One of my coworkers started doing triathlons three years ago. She asks me for running advice from time to time, and I'm happy to oblige. I'm glad she's found an activity that she likes. Note this isn't really about her so much as the great job the triathlon industry does at pulling money from the wallets of the easily impressionable.
Over the years she's told me about the things she "has" to buy to train for triathlons. She has three bikes, the cheapest of which was over $2000 before new wheels, aero bars, etc. She has a trainer (we live in northern California, so not really a necessity), bought a treadmill, has the top of the line Garmin (the new one with the topo maps), and always tells me about new wetsuits, speedsuits, racing "kit," and all other manner of clothing. Race entries can cost upwards of $700!
To top it off, she has a personal coach (the one who has been directing these purchases; I'm guessing the coach has making out like a bandit), and twice a year goes to week-long training camps with the rest of her "team." You'd think she's improving, but her half IM has gone from a slow 7:30 to a slightly less slow 7:15.
I get it, I'm a bitter runner, and I'm letting how someone else lives her life bug me, but I'm just amazed at the stuff triathletes will buy, even if they're back of the packers. Makes me think I should invest in a tri shop, or maybe the tri bubble will pop soon? I mean, this is one person who got into the sport three years ago, and she's literally spent tens of thousands of dollars. I've probably just spent too much time around frugal runners.