Over on the Tough Chik blog, there’s an interesting post on whether or not to register for Athena class (sometimes over 150 lbs, sometimes over 165 lbs). I’m friends with the original author of the FB post that inspired this, so it’s a debate I’ve been mulling over for a while.
Obviously, I’ve said it here. I’m registered as an Athena for my race in a few weeks. I weigh over 150 pounds and so be it.
I agree with the RD’s comments – does weighing more automatically make you a lesser athlete? Clearly not. And yes, muscle weighs more than fat, and some of us will just always be slightly heavier athletes. So be it.
But what got to me was some of the commentary, both on the blog and other places. The allegation was that people register for Athena (or Clydesdale, if you’re a guy) because they simply want to place, because it’s less competitive.
I will admit, in some races, the Athena field is small. In the race I’m doing in a few weeks, the list is long. Looking at previous year’s results, there is no way I have any chance at placing. So why do Athena?
A couple of reasons. Number one, I qualify. Number two, it means I get to start with friends who I would otherwise not get to start with based on AG waves. As it turns out, it also means an earlier start time, but I didn’t know that when I registered.
But you know what? I’m also registered there because somewhere in my brain, I would like to place. I have no chance at an award in my AG and I honestly have no chance in Athena either, but I can dream. It feels like it’s a possibility. Maybe not this year, but maybe someday.
I hate the allegation that I’m not facing real competition by competing Athena. Have you seen some of those women? They are crazy fast. And not just the ones who are barely qualifying. I know triathletes who easily have 30 pounds on me who could blow me out of the water any day.
Now, the ideal is that I get down to a healthy weight, which would put me out of Athena classification. Because that’s where I should be. But that doesn’t mean that I’m any lesser or facing any less competition now. I shouldn’t be made to feel bad for going out and competing, regardless of which class I choose to compete in.
The top of a healthy weight range for my height would still place me in the Athena category – and I’m a woman of average height. Numbers can be misleading!
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I’m so sorry people on the internet have such strong opinions on dumb stuff. Good for you for competing Athena anyway. You rock!
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I am not trying to start an argument, but I’m actually with that race director. There are plenty of athletes in those weight-based classes who are strong, fast, and talented. There are plenty of people for whom that would be a healthy weight. It promotes thinking that 150+ lbs on a woman is, “heavy” without taking into account height or build.
What’s next, groups by BMI? The <18.1 BMI wave will go off at 8am. Can't have those skinny people freezing their butts off at the swim start!
If it's there, and you qualify, fine. Go race. Have fun. Enjoy it. It pulls some fast people out of the AG race, even. But fundamentally, I'm not a fan of the idea. The majority of the field doesn't get a choice about what division they race in. In order to empower women of all shapes and sizes to see that athletes come in all types, I say go race them all and we will finish where we finish.
I think the RD made his point well and I don’t disagree with him. I’m not arguing that there should be more Athena divisions. I just think that if they exist and if someone choose to race there, so be it. It’s neither good nor bad. If they disappeared, I wouldn’t be disappointed. But I shouldn’t be looked down upon for racing in the category.
We are all racing the same course no matter what your age or size. Most of our paychecks are not effected by your rank. We should all race our own race and support each other for the athletes we are. At the end of the day, it is a personal decision and NO ONE should ever judge you by what is written on your calf in sharpie. I hope I didn’t stir the pot or any comments on the post or fb page made you feel bad, that was not the intention and I hope you know that. HUGS