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| Chaderbox - 2009-10-27 8:10 AM Artemis - 2009-10-27 10:16 AM b2673ad - 2009-10-27 9:20 AM Hello
I think everyone should stop being obsessed with this topic. Most of us will never finish in the top of any AG or Clyde grouping. If this continues they may make a SuperJumboFattySlowOld-Iwanttofeelgoodsogivemeamedal grouping. Finishing 3rd in this group would make us feel good. "NOT"
Just train, race & enjoy!
Kevin Well said.  x3 And with that, now that my first season of racing is over, I won't ever race Clyde again, even if I do qualify. Anyone that wants to, go for it and be happy with your choice. I have nothing against the C/A racers, but let's face it, it's a discretionary category. People always complain about who can/should qualify for it, and tend to get cranky when a tall skinny dominates. Just a tad too much whining for me.
I think this is a funny post. I know it's not meant for everyone but nonetheless...if I weighted less than 230...I would die from starvation or malnutrition or something....even at my most fit 6% body fat...I was 235....now over the years I've become that fat dude who needs to get off his and train but I suppose if there's a person who needs a Clydesdale category...whether in shape or not....it would be me (and those like me). Yeah tall skinny dudes suck...just coming in over 200 pounds....but still can't lift their own body weight...damn those guys!! lol... just enjoy training and racing everyone...I'll meet you at McDonalds afterwards!!! |
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| b2673ad - 2009-10-27 8:20 AM Hello
If this continues they may make a SuperJumboFattySlowOld-Iwanttofeelgoodsogivemeamedal grouping.
Where do I sign up for this group? Seriously, though, as someone said earlier, I do this for myself. I have placed in races but that is not my objective. I set time goals for myself and, at the end of the day, try to pass more people than pass me.
If that happens, and I finish, the day/race has been successful. If not, there's always next time.
If anything, when I see athletes that just "qualify" as Clydes (i.e. 200 lbs on the nose), it motivates me to lose more weight and get faster. Good for them!
(On a side note, I have lost 50+ lbs but have about 25 more to go. I'm about 245 now and hope to be 215-220 by the time IM Lou comes around next year.)
Edited by cornchexs 2009-11-09 9:02 AM
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| Well said...very PC. I like the jest...which basically is who cares...we all do this for ourselves...me worrying about the skinny tall guy (even though they still suck) isn't going to make me any faster... |
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| I think the whole Clyde/Athena class is ridiculous and insulting. Not only to those in the category but to everyone competing in the race. If you want to medal then get your fat but in shape, lose the weight and compete. Don't use a crutch to place in a race. I really want a medal that says I was the 3rd best fat person out there.
If I get myself fit (which I'm trying), and beat some guy that happens to be bigger then me, I would be insulted that they placed while I might not of. Why should I be punished for getting or keeping myself in shape.
How about a guy that's 6' 5" tall. Unless he's a toothpick he's going to be considered a Clyde. People come in all different shapes and sizes. I just get tired of having to put people in classes or people needing advantages or making excuses for things. It's an athletic event. Be athletic.
If you were playing baseball would you ask for shorter base lines because you were bigger then the average player?
F.Y.I. I'm a Clyde. I'm 5' 11" and 265lbs. I'm not some skinny healthy guy standing on a soap box. |
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 Bronze member | Nice rant.
Only fat guys can call other fat guys fat.
Train-Race-Enjoy
Kevin |
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| JC5066 - 2009-11-13 7:34 AM
I think the whole Clyde/Athena class is ridiculous and insulting. Not only to those in the category but to everyone competing in the race. If you want to medal then get your fat but in shape, lose the weight and compete. Don't use a crutch to place in a race. I really want a medal that says I was the 3rd best fat person out there.
If I get myself fit (which I'm trying), and beat some guy that happens to be bigger then me, I would be insulted that they placed while I might not of. Why should I be punished for getting or keeping myself in shape.
How about a guy that's 6' 5" tall. Unless he's a toothpick he's going to be considered a Clyde. People come in all different shapes and sizes. I just get tired of having to put people in classes or people needing advantages or making excuses for things. It's an athletic event. Be athletic.
If you were playing baseball would you ask for shorter base lines because you were bigger then the average player?
F.Y.I. I'm a Clyde. I'm 5' 11" and 265lbs. I'm not some skinny healthy guy standing on a soap box.
That's one way to look at it. Should weightlifters just see who can lift the most weight with no regard to how much they weigh? Should Roberto Duran have jumped into the ring to fight Tyson. I don't find the class as insulting and don't give it much thought, but I do know it is harder for me to cover a certain distance as fast as someone 60 -90 pounds less than me. Just like I wouldn't expect that person to lift more weight then myself. There are obviously a few exceptions on both sides. Team sports are not a good reference for your argument in my opinion as each team member brings different things to the table (ie power v. speed in baseball). |
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Bronze member | As a tall (6'4"), once skinny, hope to be skinny, again guy (started at 240, now 210), it seems like Clydesdales serve two purposes: 1) for those who are naturally Clydesdale like and 2) for those who could use some extra motivation to lose some weight. What both groups have in common is it is takes a heck of a lot more energy to cart or haul around those extra 40-50 lbs, regardless. If they didn't have a Clydesdale category, I'd hope we'd all still be out there competing, but if for 20% of the participants it is one of the reasons they chose triathlons, then great... we have 20% more people who have chosen a healthier way to live, and that's what it's all about at the end of the day, anyway.
Personally, I have two goals... 1) to improve my own performance in every race and 2) to exercise my way out of the Clydesdale category!
-Stu |
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| I love how heated this debate can get sometimes. Makes me chuckle. I also love the picture of the fat little horse in the OP.
Personally I love the clyde/athena categories. I'm built like a football player, which kinda sucks as a female. (Very rarely can I find nice clothes that fit my build, I'm far from "graceful and feminine," etc.) I love endurance sports, but my size is a huge disadvantage. While my size helps with weight lifting and hockey, which I also enjoy, I know I will never be able to keep up with the itty bitty lil runner types out there. And that's ok with me. I would and do compete regardless of whether an Athena class is available. But, when given the opportunity to compete in endurance sports with other women of the "football build," why not take it?
In one of my last running races I placed 8th in athena and would've been something like 173rd in my AG. It's so much more fun and motivating to me to have a group I can be competitive in then trying to fight for 170th instead of 173rd. But that's just me. I'm happy with my decision and really don't give it much thought anymore. |
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 Silver member | slick - 2009-11-13 9:54 AM JC5066 - 2009-11-13 7:34 AM I think the whole Clyde/Athena class is ridiculous and insulting. Not only to those in the category but to everyone competing in the race. If you want to medal then get your fat but in shape, lose the weight and compete. Don't use a crutch to place in a race. I really want a medal that says I was the 3rd best fat person out there.
If I get myself fit (which I'm trying), and beat some guy that happens to be bigger then me, I would be insulted that they placed while I might not of. Why should I be punished for getting or keeping myself in shape.
How about a guy that's 6' 5" tall. Unless he's a toothpick he's going to be considered a Clyde. People come in all different shapes and sizes. I just get tired of having to put people in classes or people needing advantages or making excuses for things. It's an athletic event. Be athletic.
If you were playing baseball would you ask for shorter base lines because you were bigger then the average player?
F.Y.I. I'm a Clyde. I'm 5' 11" and 265lbs. I'm not some skinny healthy guy standing on a soap box. That's one way to look at it. Should weightlifters just see who can lift the most weight with no regard to how much they weigh? Should Roberto Duran have jumped into the ring to fight Tyson. I don't find the class as insulting and don't give it much thought, but I do know it is harder for me to cover a certain distance as fast as someone 60 -90 pounds less than me. Just like I wouldn't expect that person to lift more weight then myself. There are obviously a few exceptions on both sides. Team sports are not a good reference for your argument in my opinion as each team member brings different things to the table (ie power v. speed in baseball ).
Exactly! I'm not sure why people even debate this. Then again, I have participated in a lot of sports with weight classes so it seems rather simple to me. Weight classes seem much more relevant than age groups to me. |
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Bronze member | Weight classes seem much more relevant than age groups to me.
For sure. Statistically, I'm sure there's a more more significant performance difference between a 220 lb and 170 lb athlete vs. a 42 and 47 year old. I think weight class is a great innovation for this event, improves participation and motivation, and is relevant. But I'm a big fan of age groups too. Love seeing the 70 year olds out there... hope to be one myself one day! My father-in-law is 77 and runs... trust me, he is motivated by the what age group divisions are there... and he knows all the other guys in his age class and they are super competitive in their group! Love it!
-Stu |
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| slick - 2009-11-13 7:54 AM
JC5066 - 2009-11-13 7:34 AM
I think the whole Clyde/Athena class is ridiculous and insulting. Not only to those in the category but to everyone competing in the race. If you want to medal then get your fat but in shape, lose the weight and compete. Don't use a crutch to place in a race. I really want a medal that says I was the 3rd best fat person out there.
If I get myself fit (which I'm trying), and beat some guy that happens to be bigger then me, I would be insulted that they placed while I might not of. Why should I be punished for getting or keeping myself in shape.
How about a guy that's 6' 5" tall. Unless he's a toothpick he's going to be considered a Clyde. People come in all different shapes and sizes. I just get tired of having to put people in classes or people needing advantages or making excuses for things. It's an athletic event. Be athletic.
If you were playing baseball would you ask for shorter base lines because you were bigger then the average player?
F.Y.I. I'm a Clyde. I'm 5' 11" and 265lbs. I'm not some skinny healthy guy standing on a soap box.
That's one way to look at it. Should weightlifters just see who can lift the most weight with no regard to how much they weigh? Should Roberto Duran have jumped into the ring to fight Tyson. I don't find the class as insulting and don't give it much thought, but I do know it is harder for me to cover a certain distance as fast as someone 60 -90 pounds less than me. Just like I wouldn't expect that person to lift more weight then myself. There are obviously a few exceptions on both sides. Team sports are not a good reference for your argument in my opinion as each team member brings different things to the table (ie power v. speed in baseball ).
I appreciated your thoughts in this post. |
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Silver member | I think people make the assumption that people only race clyde to get hardware. If that was the case, yeah, I can see the reason people gripe.
However, I don't think most C/A athletes are that shallow. I race C/A to see how I compare with others that have the same 'disadvantage' in endurance sports - weight. I think that's perfectly fine. NOT to get a podium spot.
I will even take it a step further. People that complaine about C/A and accuse those of being in that catagory only to grab a medal to feel good about themselves are probably MORE concerned about a podium spot that those in the catagory! Those who complain about the success of others (getting a C/A podium spot, in this case) are probably upset because they CAN'T place well enough in whatever division they are in and feel like it's not fair that someone slower can. I think they project their own 'greedyness for a medal' on those in the C/A division... Why would anyone gripe about the success of others other than the fact they are jealous?
Funny thing is, I never really noticed the 'hunger' for a podium spot from most C/A athletes. They are mostly just there to race dispite all the odds against them. For me, I race just to test and push myself. I have won the C/A division a couple times as well. It was nice, but it really doesn't mean that much to me. In fact, I was more upset about my last race because I didn't live up to my expectations even though I won C/A! I race to improve, not for a piece of metal. I didn't even go to the awards ceremony or attept to pick up whatever prize I may have in store for me. Maybe someday...
It's not about that for me (and most C/A, I would assume). It's just about seeing how you compare to similar athletes, IMO.
I'm still sort of confused why people are so agaist it. How does some C/A athlete getting a medal have any impact on anyone? It doesn't take anything away from anyone or cheat anyone else out of anything... So people complain about some percieved success of a C/A even if it has no bearing on them whatsoever? Don't get it. |
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| Why don't we eliminate the C/A categories and have a weightlifting and/or sumo competition before the swim. That should even things out a bit. |
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| Meerkat Surprise - 2009-11-16 6:24 PM Why don't we eliminate the C/A categories and have a weightlifting and/or sumo competition before the swim. That should even things out a bit.
Damn, I just grew out of my sumo wrestling suit. |
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| I was reading this thread and thought I'd throw in my $0.02.
I'm new to this sport, having completed my first 2 races this year. I was a wrestler in my younger days and it shows in my build. So, having a separate weight division for the 'big boys' isn't that foreign of a concept for me at all. Even though I'm racing against myself, I can use my standings in the Clyde division as a measuring stick against those who are similar in build to myself. I can't, on the other hand, compare myself to another 34 y/o who is 50 to 75 lbs lighter than myself. Not too many Clydes pacing 6 or 7 min miles on the run, ya know?
Bottom line is - so far I've enjoyed racing in the division. It's been a while since I've been under 200, so we'll see if I eventually end up in my AG. Until then, charge on Clydes! |
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| OK, I am really new, just raced my first Tri this year, and I am 6'5" tall, and I was at 290 when I started, at 270 now, hoping to get to 250 +/- by this season.
I guess I like the class because it lets me see how I stack up against people my size. It's just one more way to compare. If you use the argument of why make this class, then why have age groups, or gender groups as well???
I guess if you think it's degrading, or don't like the idea, just sign up for your age group, not the A/C class...
OK, so the newbie will shut up now... LOL
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Who should qualify for Clyde/Athena
