Going for Broke
Much to my dismay I will not be able to race in Clermont this weekend. Partially because I was Mr. Mom Monday-Wednesday which means I lost my workouts but mostly because at about $60 a race I really cant afford $120-180 a month in race fees. If I had had the time to put some race money away beginning at the end of last year I would have done so but I only found triathlon in February. Therefore I have to kind of pick and choose the races that are important to me and stick to those for the time being.
Like anything you might get involved in that becomes more than an occasional hobby, I've found triathlon, although you're born with most the equipment you need, to be quite expensive. Goggles, more goggles when you lose those, GOOD running shoes, YANKZ for those shoes, swim suit, race suit, bicycle (I'm still riding a woman's mountain bike), race fees, training books/videos/web sites, wet suit (I don't use one but many do) the list can go on and on but I've managed to do it as inexpensively as possible. The trap you get into is the more passionate you are about something the more likely you are to look the other way about the bill. If I could afford it I would probably race every single weekend. So its important to be reasonable.
So, as of right now my tentative schedule is:
I expect to find two or three more in August and September. The fun part is trying to find races away from home but near family for an overnight. For instance there is a Key Largo race in August.
Since this post dealt primarily on matters of money I would be remiss not to mention Dave Ramsey whos budgeting prowess has helped me afford the races I DO get to participate in. Of course I break some of Dave's rules by getting into triathlon. I know he would tell me so long as there is debt there should be no triathlon. The way I see it is I want to live to see the end of my "Debt Snowball" so triathlon is a means to and end. Thanks Dave!
Like anything you might get involved in that becomes more than an occasional hobby, I've found triathlon, although you're born with most the equipment you need, to be quite expensive. Goggles, more goggles when you lose those, GOOD running shoes, YANKZ for those shoes, swim suit, race suit, bicycle (I'm still riding a woman's mountain bike), race fees, training books/videos/web sites, wet suit (I don't use one but many do) the list can go on and on but I've managed to do it as inexpensively as possible. The trap you get into is the more passionate you are about something the more likely you are to look the other way about the bill. If I could afford it I would probably race every single weekend. So its important to be reasonable.
So, as of right now my tentative schedule is:
- July 11: Tri-ing for a Cure Triathlon, in Ormond Beach
- July 24: Coca-Cola Classic Triathlon #6: Fort Myers
- September 9: Biltmore Lake Triathlon, Asheville, NC
- September 26: Disney's International Distance Triathlon
I expect to find two or three more in August and September. The fun part is trying to find races away from home but near family for an overnight. For instance there is a Key Largo race in August.
Since this post dealt primarily on matters of money I would be remiss not to mention Dave Ramsey whos budgeting prowess has helped me afford the races I DO get to participate in. Of course I break some of Dave's rules by getting into triathlon. I know he would tell me so long as there is debt there should be no triathlon. The way I see it is I want to live to see the end of my "Debt Snowball" so triathlon is a means to and end. Thanks Dave!
posted by Migofast at
5:43 PM
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