Or just discretionary spending?
I registered for four races in the last month. The actual races are the remainder of my races for 2013, so are spread over the next three months, but I paid for them all at the same time (AKA the last day of September because prices went up on October 1.)
While this particular registration bender was not as bad as some (I did a good job of mixing in some inexpensive races), it did give me pause.
Is serial racing a poor fiscal choice?
This is really hitting home for me as I contemplate the races I need to reach Venus. While I will be doing my best to register early, find local races (or ones where I can crash at a friends’ house), and choose smaller less expensive races, it’s still going to be a hefty investment. And is it really a good investment? Or is it frivolous to spend money to reach an arbitrary goal that means nothing in the grand scheme of things?
I know I’m preaching to the choir here. Most of you are runners and most do at least a few races a year. And it’s not like I’m stealing food out of the mouths of my children. We all have areas that we spend because we want to, not because we need to. (And I’ve traded in my shoe habit for a race habit LOL).
What say you, friends in the computer? Do you have a “race budget”? Do you allow yourself only a certain amount of races per year? Or do you feel that as long as you can fit it into your budget and still reach your other financial goals, that it’s ok to race as often as you want?
(Yes, I live in the DC metro area. Yes, the government is shut down. Yes, that has something to do with my thoughts about money. No, I’m not going to get all political on you.)
when i was running, i never had a race budget. i simply signed up for races i was interested in, races in fun places, and races that i wanted to support. if you can afford it, have the time, and are able to run… do it! you never know when one of those privileges may be taken away..
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted…easy macaroni and cheese casserole
I can and I do, but sometimes I wonder if my time and money could be better spent, KWIM?
I really enjoy races, but I’m usually far too cheap to do nearly as many as I’d like. Sure, I like to tell myself the proceeds go to good causes, but I feel badly spending the $ on myself since it isn’t like the hubby is going to up and run one with me.
Tiff (@LoveSweatBeers) recently posted…WIAW: Find of the season!
Exactly. I feel no guilt about the races I do as part of a vacation – we’ve gone some cool places we never would have visited without there being a race there. It’s the “doing lots of races just to say I’ve done lots of races” thing that I’m questioning right now.
Josh and I have been going a little crazy with 5ks lately. Theyre a lot cheaper than bigger races but we’ve definitely started looking to Groupon for 5k race options haha
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted…Enjoying Fall Days
24 races for me this year. I don’t golf, bowl or go to the bar. I race. It’s what you love so if you can afford to do it, why not?
Jeff recently posted…Wordless Wednesday 10/2/13
I don’t do many races, but it’s more of a time thing than a money thing. I agree with Linz. Enjoy it while you can and don’t look back!
Coco recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday: The Anniversary Cake Editition
Last year my issue was signing up for stuff too eagerly and then not being able to do it so I really was wasting money! Now, I am more careful about that so I’m not out the cash. It sucks for races that sell out fast but for those I actually do, it’s usually worth it because I have such a blast. Plus, it is blog content, so that’s good! 🙂
Ericka @ The Sweet Life recently posted…Tony & Joe’s Georgetown Fun (And Balance Gym!)
Well, I have two kids in college (one out of state) and a daughter getting married next year. I don’t have a lot of excess cash for races, so I’m only doing local ones right now. I really think it’s a matter of where you agree on life and making sure you are financially responsible.
Stupid tablet auto correct…”where you agree on life” was supposed to be “where you are in life.”
Lisa recently posted…Monday Musings
I’ve loved all of my racing experiences and they were worth every penny. I haven’t done many (as some are just way too expensive) but, if there is one that peeks my interest then, I will definitely sign up 🙂 They are fun and they are meant to be enjoyed!
Kierston @candyfit recently posted…Patience…
Just when you thought running is cheaper than therapy. LOL! But when you add those race fees, I’d go bankrupt. Haha. My husband and I agreed to budget our funds for races. I did a lot of races last year so it’s his time this year. 2 of us joining races together is expensive. Doing that works for us. 🙂
Ja @Ja on the RUN recently posted…Coast-to-Coast Trip Part 4: Jackson Hole, WY
I’m still amazed at how expensive racing has gotten. In grad school (20ish years ago), I raced every weekend and I was very poor. Thankfully, none of the races (even the big ones) cost more than $20. I guess now that so many more people race it is a great way to turn it into a money maker.
Kim recently posted…“It’s Against the Law”
I don’t have a budget, but I definitely look for races when they are at their cheapest.
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly’s recently posted…WIAW: Seasons 52 and a Fall Recipe!
It is weird to think that our goals are arbitrary and no one else REALLY cares. Then again, it is a nice thought to take some of the pressure off.
I was thinking about this this morning. No one (including my husband) would care if I never got to all 50 states.
Kim @ (Just) Trying recently posted…September in Review
I CARE!!! 🙂
I try and limit number of “Big” races or out of town ones to only a few a year to keep a leash on my race spending. I.E. Next year is Boston ( lots of $$), as well as Ironman Cozumel, which means there will be no other big spending races… I can find just as many more local races to fit my needs.
I’ve never really put a limit on how much I spend or how often I race- but I guess I go with the theory of…I can pay my bills…so races are ok to do.
Laura @losingrace recently posted…Proper Taper Technique: NFL style
If the money is in the budget it is not irresponsible. To me (and based on my opinion, bias and values only) irresponsibility steps in if I don’t train properly and prepare to do the runs as hard as I can. If I don’t start training early enough or schedule the races too close together, that is irresponsible.
Jamoosh recently posted…Running with Pictures
Really interesting post. This is definitely something I think about a lot. My fiance is not a runner, but graciously comes to all my races and supports me in them, so sometimes I feel guilty about all the money spent towards them even though it is discretionary cash – not money we need for something else. I’ve definitely tried over the last year or so to take advantage of getting free local Pacers entries by volunteering and also doing more of the DC Road Runners races, which are usually free with my $20 annual membership. While I love destination races, it is awesome that there are so many great ones here in D.C. so I can keep it local and bit more budget friendly!
Colleen L recently posted…Resolution Check-In
What I’ve always done is had a set budget of “fun money” fixed into our budget. Peter has his and I have mine. They are in the budget and can be whatever. When I did races more, a lot of my fun money went to race fees and I felt no guilt because it was accounted for. I think if you’re spending reasonably, it’s not hurting you in any way financially, and it’s what you enjoy then all is good. Or if you still have doubts/guilt you could always determine a reasonable amount to you at the start of the year or quarter or what have you to keep things in check with what you feel okay spending.
My husband starts to get a little cranky if he thinks I am spending too much money on races, what he doesn’t really get, is that if I don’t spend that money on a race I will spend it on new running clothes/gear/shoes instead to make myself feel better. I don’t travel for many races, not in the budget, but I really wish I could!
I have NO CLUE how much my running has cost me. What blows me away is that I was able to afford to do it…
I have only registered for a handful of races (almost ALL local), and I will have to skip a few (inexpensive – $50 or less) because I don’t have the cash…
So, I guess, if you have the money NOW, do it if you want, you may not have it later?
I don’t know, I’m not the best person to ask, lol
If I have it in my budget I sign up..I do not look back and count how much money I have spent on races in a year..it might make me cry.
Running LIbrarian recently posted…Clarendon Day 10K
It’s really hard to comment here – I just spend what I want on races. But because I don’t want to race myself to exhaustion, I try not to have too many. And because I don’t get away often on holidays then I don’t feel too guilty having running holidays.
Char recently posted…Zen Tapering
I don’t have a running budget and I must admit I run lots of expensive races. As long as it doesn’t put me in any financial difficulty I enter and run. We often include a family away weekend or week and that justifies it a bit more for me.
Johann recently posted…Otter Trail Challenge 2013 Report
I don’t think it’s irresponsible if you’re not overspending your budget and still paying bills, feeding the kids, paying the mortgage… Most people have some discretionary spending and you choose to spend it on races! Others may go to the mall every week… Can’t judge what we spend our “fun” money on! At least you’re spending it on something healthy (exercise)! 🙂
lindsay recently posted…If the Knees are A-Knockin’
It sounds like you’re being careful, not crazy. Triathlons tend to be more so I am spending a bit more now but races bring me such pleasure. I am careful but I certainly sign up for my share of races.
Andrea recently posted…Providence Rock and Roll – Again
Irresponsible? Last year with my goal of 13 half marathons I asked the same question. When I felt the need to rationalize it I told myself you don’t go out drinking, you don’t over spend on clothes and shoes…blah blah blah. Sometimes it worked and sometimes not.
This year? Yes, I have a race and fitness budget.
Jill @ Fitness Health and Happiness recently posted…Whirlwind of a Week and Menu Planning