Running: An Affordable Hobby
I don’t have many chances to brag but when I do it’s usually something captivating like, “I always know what the trashmen will take and will not take,” and “I have the cheapest hobby out of all my friends!”
Regarding the former, a couple of my neighbors think an old large rug is something our hardworking trash collectors will just scoop up and toss in their truck, no problemo. Think again, Rick! You’ll need to drive that nasty old thing to the township dump yourself and pay a few bucks to dispose of it. There are a lot of rookies in my neighborhood who need to get on my level of knowing a thing or two.
Now, the truly exciting part. I do indeed have the cheapest hobby out of all my friends! This takes into account both aerobic (cycling) and non-aerobic (gaming, gambling, golf) activities. Golf is expensive: pricey dorky clothes, tee times, memberships, and equipment. Cycling too: pricey even dorkier clothes, crazy expensive bikes, gadgets and repairs. For my hobby, I wear cheap dorky outfits and the only thing breaking down is my old body.
For decades, running was cheap. You just needed some workout clothes to sweat in, a pair of athletic sneakers that weren’t high tops, and maybe a water bottle and a Snickers bar for those long training runs. Want to keep track of your time? Your Swatch or Casio will do the job.
While still cheaper than most activities because it does not involve the purchase of a large item like a standup paddle board or a gravel bike, running can be very expensive if you want to look good while doing it and if you crave the latest gear and tech.
I’m not that runner. I’m old and no one notices me when I am out and about, so looking cool is not part of the equation. I am also thrifty and I get way too sentimental over old gear I know I should retire.
So, with over thirty years under my (inexpensive running) belt and some cost-saving knowledge, I’m here to share a few tips on how to keep jogging around town and participating in fun races, without breaking the bank.
Don’t buy the latest version of a shoe
Running shoes are expensive but good quality ones will last you a long time. Most popular brands should last you about 500 miles. If your shoes are past the 400-mile mark and you start feeling a little pain, it’s time to get a new pair.
Here are some cool and stylish running shoes.
Here is my latest pair.
“Jeff, this brownish/greenish color certainly is a choice.”
Actually, I had no choice because I wanted to get the best price on the older model and this not-great color was the cheapest.
The latest version of the Brooks Glycerin 23 is $175 (yikes!).
This prior version, the Brooks Glycerin 22, I got for $98.94.
More appealing colors for the 22s were available for $140-$160.
I like Brooks for both road and trail running but there are too many to mention other high-quality brands (okay, I’ll mention a couple: Asics, Adidas, Mizuno, and Saucony) that will suit your needs. Go to a local running store and ask the running geeks there for more info about the right shoe for you.
Once you buy a pair or two at a local store and you know what you like, you can begin searching for good deals on your next pair. Department stores like Kohls, TJ Maxx, and DSW often have sales on popular brands.
Going to running expos is also a great place to find discounted shoes. The Philadelphia Marathon Expo has various booths stacked with shoes and various other affordable running clothes and accessories. Plus, they have a wonderful booth that gives away free cheese samples, and they don’t flag you for coming back multiple times.
Lastly, Relay Goods offers gently used shoes, “Relay partners directly with footwear brands and authorized retailers to acquire fit-based returns and surplus inventory.” This might be a smart option if you want to take a chance on a brand or style but don’t want to shell out the retail price.
Running clothes last a long time
I’ll treat myself to new socks every season but buying new shirts or shorts is pretty rare (except for when I stumble upon a good sale).
Run enough races and you’ll never need to buy a new running shirt. My three favorite shirts are a 2010 NJ Marathon shirt, a 2013 Marine Corps Marathon shirt, and a 2006 Broad Street Run shirt. I’m wearing a shirt I got from a race in probably 75% of my runs.
I’m not a clothes scientist, but for some reason, my shorts last a very long time. “Hey Jeff, are those City Sports shorts? Didn’t they go out of business over a decade ago??”
Yes, indeed! I have two pairs in my current rotation.
The average pair of running shorts from a big name running brand will run you about $60-$70. That is too much money for a product called “shorts.” My pants cost less than $60 and they are much longer with more material. Store brand shorts are fine or go to the REI sale rack. My latest pair were REI brand, on sale for $35 and they are fine.
Terignota is a new small running brand that prides itself on affordable clothing.
On the polar opposite end of the affordability spectrum, there are some baffling, crazy expensive running brands out there that you should definitely avoid if you are not wealthy or a weirdo influencer.
And listen, I understand the need for higher-quality clothes if you are running the Tor des Géants or the Arc of Attrition and need a jacket that can withstand sub-zero nighttime temps, but for the average runner on a budget, you can ignore the higher-end stuff and still run like a champ.
Affordable races and events
I mentioned races above. Even if you are not competitive, signing up for one can be a good idea for a few reasons:
- It gives you a goal and something to train for.
- It forces you to put down your phone.
- Races are fun. You can meet some nice people and enjoy a lovely post-run beer in the late morning.
- Most races will give you a shirt or a mug or a bottle opener. Go for the races with shirts because then you will have a shirt to run in that will let people know you ran a race.
Register early to save money on the entrance fee. Prices go up, sometimes a lot, as the event date nears.
Volunteering at races for a specific race event company can get you free or discounted entry into future events. Also, volunteering at races is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon while giving back to the community and helping out. Think about all the times an aid station worker quickly filled up your bottle, lied and said, “you look great,” and “you’re almost there,” and helped you when you felt like giving up.
“Jeff, are races expensive? I’m guessing the finisher medals are real gold?”
Sadly, you will need to shell out some major clams for the longer races. Marathons in most big cities are expensive. It’s hard to find one for less than $150. Half marathons, too. They usually start around $90-$100. Luckily, there are a ton of local budget-friendly 5K and 10K races that support good causes and almost always offer a shirt. And let’s be honest, the shirt is much more valuable than the solid gold medals that hang on the wall behind you during your Zoom calls.
I mostly do trail races now and at least in my area (Southeastern PA), trail runs are much less expensive than road races. Even the longer ultra-distance trail races are affordable with lots of awesome aid station support and swag. Here are some other reasons you might want to explore trail races.
Watch and learn
My Garmin running watch is a 6-yr-old base model and I only use about 25% of the functionality it comes with. It is reliable despite a large crack on the watch face, and every time I think about replacing it, I don’t because another more important non-running expense will pop up. Damn you to hell, leaky bathroom faucet! I will eventually get new one because it does not have an altimeter and I could use more battery life.
When looking at running watches, don’t be dazzled by all the bells and whistles, focus on what you need and what you don’t need, and you can spend less money. Things to consider
- Battery life
- Heart rate
- V02 max
- Display type and brightness
- Altimeter (measures elevation gain)
- Training features
- Ease of use
- Size and fit
Likes shoes, there are great discounts on older models. I try very hard to avoid Amazon, but they do have a solid selection of older watches. You can also run without a fancy running watch. Free running apps on your phone can track your runs, too.
Nutrition
When you go out on longer training runs or participate in a long distance race, it’s usually good for your engine to fuel up every 5 miles or so. That’s where fluids and nutrition come in.
Water is free and your best solution to stay hydrated. In the summer, add a salt tab or two to keep cramping at bay.
Electrolyte tablets are also good and more affordable than buying bottles of electrolyte drinks.
Gels! I find GU brand gels to be fine, and they cost about half as much as other brands that provide the gelatinous carb-rich nutrition your body demands. You can get a pack of 24 gels for like $28-$30 which is a great deal considering many higher-end gels like Maurten (which are good!) cost about $3 a pop. Buy a few of each brand and see what works best with your tummy. This might be where you want to spend more of your running budget to keep your motor humming.
And remember, all gels and supplements taste pretty gross after a few hours when palate fatigue sets in. That’s where real food like bananas, oranges, dried fruit, candy, and other basic real food come in handy. I wrote about running far and eating food here, it’s fun and worth a read.
Other expenses
Hats – Any hat can be a running hat.
Gloves – You can get those off-white string knit gloves at running expos for $2-$3 a pair and they rule. They are warm enough and soft enough so you can wipe your nose, sweat, or blood when needed.
Vests and Running Belts – Running vests are also expensive if want a brand name. I got my last one in the Returns/Damaged section of my local REI for half price, and it is still holding up well. If you are just looking to hold your phone, some gels and maybe one bottle, grab a waist belt. Here are some good ones.
Happy affordable running! Let me know some of your tips and tricks to being frugal while still having fun out there.
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See you all out there.
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