Triathlons = Money-Eating Black Hole

Okay, so maybe I'm being a bit dramatic.

But honestly, when I first decided to do this, I never thought it would be such an expensive venture. I thought to myself, "I'll need to pay the entry fees, and I'm set!"

Obviously, not well thought out.

After I initially set my goals, I started looking into logistics, and over the weeks, my list of things to pay for grew and grew, and GREW. It seemed a daunting task at first, as I wondered, if I was going to have to sell a kidney to buy all this stuff. Obviously, I would not be buying top-of-the-line gear. Luckily, I've been able to find some killer deals and come up with money faster than I anticipated. The result being that I've been able to get some pretty nice stuff after all! Big thank-yous go out to Ebay, Amazon, and Craigslist.

Below, is my current "Triathlon Costs" list. The items highlighted in blue are the things I've been able to pay for on my own over the past month and a half. Items in pink are things I may or may not spend money on. Items in black are things I'll be purchasing in the future.

Triathlon Costs

Goggles = $12.58

Swim Cap = $7.99

Quick-dry Sports Bra = $24.43

Road Tires for Cory's Mt. Bike = $43.93

3 Inner Tubes (one for spare) = $15.74

Tri-Suit = $51.84

Wetsuit = ($0-$100)

Bike Helmet = $39.00

Sunglasses = ($10-$25)

Triathlon Watch = $22.00

Bike tune up ($30-$60)

Entry fee #1: free LA Fitness indoor sprint?

Entry fee #2: $65.00 - Starkerman Challenge May 15 OR $60 - Island Lake Triathlon May 28
(If I'm not visiting family out west)

Entry fee #3: $60 Willard Bay June OR $65 Provo June 11 OR $95 Park City June 18 - depends on when I visit family out west, and if I can/can't find an Olympic triathlon in Michgan on a SATURDAY before then.

TOTAL: $325.67 - $510.67

I don't know if that seems like pennies to you, or if it seems SUPER expensive (my sentiments). I mentioned in the previous post that I've been strictly a runner to this point. Running is NOT expensive. All you really need to be a runner is a good pair of running shoes, which cost all of $50.00 on sale, and can last a long time depending on how much you run.

Seriously... what kind of sport makes you PAY hundreds (even thousands) for all this equipment, then PAY a huge fee to drown yourself in your own sweat with a bunch of other crazy people who've paid to do the same?

Runner Me is turning in her temporary grave.

Sorry, Runner Me.

I'm soooo excited about this!

Any Guesses?

Any idea as to what my next endeavor could possibly be??? ;)

I've always sorta thought it would be the epitome of AWESOME to be able to say, "I did an Ironman." An Ironman is the ultimate triathlon which requires participants to swim 2.4 miles, then bike 112 miles, and end by running a marathon (26.2 miles). How long does this take? Only about 12 hours on average. The record holders can do it in under 9 hours.

Lest you think me insane, allow me to say that an Ironman is NOT my current goal. I'm starting much smaller.


With my second consecutive miscarriage, the time-frame of an addition to our family has become up-in-the-air. So, I decided I wanted a new physical goal to work towards, with the understanding that if we are blessed with another pregnancy soon, I would put this goal aside. Pushing myself physically has always made me happy. I've strictly been a runner in the past. Definitely time to break into some new disciplines.


How's my swimming, you ask? Haven't really tried since swimming lessons when I was 10.

How's my cycling, you ask? HA! Haven't been on a bike since Junior High.


How the samhill is this going to work, you ask? I'll tell you. :)

As of December 10th, here's how it's working:

1. I am going to finance ALL of this venture on my own. I don't think the financial strain is something I want to add to our family's budget. I'd feel too guilty indulging myself with this, when we try to be thrifty as a family. I've been working towards this by purchasing things super cheap, or free, and re-selling them on ebay or craigslist. I started doing paid surveys, and I participate on www.swagbucks.com to earn Amazon gift cards.

2. I create my own training program week-by-week to fit what's going on in our family, and allowing for illness, etc. I have a gym membership to LA Fitness and, lucky me, they have a POOL along with stationary bikes and treadmills.

3. I complete a Sprint distance triathlon (or something similar) in the spring. Sprint distance = 750 meter swim, 12 -13 mile bike, 3.1 mile run.

4. I complete an Olympic distance triathlon in early summer. Olympic distance = 1500 meter swim, 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 mile run.

5. I do a little victory dance, pat myself on the back, and see how things go from there.

I will post my progress on this blog periodically. (Hopefully more often than I did with my last two goals. :)