I am 6'7'', 220 pounds with about 8% body fat.....I have never seen anyone close to that size win my age group. Next time you are heading out for your A race strap on another 80 pounds or so and you will see..I am pretty sure that is the point of the division, just to make it more competitive for those who physiologically can't compete (namely on the run) with the 135 pound guys and 105 pound girls.

Damn Shrek! You must be a sight to see haha

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Jonathan
USA Triathlon Coach/Adventure Extraordinaire

so 6'6" people can compete against somebody

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

I get that. You are obviously a physical beast. Damn I wish I was that tall.
That height / weight / body fat puts you in a category that I have not seen much of at the races that I have done. A lot of the bigger guys/gals that I have seen could get under the cutoff with the loss of some blubber.
Myself at 5'10" 175, I can't compete with the fast, skinny guys either. Could I get that slim? Maybe, but I like a little muscle.
I also can't compete with the guys that ran track / cross country / swam in HS or college. I've only been on a bike for 3 years and I can't hang with the guys that have been cycling forever.
But, I don't ask for a different category so I can compete with people that have the same top end speed as me. I feel like the AG categories should be enough.

(DJCIII - this is not meant directly at you, just my general feelings. I wouldn't want to piss someone off that could pick me up and rock me like a baby - Haha)

its true that mostly overweight people compete in those categories but that wasn't what they were originally intended for.

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

There I am, in all my glory...getting ready to have my a$$ handed to me on the run leg of Memphis in May.

Anyway, I understand the frustration. Of course I train with guys that are all smaller than me and don't have a chance to make it up to clydesdale. They are fast, faster than me...but I know they will probably never podium in a race. There are just too many guys that are faster than them. I certainly don't podium at every race but I have a much better shot than they do at just about every race where I toe the line. I get that frustration. Every once in a while we clydesdales have to deal with it too. It is funny when you see another clydesdale on the course that is 201 and just beefed up a bit to get out of the AG. I will admit, I try to race AG when I feel I have a chance to place well at a particular race. However, at races that do not lend themselves to my size (hilly and/or hot) I just accept that I need to be in clydesdale.

Because America's full of bloaters. Other countries don't have this nonsense.

Search this very board for previous posts on the issue by me and you'll find all you seek.

Or you can look up "clydesdale history" on google. You should get to an article posted by the folks at runbig chicago. You'll see where it all came from, our own humble Baltimore.

I'm 6'8 and 220 pounds. I've won my age group multiple times over the years (mostly by laying down fast bike splits), but only in shorter races. The longer they go, the more I overheat and slow down.

Why don't they just have Slow and Fast divisions?

Or like cycling Cat IV etc.

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Don't hold back

Having your a$$ handed to you in the run has nothing to do with being tall, I'm pretty sure Matty Reed does just fine at 6'5" 180.

I just ran across my results from MIM in 2007. 30-34 AG.

2nd place in swim: 18:16
15th place in bike: 59.20 (24.8)
34th place run: 46:01 (7:25)

Should there be a category for ex-swimmers who can't run? I got 17th in AG, to podium I would have to drop my 7:25 miles to somewhere around a 6:00 mile. Not going to happen, I just have to face the facts that I won't podium until I can swim in 15" and up my bike speed to 27 or so (like the 2nd place guy who beat me in the swim, averaged 27.2 mph and threw down 6:22's and still got beat by a guy running 5:13's.)

IMHO, Clydesdale/Athena is just another way to make some people feel good about themselves. Just like my nephews playing baseball but "not keeping score" and "everyone gets to bat". Even my nephews don't see what the point is, we're not fooling anyone.

P.S. I do like the triathlon strict age group better than the UCI categories. Granted, I am winning the mtn bike Sport category this year and plan to move up to Comp when I can, but lets face it, I'm sandbagging in Sport if I can win. I can't imagine the sandbagging that would go on if triathlon had categories.

Boxing and wrestling have weight classes

Cycling has ability-based categories

Running has age groups and sometimes an ability-based category (elite or open)

Triathlon has all 3 - makes sense to me, being TRIathlon after all

Yeah, I guess you aren't familiar with the qualification for clydesdale....has nothing to do with height. As you correctly pointed out I weigh 40 pounds more the Matty....I bet he couldn't put down the run splits with an extra 40 pounds.

Our local duathlon this past weekend had...wait for it... Hippo and Rhino categories.

Clydesdale and Athena imply big, muscular *beefy*

Hippo and Rhino? Not flattering, but appropriate!

Doesn't having a set weight (200lbs) give a tall person like yourself a huge advantage over a shorter, but heavier person? Why not a height/weight formula or BMI?

I am assuming this is because it is oriented towards big people, not necessarily fat. I don't see a whole lot of fat on you

So Clydesdale to most people implies "A large, powerful horse" - IE - A big dude on the race course.

Why did they pick Athena to describe a similarly proportioned female? From this link - http://www.wisegeek.com/who-is-athena.htm - it appears that she is the Goddess of Wisdom and War. Does this imply that large women in triathlon are supposed to be more intelligent and can whip a$$ more than their smaller competitors?

Why not stick with the horse theme for male and female? Or the Greek God theme for both sexes?


(I really don't care either way, just a slow day at the office)

simplest reason of all - nobody has hit it yet:

there is a demand for it. the product of triathlon meets that demand. nothing more complicated is at work.

if there was adequate demand for a class of wal-mart bikes, or fixies or guys running in crocs, or anything else you care to name - triathlons would meet that demand.


the question of its fairness, or motivation for competing in it, whether on not euro's have it, or any other ethical concern is entirely beside the point. persoanlly, i find it highly ironic that big people completely get over in other sports all their life, but as soon as they find one they don't have a natural advantage in they cry like little girls about it and demand special consideration ( as if they granted special consideration to smaller people back in high school when they were the sports stars . . . . yeah ). but no matter - it's there cuz people want it to be, and support it.

I'm sure if you really wanted to you could drop 40lbs and run faster

fatties want to get awards.

In all seriousness, why are there any categories beyond:

Juniors (19 and under)
Open (20-39)
Masters (40+)

People want to get awards and be a winner, so they create more categories to give out more awards.

People want to get awards and be a winner, so they create more categories to give out more awards.


It's also has the potential to bring in more money for the RD/race. So yes people want to get more awards, but people (race organization) also enjoy making more money. So really it's the American Capitalist way!!

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@brooksdoughtie
USAT-L2,Y&J; USAC-L2
http://www.aomultisport.com

I race it because I have low self esteem, weigh 210lbs when I haven't downed a 12 pack, and can't swim very well. I win it because I can bike and run nasty for a boy my size. I'd still rather get alot of sex than get a trophy but races are like women. If they are giving, I am taking. So suck on that all you skinny bitches 8)

haha

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__________________________________________________________
LAPT Cycling - - - - TriWI Tri Team

Actually, at the elite level, more sports have lightweight categories to allow midgets to compete than the reverse. As an example rowing has lightweights, boxing has heaps of weight classes. Running and cycling don't have concessions to size.

Recreational events can do whatever they like to increase consumer buy in, they don't matter in a competitive sense but driving increased participation is (generally) to the good of the sport.

Everyone needs to accept that different bodies suit different sports and that if they want to do something about not being suited to their sport they should change sports or just accept getting beaten. I will never be a Jockey or an elite runner, if I wanted to do something I'm suited to I'd row. But I like Tri and I just aim to be the best I can.

It's to lever the playing field for big people, not fat people.

It just wasn't enough for them to be dominant in Football, Hockey, Basketball etc...they needed a division so they could feel good about themselves in a sport that they are not naturally selected for.

jaretj

There should be 1 category. ALL PEOPLE.

There is one winner and a lot of losers. You finish 1'st you win. You don't have the best time you lose. Thats it, but your right about people wanting awards so the groups will continue to expand.

I'm 6'6 183 with 8% bf. You need to lose some muscle mass if you want to be competitive.

Matt reed is a good example at 6'5 175ish.

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CEO at TrainerRoad
Co-host of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast

Exactly. I'm 6'6 and used to be 210 when I lifted weights. Because I want to be competitive I dieted down to mid 180s. I can podium in ag and podium overall at some smaller local races.

You can still be tall and fast. Tj tolkenson is another example. I think he's closer to 200. Greg remaly being another, he's 6'5 190-195.

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CEO at TrainerRoad
Co-host of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast

Best answer yet. I am 6'2" and about 170 lbs. No way I'll ever go sub-18:30 5k, so there's not a chance in hell I'll pull out 5:30's in a tri.. But I'm not looking for an intermediate weight class so I can be competitive.

The only thing I like about age groups is it gives me certain people I see over and over and gives me something to shoot for. When I know there are a few people around my age/ability I have benchmarks. Beyond that, who cares? Tri is a sport against yourself for almost all of us. Those shooting for an overall win, good luck and nice job. I'll see you when I get around to finishing.

Originally for taller athletes but been hijacked by us fatties.

Helps make us fatties feel good about ourselves. We can come top ten rather than top 100 :-)

There was a guy at the Rotorua 1/2 IM a couple of years. (they thought he'd won the clydesdale division, but he'd inadvertantly cut the course). He gets up on stage. The RD knew he was single and asked him if he had any words for the ladies. His response was "I might be might not be a big man, but I've got 105kg to push it in with"

I'm sure there are some people that are still wiping tears from their eyes after hearing that live! That was a sound bite if ever I heard one!

Clydesdales ROCK!

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TriDork

"Happiness is a myth. All you can hope for is to get laid once in a while, drunk once in a while and to eat chocolate every day"

 

"Should there be a category for ex-swimmers who can't run?"

Umm, yes please.

I don't know what's more annoying this thread or the annual swimsuit edition thread. I forgot how many "perfect" people are here on ST. I may have a few extra lbs but I'm not the idiot(s) spending ridiculous amounts of money for some dimples that will apparently make me faster. If we can lose the extra lbs then you perfect people can train more and you wouldn't need the dimpled tires, water bottles, rims, helmets, frames, seats, shoes, wetsuits, underwear......I wish we all could be so perfect.

Yes cause no clydesdale has ever bought zipps before.... I love when people bring up this dumb idea that you should train instead of buy fast gear, you know you can wait for it.... DO BOTH! Don't bitch at the skinny guys because we took up a sport that fits our body type. Its not like I bitch that there should be a football league with skinny lineman so I can play center or someother ridiculous idea. But nooo its triathlon gotta win an award or ill cry.

I believe it is called "aquabike" of which there are extremely few :( (bite me Lance)

But I don't want to do an aquabike. I want a separate category to maximize my talents and minimize my deficiencies in a "real" triathlon":)

Dude. TJ is not even close to 200. Just sayin.

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I *heart* weak, dumb ass people...

http://www.train-perfect.at/.../AinAlarJuhanson.jpg

Doesnt hold him back and he is well over 200lbs

We all know a guy who weighs between 200-205 lbs. and gets off on racing Clydesdale because it makes him more competitive than if he were just in his AG. One good shit and he's no longer a Clydesdale.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

Re: there is a demand for it. the product of triathlon meets that demand. nothing more complicated is at work.

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Would people really not enter races if they did not have these categories?

To the women out there - Do you really sign up to race in a "heavier" category? Don't most of you lie about your weight /age anyway?

I really don't understand what the problem is....with the clydesdales out of your age group you have less competition and they aren't taking a podium spot away from you....why does it matter? They are no longer racing against you

I love the Clydesdale division for the really big guys. I think 200 lbs is a little bit light to qualify for clydesdale... maybe 250 is more appropriate... you know, the guys who are doing good just to finish. I like seeing those guys out there because doing tri's is making a difference in their lives. If they want a class to give them motivation to compete in, so be it!

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-Jason
______________________________________________
Is that all you've got? Are you sure?

I always thought "Amazon" would be a more appropriate designation

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"It's too bad stupidity isn't painful."
-Anton LaVey

I completely agree. It takes more courage to do something that is a struggle than it does for something that is in comparison easy. These people are trying to better their lives. When they start a race their goal is to finish not to podium. They inspire me to do more to better my life not complain about their achievements.

I've signed up as an Athena because I like tchotkes. I'm 5' 9" and can go either way.

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@kburnsgallagher
http://www.somerandomthursday.com

I'm not sure why it matters to anyone. I race as a clydesdale. I am always working on my weight, and have not weighed less than 200lbs since I was 12 years old.

But...throughout my late teens and into my mid 20's I had a sixpack that would make most triathletes jealous. I was playing highly competitive rugby at an international level and was running a 4:20 mile. All that at 5'11" and 215lbs.

When I hit 30 I was looking for a way to fight the bulge that so many former rugby plyers struggle with. I looked at triathlon as a possible sport, but was really intimidated by all of the super fast and super thin dudes I saw on TV. When I read about the clydesdale weight class I realized that this was a sport that was embracing anyone who wanted to get in shape and have fun.

I was over 260lbs when I decided that I would do my first Clydesdale tri. Two years ago I actualy dipped to 195 when I raced a 70.3. Today I am 220lbs and am training again after a long road back from some serious illness.

My life is better because of triathlon, and that never would have happened without the Clydesdale division. Having a clydesdale category draws people like me to the sport, and I don't think that is such a bad thing.

Oh yeah...I even finished on the podium once (well twice in the same race) 1st Clydesdale, 3rd AG. I got a little placque of me crossing the finish line at the end of the season, and still have it in a sock drawer somewhere.

Dave

I think we need an AG per person, since we all have an excuse why others get an unfair advantage. This way, EVERYONE can leave the event saying they have won, have a medal, and no one has their feelings hurt. It is just not fair I have to race against short people who weigh less than me. :o)

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Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep

Dude! I worked a whole lot harder to beef up than I have at triathlon!!!!

You disin' me???

:)

Why is there a Clydesdale/Athena Category?

Mostly so people will have one more thing to whine and complain about on forums. It also gives people fodder to trash other people and propagate their misconceptions.

Having the category never has hurt me in any way. It did help me one time when I received a first place award in my age group when technically I finished second to someone racing Clydesdale.

The category gives more people the opportunity to compete within the race. It wasn’t created for the purpose of making overweight persons more comfortable with starting the sport, but it does serve that purpose and many of those who jump in that way have quickly lost their way into age group racing. There are those who have made Clydesdale racing more like a club or a fraternity than competitive racing. That is a difficult concept for ultra competitive people to grasp, but they do have a good time. I see all of these things as a good thing for the sport.

 
My only complaint about these divisions is I think the weights are too low. Men should be 225 lbs and women should be 175 instead of our local 200 and 150 respectively. However, most women won't enter as Athena anyway due to the stigma of being overweight.

I worked with a woman (fellow trainer) who used to brag all the time that she was 1st in her division all the time - but neglected to follow that by telling people she competed Athena (at 160 lbs and 5'9"). She could finish a 5k in 28-30 minutes and barely break 28kph on a bike but she won every time because there would only be 3 people in her group, and the other two would truly be overweight.

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Part of the Slowtwitch Strength Training Association. Picking up something heavier than a bike makes me happy.

You misunderstood. I could care less who I am competing against. It's just that some of the guys who are borderline Clydesdales use it as a crutch and mechanism to place higher in their group. If that's their thing then so be it.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

This topic always stirs up the pot. I'm one of the people that haven't been mentioned, I'm 6'2" and about 205lbs. (at my leanest) and about 9% body fat and compete in my AG (never Clydes). I often place in my AG too. My last race I was 1st in my AG and 7th OA. Now, should the skinny, super fast people in my AG be mad that I didn't race as a Clydes? Because some would certainly be angry if I did race as a Clydes and placed because I am barely over the weight limit. But really who cares? Those people would bitch about anything to make themselves feel better.

Why do people get angry when there is an athlete just over the weight limit and they place in that class? They didn't make the rules.

I got into triathlon to release some of my competitive energy, so I go out to beat myself. If I place, then great, if not then then oh well. If your someone that will never place in your AG but bitches at someone that places in Clydes/Athena, then train harder so you can place too. If your that jealous then get fatter and compete as a Clydes/Athena.

Yes, that should make the battle for Kona and Clearwater spots get really interesting. Talk about rolldown...

I vote for a midget category. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that height was an advantage in swimming and possibly the other two sports as well? I recall that if you are a "longer boat" that you can swim faster, according to TI principles. I would think that for the Clydesdales who are ultra tall and muscular/lean, that their body type is an advantage for triathlon. One of their strides would cover two of mine!!!

So, as a disadvantaged person (tongue firmly in cheek here), shouldn't I get a "midget" category so I can win as well?

Just a thought.

Fat? Who are you calling fat? :-)

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´Get the most aero and light bike you can get. With the aero advantage you can be saving minutes and with the weight advantage you can be saving seconds. In a race against the clock both matter.´

BMANX

the question is NOT whether or not people would still race without a clyde class.

the question IS - is there any person who DOESN"T race because there is one ??

the answer to the first is maybe. the answer to the second is definately not. therefore, the simple rule of supply and demand holds true. if a bunch of tri-geeks decided they would no longer do races that had a clyde class in it - the clyde class would go away. i am not sure why this is so hard to understand for people.

I don't quite see why people get so worked out of shape regarding clydesdales/athena. It's not like it's a secret as to how one might qualify...200 lbs/160 lbs. If you're underweight, start eating, pack on the necessary pounds and see how you do.

I started doing triathlons at 6'4" 240 lbs on a lark, because somebody I knew was doing it and I said what the hell. While I was filling out the form I said "Oh hey look, there's a fatty category for people like me. How nice!"

After I got my ass handed to me and finished almost dead last in the fatty group, I realized that there was a chance I might could have placed given a little work. How exciting. Fast forward 3 seasons, about 35 lbs, and now I'm sitting pretty and have placed in every race I've entered for the last 2 seasons (yes as clydesdale). Is this fair? I think so...I worked my ass off to get into good enough shape, lose about 15% of my body weight, and am now raking in the $5 trinkets that most races pass out. Yay me! I'm signed up for my first AG race in a couple of weeks (same race as my first) and have a fair-to-midling chance of placing in AG. I will probably race most of the sprints as AG. Oly and up, reverting to clydesdale while I'm over 200 lbs. Do I feel guilty about that? Not really...it's in the rules and I'm following them.

Why am I saying this? Because as a first-time heavy triathlete, I was inspired to join the "triathlete lifestyle" because of the thought of placing in a division. Take that away, not sure if I would have gotten started down this road. As triathletes and (hopefully) advocates for this healthier lifestyle, why wouldn't we want to make this sport as accessible to as many people as possible? I've had the privilege and honor of talking several co-workers and associates into doing a sprint tri here and there. One of them has stuck with it and managed to lose 100 lbs. How cool is that?

When these divisions first started in running races, I swear the female version was called "Filly," not "Athena," in keeping with the horse theme. Does anyone else remember that?

I have no opinion on the existence of these categories--I agree it's kind of silly to try to eliminate the natural advantages of certain body types for certain sports, but I like the points some have made about being drawn into the sport through Clydesdale. But speaking for the women, the weight itself is silly. I'm 5'8" and about 136 lbs, but I've been a pretty fast runner when I've been closer to 150 lbs. 5'8" isn't even that tall for a woman. I've also seen running races that use 140 as the cutoff for Athena, which is utterly ridiculous (Somerville Jingle Bell run, anyone?). If you would like to perpetuate unhealthy body image among women athletes, suggesting that 140 or even 150 lbs is "heavy" regardless of height is a good place to start.

No, you are not sandbagging. The guy that won the sport overall and beat us by 6min in a 75min race is, I would say, sandbagging.

I always thought the clydesdale/athena divisions were unneccesary too, but then I started thinking about one (of the many) reasons that I like the mtn bike series you allude to (WORS): the divisions! Competing against people of your similar 'situation' is fun. Clydes get to race against other big folks, we sport mtn bikers get to race against other racers with limited training time/families/jobs/whatever. Winning sport doesn't make me feel better about myself, but it sets an attainable goal that is fun to work towards.

Agreed though, it can get carried away by having too many divisions, definitely see your point there.

I've seen filly before, and always thought it made more sense. "Percheron" might make even BETTER sense, but I doubt anyone would know WTF was up with that ;-)

5'8" is tallish--average height for an adult american male is 5'9.5"; for a female it's 5'4". (Which makes me taller than your average d00d. yay, me.

As of this afternoon, I weighed 135.7... I was a much faster runner when I was lighter (low to mid 120s). OTOH, I am a much faster cyclist when I am heavier.

I've seen several races where athena was 140. That's silly, I think. And no, I've never entered, even when I can qualify.

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mmm-mmm-Momo Charms
Handmade beverage charms, jewelry, and miscellanea
http://momocharms.wordpress.com

Personally against it. When I got into the sport I was 5'8" and 200 lbs. I was fat and didn't even qualify for clydes, its basically a division for tall weight lifters or tall fatties. Us short guys have to get down to a decent weight to compete in any sort of division, why do the guys over 6' get a free pass? Height is a plus for swimming, and a minor disadvantage in the other two. Its not like they can't do any other sports, all us short guys have is running and ping pong.

Its not like tall people can't compete in tri's, Jordan Rapp and Matty Reed (sorry BIG Matty Reed) do pretty well.

on the animal/female theme re clydesdales, perhaps the female version could be 'cow' or whilst swimming 'sea cow' (manatee?)

yes i'm a prick

I have competed both ways. I am 6'4" 215 lbs. I have been under 200 lbs for maybe one day since leaving high school. Physiologically there is a difference in the ability of a large body to dissipate heat. The ratio of surface area to volume is typically worse for a larger athlete. A huge amount of energy gets expended in the process of cooling the body. This is in addition to the obvious penalty that the additional weight causes in both the run & the bike. If my body fat ratio is as low as the guy who weighs 150 I am going to be paying several competition performance penalties.

If you all think Clydesdale is such a crappy idea I suggest that we form a new triathlon race. This will be a handicap event like in horse racing. Pick a weight and everyone will have to carry additional weight in their backpack to reach the appropriate limit. Anyone over the limit is allowed to compete because they are adding penalty points. Who wants in (especially all you lightweights that think we are overweight whiners!)

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http://bigmikega.wordpress.com

Are those ginormous paddles?

Oh good, now I feel better! I won Sunburst Mtn (AG) by 1 sec! Are you going to the Subaru XT Cup?

You may not be overweight, but you are a whiner. Waah, I can't dissipate heat. Boo-hoo.

Since returning to competition in 2004, I've gotten first in my age group in sprint and Olympic distance races in 17 out of 21 races (and two of those losses were with a pulled hamstring). I would have loved to be able to go to Kona, but you know what? I sweat too much to be able to compete beyond a certain length (Olympic is at my limit). I'm obviously paying a penalty due to a physical limit that really is beyond my control. Should I petition for a category that caters to my limit? No. Instead, I accept that there are some competitions for which I'm not suited, and suck it up and compete where I can.

And at 6', 175lbs, I'm no lightweight.

You want a handicap? How about adding a minute per year for your age under 50? Let's go with that.

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"Go yell at an M&M"

Thats not a whine, thats a fact. I will gladly take your time penalty offer. I compete in the 55-59 age group if I don't clydesdale. Did my 2nd 1/2 iron last year at Augusta and somehow managed 10th in AG. BTW I have only done this 3 years. I usually am giving away 50 pounds to the podium guys

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http://bigmikega.wordpress.com

I have no problem with the "C" category, except, when the winner of the "C" category places in the top 5 overall. There are a few of these guys, former pro football players that kick ass at 225 pounds. But for 98% of people over 200lbs they can't ever compete with a guy thats naturally 145. This is supposed to be fun.

I've seen a "C" at 6' 10" and skinny as rail. I was 6-3 165 and he made me look fat. I was more of a "C" then he was.

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Paul

Yer gonna have to get a lot older or a lot faster first.

:-)

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"Go yell at an M&M"

If clydesdale categories are such a good idea, why don't they have them in other non contact sports like figure skating, so if you are an Athena, you can do a double sow kow instead of a triple. Or baseball, he's big so we need to move the fences out or volleyball - the short team gets a lower net...... But the bottom line is triathlon is a sport where anyone can compete, which is a great thing and sometimes there can be novalty events with weight categories but it seems like we take the weight thing too serious. Does anyone know someone who actually gained weight to compete as a clydesdale. That would be counterproductive

"Why am I saying this? Because as a first-time heavy triathlete, I was inspired to join the "triathlete lifestyle" because of the thought of placing in a division. Take that away, not sure if I would have gotten started down this road. As triathletes and (hopefully) advocates for this healthier lifestyle, why wouldn't we want to make this sport as accessible to as many people as possible? I've had the privilege and honor of talking several co-workers and associates into doing a sprint tri here and there. One of them has stuck with it and managed to lose 100 lbs. How cool is that? "

Great post.

I used to love the fact that I could have someone to race against in the IM Clyde category. I have never got why people were so upset that we exsisted within the sport, unless so many out there are so insecure that they always have to look at others to validate themselves.

The diversity of the individuals who are in the sport is what it allows it to grow. If it is an enviroment where people are welcomed they will become involved in it for a longer period.

Who would you rather have in the sport; the A-type " I am so special I am doing Ironman" bucketlist 40 year old guy who throws around cash to get the best gear, does his IM with his entourage of paid coaches, then hangs up the P4 in the garage and brags about it for the rest of his life or the person who does not fit the mold. Comes in, has to work their butt off but develops a passion for the sport. Three or four years later this person is still competing, volunteering and bringing new people in.

Unless an athlete out there is a pro, triathlon is your hobby. We are recreational athletes, why not smile when someone out there achieves a goal, rather than try to put others down just to elevate your own ego.

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it turns out that our OP is only "mostly" dead........ ElGordo

I had cunningly secreted my flip flops just near the exit from the swim, so picked them up on my way to T1.

Makes sense, kind of.

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´Get the most aero and light bike you can get. With the aero advantage you can be saving minutes and with the weight advantage you can be saving seconds. In a race against the clock both matter.´

BMANX

Ah, I thought that red/white thing was a pair of crazy paddles. Now I look, it is some sort of bizarre pagan bunny sculpture. Much better.

Ther is a Clyde/Athena division so that similar people can compete against each other. It's the same reason people are divide by age group. There is also a safety reason at our loacal sprints. They send us out in the second wave so we don't die in the heat of the run!