Active Community : All Content - Athena and Clydesdale

Shorts not along for the "ride"...

guest — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:12:03 GMT

In the process of loosing weight and getting run times down I've run into a short conundrum. Now that it's hot (and humid in my area) shorts are the clothing of choice. For those of us with a little thigh, I know at least for me, I find myself on a run worrying about my shorts and if they are "riding" or inching to places they should not be. I've tried a few different kinds of shorts (no way am I getting into the teeny running shorts yet) and found some that work "just okay".

Has anyone run with the spandex type shorts under looser running shorts? Those who have much more race experience would this be an odd combination (I'm just vain enough to not want to look like a complete dork! haha). As I round into summer races I don't want to 1) be wearing pants or 2) worrying about adjusting shorts during a race!

-Ras

Marathon Shoes

guest — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:30:04 GMT

Good morning!

I have worn out my pair of Asics 1170's and want something lighter. I'm 6'3" and 200 pounds, and run with some overpronation, but nothing severe. Does anyone here use lightweight shoes that still provide control? Thanks in advance!

Newbie

guest — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:47:36 GMT

Hello! Just thought I'd introduce myself, in case there's an active group watching this board. I'm fairly new to running (6 mo.) and not quite as new to working out in general (2 years in February). I started running just to bump up my cardio during the week, but I've participated in two 5ks now, and had no idea how much fun they can be! My goal is to run the whole thing some day, which for myself is a substantial goal. I look forward to sharing info and encouragement with everyone here!

This whole Athena/Clydesdale thing cracks me up. They're kind of ridiculous labels, but I've got to admit, I hope a 5k in my future lets me enter a weight class category. Propelling over 250 pounds unaided by a treadmill is no easy task.

Help with Winter Running Tights for 2XL

guest — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 03:44:30 GMT

Hello - I am currently 248 pounds and training for a half marathon. This is my first winter running... and figuring out clothes has been difficult.

I can fit into a Nike XL, but most other brands I am still in a 2xl.

I am currently wearing Cuddl Duds tops and bottom, Nike running pants over the top and a technical shirt. My top is warm enough, but my butt, thighs, and legs are quite cold when the temp gets to 20 degrees or less. Since some of the long runs have me outside for more than 3 hours... I am a bit worried about this.

Everything I see online goes up to XL... apparently fat people are supposed to freeze all winter? Any ideas?

Athenas are Real Runners too!

guest — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 06:12:02 GMT

I'm super proud of my Athena status and wish there were more online communities like this one that celebrated Athena and Clydesdale runners. That's why I just finally created one myself on facebook and Twitter called AthenaRunning. www.facebook.com/AthenaRunning After running 6 full marathons, 30 half marathons, and training for my first half Ironman triathlon, I STILL get the nay-sayers that say I'm not a real runner. But with the bad, comes very supportive and encouraging non-Athenas and Clydesdales that respect me as a real runner. Keep running everyone!!

opinions on qualifications for Athena/Clydesdale categories

guest — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:07:25 GMT

As a runner that can typically qualify to run as an Athena I have to wonder how the qualifications were decided and set on the 'weight' categories; and how those entering and running within them feel about this way of trying to level the playing field for prize categories.

I am what I (and most that know me) consider fairly thin and very fit ... yet, since I hang out in the 150's aside from peak training periods, I could run in the Athena weight category if I chose to do so. I never have and don't think I would, I do just fine in the open category as do some other gals I know from racing that could also enter in weight categories. I do outweigh most of the frontrunners by quite a hefty bit and it is a handicap for my times but not what I'd consider the reasoning behind the spirit of setting up such categories.

I've read a few of the threads here and I think it would be highly frowned upon by most if somebody like myself snatched a coveted prize set aside for those that are overweight to some extent.

So, I suppose I am really asking if most feel these categories are meant for those keeping fit while being overweight or trying to lose weight, OR if they are meant for anybody that is not a petite waif of a person?

I hope this isn't offensive ... I don't mean it to be ... I have competed well in some races and been pushed and often beaten by folks that 'appear' to be in less fit shape than myself - I know extra weight don't always mean less fit, believe me ... and sometimes I find I just have to look at the awards ceremony and find out if they entered open or weight category and am always curious how each runner makes that decision.

Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Sun, 27 May 2007 18:33:00 GMT

hey everyone! i'm nikki. i've been running since Feb. of this year. I'm about 192 (down 26 pound since November woot!) and I race at like 12-MM. (i've done 3 5ks in the past 3 months and i'm training for a HM)

At each race I've been asked by the bigger gals if I'm walking too. Is it because I'm a big girl that they don't think I can run? I have improved greatly and I know speed will come with weight loss. I just don't get why they think bigger girls don't run. I usually pass a few people that go all balls out and realize they didn't train properly for the 5k and I know it ticks them off that they got beat by a big girl in a skirt.

I just am so dishearted by the fact that because of my size i'm not "accepted" into the runners world.

So am I the only woman that feels this way?

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Nikki :)

Nobody puts baby in the corner!

A New Perspective....

guest — Sat, 05 May 2007 04:13:00 GMT

Hey everyone, this is my first post on any board, but I saw the Clyde and Philly forum and knew this was the place to chime in.

I want to say right up front that I now have an even greater appreciation for everyone that falls into our race category. I once was one of those stick figure folks that cruised along. Then, following college, I got married, then my wife and I brought two children into the world, and all of a sudden I am looking in the mirror to find a person that grew on me - literally. In my college racing days I was 150 lbs, 85 pounds later I realized something had to change.

Fast forward to last Sunday, I am toeing the line for a local 5k, my first race since college. It took 5 months of walking an hour everyday, and then gradually adding running back into the mix, dealing with FAR MORE lower leg injuries, and eventually, more miles of acceptance and running at a pace slower than I had been accustomed to. I had brought my weight down to 205 at one point, but as I built muscle I added some weight.

23:12 after the gun, I crossed the finish line to the smiles and cheers of my two little boys - excited to see their Daddy complete "the big race" (it was a very local, very small 5k fundraiser in the town where I live), but for my little guys I was running the heroic and hellish 26.2m from Hopkinton to Boston.

The moral here is twofold: for those of us that carry a little more on the course, we can still compete and enjoy the sport. After three attempts at "making a comeback" I fell victim to stress factures, and thought to myself: "well that is it, I am never racing again". But with a couple steps, to a couple minutes, soon it became a couple miles, and then, EUREKA! I am able to race again. My weight still bothers me a little, but in addition to smartly increasing my mileage, and listening to my body, I am watching my nutritional decisions. I'd love to get back to 180 at the very least, but even if that day never arrives I take comfort that I am once again A RUNNER.

Much respect and love to every Clyde and Philly who takes the two bravest and most important steps any runner can take each day - those two steps out the door to go run.

Here's to many miles of greatness!

Clydesdale and Athena runners

guest — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:18:09 GMT

I have heard it once said that a majority of the people running in the races shouldn't be running in these races...namely "US", but let's see the race organizers of the NY Marathon, Boston Marathon etc. complain about how their beneficiaries are complaining about the koffers running dry when it is only funded by elite runners.

Your comments?

Do you even CARE about being fast?

guest — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 21:01:00 GMT

I do, although it's all relative. I'd love to do an 8 minute mile. However, @ 1/2 Marathon distance I'm 12-14 so that's a long way off.

Why? Cuz I wanna take hardware in sprints. 8min mile and it's mine!

But what about you? I've been more and more people, especially big people, who just love being active and really don't give a poo. They all seem to prefer going long instead (as the general rule).

What about you?

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