2023 National Girls and Women in Sports Day Activity

Under the clearest blue sky you would ever find in Syracuse in the middle of winter, gathered three women who never met before. The brisk 20-degree air temperature didn’t stop us from getting together to cross country ski, network, talk about our companies, and share our love of sports.

We were inspired to gather because it was the 37th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), as earmarked by the Women’s Sports Foundation founded by Billie Jean King.  The Foundation was created to unlock the possibilities in every girl and woman through the power of sport. Their NGWSD is held every year on February 1 and inspires women and girls to gather around the love of sport.

As a child of ski shop owners and ski instructors, gliding on snow in downhill or cross country skis were easy for me, and for one other woman, Jennifer, who cross country skis a lot, but for one woman,  Janet, with brand new skis, it was a first time attempt on slightly ice and cold conditions.

The three of us began together but soon decided Jennifer should take off on the 3-mile lake loop while I stayed with our Janet and help her if she needed it. I was able to use my parent’s teaching tools and 50- years of experience to “glide” her along, giving her pointers on movement, how to go up slight hills with slipping backwards, and even how to get up when you fall – as evident by my own tumble – which made us both laugh! Hey, even old-time skiers fall sometimes.

As the two of us slid gently, up and down, the path weaving in and out of tall pine trees, I said to my new friend, “even the tallest trees have to start somewhere” trying to make her feel better as she started off. She smiled, continued skiing, and once-in-awhile on my suggestion looked up to see what glorious woodlands she was playing in today. As we ended our shorter path, I gave her applause and a high five for trying this sport for the first time in her life at the age of 61. “Not all of us are born to parents who ski,” I reminded her.

As Jennifer joined us in the lodge, we sat in beautiful wooden rocking chairs getting to know each other’s businesses better and sharing our areas of expertise. As you suspect, the conversation centered on health, wellness, sports, holistic practices, and eating well. Thyroid function, stem cells, alopecia, and living a gluten-free life arose in our talks.  Jennifer gave us a X-39 patch which is used for light therapy since she is a 25-year practitioner of acupuncture and light therapy. Janet shared her new written works and aspirations for a published book one day. No matter what woman I meet, there is always something positive to glean from the meeting.

On the way out of the lodge, we hugged, promised to stay in touch and get to know each other better. Both of them want to try some other sports with me – one parasailing, and one the biathlon. I promised to keep in touch and tell them when I had those sports booked to try. If it wasn’t for this special once-a-year recognition of women and girls in sports, we wouldn’t have gathered and shared the morning together.

The next time you are lonely, call up a girlfriend, another woman in your community, or a woman with an interest in sports, and get together to enjoy the day, learning, stoking your energy, and taking in a bit of nature along the way. Office work can wait sometimes, especially on a sunny, cold day in February.  

Field Hockey - Playing in a Wolf Pack

Keuka College Women’s Field Hockey Team with Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham and businesswomen

Arriving on the lakeside campus reminded me of my youth growing up on a lake and making my heart sing. Nestled in the Finger Lakes, about an hour and a half from my home, is the quaint campus of Keuka College my sports destination for the day. Mesmerized by its charm, I parked my car behind the Recreation Center, went inside to find one of the most likeable coaches I’ve ever met – Erika Profenno smiling and ready to make learning Field Hockey my goal for the day.

Women’s Athletic Network players of the day

Choosing a PINK stick, of course.

Seven business women, some with field hockey experience or moms of some of the Keuka College Wolverines Women’s Field Hockey team, arrived and started networking. We met there to caravan to the field where the players were eager to teach us this historic game.  You might not know but field hockey’s origins started in the 18th-century making it one of the oldest team sports in history.  Some of the business women brought field hockey sticks, goalie pads, and shin guards to uniform up for the game.

As we arrived at the field looking over the campus and lake, the stars of the show greeted us.  They were giggly, exuberant team players ranked from freshman to seniors who play for Coach Erika. They were well- trained, well-behaved, and excited to teach a bunch of middle-aged women how to play the sport they loved on a brisk Saturday morning.  As a college student, I cherished Saturday mornings so I can’t imagine being this happy myself if I had to rise and instruct a bunch of 50-year-old women.

Led by Senior Captain Makaela Mills, we learned how to “flick”, “strike”, “drive,” and “defend.” I easily perfected the drive motion since my energy level was high, but flicking the round compact ball, that fit in the palm of my hand although larger than a golf or lacrosse ball, was a tougher move for me. My friend Jill Bates said, “I keep thinking I’m driving a golf ball and raising my arms too high behind me.”  Coach Profenno came to our rescue giving us detailed guidance.  If there is one thing I’ve learned being taught so many different sports in a small span of time it’s that it is easy to confuse strokes and movements between them.

Soon we were assigned to two different teams, a mix of women and players, and lined up for two 8-minute halves for a scrimmage. FUN! I was put on the offensive line so I could score a goal. Behind me was a line of middies and then defenders and our goalie, a non-goalie player from the team who wanted to try out goal for once (she did great by the way).  I made both teams name themselves – we were called F2 – the Feminist Field Hockey Team and the other team chose the name Plan A. (check out our TikTok Video of the scrimmage at this link).

As we ran wildly chasing the ball with our sticks in front of us, we laughed and laughed and tried our best to score. I must admit I didn’t score and our team didn’t win but kudos to Plan A for their expertise and 2 goal win. At the end of the scrimmage, which I wish went longer, we gathered for a huddle, sticks in the air, and smiles on our faces for a large group photo.

Women TIES members giving career and life advice to the students over pizza

We headed back to the Recreation Center to have a pizza networking party complete with a career and business discussion for us to give back to these sharp students. I gifted them each a Chicken Soup for the Soul “Running for Good” book that held my Boston Marathon story to inspire them further in life to play and give.  To my surprise, they gifted me with my very own Keuka College Wolverine Jersey #24 which I absolutely love.

The experience was truly amazing. It was fun sport to learn and play - especially if you like running and being on a team. On this Monday morning, I am so proud to now be a part of the Wolf Pack – a Wolverine in heart and spirit.

Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham - The latest Keuka College Field Hockey Wolverine

Get Your Fattie On - Mountain Biking!

“Get on your fattie, Tracy,” my friend Patti Giancola said to me. At first, I thought she was referencing my tush but soon looked down at the tires on the mountain bike to see they were especially fat tires. Fatties are slang for flat tire bikes used for mountain biking, and they are much larger than my regular bicycle.

I had seen these fat-tired bikes before but typically in February when I’m still riding my regular bike in Central New York being extra careful not to slide off the trails. I thought fat-tired bikes were simply winter tires that bicyclists put on in the winter to ride, similar to snow tires. I was wrong. What I also learned quickly was how bouncy they were, like riding in a car whose shocks were worn out. The bounce made the ride really interesting and extra fun.

As we set out under and over the crunchy, blaze orange-leafed trees in Green Lakes State Park since it was mid-October in Upstate New York, the surroundings were stunning. I soon noticed riding on a mountain bike meant easily being able to ride from dirt trail over stones, sideways up onto grass or over weeds, on more small stone gravel, and in fields, all without feeling the change or being nervous about falling making the terrain changes. Cool.

Although we were on mountain bikes, we weren’t in the mountains biking, but on dedicated mountain bike trails in Green Lakes State Park winding in and out of trees and up and down hills. After trying motor cross this year, I likened fat-tire biking to more of the thrill of motor cross plus the access to natural beauty like cross country skiing in the winter between trees in all of nature’s beauty. Mountain biking allows one to bike in nature, not just on a paved pathway in or around nature. It was different and really enjoyable since I’m a nature lover.

Another benefit of biking with an old client is getting a chance to catch up with them. Patti now loves the freedom of running her own Cabi business instead of her previous career in fundraising, where I first met her. Tucked in her warm house are seasonal lines of clothing to try on. So, if you want to have a party with her or go to one of her open houses, click here for more information. Who says women can’t network while biking, like men network while golfing?

I was lucky to be using Patti’s husband’s bike, since mountain bikes are much more expensive than regular bikes, but I could see why. The bikes fit in the back of big SUVs or on regular bike racks. In fact, Patti owns different bikes for different occasions so if you like regular bike riding, see if you can rent a mountain bike and give it a whirl. I think you’ll fall in love with the fattie and your own tush won’t mind the ride either.

Crazy as a Loon or Long Distance Kayaking?

It was an atypical day in my city with temperatures rising to 70 degrees in mid-October. The weather was calling and a glimpse of late summer grabbed me by the arm and led me out the door to put my bright pink kayak in the car. My sons gifted their father and I a pair of kayaks for Christmas three years prior so kayaking in this story is not about my first time kayaking, but rather about my longest kayaking adventure. Sometimes we get so used to playing the sports we love, we forget to challenge ourselves while doing them.

October Day on Onondaga Lake

As the crystal blue sky and lake edged with orange, gold and crimson trees, welcomed my kayak and I one random Tuesday morning, the absolute absence of wind or other boats spoke to my heartstrings about attempting to kayak down the entirety of Onondaga Lake – 9.2 miles round trip. I often bike the 9 miles and wondered what it would be like to kayak it so for some reason with the conditions stellar, I decided to do it mid-way down my relaxing autumn row.

Destiny USA, Syracuse, NY

Unlike the Boston Marathon where I put in five training months of increased mileage to condition my body and mind to accomplish the 26.2 mile run, I hadn’t prepped kayaking ten miles on a whim. I knew I could do it because my arms were strong from archery all summer and stacking wood the past weekend so I had no trepidation in trying it out. Destiny USA sat at the south end of the lake and my bike trail weaved around it to the west. No sweat – literally - since it was a cool 55 degrees when I took off. No clouds. No threat of bad weather. No wind. Perfect sailing conditions even though I didn’t have a sail to help me just my middle-aged semi-flabby arms, the kind most women have.

Dave Matthews Band Concert - Darien Lake - 2010

I also had one other important thing with me – Dave. Dave? Yes, Dave Matthews Band serenading me along my way with some kick-ass tunes to get me rowing faster. I take Dave everywhere with me as most people know. He was in my ears running the streets of Boston and in every car ride I take to and from my new and old sports adventures. Kayaking the entire lake in silence would have felt really long, so a shout-out to my favorite musician, Dave.

Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham - mid-kayak ride

At one point on my expedition, my son called me as I oared my way near Destiny USA Mall talking about his wedding plans. I enjoyed the company on my solo journey. On the way back, loons, seagulls, and fish swooped, swam, and jumped around keeping me alert. I thought about Tom Hanks in the movie Castaway when he got so lonely on the bare island he turned to a volleyball to talk to as a friend. I must admit by the near end of my trip, I was talking to seagulls. One can’t be alone too long. It just isn’t normal.

Back at the Bridge where it all began

As usual I had some insights after my 3.5 hour, 1,300 calorie burning boating experience, I like sharing after each sports adventure to encourage more people to try them. Here is my wisdom on this sport,

* There is nothing that beats being on the water in my mind and soul.
* Kayaking is a fairly easy sport to do especially if the wind is gentle.
* Once you buy, borrow, or rent a kayak, it is an inexpensive sport to do.
* Most kayaks are light enough to lift and transport if you have a good size SUV/truck.
* Being alone for 3.5 hours on a lake with nothing around is extremely peaceful.
* If you are going to do an exercise or sport of any kind, training helps to ease the pain and set the mind for the adventure. Get in those test runs or add miles to your journey until you are ready to go for the long one!
* Nature has a way of inviting all of us to join it in sports during all its seasons, and kayaking is an exceptional way to see all of nature’s glory.

Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham

Remember YOLO – You Only Live Once - so get out there and try kayaking in all seasons with a friend, your neighborhood loon or SOLO.