U.S.A. Women’s Hammer Thrower Britney Henry has her eyes set on performing her best at the Olympic trials this June.
Henry, who is currently ranked top five in the nation and top 30 in the world in her event, has confidence in her ability to make the team. “My body knows it’s Olympic year,” she said.
Henry is preparing her body for the trials by following a high-protein diet and maintaining a rigorous workout plan at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. She trains six days a week and fills her meals with protein-rich foods.
Henry was first introduced to hammer throwing her junior year of high school in Washington. She was looking for something that could help her pay her way through college, and she was offered a scholarship at South Eastern Louisiana University.
Henry accepted the scholarship and transferred to Louisiana State. She went on to graduate from the University of Oregon in 2007.
Henry was successful throughout her college career, due in part to her health-conscious habits. She said the most challenging part of maintaining her diet and fitness plan is avoiding carbs. Henry said she is always hungry because carbs “give you a better sensation of being full.”
However, Henry said sticking to her high-protein diet has affected her performance positively. “I do feel like I have more energy with the high-protein diet,” she said.
While Henry recognized the benefits that come with watching what she eats, she knows it isn’t easy to stand by. “It’s usually the mid-afternoon snack craving that gets me,” she said. Henry keeps a semi-healthy snack with her for when those cravings kick in.
Henry started watching her diet when she was attending the University of Oregon. She learned what to eat and how much her body needs to perform well.
“It’s all about listening to your body and not making excuses,” she said. Henry said it is critical for women to understand how their body works.
Henry said it’s crucial for women to be active everyday and to eat healthy. “There’s no way around it, there’s no I’ll do it tomorrow,” she said.
Henry also said it is critical for women to avoid sugar as much as possible. She said it’s easiest to do this if you shop around the perimeter of the grocery store, where the fresh produce and meats are, and avoid going down the aisles.
Henry is most inspired by her mom, who runs half-marathons despite suffering from epilepsy. Henry said her mom’s determination motivates her to push herself to her own limits.
The Olympic trials for hammer throwing will be held on June 21, 2012. Henry has to throw the distance of 71.50 meters and place in the top three to make the team.
“One throw, only throw,” she said in the words of her coach Lance Deal, American record holder and 1996 silver medalist in the men’s hammer.
Henry said every throw she’s done in her life won’t matter once she steps up to throw at the trials. She is confident her hard work will pay off and looks forward to making her “one throw” her best throw yet.
Edited by Jody Smith