Question for all college runners or runners who continued their passion throughout their college years, we all know damn well how expensive running can be. What methods do you have to keep things affordable (nutrition, shoes, training, etc)?
Question for all college runners or runners who continued their passion throughout their college years, we all know damn well how expensive running can be. What methods do you have to keep things affordable (nutrition, shoes, training, etc)?
Church pot luck = free food
Parks = picnics and cook outs = free food, especially if it is a large group, just blend right in
Homeless shelters = free food
Grocery stores often throw out perfectly good food, just have to dig in their trash. This maybe illegal, so watch out for the police.
Running is one of the more economical hobbies you can have. Sure, the shoes can add up. But if you know a variety of models you like you can pretty much always get some on sale.
As for clothes, buy quality running shorts, tights, shirts, etc. and you'll be good to go for a long time. My favorite running tights are from '99. Same with my favorite long sleeved tops, which are from around '01 or '02. I have multiple pairs of shorts from '05 that are still rocking.
Then pick your races wisely. A lot are really expensive. I only like to do a few costly ones a year and they are usually solid races where I will not only have a good time but have a lot of people to race against and could also run a good time. Most of the filler races I jump into cost between free and $20.
Run barefoot on grass
Thrift store clothes
Eat ramon noodles and eggs
Drink tap water
Don’t race unless race entry is free
Live in your parents basement
Don’t own a car
Don’t drink
Here’s some ideas wrote:
Don’t drink
You lost me there man.
Fwd all bills to mommy and daddy
Dude running is free compared to any other sport.
Shoes should cost no more than $50. (Kohl's, DSW if you have it, Nike outlet.) At my Nike outlet, I've found that Saturday mornings they often "blow out" shoes such as Elite 8's or whatever, for $30, every so often. I buy several pair if I can.
ALL my running clothes are either WalMart/Target, or Goodwill. (Champion FTW.) My better stuff lasts years. Gloves from Home Depot are a couple bucks. 12 socks 10 bucks at Target.
I do free races and all-comers meets all the time. Only 3-4 pay races yearly. I have one pair of racing flats I ONLY race in, they're years old, and will last several more years.
You have a smartphone like everyone else on earth. Pay for a $10 arm holder.
Given the above, still MILES better than anyone would have been in the 70s and 80s.
Bean and cheese burrito, Chipotle: $2.18.
Sous vide machine and vacuum sealer: $200.
Whole chickens from Whole Foods, $1.99/lb monthly sale, butchered free.
If you think running is expensive, it's a good thing you aren't into almost any other sport. Running is about as cheap as it gets as a sport-hobby.
Shop around on line for shoes. I never pay sticker price for shoes. If they aren't marked down or on clearance, I don't buy them.
Eastbay shorts are great, and cheap.
Enter small running club races and skip the big party races.
Food...eat fruits and vegetables. They make up the majority of my diet.
There's no need for Garmins, or any of that silliness.
Oh, money is such a favorite subject of mine!
I will repeat to you a favorite piece of advice i’ve heard:
Become somebody who likes money.
I’d encourage you to begin to like and enjoy having money set aside for your future, or for the proverbial rainy day.
Most people think they like money, but really they like the process wasting money. They like the brief thrill of wasting their money on consumer goods.
Consumer goods, 90% of the time, are just selling you a fantasy. So, people throw away their money thinking they can shop their way to confidence, or attractiveness, or even a new level of fitness.
What did Steve Prefontaine have in terms of gear? Fancy Garmin to track his runs? Compression sleeves? Foam roller?
In theory, you can run in cheap cotton tube socks (uh, in addition to a tshirt and shorts) and log your mileage on lined paper, and have a big old omelette for breakfast when you get back from your run.
Dozens of legendary runners throughout history, ran simply and lived simply. Follow in those footsteps?
Get faster so you can run D1.
Should've been more clear from the start. Yes running is a relatively cheap sport. It's the lifestyle (primarily nutrition) that can get expensive. Any pointers in that regard?
Why does the cost of food have anything to do with running?
Daltonj800m wrote:
Should've been more clear from the start. Yes running is a relatively cheap sport. It's the lifestyle (primarily nutrition) that can get expensive. Any pointers in that regard?
We already covered this. Make fruits and vegetables the center of your diet. Can't get much cheaper or more convenient than that.
Predictor wrote:
Why does the cost of food have anything to do with running?
You must not run that much.
Daltonj800m wrote:
Should've been more clear from the start. Yes running is a relatively cheap sport. It's the lifestyle (primarily nutrition) that can get expensive. Any pointers in that regard?
You will have to eat whether you run or sit on the couch. It's actually cheaper to eat balanced meals than to eat junk food. Just avoid processed foods at the grocery store. Say no to anything packaged in colorful plastic and you're on the way.