How Cheap is Running? To Give A Mouse A Cookie: Running Edition

I don’t know about you, but I am often told running is so “cheap”. All you need to do is go outside and run.

But how “cheap” is it really?

Realistically all you need to go for a run are : some decent shoes (cash),a pair of shorts & a  shirt (more cash) & if you are smart, a water bottle (yet more cash).

Your done.  Now you can go run.

The Final Cost is around $150 bucks, pretending you bought some decent shoes & went with Walmart brands on your shorts and shirt. If you are a girl add a few more bucks to hold up Mary Kate and Ashley. And don’t skimp on the holder of the twins. You don’t want cow utters.

I would say this runs in the rather reasonable/cheapish category. Wouldn’t you?

But wait there is more. (The runner now becomes the Mouse) If you have NO idea what book I am talking about here you go (read the 1^st paragraph). Come on guys, work with me people. Play along please.

You have now been running for a few weeks and are falling head over heals in love with it (and what it is surely doing for your body).

Soon you find yourself possessed by the running devil and enter the world of dry wick. I am a betting gal so I think this will happen right after you complete a long run on a blistering hot day; Insert: Phoenix summer time here; & you can’t stand your shirt sticking to you anymore.

During your quest to JUST pick up a few dry wicking shirts, you notice dry wicking socks, bras and shorts. You grab them all, hand them your Visa, rationalizing you will be able to use those Visa reward points towards something in the future.

Your bill comes later in the month & your mouth falls to the ground when you notice you just spent a lot more then you thought, & now need to get a second job to support your addiction to this “cheap” sport.

You rationalize (this is so not me, I would never do this, not in a million years, okay maybe I do), all this money being spent on these clothes is perfectly acceptable because running is good for you and it makes you happy so you give yourself a “pass”.

You’re getting lonely out on your runs, so you decide to join a running club or two. All you’re new “running friends” talk about the races they are going to do & how you should do it too “they are so much fun” they squeal, then begin to reminisce about a previous race they all did together (never mind the additional cost).

You go home that evening and sign up for a half marathon, not even blinking at the $100 (or higher) entry fee. You quickly imagine a VISA commercial.

Price of wick away outfit $100

Price of Race Entry $100

Price of Sense of accomplishment when they hand you a finisher’s medal

PRICELESS

Time passes and before you know it, it’s FINALLY time to attend your FIRST ever Race EXPO.

Being a newbie you go and easily drop another $100.00 buying tons of things you just “had” to have. It is okay. Enjoy it while you can. Spend that money. Remember?? Priceless!!

The day of the race is here. You toe the line in your awesome wick away outfit, & you’re off. One to four hours later you pass that finish line while you simultaneously try to smile and not let the camera know you are crying tears of joy,  which leaves your face looking somewhat distorted (again so not me, it was a friend). Finally, you get handed your finishers medal and bawl like a baby in pure elation.

Again PRICELESS!

A few weeks later, you are still wearing your medal (because bling is completely acceptable in our society along with sagging pants (gag) and continue to be riding the high from your race when you get an email.

PICTURES from the race.

Yes, pictures. Now that you have seen them, You want to buy them. All. Or at least one.

Cost ?

OMG expensive. But you tell yourself it is your first one, you have to buy them. When are you going to ever have another 1^st half marathon?  Um, never. There can be only one 1^st.

Since purchasing your pictures, you are flying higher then Lindsay Lohan ever flew while high on cocaine, so while your brain is full of endorphins you sign up for another race.

Bam..you dropped another $100.

This time however you want to train better, so you need a wonder watch aka Garmin to tell you how fast and far you went. This wonder watch is going to make you run so much faster and is the key to getting a better time.

You drop about $100 – $400 bucks. Bam Bam

Over the next several weeks, you notice you are slightly tight (your legs not your wallet, your wallet is very loose, obviously)  & your running buddies recommend yoga or even some cross training. Rather then go fork over 500$ plus for a bike, you join a gym. But hm maybe you do want a bike…. (a story for another day).

With all the working out your doing (running, racing, gym workouts) you are on a first name basis with the peeps at Performance Footwear & sometimes you receive gifts from them. (They love you from the great bonuses they got last year from all your spending).

To help cushion the blow from the large Visa bills, you figure out you can use your Reward Points for free flights.

You know what that means..right?

Races in other states!!!!!!!!!!!!

To FINALLY answer your question on “How Cheap is Running”, I leave you with this.

It only REALLY costs $150 bucks.

But can you really put a price on completing something that changes your mind and body?

And your welcome,  Visa for the free marketing.

Do you think running is cheap? Do you agree it is worth it?