Running is an activity that most people consider to be free. No losses in our wallets and huge gains in health. However, once you start to become serious about running the costs start to appear and they become significant. When you start competing, running can get quite expensive. So how do you justify race entries, new shoes, and running gear in your already tight budget?
Firstly, let’s consider the costs involved (based on Australian costs)
*Running shoes every 500-800km or every six months $100+
*Running shorts, shirt once a year $100+
*Race entries $30 per month or $360 per year (a marathon can cost upwards of $100)
*Gels for long distance runs at $2.50 per gel or $30 per month
*Travel costs anywhere from $0 to $1000’s depending on the distance and requirements
*Miscellaneous costs that may arise anything from $0 to $100’s.
*Running shoes every 500-800km or every six months $100+
*Running shorts, shirt once a year $100+
*Race entries $30 per month or $360 per year (a marathon can cost upwards of $100)
*Gels for long distance runs at $2.50 per gel or $30 per month
*Travel costs anywhere from $0 to $1000’s depending on the distance and requirements
*Miscellaneous costs that may arise anything from $0 to $100’s.
Just by considering the above we’re looking at around $1000 per year if not more. That’s about $20 per week. If you have bills to pay and a family to look after it might become too difficult to justify these costs. However, if you really love running you need to look at the non-financial gains that running can give you which make your life so much better and provide you with savings in other areas too.
*Improvement in cardiovascular health which means less chance of heart problems as you age
*Better bone health due to strengthened bones which means a lowered risk of osteoporosis and arthritis
*Better immunity against the common cold and flu which means less visits to the doctors and less money spent on cold & flu medication
*Opportunities to meet like minded people and make life-long friends – studies have found that having quality relationships extends your lifespan and improves your happiness – kudos to running
*Chances to see your town, country and even the world by partaking in various fun runs and races which help you grow on a cultural level
*Regular running means that you are less likely to have weight problems which means you’re healthier and feel better about yourself and your body
*Running sets a good example for your children and others around you, if you run chances are that your children will have active lives too and that’s good habits for generations to follow
*Ability to eat what you like – in moderation of course – but it means that having take out once a week or treating yourself to a piece of chocolate after dinner or a glass of wine won’t make you feel guilty (guilt can make you feel like shit so try to avoid the feelings).
*Clears the mind and allows you to reduce your stress levels to think clearly and get on with your day and life without worrying about things that are out of your control.
*Better bone health due to strengthened bones which means a lowered risk of osteoporosis and arthritis
*Better immunity against the common cold and flu which means less visits to the doctors and less money spent on cold & flu medication
*Opportunities to meet like minded people and make life-long friends – studies have found that having quality relationships extends your lifespan and improves your happiness – kudos to running
*Chances to see your town, country and even the world by partaking in various fun runs and races which help you grow on a cultural level
*Regular running means that you are less likely to have weight problems which means you’re healthier and feel better about yourself and your body
*Running sets a good example for your children and others around you, if you run chances are that your children will have active lives too and that’s good habits for generations to follow
*Ability to eat what you like – in moderation of course – but it means that having take out once a week or treating yourself to a piece of chocolate after dinner or a glass of wine won’t make you feel guilty (guilt can make you feel like shit so try to avoid the feelings).
*Clears the mind and allows you to reduce your stress levels to think clearly and get on with your day and life without worrying about things that are out of your control.
For $20 per week that’s a lot of benefits.
What benefits have you found from running in your life? Do you spend a lot on running?
