The USAT national board just passed this revision of the USAT Rule Book, Article III, General Rules and Conduct, Rule 3.2, regarding the Athena and Clyde class. The resolution passed on April 2.
“The weight standards will commence in effect on January 1, 2013.
Female weight class (Athena) 165 pounds
Male weight class (Clydesdale) 220 pounds“
As most of you know, the prior weight minimums for these classes of racing were 150 (Athena) and 200 (Clydesdale). I was blown away by the response I received on Facebook and direct emails about this change. *Note: this will not go into effect until NEXT year, and the official Rule Change has not been published yet. I will pass along when I have it.
Generally, the men commented that they needed to eat more doughnuts to make the 220 weight. The women screeched, “Yes! I’m OUT of this class” ….or “Sigh, still so far to go.” In other words, the men were proud to be Clydes. The women appear to be scrambling to escape the Athena class like it’s the 7th circle of triathlon hell.
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| Athena Pink Cap, Acworth Women’s Tri, 2011 |
My friend, Life Coach Carrie, gave me a magnet a while back that says Athena: Goddess of Kick Ass. After digesting the many reactions about this weight class change, I had to ponder….
Athena: Goddess of Too Fat?
I woke up this morning, and gave myself a disgusted look in the mirror. I’ve been sidelined for almost seven weeks with a broken foot, so I have done (obviously) no running or biking. I have swam but I have pretty much not used my legs or glutes for six weeks. And it shows. Eeek. As I scowled in the mirror, I quickly snapped out of it. I have come too far for this crap, I said (out loud).
My attitude reminded me of stupid post awhile back on a blog that I will not link to. The blogger asked the question: Did this “Plus-Size Model Betray Us by Losing Weight”? The blogger later apologized for her post, and like I said, I can’t link to it, because well… I hate her blog, her stream of ads and everything it stands for. (Okay, enough of my rant).
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| By the way, this is the woman who “betrayed” us… because now she looks like this. Ha. Hello. I’d love to betray ALL of you…if it meant I’d be rocking this healthy, athletic body…. |
I was so enraged by the post, that I posted a stinging comment, which I never do. “Stop writing stupid crap like this and write content to EMPOWER women about the bodies they LIVE IN (whether thin, fat or otherwise) and stop staring, analyzing and making a freaking big deal about whether that body changes, and whether you “should” raise applause or eyebrows.” I tend to feel the same exact way about the Athena and Clyde “war.” People are really passionate about their respective sides, too. I see five angles to this so-called battle.
1) The Happy Athenas: I fall into this category. We are the big(ger) girls, we know it, and we choose to race with our fellow 150+ (soon to be 165+) pounders. Sometimes the “bigger” girls are just very tall and fit girls. 150 pounds is all you gotta be to join the club. I am on the far end of the (+), by the way. I don’t care if I see a svelte 6’0″ woman racing and winning the class. I don’t care who is in the class, or what they look like. All I know is that I am part of a group of women who do not see 118 pounds on their scales in the morning (and maybe never will), and that’s okay – we TRI anyway.
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| Third Place Athena, Tri The Parks 2011. (Last Place Age Group!) |
2) The Exiting Athenas: Women on the border of the great weight divide, who race Athena because they can place well in the class, but are ready to escape the group. Just a few more pounds! Athena is goal to pass through, not a lifetime member club. And when they do pass out of the group, they appreciate the hard work and dedication it took to be an official “real” age-grouper, who can’t race Athena. (I wouldn’t mind this group either, to be honest).
3) The Age Group Athenas: Ladies who think the Athena class is either ridiculous, deplorable, embarrassing, unnecessary, or just can’t stomach weighing at athlete check-in. I understand. Weighing-in is horrific. Even though these ladies could race Athena, they would rather ride their bike into oncoming traffic than race this class. Wearing spandex is tough enough without the dreaded “A” on the right calf. They choose to be age groupers versus Athenas, which is precisely why the choice is there.
4) The Indifferent / Supporters: The group of men and women who don’t have to worry about ever nearing these weight cutoffs, and are therefore indifferent about the whole Athena/Clyde group and don’t spend their time worrying about what others are doing… Or, they think it’s great to have the two classes, that it helps encourage participation in triathlon – and that is a good thing. Either way, Athena/Clyde, Tomato/Tomato doesn’t matter to these guys.
5) The So-Called Purists: Those who believe triathlon should be closed to Athena-like and Clyde-like people. Those who believe that triathlon is a pure sport where only elite athletes should be allowed to play, blog about and talk about. (These are the ones who send me nasty emails…go ahead, you know you want to.)
Soooo….where are you? Do you belong to a “side”? Did I miss any?In light of getting mad at models for losing weight and the great Athena debate, I must ask why… why don’t we simply plan to EMPOWER women (and men) to race in the bodies they live in (thin, fat, strong, Athena, Clyde or otherwise).
Especially in triathlon! A sport where people are putting themselves out there, trying to move, and trying to change their lives. Some women (and men) may do triathlon to lose weight. But it seems easier to me to just sit on the couch and stop eating… than to train 6-25 hours a week for weight loss…
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| Coming out of the water with other Athenas and age-groupers… August 2011. |
When a woman begins to swim, bike and run, when she begins to learn the nuances of triathlon, it becomes something bigger (no pun intended) than weight loss. Slowly, she learns to train for the health benefits, the comraderie, the sense of accomplishment, the mental health break from the job & kids, the pushing-beyond-her-comfort zone rush…and the excitement of crossing a finish line that previously seemed impossible.Same goes for the dudes, except my caveat coming from the Expert … for guys, each triathlon feels like a win, and every guy needs a win sometimes.
I believe with all of my heart that ANYONE can do a triathlon. ANYONE.The Purists may believe that anyone can, but think that not everyone should do a triathlon.
I disagree.
I think there is a time, race, and place for everyone. Yes, a 250 pound beginner should not take on an Ironman race and bottleneck the swim and cause dangerous conditions on the bike. Should a 250 pound beginner work hard to learn to swim, bike and run… grasp the rules of the race…and head out for a local sprint tri? YES! Yes! YES!!!! You must start somewhere. I took on Miami 70.3 because I knew I could hang with a group on the swim and bike, that I may be slower, but I would not be a course hazard. On the run? Hell, no one cares if someone else is walking…
But this is precisely why there are women’s only races, local races, fun runs, sprint tris, staggered wave starts. All of these factors lead to a safer course, but also a welcoming spirit. Can just anyone win the race? No. Will someone finish last? Yes. Will it be you? Could be. Is that your biggest fear? Finishing last? Embarrassing yourself? Is that why the Athena class gets so much resistance and fury and laughs? Because it’s embarrassing? We are a funny, fat, jolly bunch who will never amount to anything? What about the 5’11″ fit women who race the Athena class? Is it unfair because they are tall and thus, weigh more…and not short and tubby? Would you rather die than race Athena?
Of course, you are not required to race Athena if you are over 150 pounds. It’s merely an option available to you. Which I think is fabulous. The 70.3 and 140.6 races usually do not have this class, anyway. Of course, I understand goals and wanting to lose weight to be faster. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not a complete triathlon moron. Plus, I would love to be under that cutoff, not to race outside that class – but to simply rock a string bikini. I am not even close. But I keep moving.
At St. Anthony’s Triathlon, I raced Athena and saw women on the course who clearly were in my “group,” only they chose to race age group, avoiding the Athena girls. It’s a choice. An individual choice, and an interesting one, at that.
Athena: Goddess of Too Fat? Of course, you know I don’t feel that way. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts….
*Remember: this Athena/Clyde rule change will not go into effect until NEXT year: 2013.
I really enjoyed this post. I will admit I am an Athena but always race in the age group. Both because I am embarrassed and because sometimes my age group (20-24) has less competition.
But I've also realized in the now 3 races I've done that triathletes come in ALL shapes, sizes, ages, fitness levels, genders, backgrounds, mentalities, etc. It doesn't matter. I agree that ANYONE and EVERYONE can tri!
I didn't start triathlons to loose weight, I did it to accomplish something. Sure I might have gotten more fit along the way, but I didn't go in hoping to drop 10+ pounds. The feelings of pride and accomplishment are the reasons I do tris.
Just because someone isn't a skinny-minnie doesn't mean they shouldn't do tris.
You are brilliant,well said! I would love to post your blog on my FB page. I have competed in many Tris and running races,never as an Athena but, my choice not to! I am consistently hovering between the weight of one! I am not a stick but,I am fit! I have run 4 half marathons in a year all under 2 hrs and a full marathon. Being fit is what matters. Love it when people are in awe of my accomplishments and yet I am 145+lbs.
Hope your heals soon and you are back training.
You make me laugh!
I love this! I am venturing into the world of triathlons and have 4 sprints planned this summer. I pondered the Athena non Athena debate. While I don't like telling the world I weigh over 165 lbs…its a fact. Its sad that society has brainwashed us to think there is something wrong with weighing over 100lbs. I have resolved to accept that is who I am. No petite bones in my body EVER! I am comfortable in my skin and the best shape of my life. I am doing the sprint tris for fun…If I ever won and age group that would be awesome but my ultimate goal is just completion and hopefully faster than the previous. Thanks for writing about this!
This summer will be my first triathlon, but I have been racing marathons for five years. I love the athena division and am happy to see they are raising the weight on it. I am a "big" girl and will never be small, but I am fast. And I am proud of my body and will be proud to race with the 165 pound crown. I wrote a similar post about embracing your body, I'd love for you to read:
http://westfordmommy.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-is-your-number.html
Thanks for a great post!!
I love this post. Happy Athena here! I am a 5'9, 155lb Athena who is crushed that they are changing the weight. It's not that I don't want to race in my age group (I often do as many races I register for do not offer Athena divisions), but rather that I find the Athena participants to be a rather supportive bunch. Once that I will miss being a part of.
I'm so confused so please bare with me.
Do they always have Athena groups for triathlons?
I first saw it at a race in 2010. Then I entered the group for that race and placed second in my division. So I don't mind the weight groups. It is rare here to find a race that does have Athena/Clydes groups.
No, not always… depends on the race!
I have raced in both categories, even placed first in a small triathlon as an Athena. But even then I find myself comparing my times to my age group to see where I fall. I don't know why I can't commit/own the Athena category, I'll always be an Athena weight-wise. I guess I just feel like it's a "special" category for something that isn't "special." I'm out there grinding it out just like everyone else, is it special that I'm doing it while weighing 165+?
I've never raced under athena because I didn't even know what it was when I signed up. I still signed up age group for this year. I just figure either way I'm toward the back so who really cares. If I enter age group at least I get to start with a few of my tri friends (until the gun goes and they're G O N E!!)
I think the A/C divisions are wonderful though. It gives the heavier person the opportunity to compete against others of the same weight. No matter how you look at it…lugging 165 lbs on a bike is NEVER going to compete with lugging 118 (until you go down hill
). Who really cares?? Let people compete whatever their weight/age/ability. As for the hardcore triathletes that think this sport is only for elites, then stick with your elite group. The A/C's shouldn't impact you one bit. There are snobs in every crowd, and then there are the rest of us who want to share the love of triathlon, empower everyone to do this.
And I stick by the magnet I got you "Athena…Queen of KickAss!!"
Great post!
First off, you kick ass. So anyone who is sending you nasty emails = d-bag.
I am 5"8 and always on the cusp of Athena. My fighting weight is 145 or so, but I'm usually right around 148-150. On my Ironman Day, I weighed in at 153. I haven't raced as an Athena, but that's mostly because I'm a head case enough on race day and I don't want to weigh myself to add to it. I think it's a fabulous idea, because as a taller and non-waify chick, I know I would have a hard time hanging with the 5 feet, 100 pound soaking wet girls just on physics alone. So I'm not really comprehending why anyone would want to get rid of the class.
At Lifetime last year, I saw the Athena podium and OMG. They were about 5'11, muscular, supermodels. Seriously. Then I heard another person behind me say, "See? That's not fair. Those girls shouldn't be racing Athena. It's not fair to people like me who are 'real' Athenas."
So I do believe there is some girl on girl crime here.
Whoever qualifies and wants to race as an Athena has every right to, and to rock on with her bad self.
Hope you are back to training and feel better soon!
TriSaraTops – yes! I could not agree with you more… girl on girl crime – that's exactly what I was looking for… You are awesome. Thanks!
Excellent post! I signed up for the second sprint tri as an Athena not even realizing I was supposed to be embarrassed. My same-sized friends looked at me like I was crazy. You can't hide much in the spandex clothes so why not take the chance to race those also hauling around some extra weight?? I would have finished in the middle of my age group but came in second in the Athena division. The power of this sport should not be reserved for one body type. We can all benefit from the magic.
This is a great post. Kind of like Louise above, my weight hovers around 145 – 150, but I am fit, run a sub-1:45 half-marathon and a sub-3:45 marathon. I am not trying to make the point that I am "fast" because of course fast is relative to each individual…just that it doesn't matter what we weigh, it is about the individual and their capabilities (thin, fit, skinny, fat, whatever). When I am on the heavier end of my weight, I don't compete in Athena, not because I am embarrassed or ashamed but because I want to see how well I can do in my age group. That is my choice. What category we CHOOSE to compete in (or NOT compete in) is a personal choice, but its really all about that we are all out there doing good things for our health and our bodies and having fun! Thank you for your words!
Nice post. I am a steady 150+/-2 pounder. I am thin and DENSE. You are right – there are a lot of opinions! I have considered (out loud) racing Athena before and have been shut out by another letting me know the category was not put there for me. In the end I always choose to race in the age group – because I am competitive with those little girls.
I choose Category 2 or 4 (whose average is 3…but I'm not a 3) 
I recently found your blog and can I just say- I LOVE YOU?!!! I am rocking 170-175 lbs (5'6") and well, I do not foresee me ever being anything BUT Athena- ha! I am working towards my first tri this year but I have run 5K's, 10K's and half marathons. The first time I saw the Athena category (coincendentally for a 5K of all things), I couldn't decide how I felt. Then I decided I did indeed belong in this category and I placed SEVENTH- eek!!! I know there is no way in HELL I would EVER place without Athena and I may never place again, BUT I did- once : ).
Fist pump for Athena!!!!
I do care though! As a triathlete that is over 200 pounds I would love the opportunity to compete with other people that are more in my weight class than 150 (soon to be 165). I can't ever place in my age group, but I would love to feel competitive with people closer to my same weight. wish I could sign/start a petition to get the Athena category to change. As someone over 200 pounds, it seems really wrong that I am competing with 150 pound women in the Athena category. Even more wrong is the idea that a 150 pound would be concerned overweight!
I just found your blog and I LOVE it!
I completed my first Iron Girl triathlon in 2009 at 192 pounds. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I felt empowered, invincible, like superwoman!
My second Iron Girl was in 2010 and I was about 200 pounds. Last year, I finished the Danskin Triathlon at about 205 pounds.
Yeah, the numbers are going up…ugh.
This year, I am registered for 3 sprint triathlons and currently weigh 215.6 pounds. (Of course, I am also on a weight loss plan).
My whole point is, ANYONE can do a triathlon, as long as you train and start small. To me, the sprint triathlon is the perfect foray into triathlon and allows the newbie to see what it's really all about.
BTW – I always register as an Athena and am proud to do so. I love representing the often overlooked.
Let me tell you, size means nothing! I am beat on a regular basis in the swim, bike AND run by women who weight a lot more than me. I love how triathlon brings people of all shapes and sizes. It's all about fitness, not size.
I stumbled upon your blog while foolishly looking for some last-minute guidance on my first 70.3 which is in give or take eight days. After reading all the glowing "I rocked, the swim was easy, the bike awesome, the run even better!" blogs, your Miami report was absolutely what I needed to read. Down to earth, real, but with a kick-ass finish time.
Anyway, I'm with sugarmagnolia on this one. Triathlons are about fitness, who cares how big, little, wide, thin you are. Anyone who claims that triathletes need to be, look, or perform a certain way misses the whole point of a triathlon: At the end of the day, you're racing yourself, and no one else.
Great post! This is my first time to your blog, and I can't wait to read through it. I am a 42 year old mother of 4 (one an infant) who got into the tris a couple of years ago and love them! I have sought out blogs of other racers like me and am glad to find yours!
I didn't know about the rule change, which will make me not eligible for Athena next year (unless I gain weight
). I actually have always thought that the Athena weight should be slightly higher to be comparable with the Clydesdale weight, so I'm somewhat surprised they changed Clydesdale, as well. I'm not rejoicing being out of the category by rule change, but if I got to what I consider my ideal weight of around 150 and fell out of the category, I would rejoice to be thinner!
I always race Athena if they have the category, because in my first race, a huge sprint (or sprint+ because all of the distances are longer than standard) I was in the Athena group and felt so much camaraderie with my fellow Athenas. We were all talking while setting up transition and while waiting for our swim leg. Then I placed 3rd!
My good friend who often races with me and qualifies for Athena is too embarrassed to register as an Athena. She feels bad about her weight and doesn't want to advertise it. But, as a previous commenter said, spandex doesn't lie! Just because I have an A on my calf and she has her age doesn't make people automatically think that I weigh more than she does!
Geeze, I've been meaning to get over here and comment since the day you posted this (darn work network that blocks every blog under the sun!)
I'm a PROUD Athena and likely always will be – I'm 6'0 and weigh well above 200lbs. Even at my absolute fittest and thinnest I still weighed in around 180, solidly into the Athena category.
My physical/athletic abilities have NEVER been similar to other women my age…but my abilities have been similar to women of ANY AGE that are built like me…and THAT is why I race in the Athena division.
I wish there wasn't so much negativity about the categories – whether its coming from women saying it's not fair for "bigger" racers to have their own category, or if it's Athena-eligible women that are "too embarrassed" to be "singled out because of my weight".
We all come in various shapes and sizes – and we all have different abilities. Why NOT race against people that are similar to you??
I am a fellow Athena girl, and love it! I love that I don't have to compete against the 5'2, 118 pounds (dripping wet) girls. Because frankly, it's not the same. (I'm an engineer, so I understand the math and logic behind the division.) Will I ever place? Probably not. But it's nice to know my ranking compared to those that are most similar to me.
Also, this is the first post of yours I have ever read, and I love it. You are now in my feed of blogs I follow!
I race Athena and fall into category 1 – right now. In 2013 I'll be too light for it. My natural weight while I'm training is just above the current cutoff, and it seems silly to put on weight just to stay in it, since I just like to race at a good healthy weight.
I did a 70.3 last weekend and somebody made an obnoxious comment about my racing in the category. You might be interested in reading about it http://obligatorytriblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/trycharelston-half-672-awesome-miles.html
Life’s too short to be anything but a HAPPY ATHENA!!
First of all …. I love love love your blogging. Sometimes I laugh audibly and others I simply ponder and get inspired. With that said….. I am a 5foot 3inched 168lb who proudly competes as an Athena! I havent weighed less than 145 in 18years, and at that point I was a size 2, hungry,, and very unhappy girl! I openly refer to myself as “Fat Girl”….kinda like Fat Amy in that movie…..”so twig bitches dont do it behind my back”….yes, that is a funny ha ha so please laugh.
Recently my daugter and I did the ABF 10k MudRun, completed almost every obstacle, and had a blast doing it. During the next to last obstacle I made my standard “Fat Girl floats” comment while swimming across a very chilly body of water with my kid in tow. The skinny mini in front of us got so offended, shot me a nasty look, and told me “that’s horrible”. If not for my kid right by my side I may have sunk her to the bottom for a minute . Really, who was she to have an opinion! She was the one my kid overheard making a comment about “the big girl with freckles” BTW? I was the big girl with freckle and she was the one my kid blew away climbing 8ft walls as Skinny Mini couldn’t get her self over the top!
I look at it this way….I successfully completed my first two tri’s this past summer. Both completed as an Athena. Neither finished in landspeed record time, but nonetheless….. I cannot wait for this season! Never underestimate the Fat Girl….I’m strong, fit, and comfortable being me!
Courage to Tri,
Strength to Endure,
Resolve to Finish!
[...] The Athena and Clyde triathlon classes are going UP in weight in 2013. [...]
When I first started triathlon i competed in age group and always finished in the top half. Not bad. It wasnt until recently I decided to be proud of and flaunt that im 5’10″ and 170 lbs of pure muscle. I have worked hard for this physique and Im not afraid to show that Im not petite and I can still rock the sport!
[...] is a great post on this topic on the Swim, Bike, Mom blog that explores the debate from all angles. I am definitely someone who is embarrased by the [...]