Posts tagged submission
Thank you so much for The Athena Exhibit! So happy I found you.
AnnieB, two time Ironman finisher, triathlon age grouper 14 years
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TAE :: thank you AnnieB for writing and supporting the Athena Exhibit!
by Jen Koper, a St. Paul, MN-based Triathlete
What the heck do Greek goddesses have to do with a triathlon? Athena (and Clydesdale) are divisions for “big” athletes. These divisions were created to encourage athletes of all shapes and sizes to race.
What are the requirements? The only requirement for registering in these divisions is a minimum body weight of 150 pounds for women. This is an on-your-honor registration for most races; I have not been to any that had weigh-ins, although it remains a possibility. And I suppose you could be challenged if you won or if someone was snarky about it – I imagine it to be like drug-testing winners. This is a pretty basic requirement and it says nothing about body type or fitness level, so triathletes in Athena division really do come in all shapes and sizes, including those of us who we shall politely call “above their ideal body weight,” as well as athletes who are tall, stocky, and well-muscled; and both novices and amateur elites.
Why would I want to race Athena? There are several advantages to racing Athena, mostly because Athenas often start earlier in the race schedule. For races with a long range of starting times, that can be significant. 1) You have cooler temperatures – particularly advantageous if the day is hot or if you don’t handle hot weather well. 2) Because of the earlier start, aid stations are fully stocked so there is little to no danger of running out of Powerade or having the ice water sponges packed up by the time you get to them. 3) Again because you start earlier, you are less likely to be one of the last people on the course. 4) You are still eligible for awards (some races have separate Athena awards, some races group you back into your age group category). 5) You’ll have less time to wait around getting nervous about the race! 6) You carpooled and your ride home is faster than you, so you want to make sure they don’t leave without you.
Why would I not race Athena if I could? There are a few things you may consider: You may want to race near someone in an age group category (someone you’ve been training with or who has a similar pace). You may want to start later in the morning and warm up more. You may want to take a nap before you start. You might even be embarrassed about signing up for Athena – to this I say, “Pshaw!” You will be in the company of great athletes and friends.
Can I always race Athena? It does vary from race to race. Smaller races may not have an Athena division, likely because there’s not that big a range in start times or a small field of competitors.
