The cost of running

GoHardOrGoHome

I was just thinking about my likely running and other race expenses next year:

IMRA membership (10)
IMRA races x 20 (20x7=140) (super value!)
Adidas Series (45)
Run-a-muck (16-20)
Wicklow Adventure Race (~60)
Gaelforce(~80)
Achill Roar(~50)
Triathlon entries (2-4x50=100-200)
BHAA/other cheap road races (4/5) (~60)
Expensive road races (3/4) (~100)
Other Adventure Races (CCAR/Ballyhoura) (~300)

So in race entries alone I'll be shelling out approx 1000 euro.

Oi veh! :eek:

I think I need to race less and train more.

Slogger Jogger

Yep.. and that doesn't include any marathons. Then factor in your overnight stays for far flung trips, money for new gear etc and this can get expensive. Perhaps a more docile hobby like chess might be cheaper

hunnymonster

running is still my cheapest hobby though. In fact I think it saves me money. before I ran, I used to wear makeup and heels every day. The lifetime of a pair stiletto's is significantly less than a pair of trainers.

kennyb3

Running save me a fortune - only going out once/twice a month now instead of 3 to 6 times. saves minimum of 100e a month.

plus you cant put a price on the enjoyment and confidence it gives me. i feel my life has changed for the better since i started running last january

RacoonQueen

I was looking through my account on wiggle about a month ago, when I saw how much I've spent on gear, runners, energy drinks etc in less than a year I nearly died. Especially seen as I buy gear and runners if I see them cheap in the shops or on other sites aswell. I've probably never even worn some of it. That been said, I don't spend much on other clothes or shoes so it all balances out.

I've already spent over 200 euro on race fees for next year and over 200 euro on two sets of flights for next year thats without accommodation, train travel for Irish races, taxis etc... but sure I'd only be out getting hammered every night if I wasn't training so, yeah, it probably is cheaper than nice girly clothes, make up, shoes, drink and taxis in Dublin.

shels4ever

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I was looking through my account on wiggle about a month ago, when I saw how much I've spent on gear, runners, energy drinks etc in less than a year I nearly died. Especially seen as I buy gear and runners if I see them cheap in the shops or on other sites aswell. I've probably never even worn some of it. That been said, I don't spend much on other clothes or shoes so it all balances out.

I've already spent over 200 euro on race fees for next year and over 200 euro on two sets of flights for next year thats without accommodation, train travel for Irish races, taxis etc... but sure I'd only be out getting hammered every night if I wasn't training so, yeah, it probably is cheaper than nice girly clothes, make up, shoes, drink and taxis in Dublin.

ah well but you save on the doctor's bills for health issue... or just replace the doctors bills with physio/massage bills....

Pharma

The cost of running is directly proportional to how slow a runner is.

The slower the runner the more money they will spend.

Slogger Jogger

Wish I was faster!

toomuchdetail

Cost of doing nothing only training is more....isn't it .

Cost of a PB -Priceless

SM01

I'm hoping I'm not tempting fate with this one but.... As running has become more important to me over the years I've started to alter my lifestyle so I eat better, drink less and I'm more aware of what's good and bad for my body (and I act upon that info). In that regard you could say that running has probably saved me €€€ in medical bills.

Having said that, I have a decent stock of shorts and tops which'll last for years so my only expenses over the year is a couple of pairs of good trainers. I don't do races (have nothing against them though), I get my kicks by making splashing in puddles, bombing up and down hills and through the thinking time running affords me and for that reason I think it's a priceless pursuit

tunney

Running costs nothing other than the price of a pair of runners. And maybe the odd massage.

All the rest in your list isn't really strictly running related.

Triathlons? Adventure races? not even the same sport.

Running races - you don't have to do them. You can just go out and run.

If running is expensive its because you make it so.

GoHardOrGoHome

tunney wrote: »

All the rest in your list isn't really strictly running related.

Triathlons? Adventure races? not even the same sport.

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

I was just thinking about my likely running and other race expenses next year:

I thought I had clarified it in the first line of my original post. "Running races and other races" might have been a less ambiguous way of putting it. "The cost of racing" might have been a better thread title.

tunney

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

I thought I had clarified it in the first line of my original post. "Running races and other races" might have been a less ambiguous way of putting it. "The cost of racing" might have been a better thread title.

Races are expensive - that much is true

--amadeus--

The general point still stands though - running is as cheap or expensive as you make it.

The only area you cannot economise is on trainers and even they can be bought in sales / online. Technical t's you get from races. If you don't have enough then run in cotton, it won't make that much difference to your time. Garmins, HRMs - a cheapie digital watch and online mapping does all the important stuff for you. Fancy socks aren't vital - you can get cotton sports socks 5 for a fiver if you look for them.

And races don't need to be expensive (I don't know about tris). IMRA, BHAA and local clubs put on cheap and well run events - you may not get a fancy medal or goodie bag but nor will you pay for them. And with so many marathons in Ireland you can race here saving on travel, something that was less possible even a couple of years ago.

[edit] before I get accused of hypocrisy, my Garmins were both pressies and I usually run in cotton socks and often in cotton T's.

RacoonQueen

Decent sports bras are expensive. :pac:

--amadeus--

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Decent sports bras are expensive. :pac:

I just nick mine off my next door neighbors line...mmmm frilly



[thats a joke by the way]

downthemiddle

--amadeus-- wrote: »

[thats a joke by the way]

Thats not what your neighbours say !

rainbow kirby

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Decent sports bras are expensive. :pac:

Gotta love those times when TKMaxx gets a few Shock Absorbers in...

hunnymonster

Debenhams winter sale often have 70% off them.

jlang

In cents per mile, my car is cheaper than my runners.

aburke

jlang wrote: »

In cents per mile, my car is cheaper than my runners.

Care to share your workings? I'd love to see how I fare.

robinph

aburke wrote: »

Care to share your workings? I'd love to see how I fare.

My retired shoes seem to work out at about 25 cents per mile according to a website I log my runs on. Last pair I've retired a bit sooner than expected though but they were a bit cheaper anyway and worked out at 28 cents per mile. My costs per mile will go up quite a bit then once I add on the gels and such like, other bits of gear would have a longer life, but then it's all down to how good you are at resisting the urge to keep buying stuff.

jlang

aburke wrote: »

Care to share your workings? I'd love to see how I fare.

(Ignoring other costs of motoring, and of running. Just for fun.)
Shoe rubber: E100/pair, good for 500 miles. 20c/mile.
Petrol: 125c/l, 34mpg. 13.9c/mile.

tunney

jlang wrote: »

In cents per mile, my car is cheaper than my runners.

Well if you actualy did some running............

jeffontour

jlang wrote: »

Shoe rubber: E100/pair, good for 500 miles.

I'm currently testing this whole theory for myself. I've a pair of shoes with about 600 miles on them and bought a new pair of the same shoe which I've about 50 miles on. I can honestly say I much prefer the old ones and think I run with better form in them. But that's for the Barefoot Running thread maybe.

So, back on topic. My running in the past few years has involved a bit of travel and support crew etc. so it's been pricey. I'm not even going to start toting it up. I'll try reign things in spend wise next year but I could be dead tomorrow so if something comes up that I want to do and can afford it'll be added to the list. What's it they say about a fool and his money?

hunnymonster

jeffontour wrote: »

I'll try reign things in spend wise next year but I could be dead tomorrow so if something comes up that I want to do and can afford it'll be added to the list.

That's pretty much my philosophy as well. Fools seldom differ I hear.

yop

sush OP.. if my wifey knew all those figures I would be a "Jonny 1 ball"