Clydes/Athena's vs. Age Groups

Yep, there are some fast clydes. That's the point of having a clyde division. The theory behind having a clyde division in the first place was that folks who were very fit and fast, but big, worked hard enough, trained well enough, and raced smart enough to place highly in AG would NEVER be able to podium because smaller folks were at a significant advantage due to having less mass to haul around......thus a weight-based division.

That said, I am willing to bet that the same dynamic you observe in your local clyde division (the same few people occupying the top slots) is repeated in the AG's as well, at least it is around here.

As it stands now, I qualify to race clyde. I have raced clyde in the past. I can often podium racing clyde, yet I seem to come in just shy of a podium when racing AG (4th or 5th). Maybe I want to snag a little hardware once in a while....is that wrong?

FWIW, I am racing tri as an AG'er this year. MTB as a clyde, Maybe next year I'll do something different.

To add in my .02.  The last race I did (a sprint 400/11/3.2) a clyde finished 16th overall 3 minutes off  the winner at the 1 hour mark.  He's probably around 6-2 220.  The reality is that if he does an event as a clyde he's going to end up on the podium which is his right.  My goal is to eventually get competitive with him although I'll be deep in the AG when that happens.  Clydes isn't for the out of shape it's simply for guys over 200lbs.   I would imagine that the Athena's have a bigger complaint because they are talking about 150 and under.  However it's a category and since most of us are simply trying to beat ourselves I don't think it matters all that much about the hardware. 

If hardware is the concern than I would start looking for local events with historically low clyde turnouts.  There was a 5K here with none, a 10K with 1 and a 5k with none.  I'm sure there are many events like that.  I did consider the 5k just for the hardware but I knew I was only kidding myself since second place in the division might be DFL.

For me I just want to be a MOP AG'er and beat myself all the time.  

I think my previous post was a bit misleading as to my opinion on the matter (I was trying to be non-commital, just funny).

I think you summed it up the most concisely, Chris.  It's a weight category, not a fitness category.  The tall, low body fat athlete that weighs 220 is the reason the category was created.  When people get irritated with that person, it's like turning your nose up at the creator of something you love.

I guess the question is, are you just upset that you don't have a chance to medal, or are you going to use that person that is in the top 10-15% AG as motivation to train harder/smarter?

I guess I get tired of hearing that I should not race clyde because I am fast.  For those who think that people built like me should not race clyde give a guideline you feel should be used to race clyde??  I am just saying I am over 200lbs and that is the only rule so why not.  I have just as much chance to place in my AG as in clyde.  I don't do it for the medals, heck, I have not even place in a tri yet but have in run races.

I am really just curious why everyone gets upset.

I am 6'5" and 208lbs and I race clydesdales for the same reason as the OP, for the hardware.  Otherwise, why would he care who is in his division?  There would only be 1 logical reason that you would want the faster 200lb plus guys out of your division, so you can get a plaque. 

Everyone has pretty much said it, its a weight division, not a body fat division.  I am carrying the same weight as everyone else in my division. 

 Unless you propose the race directors start a no-training division?

Who cares whether you're a tall, fit person who happens to fit the weight category or a smaller, rounder person w/ extra pounds to lose?  You're both pulling the same extra weight (compared to the whippets), which is what really makes it harder.  Your chances of being on the podium have less to do w/ it than giving credit for the extra weight handicap.

I race Athena (being one of the shorter, rounder people), but my competition is w/ myself and the clock.

If you're fast even in this category, way to go!

when I see the winning Athenas, I am just inspired.   

Athena is the goddess of kickazz.   Not the goddess of big panzz.  

(sorry, but I was going for a rhyme and that is all I came up with....)

I guess what I see is that ALL the divisions are arbitrary.  Why have age groups at all?   Why discriminate between men and women?  Why have weight divisions (i.e. Clydes and Athenas)?  If we wanted to be really cut-throat, we could just have one prize for the first one to cross the line. Period. Second place is the first loser and all that other T-shirt crap. 

But that's not how it is.  Basically, we allow athletes to define themselves.  As a male who is  6'2", 210# and able to swim like a fish, ride like a beast and run like the wind, for example, how would you like to be described?  Do you consider yourself the 20th best athlete overall or would you rather see yourself as the 5th best 20-29 y/o or would you rather see yourself as the fastest "fatman" in the field?  It's all in how YOU choose to view yourself.

As was discussed in a previous thread, some of us are going to be Clydes/ Athenas for most, if not all of our careers.  Others of us are "just passing through" as we try to get from one weight to another.  All of are going to move from the 20's to the 30's to the 40's and so on as the Earth continues to circle the sun.  Our classifications are going to change and, as they do, our perceptions of ourselves are going to change.  The bigger question is: Can I see myself outside of these classifications and be happy with the person that I am becoming?

I like the rhyme just fine. 
And yeah, when I'm not finishing with the top Athenas I am always inspired and motivated when I see the women who are the top that day.   They are the picture of speed for that day on that course.  They are my competition for next year.  I do like the hardware.  If I'm not on that podium with them, then I'm not doing something right.  They inspire me to be my best.

Thanks for the levity!

Regarding cutnsew's message...If ya want a laugh, get this---I got a 1st place award in Athena (out of ONE in the category!).   Would LOVE to have more in the category, even if that means I'm last!