Clydesdale or Age Group?

If I get down to 199#'s, I race AG.  But now, I am 210#'s, a clyde, and thats the way I'll race.   Personally, I dont think it should be a choice.  If you're over the weight limit, thats what you are and thats where you should race.  Can I race in a younger or different AG because I feel like it or want to challenge myself? No, of course not, thats what overall standings are for.  So why should I have a choice in the weight category?  I am who I am.

I'm not ashamed, Im a big guy and Im carrying more weight than most in my AG - thats puts me at a disadvantage.  The Clyde category levels the playing field for me and is one of the reasons why I thought I could do this.  I am not the same as a 6'2, 170# marathon runner.

BTW, being a clyde doesnt mean your fat and out of shape.  It just means you weigh more than most people (or the average) who race triathlons.

Anyone every hear of a Clyde/Athena taking 1st overall in a tri of any distance?  Just wondering as the Clyde winner at my only tri was only 6 - 7 minutes off of the overall winners time.  That's pretty fast in my eyes.  The top Athena was only 15 minutes off of the overall winner as well.

6-7 minutes is huge in a sprint.

True enough....I was just thinking if a Clyde could be 6-7 minutes off of a pace that won a huge triathlon, perhaps one could win in a different race or possibly train to take those minutes off.  Of course that puts into play what has happened to me.  I was a Clyde, but training has put me below the threshold.  Now I'm just a slow age grouper. 

It seems to me like the Clyde/Athena categories are around to also attract more races which most RDs are interested in.  People each have their different motives which is fine but some certainly are more interested in racing if they weigh over 200 lbs knowing they have a shot at receiving a medal which is something they may never have a chance at without these categories.  If this attracts more people, great.

Don't feel guilty, just do what you want.Is a 260 lb person going to compete well with someone at 210, probably not but we are never going to have a level playing field across the board nor should we.  Compete where you want, have fun and improve yourself over your last race.  Nuff said!

Yes one of the local coaches around here is a clyde and while he doesn't always race as a one, he does go very well,,often top 5 in what ever he does for over all. he was first Over all at a sprint this weekend and a couple of weeks ago at a larger race (river cities) he was 2nd and the 1st place person was a pro or someone in the process of going pro.  He's about 6'4" and under 10% BF I'd guess. Good coach, Nice guy, and not that young I think he is 44 or 45

Very cool!  It's nice to see the Clydes do so well.

If I ever meet him, perhaps I'll buy him a Bud and say "Way to go Hank!"    It's late in the day, so obscure commerical references are all I've got. 

I'm not a Clydesdale (as I am a woman) but I was just having this discussion with my good friend, who 9 times out of 10, will race Clydesdale (which by the way, he is only 2 pounds over the minimum...) just so he can place because he doesn't think he would in his age group....which I don't think is fair...

Funny thing though, Pleasant Prairie didn't have the Clydesdale division this weekend, and he won his age group...so hopefully now, he'll start racing in his age group.

I started out triathlon at 230lbs. I got down to about 202 earlier this year, my lowest in 10 years. I personally always race AG. I understand why there is a Clyde/Athena group but don't agree with it. Not that I begruge anyone who choses to race in these catagories. In fact in one race I did I accidently signed up for the clyde group, realized it before the race, switched to AG and would have taken second in Clyde had I stayed in that group. I'm still glad I switiched to AG for that race.

Do whatever makes you happy, don't sweat what others think or feel guilty about racing in Clyde.

BTW, he was also a olympian in swimming in 84 I believe.

I am going with...

...MORE weight divisions.  My first tri will have three registered classes of Clydes :

Thunderthighs:  185-199
Clyde 200-224
Clyde 225

I am thinking we go the route of boxing/wrestling and get more weight classes in.  While this all might sound tongue-in-cheek.  I am clocking in my first race at just a shade under 300 (at 6'4" so the topic is near-and-dear.  And to the OP - I have not a problem with you running as a clyde.   

I used to think this, but feel that I was "corrected".  What I now believe is that the Clydesdale group was created for guys who are very fast at 205lbs and 6'4".  Very tall, lean, GREAT triathletes... but could never reach the podium due to the 160lbs speedsters in the age group.  No chance when you have to haul an extra 45lbs.

But to answer the original question of whether to go Clyde or AG...  Either or.  It doesn't matter.  Especially if you're not racing for the podium.  No shame in Clyde, probably a better chance of placing higher in the group as a Clyde.  But your time is your time regardless of what group you're in.  If you're racing for the podium - go Clyde.