How much money have you spent on triathlon? (Page 3)

La la la la - not thinking about it - la la la la

Worth every penny though, for the new fitness, new friends, new zest for life, and new happiness it's given me!  Absolutely priceless....

I have certainly spent a  lot on Triathlon. 

However, a heart attack resulting in a few days in the hospital and maybe a vascular stint would easily exceed the global cost of medical treatment, the negative impact on our over loaded heath care system as well as increasing insurance premiums for everyone.

After explaining how the benefits out weight the financial cost to my wife this way, she said something like, "wtf are you trying to pull on me anyway, go for a run, bike or swim or something......"

From time to time we have this conversation and it ends the same way.

Third year in this business, approaching 5 figures just for 2012.  But that included a major bike upgrade and wheels that will last several years at least.

Three overnight trips for HIMs this summer as well.

I've been avoiding this thread since I've seen it, while secretly adding up the year in my head.  I have a son and daughter who both also do triathlon at the youth elite level, in addition to my tri ambitions.  Just for swim club and Y membership I'm at $4000.  Races in Seattle, Dallas, Des Moines, Cincinatti, Kansas City...all required 2 hotel rooms and meals, one required air fare.....about $6000.00 I'd guess.  Entry fees for a total of 23 races.....about $1250.00  Fees for their triathlon team, coaching, uniforms, etc. another $2000.  Equipment?  I don't know....there's about $15,000 worth of bikes in our room.  Every time I turn around somebody needs something.....another $2000.00 per year, minimum.  Did you ever stop to consider how many pairs of shoes it takes for three people to do triathlon?  Just counting in my head we have 5 sets of bike shoes, each has an ongoing, replaced twice at least, set of running trainers, and each has a pair of race shoes. I'm not counting what I've spent on shoes, I can't stand to figure it.......I'll be looking for a chair, a rope, and an exposed pipe.   

Try feeding two teenagers working out 8-12 hours per week.....everything in the house needs to be bolted down or it's in danger of being eaten.

Somebody else add it up......I don't even think I'm counting it all yet.  It's brutal......but the memories my family has just from this summer alone will last a lifetime and another generation.  

In short, I don't care.  Triathlon is part of the fabric of my family...maybe the main thread.  I'm good with it.

I really hate to do this but out of morbid curiosity lets do the math.

New Road Bike - $1000

Look Classics - $55

Bike shoes (Ebay) - $40

Bike Helmet (Walmart) - $30

Tri Shorts - $30

Tri Jersey - $80

Running Shoes - $140

Race belt / Speed laces - $20

Garmin 910XT w/ HM and Bike sensor - $ 375

New Bike helmet - $105

Pool fees - $100

New running shoes (LRS)- $85

Tri Bike(LBS) - $2850

Tri Bike Shoes (LBS) - $85

Race Entry Fees - $450

Bike Shorts, Gloves and Jerseys (Ebay) - $120

Tri Helmet (Ebay) $100

Grand Total of $5665 and I am sure I forgot some things.  I am 52lbs lighter and in much better shape. I wonder how much liposuction and a personal trainer cost people.  My list is much shorter now at least.  Trainer, Bed rack, and racing wheelset.

Funny 

Yikes, that's some dough.  That's it, if I have kids their sport will be barefoot running.

rungirl222 - 2012-09-27 7:43 AM

k9car363 - 2012-09-26 6:24 PM Ok, I am taking the 5th and hoping my wife doesn't find this thread! 

I hope so as well! I find myself coming home and hiding new tri things from the significant other or running home to get the FedEx box off the porch first and then when he finally notices "where did you get that? where did that come from?" I may have a problem

I get Mine delivered to work and then Sneek it in under the cover of darkness after she's gone to bed.

Interesting topic and for me one I've thought alot about.  Here's my estimation.  Most of these are just ball park figures.  I've removed the first race registration as it was an indoor event and just a spur of the moment decision.  I also removed the hotel/travel costs associated with the races because I figure my family would have taken weekend trips anyway.  I have 4 small children, so this topic is a pretty big topic.  My only conclusion thus far is that if I amortize these costs over several years, the cost will go down.  Also, the initial investment means that I HAVE to continue in the sport for several years.  

I bargain shop ALWAYS and really think I've been pretty frugal when it comes to expenditures, although I'm not sure my wife always agrees:

Bike expenses alone...5000+

Race fees alone...2000+

Clothing...1000+

Not thinking anymore all the other expenses (hotel fees, food, gym membership, etc) about this as I'll think that I could've used that money to pay off all my credit cards...priceless.

As an avid motorcyclist, I would have thought I had already come to terms with my most expensive hobby. I mean, after all... $400 for a set of tires that only last around 5,000 miles (about 4 months at my rate) is really expensive, right?? But YOU people... you spend more on a bicycle than I spent on my last Ninja. I'm still in awe of how much can be spent at this, but when I really consider it - I think it is money very well spent. I am in better health than I've been since college and have motivation to stay that way. Only been doing this for a few months now, but I was able to make it through my first sprint last month pretty cheap. Already had a good ole Cannondale that I picked up a few years ago for around $400 and have been cycling for years so shoes, helmet, etc. - already set. Ran my first race in my $40 Academy running shoes. $40 per month for the pool. Bought a Tri suit for the race and two pair of shorts for training. A couple of tires and tubes...  so since I already had the bike, I probably spent less than $300 to train and run my first sprint. Once I reach my weight goal, then I'll think seriously about upgrading the bike - so next year will be a different story. Wetsuit... GPS watch... Custom shoes... those new transition bags sure do look nice....