Breaking records and taking names

Breaking records and taking names

History was made as She Can Tri took Afghanistan’s first women triathletes to compete in the IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai. 

March 3, 2020

Zeinab officially became the first Afghan woman to finish an IRONMAN event this month.

She completed a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim, 56-mile (90 km) bike, and 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run.

This is a big feat for any athlete, but at She Can Tri we knew just how big this was for an Afghan woman. When Zeinab crossed the finish line at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai I had the honor of putting the medal around her neck. With tears streaming down my face, in a single embrace, we both knew the hard work that went in to get her to that point. 

Not many athletes can say they had to detour practice because of bombs or rockets, or that they trained primarily in a small pool, or that finding a safe road to run and cycle on was not as simple as walking out their own front door.

She Can Tri's Zeinab hugs She Can Tri founder Jackie Faye after making history.

By taking this journey, I knew I had accepted a big responsibility. I knew many girls are looking at us as their hope. There were times I was feeling really low for the challenging journey, but what has kept me going is thinking about other girls. I accepted this challenging journey to be a pioneer so that I can invite and encourage other girls to take challenges and push the boundaries. 

February 2019, was the first time I saw a triathlon race from close. Watching racers coming out of the wavy water made me disappointed because I knew I could not even float on water. In our first swimming training session, I could see the hopeless expression of our coach. I totally lose my morale and wanted to give up despite the fact I had not started it yet. I had aquaphobia for almost being sank in 2017. However, I told myself, “Zeinab, you know you are afraid of water. Then, challenge yourself and change it to your strength.” I started watching swimming practices on YouTube channels as much as I could. Now, swimming is my strength. 

The race was difficult. I had so many cramps in both my calves after the first 20 km of cycling. I felt I was not able to finish, but I did not want to quit it either. After almost 30 km of cycling, I was not able to see. I didn’t know the reason. I could hear Jackie Faye’s voice hardly. I was pedaling without seeing.

When we saw Zahra in the halfway of the cycling course, that was a happy moment for me during the race, but only a moment. I was hoping that she was going to catch us, but it didn’t happen. This made me worry more. 

While crossing the finishing line, I was so thrilled that I am going to cross it with Afghanistan’s flag for the first time raised in an international triathlon event by a woman. It was a proud moment for me. 

This journey made me stronger. For me, endurance sports are more life lessons than mental and physical strengthening. Thanks to everyone who helped me along the way.  

-Zeinab, She Can Tri participant, first Afghan woman to finish an IRONMAN event

Ready to race in the name of equality.

When Zeinab and I saw She Can Tri participant Zahra, the other Afghan woman competing, I screamed at her to hurry up, but she didn’t quite make it. She was pulled off the bicycle course at the 50-km mark as she was two minutes over the time limit. To work so hard for a full year and to be so close was devasting not only to Zahra, but me, too. I felt like someone punched me in the stomach, but in the same token I was so proud of her. Even as I write this I am brought to tears.  

After Zeinab and I finished, I was so happy, but I also wanted to get to Zahra. She was already back at our hotel. When I walked into the room I immediately took my medal off and put it around her neck. She looked at me and said she was sorry. We all cried for a couple hours after that.

One of my favorite things about sports is that it teaches you not only how to win, but to lose.

Zahra and Zeinab get their bikes tuned up at Wolfi’s Bike Shop prior to the race.

It was a year of experience between Feb 2019 to Feb 2020 during my being with She Can Tri and our training for triathlon. Before joining She Can Tri, I didn’t have any idea how hard is triathlon. I didn’t know how to run, bike, and swim competitively. But after a year I can say I am a good swimmer, and I can do cycling with much confidence, and running is my love. 

During this year, I learned from my failures and my attempts to achieve. I have been connected emotionally to She Can Tri and I understood that just trying is not enough, you must be fierce enough to achieve what you want. I was just 2 mins over the cut off time during Dubai Half Ironman race, but I learned that next time I will compete more fiercely to achieve what I want.

-Zahra, She Can Tri participant

I wish Zahra the very best in her journey and like I told her, I did not finish my first triathlon either, and I know first-hand that you can learn a lot from life’s failures.

With that, She Can Tri has a long year of work ahead. Zeinab will be traveling around the country to talk to young girls who otherwise would not hear her story and we hope to continue taking steps to expand our efforts within the country.

Please stay tuned!

-Jackie Faye, She Can Tri founder

She Can Tri is training Afghanistan’s first women triathletes in partnership with Free to Run. 

The finish line for these Afghan women is not just about proving something to themselves. They are proving to their country that women can accomplish amazing things when they put their mind to it, and they are changing attitudes about what role women should play in society.

If you would like to help us empower women impacted by conflict please consider making a donation, or if you would like to join the movement please contact us about becoming one of our fundraising athletes.