All you need is a pair of running shoes, which you surely own already, and you are on your merry way to being fit and healthy... Running is really that accessible at first, but as I found out, it can also very quickly drain your wallet. As I got more and more into running, I convinced myself that each purchase was a necessary investment, only to find my closet overflowing with running shoes, hydration packs, an assortment of headlamps and enough gels to fuel a small nation’s olympic team. It all started innocently enough, but this is how it goes. You’ve been warned…
All the Gear
First you will want a more comfortable shoe and maybe a few pieces of better clothing, like shorts, t-shirts and socks. Then you get more into it and you will want to run in cold weather too, so you get leggings and softshell jackets. You start training in the rain as well, so you get a good waterproof jacket, some waterproof pants and even waterproof socks!
Now you are really starting to pick up on the distance and you’ve worn out your shoe, so you need a new pair. You also want some better clothes to run in, ones that cause less chafing. So on to buying more T-shirts, shorts, socks and all that. You will also need a vest to carry water and snacks for the long run. First you will buy a 10L vest, which you will soon realize is too big and cumbersome for your usual runs, so you quickly get a 5L one as well for a smoother racing experience.
Then you decide that it is time for you to venture out in nature, because you’ve conquered the streets already. Enter trail running! That of course means a new pair of shoes, more fancy snacks, more little accessories. By this point, you will have bought an expensive GPS running watch too and spent a ton on race entry fees. Then you realize that the 5L vest is too small for certain ultramarathons, but you’ve already given the 10L one away, so you buy a 15L vest.
Beyond the Kit
And kit is not the only thing I spend on… More training also led to me having to spend all day stuffing my face. Every time I buy groceries, my food takes up the whole damn conveyor belt. People must think I shop for a family of 5. I’m not kidding, according to my Revolut 2023 highlights, my number one place for spending was Aldi (for those of you living in the stone age, Revolut is my bank). Beyond that, an assortment of energy gels, chews, and bars became my newfound companions, promising to fuel my adventures. The cost of these every month could rival a visit to a gourmet restaurant.
But it wasn't just the running gear and food that added up. I found myself acquiring foam rollers, massage balls, and recovery tools, all in the name of staying injury-free and reaching new running heights. Then when I have all kinds of niggles and aches, I go for an expensive, but amazing massage to put me back together. Worth every penny.
Of course, race registrations proved to be the ultimate wallet drainers. The adrenaline rush of signing up for a race quickly turns to shock when I see the entry fees these days. But just like running itself – the pain is temporary, but the experience remains forever. Sorry, terrible joke, but this saying is such an annoyingly overused cliche in running. The allure of crossing that finish line and the camaraderie of fellow runners pushes me to sign up for more races.
See this little video to get an idea about how expensive my current race kit is (some prices may be outdated):
Kit:
T-Shirt 25€
Underwear 30€
Shorts 25€
Socks 20€
Compression sleeves 30€
Hat (free)
Shoe 110€
Watch 130€ (which is absurdly cheap for a watch with 24+ hours of battery life in GPS mode)
Coat 50€
Gloves 15€
Neck gaiter 5€
Vest 105€
Headlamp 65€
Poles 160€
Pole holder 30€
Sure, it’s not a budget version anymore, but certainly not top-tier either. Half the people I see on the trail have a GPS watch that’s more expensive than this. I’d call this a mid-range kit and it costs about 800€. Then add the race entry fees, travel, gels, chews, etc.
So, my fellow runners, be warned: the seemingly inexpensive sport can quickly transform into a financial minefield. Running, they said, is a cheap sport. But as I reluctantly learned, the truth is far more complex…