Tri update...
Just wanted to let everyone know...the energy of this Sunday's triathalon was intense! Men and women of every age, size and shape running around in various stages of undress, adrenaline coursing through the air on Chicago's lakefront. I saw triathaletes with six-packs, others with bellies, hairy men, shaved men, more wetsuits than you can shake a stick at. There were about 9,000 people competing - it's apparently the biggest triathalon in the U.S. - and then, on top of that, figure another two-four people cheering each competitor on!
Team Women's Health did fabulously...they'll be updating their blog with scores. It was such a rush just to see someone you know slicing their arms through Lake Michgan, or zooming past on their sleek, pink bike on Lake Shore Drive. One interesting thing I've gotta point out: As I watched the athletes line up in 'the chute' prior to entering the lake, the emcee was announcing which group was up next (ie women age 20 to 29, men 40 to 49). There was one group of men who were especially big, and they were affectionately announced as "The Clydesdales." As in, huge horses. The crowd cheered and the men smiled and waved. I cheered and smiled back, woo-wooing along with everyone else. But later, I did think to myself, my God, that would NEVER be cool if it were larger women competing - to name them after a giant animal.
All in all, my editors lucked out on the weather. Chicago went from Tsunami Code Red 5 to beautiful and sunny, 75 degrees in approximately two days. Gotta love the Windy City! Just watching all that activity zapped the wind from my sails and I went home, crashed on the couch and ordered deep dish with Dan, so proud of Chicago and all we have to offer.
xoxo
Comments
I think in some races there is a clydesdales category for women. and you're right, most of them that I hear from don't think it's cool.
My friend and I ran a 5K race as a "clydesdales." For women, the minimum weight for the category was 160, and my friend and I just made it (we're now both in the low 150s). We weren't announced at the starting line, thank God, but our in-category placement was 2nd and 3rd, so we actually felt pretty good about it.
For women, it's called the Athena category. Many women are too shy to admit they weigh more than 150lbs, so they compete in age groups. But for many others, it's an extremely competitive group with some finishing times rivaling top age groupers.
