for a top spot.

I can only do a limited number of "A" races a year. The kind of race that you train specifically for, peak at, and go to that deep dark place where you push yourself to the absolute limit. IRONMAN 70.3 Atlantic City was my last "A" race of the year and then I went right into recovery mode. The only race plan my coach gave me for Baltimore was to have fun. And can I just say that not having to pack a bike, wheels, wetsuit, helmet, ... makes life so much easier. I didn't have to get up at 4 am or set up in transition zone or have body marking done. I also didn't have to swim 1.2 miles then bike 56 miles first. All I had to do was jog a few miles, do some strides, and line up. A girl can get used to this!!

Lining up at the start

Every time I asked someone what they thought of this course I received the same response: "It's really hilly" (emphasis on hilly). I swear I was born allergic to hills. Running on hills is pretty much like making my way through quicksand. I live in Newport News, VA. It's pancake flat. When you don't train on hills, racing on them feels like death. I know, I'm dramatic. But it's true! My glutes hurt, I feel winded, my heart rate spikes. I swear, it's awful!! Just thinking about it right now makes my butt hurt.

My plan was to take it out conservatively (6:50 pace) and not really push until the last few miles. I checked results from previous years, and saw that a sub-1:28 could possibly get me top 3. What I didn't realize was that the race was much hotter in previous years. Anyhoot...the race started promptly at 9:45 and we were off. I swear I must have been in 20th place (for the women) through the first mile. I checked my watch: 6:25 f*@K!!!! Slow down. This is supposed to be fun. Stick to the plan. We went up a steep hill (6:50) and then descended (6:25). At this point I decided to let the women go. It was still early and I was confident that a lot of them would come back to me over the second half of the race. By mile 4 (6:51) it began to string out, and by mile 5 (6:40) I felt more in control.

I decided to eat a gel at mile 6. Freakin disaster. As I went to rip it open the entire pack exploded. To make matters worse I wasn't even halfway through the race and I was feeling beat up by the hills. I checked my watch - 7:04 mile (just kill me now). The day was getting interesting. 

I had some inner dialogue with myself and decided (1) this is supposed to be fun, (2) take in the scenery, (3) enjoy the next few miles and give it everything you have over the last 5K. 

I enjoyed the loop around Lake Montebello (mile 7: 6:46). Did anyone see the cute little black kids standing on the corner around mile 8 (6:45)? There was a row of them giving high 5s. Usually I'm so focused in races that I ignore this sort of thing. But I smiled and slapped each one of their hands except for the littlest one who must have been about 4. My 5'10" self just couldn't get that low. In fact, we started running through predominantly black neighborhoods and there were tons of people out on their porches and lining the streets. Can I just say that this way my favorite part. They cheered wildly for me as I passed by: "Yessssss Sista!!!!!" "Represent" "Making black look good" I felt the love. It was A-MAZING!!!

I took in a gel (success). And we started climbing again (mile 9: 6:48, mile 10: 6:50). Most things don't come natural for me, but I will give myself credit for being able to turn the burners on at the end of races.

Fastest splits during the race

With 5K to go, I went all out and passed a few fading females...

I crossed the finish line in 1:27:38 / 9th female

Probably explaining to my Dad that life would be easier if hills didn't exist. I don't think he cared.

Would I like to have been fit and ready to duke it out with the top women? Of course!! But I was there to have fun. And I did!! I'm still proud of my time/place. I also trust my coaches plan, and I know I'll be ready to peak when the time is right.

Photo Credit: Phoenix Michelle Photography

Thank you Tony Reed, Alex Williams, Charlotte Simmons, Gilles Bowden, and Toni Wilson for organizing these summits every year. Can you start picking some flat courses though?? Like the One City Marathon ;-)

With Tony and Alex at the finish line

A few more photos:

With CR Qualls <3

(On the left) Isaiah!!! He's done 18 Boston Marathons. (Tony on the right)

Chatting with Sonja McLean Williams

Next up...

The 757 Road Race (7-miler) = guaranteed PR (I've never done the distance). If you are interested in doing it with me, message me and I'll send you a discount code.