Wednesday, September 28, 2011

I am Athena

Some of you may have seen my Facebook post from this past weekend with the picture of me standing on a 2nd place podium holding hardware. I would like to clarify (not minimize or qualify) what that podium spot is and what it means.
I race in a category called Athena (Goddess of Power & War). This category is for women who weigh 150+ pounds. There I said it, I weigh more than 150 pounds. I am 5’9” on a muscular frame and I own every single one of those pounds proudly. There is also a category for men over 200 pounds called Clydesdale, Ken actually raced in this division for his first duathlon but he is now safely out of that category and has no desire to return.
Few women register for races as Athena. I am not sure if they don’t want to admit publicly they are over 150 pounds or if they feel the category isn’t as dignified as age group or they just want to be in a more competitive group of women in their age group. My age group is 40-44 and let me tell you these women are FAST!
Racing Athena does not diminish me, my fellow competitors or the hardware I brought home with me. Athena is who I am. When I look at my fellow Athena’s who are mostly built like me with a taller frame, plenty of muscle and some gorgeous curves thrown in I am proud of them – some of which are pretty darn fast and most can smoke me on the run. I know a lot of Athena’s from previous races and most of them are Moms like me who came into endurance racing later in life. There is a misconception that Athena’s are fat girls and Clydesdale’s are fat guys but that is not what these categories were created for. If you question who is in these categories I suggest you come to a race and stick around for award presentation,  the men and women in these categories are tall, fit, strong and proud.
This past weekend there were ten Athena’s registered for the Olympic distance triathlon. The race director split the field for Athena’s under 39 and my category is Athena 40+. Two of the women in my category did not start the race or did not finish the race, their results are not posted. I came in second out of three. I was the first overall Athena in the water in both categories and I tied for third on the bike overall. When I collected my hardware the race director said “I can’t believe you would even go for this category”. I am not sure exactly what he meant by that but it sounded like he feels Athena is somehow less than age group and I imagine a lot of athletes feel this way. Many women finished this race before me. Many women were faster in the swim, bike and run. Most of them registered age group, many of them qualify for Athena. I walked away with hardware (trophy) and they received a finisher medal.
I must say when it was official I had come in 2nd in my division I was hesitant to post the picture but here’s the deal, I have 5 children including three daughters and I would NEVER want them to feel less than so why would I allow that for myself? I am Athena!

10 comments:

  1. Great post and congrats on the podium. Take what Aaron says with a grain of salt because in the grand scheme of things it just doesn't matter.

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  2. Keri, you look awesome and your accomplishment is stellar! Girl, we are TALL! I'd be racing every race as Athena (and proudly). Anything less than 170 looks horrible on me. Every bit of you allows you to accomplish what you do every day, on and off the race track. Mwah!

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  3. at my last race, the masters clyde (40+) had a time that beat the 20-24 men, and many many other podium winners. Even though I'm 270 and slow, so I look like what they think Clyde should look like, I was so jazzed to hear the smoking time from a fellow big guy.

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  4. Great job babe - so glad your numbers were posted and your hardware was all yours. You are beautiful and all the inspiration I needed to get in this crazy sport. You are a GREAT role model for our children. I love you!

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  5. Good for you!! Andrew (hubby) is a Clydesdale. He is 6' and muscular. I think you've seen his calves--they're enormous! And he's broad-shouldered. Just the way he was made. He was 27 last time he weighed under 200. At almost 42, that weight is probably never going to happen again. He says he'd be happy to be 200.

    Gosh, I weigh 144, and I'm five inches shorter than you! Weight is really just a number and I am so glad I have mama friends like you who teach their daughters that. Who cares what you weigh if you are strong and feel great!? I am just loving getting in shape. If I never weigh 125 again, I don't care. Muscle mass is more important to me, anyway. You rock and have a been a real fitness and mama inspiration to me. I love seeing you at the Y and on Facebook. I think "look at Keri--I can do that!!!" :)

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  6. Yea for you! You are awesome! Congrats on a podium finish and a great attitude!

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  8. Bless you. You make me proud to be a woman, wife, mother, and athlete.

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  9. Congratulations! You should be very proud of your 2nd place AG!

    I didn't realize it was 150+ for tris. A lot of road (running) races around here are 140+ and I've debated entering in the category.

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  10. We don't have that category here. Only age groups. I am not sure if I would enter if even if we did as I am border line and would worry that on race day I would (hope to )be below.
    Well done!

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