The REAL costs of running

So you think running is FREE do you??

Well, think again...especially if you are a beginner, training for a long race like me.

With just 4 short days left in our very 1st Half Marathon training journey, I thought it'd be a good idea to jot down all the costs that are associated, with OUR particular case {this will vary per person of course!}:

• Rock & Roll Race Fee: $115
• Running Group Membership: $150
• Running Gear: $296
• Shoes (Brooks): $100 (post here...that was with a 20% discount too...whewww)
• Custom-Molded Shoe Inserts: $69
• Compression Sleeves (Skins A400) - recommended by my acupuncturist = $57
• Hydration Belt: $37 (Nathan's brand)
• Sony earbuds with volume/track change remote: $30
• iPhone Armband: $3
• Clothing: $175 (let's face it, you'll need a few pairs of everything...unless you want to run in stinky clothes OR do laundry every day!!)
• I personally bought:
• 4 pairs of pants ($70 at Marshalls)
• 3 sports bras (in addition to the handful I already had - $10 - cheap I know...Walmart!)
• 6 pairs of socks (with the thick little tab above the heal to prevent slipping down into shoe - ($10 - TJ Maxx/Walmart)
• 9 shirts/tanks ($45 - TJ Maxx/Walmart...yes Walmart - I'm cheap when it comes to shirts that I buy only to SWEAT in!)
• New shirt/sports bra for race day = $40 (we each got bright-colored, matching shirts...pics to come of course!)
• iPhone Apps: $3
• I bought the Nike+ app ($2) and an Interval Timer app ($1)
• MapMyRun is a great free app as well! I actually think I prefer it over the Nike one...
• Find a good free/cheap music app as well (like Pandora) or create a fab playlist - at least 2.5 - 3 hrs long (I use MOG):

my 'fitness' app folder

• Meds: $16
• Arnicare Gel/Tablets = $10
• Ibuprofin = $6
• Massages: $126
• $41 - online deal with $13 tip - it was the worst massage I'd ever gotten!
• $20 - tip only, from free one from a health expo at work
• $45 - referral deal/tip, from Amanda
• $20 - tip only, for after-race massage Chels bought me as a Mother's Day gift
• Doctor Visits: $90
• Co-Pay for General doc (to get PT referral) = $25
• PT co-pays (1 total - cancelled other appts because I loved acupuncture so much!) = $25
• Acupuncture co-pays (4 total) = $40
• Miscell: $35
• Foam Roller = $20
• Transportation = $10 (for race day coaster train ride down to starting area)
• Race Day "Runner Tracker" (for up to 5 people to get runner updates during race) = $5
• Endurance Drinks/Energy Chews/Gels: $56
• 3 Containers of Gatorade "Glacier Freeze" powder (8 packets = $4/ea)
• Sampling of different GU Chomps & Gels = $12
• Box of Peach GU Chomps (2x caffine - my fav!) = $23
• Box of Chocolate GU Gel (best flavor out of Straw/Banana or the PB, in my opinion) = $9

our favs!

So, in total, during this 4 month process - I personally, spent about $962...whoa!

I'm extremely shocked to see that number actually... Of course I didn't spend all this at once either, no way do I have that amount of extra money just laying around. I also don't have credit cards... so all these purchases were spread out over the entire 4 months little by little (and a bit of help here & there). Again - this was just MY scenario... it could definitely be less....or definitely higher if you have finer taste in running gear than I do ;-)