Which Category or Division?

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2008-08-08 2:27 PM

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Subject: Which Category or Division?

Hi all,

I'm a complete beginner here and will be doing my first sprint in October, and I could use some advice ...

I am 37 years old, have been cycling pretty heavily for about 8 months and have dropped about 65 pounds.  I've been in the pool a bit and feel that with a two-month lead time, 500m in the ocean won't be much of a problem (been a while, but I grew up surfing and swimming in the ocean just about every day).  I'm also not concerned with running 3 or miles.

I'm not too worried about actually "competing" in my first triathlon and am doing it more just to finish, and I'm not sure which category I should sign up for.  By the time the event rolls around, I should be under Clydesdale weight.  Also, I'm on a mountain bike with road slicks.  I can push it pretty hard, but I know that anyone on a road bike can smoke me if they put their mind to it.

So, any advice on a category?  Clydesdale?  Thunderthighs?  Individual age group?  Mountain Bike Open?  

Thanks in advance! 

2008-08-08 2:31 PM
in reply to: #1590765

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Cycling Guru
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Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?
Race where you want, especially since you are doing it just to see what you can do and are not planning on competing.  Just sign up AG and you're all set.  No reason to "categorize" yourself one way or another.
2008-08-08 2:34 PM
in reply to: #1590765

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Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?

Sign up for what you are and not what you could be.  I was a Clydesdale when I signed up for my tri in September, I am 2 pounds under the cutoff now, and if I am still below the cutoff a couple of weeks out, I will change my classification to regular old age-grouper.  Both tris I've signed up for this year allowed people to change their classification.

 

2008-08-08 2:35 PM
in reply to: #1590765

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Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?

Thanks ... I should also point out that while I'm not *really* trying to compete, I am very competitive by nature.  To say that I wouldn't enjoy finding out that I actually *could* compete in my first event would be a lie

2008-08-08 2:37 PM
in reply to: #1590805

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Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?

I think you understood what I meant.  You are realistic in thinking that you are not going to podium overall or something like that.

I certainly didn't intend to imply that you were not going to try and do your best for the day.  Sorry if it came across like that!

2008-08-08 2:38 PM
in reply to: #1590765

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Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?
Didn't come across like that at all ... nothing to be sorry about, and I really, really appreciate the advice!

2008-08-08 6:29 PM
in reply to: #1590765

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Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?
If it's your first race you can enter as a first timer.
2008-08-08 6:46 PM
in reply to: #1591333

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Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?

flmonkey_gbp - 2008-08-08 7:29 PM If it's your first race you can enter as a first timer.

Not all races have that "class" in them, but most of the better race directors/promoters will.

2008-08-08 7:02 PM
in reply to: #1591364

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Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?
Daremo - 2008-08-08 6:46 PM

flmonkey_gbp - 2008-08-08 7:29 PM If it's your first race you can enter as a first timer.

Not all races have that "class" in them, but most of the better race directors/promoters will.

 Oh, I didn't know that. 

2008-08-08 8:06 PM
in reply to: #1590765

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Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?
Thanks guys, much appreciated.  I'm doing the Arrowhead Day At The Beach in Hermosa, and it doesn't look like there's a first-timers designation.  No big deal, I'm just going to go by age group and have fun!
2008-08-08 8:10 PM
in reply to: #1590765

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?
i would do the mountain bike division....

2008-08-08 9:49 PM
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Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?
 ... or I'll do the MTB division and have fun!
2008-08-08 10:04 PM
in reply to: #1590765

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Subject: RE: Which Category or Division?

"Anyone on a road bike can smoke me...."  I wouldn't be so sure....

I did my first tri in July and passed a LOT of people on road bikes.  It was a hilly course, which certainly helps when riding the MTB, but I caught a lot of people.  I also had non-knobby tires but the are fat not slicks...I went with these for multi use reasons not to be as fast as possible.

Now I'm shopping for a tri bike....

So you'll do fine.

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