Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: TriAya on 2007-07-25 1:01 PM

Yes, I do look longingly at the elfin torpedoes, but here's what's awesome about being an Athena/newbie ... add your own and celebrate where you're at!

1. HUGE improvement curves (to go along with my natural curves )

2. Nearly everything is an exciting first!

3. As I drop weight, my times will only naturally get faster

4. The looks of suprise from others (not to mention myself!) when I actually do what I set out to do

And so much more ...

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Coach Y Tri Multisport
~ Ironman(R) Certified Coach, Founding Member
~ World Open Water Swimming Association Coach & Official
~ Triathlon Australia Professional Development Coach
~ American Swimming Coaches Association

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: Medusa_Ann on 2007-07-25 2:00 PM

People around me are inspired by the success I am having, and they want some, too!

I second the curves-both the improvement and the natural ones.

People notice when I walk into a room with my head held high.

I think it's easier to shape flab into cut muscle, than to start with sticks and try to grow muscles on them!

We float better, have more engine for the bike, and can go fast downhill!

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: DoloresM2 on 2007-07-25 2:01 PM

I love this thread... thank you.

5. You still get to eat.


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Dolores

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.
Your character is what you really are.
Your reputation is merely what others think you are."

"Don't forget that an ironman is about taking one stroke at time in the swim, one pedal at a time on the bike and one step at a time for the marathon." Coach G

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: androgenie on 2007-07-25 3:52 PM

The impressed looks on people's faces when I tell them that I'm a triathlete (I'm 4'll" and a size 18....definitely not a traditional triathlete's body!!)

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: Gaarryy on 2007-07-25 4:32 PM

get to use my super human clyde strength to open those little skinny peoples water bottles and tear their gu packets for them

 

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: sf_biggestloser on 2007-07-25 4:40 PM

6 - I have a natural 'float' to me, hahahaha.

7 - Gravity loves me on downhills.

8 - It doesn't matter how fast or slow I run, people still think it is awesome that I never stop running.

Josh

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2007 Sprint Season Results:
Dakotaman - 92/92
Wall Lake - 62/63
Lake Kampeska - 61/66
Green Lake - 232/256
Chamberlain - TBD
Le Mars - TBD

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: BHannahs on 2007-07-25 4:43 PM

Great responses so far - I love this thread! 

Mine - the Clydes and Athenas are in my experience the most fun and sociable people to talk to before the race - it calms my pre-race jitters. 

And I love the expression of shock and awe on people's faces when I answer the question:  So do you have any hobbies? 

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If you can't take the heat, get out of the desert!

They are the ones with something to prove or something to defeat. Whatever it is they bring it here and beat it into ugly submission over 140.6 miles, each one a full 5,280 feet. The Strugglers earn every inch of every foot of every mile. - Tom Demerly

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: lil_turtle on 2007-07-25 4:52 PM

I just posted this in my log yesterday....

I love it because I get to constantly amaze myself with what my body can actually do!  A year ago I would've never believed that I could swim free for a half mile....now I can do more than that and then go bike and run afterwards!

The fact that I get to eat more than before and still lose weight b/c I'm training so much is a fun benefit too!

I totally agree with lots of the other ones posted here....especially about surprising ppl with my being a triathlete.  Any time I hear comments about my size I can smile and think to myself "And how many tri's have you done?"

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I can do anything. I just do it slowly.

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: JoshKaptur on 2007-07-25 10:36 PM

Great thread!

x(N+1) on being able to make such dramatic performance gains.

Appreciating the progress you have made because it is so tangible where you were (e.g. with weight loss, performance, how you feel, etc).

Of course my comments above are coming from the "I'm a clydesdale but I shouldn't be" perspective.

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: md.gunner on 2007-07-25 10:40 PM

Ah yes I'm Loving it, although in my first one I had a guy look at me as if I was Crazy for even trying,

My thought then was hmmm, and I could snap you in half stick boy..

keep em coming

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: maggyruth on 2007-07-26 5:54 AM

My favorite quote from my triathlon this past weekend...the water was pretty rough and a bunch of us were out testing it. I was talking to a lady near me about it and she said:

"I'm an athena...I can do anything"

My response: "Rock on, sister" 

Gotta love the confidence...having a title like that just lends itself to it.

Edited by maggyruth 2007-07-26 5:55 AM

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Save a bike, ride a triathlete
Athena-Goddess of kick-azz
"Donkeydom isnt some freakin list, its a way of life. You either donkey or you aint." - jszat
My blog: http://sweetteaviolist.wordpress.com

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: Hawkeye on 2007-07-26 6:34 AM

I like starting farther back in a "wave" start.  Gives me more people to pass on the bike.

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"The good Lord gave you a body that can withstand almost anything; it's your mind you have to convince." --Vince Lombardi

"There will invariably be people who do not accept you. And in that case you must be your own badass self, without apology." --Katie Goodman

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: androgenie on 2007-07-26 10:41 AM



Yes! Especially on the downhills! I love that my weight makes me a rocket down hills!!!

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: chrisinct on 2007-07-26 12:52 PM

You can just have fun instead of worrying about where you place. Everyday can be a new PR.
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http://teamhippomultisport.blogspot.com/

Imagine being sent to do something, something beastly difficult. You know in your heart of hearts you are not prepared, maybe not even suited for this. You know the stares of others less brave and more envious fall heavily on your effort. They want The Strugglers to fail. For every Struggler who crosses the finish line it is a failure for those who never dared try. For every Struggler who sadly and reluctantly succumbs to the distance before the finish line and is carried off the course it is a victory for those who never started. They take sick pleasure in that. F#&* them.

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: MtnJay on 2007-07-26 1:59 PM

Let's see ...

-> I get my money's worth for any after event food provided
-> I can carry someone else's broken bike while riding mine
-> I get every penny out of the elasticity of spandex gear
-> When I don't come in first place, it's no surprise
-> When training and I'm headed towards a group of people on my bike/run, they move out of the way

.. and all the cool positive stuff everyone else thoughtfully mentioned already

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"You got a pool over there? We have a pond in the back. We have a pool and a pond. The pond would be good for you." [Caddyshack promotes OWS! :]

"But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep." -Robert Frost

Saratoga Tri Club - www.saratogatriclub.com

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: ajotto on 2007-07-26 3:21 PM

Kinda what Mtn. Jay said. I love that when I walking around the transition area all the "little" people make room for me. At the start of any Clydesdale Wave start, I challenge any other triathlete to a tackle football game. So far no takers.


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In the end,
It's not the space that counts,
But the life you live in it

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: maggyruth on 2007-07-26 3:28 PM

You surely must be joking, Mr. Builtlikealinebaker.  It'd be like someone challenging Jim to a game of hoops.

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Save a bike, ride a triathlete
Athena-Goddess of kick-azz
"Donkeydom isnt some freakin list, its a way of life. You either donkey or you aint." - jszat
My blog: http://sweetteaviolist.wordpress.com

RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: Bajapat on 2007-07-26 9:18 PM

I like the way the other just bounce off you while your swimming.. and I also love it when i'm out of the water before most of them....


bouce then pass then repeat..
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RE: Love Being an Athena/Clyde [Newbie] Because
BY: dhyte on 2007-08-13 1:05 PM

That's right.   I have NO FEAR of mass swim starts...... 

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To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift."

"There’s magic in fighting battles beyond endurance, it’s the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you."