General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Athena or Age group Rss Feed  
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2009-08-14 11:00 AM

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Kathmandu, Nepal
Subject: Athena or Age group
I entered my first Tri for Sept 27th.  I just realized I am eligible for the Athena category.  I am 6'0 tall and 160 lbs.  I'm also turning 20 a few weeks before the race, so I don't know if that would be another category for the 'under 40' Athenas, even though I hear there are not many, I have no idea how that business works.  I wasn't sure what to do, and since I am in pretty good shape... despite a recent knee injury, I just checked the age group box.    Any input for future reference?



2009-08-14 11:10 AM
in reply to: #2348583

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Subject: RE: Athena or Age group

Its really personal choice.  If you sign up Athena, you times will be ranked against ofther athenas in your age group, or if you pick AG, same thing for who ever signed up for it.  Either way, good luck and enjoy your race.

2009-08-14 11:26 AM
in reply to: #2348583

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Subject: RE: Athena or Age group
I also look at it as personal choice.  I personally run clydesdale when I can.  I prefer competing against guys, who like me, are over 200.  I train with my coach, who at times is in my age group and is about 5'9" and 160, he has an advantage.

That being said, the Athena or clydesdale group does not mean it is a second rate group.  My first olympic this year was in a clyd. group, and the guy who won the clyd was also 2nd overall for over 500 people.  The top clyd I compete against are also fairly competative in their age groups.
2009-08-14 2:22 PM
in reply to: #2348583

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Subject: RE: Athena or Age group

This is my first season and I've completed 3 tris, have 4 remaining and in all of them I've registered as an Athena. My personal thought is that it just takes more energy to propel my 5 foot 180 pound body through the air than it does a 5 foot 100 pounder.

So this year I feel more comfortable to be in a division with those that are more like me. Also, in the races I've done Athenas and Clydesdales are grouped by their age. In other words, they begin the race with people that are in their age group. Therefore, no one in the race or those watching know that there is a separate division.

However, you will see that there are many, many men and women who are Athena's and Clydesdales but did not register as such. It may ease your anxiety to view last year's race results and see how Athenas and Clydesdales are grouped.

Best Wishes you can do it! Sealed

2009-08-15 9:15 AM
in reply to: #2348583

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Kathmandu, Nepal
Subject: RE: Athena or Age group
Thanks for all the input!! ... One more question:  Can you decide to be placed in the 'Athena Division' upon race day registration or should it be done pre-registered, via online app or mail in?

Thanks!
2009-08-15 12:05 PM
in reply to: #2348583

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Subject: RE: Athena or Age group
I've completed two separate race series and spoke to each of the race directors and asked their opinion on how I should register. Both responded distinctly, one stated that I did not need the pressure of "competing" especially in my first race and the other said since there were few Athenas that register, I could be eligible for an award. Well, as I stated previously, I registered as an Athena and placed 3rd in my division/age group, received gift certificates and some useful merchandise. But ultimately, the chose is yours as you are competing against yourself and the the inner voice that says I want to give up when you feel like quitting. Because for me quitting is not an option. These people think so too:

Quotes About Quitting

Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. – Lance Armstrong

Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. – Vince Lombardi

If you live long enough, you’ll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you’ll be a better person. It’s how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit. – Bill Clinton

Doing nothing is the most tiresome job in the world because you cannot quit and rest. – Unknown Quote

It’s always too early to quit. – Norman Vincent Peale

There’s only one thing that can guarantee our failure, and that’s if we quit. – Unknown

Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing. – Oliver Wendell Holmes

A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit. – Richard Bach

It’s when things get rough and you don’t quit that success comes. – Unknown Quote

Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot from a winning touchdown. – Ross Perot

I’ve always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn’t have a chance to win. – Arnold Palmer

Americans never quit. – Douglas MacArthur

Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit. – Conrad Hilton

Before you speak, listen.
Before you write, think.
Before you spend, earn.
Before you invest, investigate.
Before you criticize, wait.
Before you pray, forgive.
Before you quit, try.
Before you retire, save.
Before you die, give.
- William Arthur Ward

Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit. – Napoleon Hill

Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don’t look back at it too long. Mistakes are life’s way of teaching you. Your capacity for occasional blunders is inseparable from your capacity to reach your goals. No one wins them all, and your failures, when they happen, are just part of your growth. Shake off your blunders.

How will you know your limits without an occasional failure? Never quit. Your turn will come. – Og Mandino Quote

Winners are not those who never fail, but those who never quit. – Unknown

People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don’t know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to. – George Allen Quote

Before success comes in any man’s life, he’s sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That’s exactly what the majority of men do. – Napoleon Hill

A DIFFERENT VIEW:

Of all the stratagems, to know when to quit is the best. – Chinese Proverb

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no point in being a damn fool about it. – W.C. Fields Quote



You can and will do it! - That's mine- Dointris 

Best wishes....Now go for it, Kid!



2009-08-15 5:42 PM
in reply to: #2348583

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Subject: RE: Athena or Age group
I asked the same question not too long ago and are in your boat.  Originally I thought it was better to compete in age group but I think I have decided to go with Athena when I can (I am 5'9" and 160) and someone pointed out it is alot easier to move 110# than to move 160#. But it all comes down to personal choice.
2009-08-16 4:08 PM
in reply to: #2348583

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Subject: RE: Athena or Age group
I personally have found in the race i did that the athena/clyde catagory has a much wider spectrum of ability. i found it easier to see where i could improve my time when looking at the results that had me in clyde versus the results that went by age.

I would have finished last either way but i was ALOT closer too moving up in clyde (which I chose to run) than in age group.  figuring out how to shave a minute or 2 is easier and less intimedating than trying to figure out how to drop 30-40mins.

But it is about choice. I prrefer to race Clyde as apposed to age group but i know some people have an issue putting themselves in a catogory with a minimum weight.
2009-08-16 4:17 PM
in reply to: #2348583

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Subject: RE: Athena or Age group
I am actually very scared about my 1st tri because they don't have a Clydesdale class.  I don't feel it's fair to have all this beefcake in the AG class.  What if I step on one of those 130lb dudes?  Am I liable?  Laughing

2009-08-16 6:45 PM
in reply to: #2350266

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Subject: RE: Athena or Age group
sarahbobo - 2009-08-15 10:15 AM Thanks for all the input!! ... One more question:  Can you decide to be placed in the 'Athena Division' upon race day registration or should it be done pre-registered, via online app or mail in?

Thanks!


Did anyone answer this?  Usually you have to sign up to be an Athena during race registration.  If it wasn't an option when you registered, it might not be available for your race.  I've done tris where they didn't have an Athena division.
2009-08-18 1:33 AM
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Subject: RE: Athena or Age group

I race Athena when races have the option....I like people to see that big girls can also be fast and competitive.  I won the division on Saturday in my triathlon for the second year in a row at that tri, and would have placed 4th in my AG as well, which to me, was pretty cool.  I am tall and heavy(of course, all muscle, right) and was told at the top of a huge hill on the bike, by a guy "Geez, you are so swift!".  I love it.  Undefeated in Athena this season and all but one race last season. 

I say race Athena when it's offered...the more people that do it, the more legitimate the group becomes, and the more competitive....and hopefully more races will offer it!



2009-08-18 7:54 PM
in reply to: #2350266

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Subject: RE: Athena or Age group
sarahbobo - 2009-08-15 9:15 AM Thanks for all the input!! ... One more question:  Can you decide to be placed in the 'Athena Division' upon race day registration or should it be done pre-registered, via online app or mail in?

Thanks!

It depends on the race organizer. I would contact them sooner rather than later to see if they can change you.
It will only make a difference if you are fast enough to get some hardware!

That being said, I like to go with the Clyde's. Something about standing around in my spandex and a funny colored swim cap with 30-40 other 200+ guys is just to funny to forgo!
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