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Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40?
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 2009-08-12 1:17 AM |
Expert  843    Gilbert |  Subject: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40?I'm signed up for the Mission Bay Tri in San Diego. The race is sold out with about 1600 athletes. They just sent me a list of competitors. There are only 3 women athenas/clysdales under 40. I felt totally fine being a big female racer until I saw that. What do you think is going on here? Are women just less likely to admit they are bigger (over 160)? OR Is this a very elite race? I'm a little nervous now. On a lighter note, does that mean I get a prize when I finish?! |
| 2009-08-12 6:29 AM in reply to: #2343128 |
Veteran 297 Michigan | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? You may get hardware for a top three finish  . My last race had 300 people in it and the 21 year old who came in DFL was the only one in the Athena division (and there was only one division). I can tell you that there were a lot more that could race in that division but for whatever reason did not. In a race that large I am sure you will see plenty of larger athletes competing. On another note the support the young Athena got from the other racers when she finished and when she got her 1st place award was excellent. |
| 2009-08-12 8:37 AM in reply to: #2343128 |
Veteran 281 | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? I noticed at my first (wohoo) tri this weekend that there were not many athenas under 40 with me either. However, I looked around and saw tons of athenas in their age groups. I guess people do not like to register as athenas. The only thing I did not like about it was starting in the next to last wave in the swim because although you know you started much later than earlier waves..it still feels like you are so far behind! I guess that is more motivation to push harder though. Do whatever makes you feel good. |
| 2009-08-12 11:11 AM in reply to: #2343128 |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? I think some people may not even know there is an athena category or what it means. This past weekend was my third race, first Athena race. My first didn't have an athena division at all and the second race had the cut off at 160 so I didn't qualify. Jessica - I was actually surprised/impressed with how many under 40 Athena's there were. Much less in my 40+ category. |
| 2009-08-12 3:09 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Master 1286 Mt Pleasant, SC | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? Hello I have my first race this weekend and I was reviewing the race list. For my race most of the Clydesdales are in their 30's. Only 3 Clydesdales my age. Kevin |
| 2009-08-12 3:28 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Buttercup 14334 | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? Doesn't mean there aren't other Athenas. Another explanation would be that the other non-disclosing Athenas choose to compete within their age group. They get to start their swim earlier than they would otherwise. In a big triathlon like that, Athenas will probably be in one of the last waves to start. |
| 2009-08-12 3:41 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Champion 5376 PA | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? My tri has no category for Clydes.  I have to race with 130 pounders. My right thigh weighs 130 lbs. |
| 2009-08-12 4:28 PM in reply to: #2344686 |
Champion 6503 NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? Im not signed up for Clydes division in one month for Nations. Heck, I'm eligible for Masters Clyde. I wonder if I can still change. The only problem is...not that it is a problem...I am at 204 and losing about 1 lb / week. I could always super-hydrate! |
| 2009-08-12 6:31 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Master 1322 Chicago | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? Some people don't like to identify themselves as Athena or just rather compete as an AG. I think I was 7th out of 12 in my Tri last year which is a HUGE tri, but the broke it down by 3 weight classes. (I was 180+ under 40) Edited by IdealMuse 2009-08-12 6:32 PM |
| 2009-08-12 6:48 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Veteran 124 Outside Boston | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? At my tri this weekend (Trek Women's Tri at Mt. Snow) they grouped the athenas with the age groupers of 40-45 - I wasn't too pleased when I heard the announcers say that  |
| 2009-08-13 6:59 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Master 2235 Pacific Northwest | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? I know I am starting in one of the last waves in my race on Saturday, which is annoying...but oh well....gotta defend my Athena title anyway! Wish they'd just let us start with our own AG if we wanted to. I've never seen over and under 40 Athena categories. Usually there are just a handful of us at each race. |
| 2009-08-14 2:10 AM in reply to: #2343128 |
Expert 843 Gilbert | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? This race categorizes all "big" athletes as clydesdales. Then they break clydesdales into men and women and under 40 and 40 +. I have to be honest. I'm now hoping no one switches into my group so I get a prize! The races says it gives awards 3 deep in each category! |
| 2009-08-14 7:07 AM in reply to: #2343128 |
Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? I've noticed that trend that there are less women registered as Athenas as men are as clydes. I think it comes down to women are more hung up on weight due to our society so admitting they weigh more than 150 is hard for many. Be happy they have the over and under 40 Athena categories. Don't read into the numbers of how many there are. I also see a trend of opposite years..sounds goofy but let me explain. People look at race results for previous year as part of the decision process of which race that want to do. I've been doing tris for 6 years and I see it a lot in races here in MA. I placed third in Athena at HIM this year, last year 3rd was almost 40 minutes faster than I did. So next year someone looks at results and says I can be faster than that women (ie me) so they register as an Athena in hopes of winning hardware. I see it more in smaller races and smaller competitor groups like Athenas. |
| 2009-08-14 10:42 AM in reply to: #2343128 |
Master 2235 Pacific Northwest | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? I just looked up my competition in tomorrow's race--there are 13 Athenas entered--that's more like it! I think that's pretty close to what it was last year, too....which is nice. Now if the rain would just stop. |
| 2009-08-19 5:38 PM in reply to: #2343878 |
Extreme Veteran 574 Southwestern Ontario | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? KeriKadi - 2009-08-12 12:11 PM I think some people may not even know there is an athena category or what it means. . This would be me...I thought the weight was higher even for women. It's probably more of a "didn't know" thing than a vanity thing... |
| 2009-08-19 7:55 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Champion 7546 Santa Cruz, California | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? I am an athena and almost raced it for the San Diego Triathlon...my daughter and I discussed it and I decided to suck it up and race in my age group. I was astonished when I won a medal! I saw many athenas racing and I thought they had a fairly large class...but may be mistaken. Have a fun race! and dont stress...this is one of my favorite events! are you swimming in the cove next to SeaWorld? |
| 2009-08-19 8:58 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Master 1690 Metro NY Area | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? I was just looking at a local tri that listed entrants online and was surprised to see a rather high number of Athena athletes entered. Of 78 women there are 14 Athenas. If I were to enter (but I won't) there are only 2 in my Age Group. I think Athena should be 175+ at 150+ a tall skinny woman qualifies but at 175 it would be more for the gravity challenged. I know it's not a fat category but 150 cuts it close. |
| 2009-09-01 1:43 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Expert 1276 Salem | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? My First full Sprint (1st two were Tri-Its) is this Saturday. Right now there are only two of us over 40 Clydesdales signed up. I am hoping for more, but regardless I am looking forward to my first full Sprint. It doesn't matter much that I will be in the later waves to start because with the Tri-Its you go last anyway. |
| 2009-09-01 2:10 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Expert 617 | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? I agree that the weight standard is really low for Athena. I'm an Athena but most people have a hard time seeing that I qualify based on my appearance (my extra weight is in my lower half so it is hidden pretty well). I've heard people suggest using BMI (i.e. where height is factored in). That seems like a very fair approach. This will be my last year competing as an Athena because I don't really think the division was created with people like me in mind but as a side note......this only proves that women really shouldn't be ashamed of entering as an Athena because, as it stands, people can have healthy BMIs and still qualify so it's not like you are announcing to the world that you are a big girl or anything. Another thing, I got a trophy once and instead of it just saying "Athena Division" it said "Athena 150+" on it....nice huh? |
| 2009-09-01 2:11 PM in reply to: #2383065 |
Champion 14571 the alamo city, Texas | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? TriGuyBri - 2009-09-01 2:43 PM My First full Sprint (1st two were Tri-Its) is this Saturday. Right now there are only two of us over 40 Clydesdales signed up. I am hoping for more, but regardless I am looking forward to my first full Sprint. It doesn't matter much that I will be in the later waves to start because with the Tri-Its you go last anyway. you shouldn't hope for more - you are guaranteed a trophy right now, buddy! |
| 2009-09-02 6:29 AM in reply to: #2343128 |
Veteran 136 Minnesota | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? Being the reigning champion for the 24 hours of Telemark again this year has taught me one thing: You can win even in a field of one. If you go out and do what you went there to do, and were one of few who even had the nerve to step up to the line, then you deserve the win. Good luck and have fun! |
| 2009-09-04 11:09 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Expert 843 Gilbert | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? Thanks everyone. I appreciate your comments. I feel better about it after giving it some time and reading the posts. |
| 2009-09-18 3:50 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Master 1281 Long Beach, CA | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? I am a very large athena but sometimes race AG instead. The only reason I would not race Athena is that sometimes they put athenas in the last wave, and I HATE being in the last wave. Since I am very slow, I like a buffer zone of people behind me. If athenas are last, I'll race my AG to get to start sooner. If I ever get fast enough to contend for an athena medal, than I'll race athena every time! |
| 2009-09-19 10:22 AM in reply to: #2343428 |
Expert 1276 Salem | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? jmholmes02 - 2009-08-12 8:37 AM I noticed at my first (wohoo) tri this weekend that there were not many athenas under 40 with me either. However, I looked around and saw tons of athenas in their age groups. I guess people do not like to register as athenas. The only thing I did not like about it was starting in the next to last wave in the swim because although you know you started much later than earlier waves..it still feels like you are so far behind! I guess that is more motivation to push harder though. Do whatever makes you feel good. If there are only one to three Athenas in your group I guess you could look at it another way. By starting last just think of all the others (Those who chose to Age Group it) you get to pass and the icing on the cake is you will medal. Win...Win. |
| 2009-09-25 8:43 PM in reply to: #2343128 |
Expert 843 Gilbert | Subject: RE: Seriously? Only 3 Athenas under 40? We have an updated race list. There are now 4 Athena's under 40. There goes my medal! |
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