Go with the Clydesdale group. At 226, you are way bigger than most male triathletes. I fluctuate between AG and Clydesdale. When I race Clydesdale, I always place much higher in that group's ranking than if/when I do AG. If the race has a Clydesdale category - many do not - take advantage of it.

I typically race Clydesdale because there is no way I can run as fast as a guy who is 5'9 155lb. I come in at 6'4 225lb and my race age is 29. I don't see anything wrong with it. I might switch to AG next year since I think I would be reasonably competitive in AG even though i move to 30-34. All the races I have done in AG come down to the run as far as placing, and in a big race, I lose about 10 places and about 4 minutes on the run.

I can just look at my time, and other peoples times and compare them. top 10 overall is still top 10 overall, etc. I personally don't see anything wrong with winning in a category I fit into very well.

But yes, people measure success differently.

Shouldn't the groups be a formula that includes age, weight, sex, hours training, and cost of gear and coaching? That way everyone in a group will be about the same speed. I can't be expected to keep up with people that spend $5k on a bike, have a coach, and train more than me.

In all seriousness, enter the clydesdale group if it gives you a better shot at hardware. After the race, you can compare your age group, and you'll either be proud, or know how much time you need to drop in order to be there.

Clydesdale class is just that. A weight division, similar to that of an age division, simliar to the all female triathlons out there. (Now where are we on the formation of the Man Tri). You all complete on the same course, under the same weather conditions, so it really doesnt matter what you register under. You are going to get the same time, no matter what class you are in. Why, you could take the results and create you own classes just for fun.

If you are looking for bling and are 200.1 pounds and win the C class for the day, then, you deserve it, your technically a C, but I get my butt tied up in knots when I see a person getting an award when I know they are not at 200+ pounds. (Sandbaggers).

I race in the C division, place top 10 usually and tip the scales at 227 (Down from 263 Dec 1st), but I am still 15 minutes behind the lead C's. We have a greaeat group of Clydesdales and Master Clydesdales in our area, and by no means could you say any of them are fat or overweight, but just a larger group of guys who have to drag the extra weight around.

Register for the Clydesdales, they know how to poke fun at each other, but ultimately, they are just as competitive as the age groupers.

Now if they introduced a BMI class into triathlon, then that would really be intersting !!!!

Screw the drag component...just look at how much more work/energy is being burned from carrying around even just a couple extra pounds for a full IM...the numbers get big quick

I am no expert, but it has always seemed to me that Clydesdale/Athena categories should be based off of BMI and not weight... Someone who is 6'3" and 210 is very different than someone 5'6" and 210.
Regardless... We are getting way off point...
I think that you are fine racing in either category - it seems to me that you should go with whatever makes you feel more comfortable going into the race. You can probably look at the results from last year to see if you have a legitimate shot at an award in either division - if that is something that matters to you.
Good luck!

I think you should go with whatever category you want to compete in. As others have said, Clydesdale categories exist for the very same reasons that age group categories exist, to provide a level playing field in at least one component to measure yourself against. That's all it is, and so I think it's very personal choice whether or not to use that. To me, it's a very valid category because as others have said, hauling an extra 40 pounds around a course makes a big difference, even if you're the exact same body composition and fitness as the smaller competitor. It really has not much to do with BMI, it has more to do with gravity and drag and the physics of it all.

That said, I can race in either Athena (female Clydesdales) or AG. I usually race as an age grouper because I'm usually place in my AG, and I would typically in most races just win the Athena hands-down. So there's no point really to me entering as an Athena, it's better to leave that to others who would maybe otherwise not place in an age group category.

Thanks everbody for responding.

First off I've decided to enter as an AG for this race. I figure it's a good place to start. I should finish this sprint (440yd S / 13.2mi B / 3.7mi R) right around 1:35 or so. Looking at the results from last year, that should put me smack in the middle of both the 25-29 group and of the under 40 clydesdales. I have a friend racing with me, lets just say he's not Clyde material, and we wanted to start in the same wave. I think if there were a beginners div in this race that's where I'd be, but unfortunately there is not.

So my goal is to race 3 sprints in 2009 before Nautica NYC. If at the start of the season next year my "fighting weight" is 200+ then i'll stick to Clyde. If not, well first off i'll be 50lbs lighter in 2 years (woo hoo), and 2nd i'll probably be a well in shape AG racer.

thanks again

And I love that way to pick a group -- racing with the people you want. :)

So wait a minute if I simply eat two or three extra burgers per week I can put that 7 lbs back on and get back to Clyde level. Who knew...

I think you race what feels good, I just hope to be within sight distance of my boss in Sept. Me at 193 or so and him at 135 - 145 or so. If that happens there will be ribbing. Anybody need a manufacturing engineering manager.

Not to change the subject, but being eligible for the Novice division should I enter it or compete with my AG? Obviously, the AG is more competitive, but it's not like I'm going to podium in either. Downside to the novice division is that their wave starts last.