Cost of doing business
We triathletes are a funny bunch, we sneak off for a long lunch training event hoping the boss doesn't notice the exta 15 or 30 we took. We proudly march into our offices the Monday after a race with our inked numbers still visible on our arms and legs, "Oh I forgot to scrub off my age written on my calf? Pardon me."
Many of my peers at work go to casinos and golf and gamble on sports like football and ultimate fighting. I used to golf. I used to golf a lot. I could easily drop $300 a day at one of the resort courses in Scottsdale if you add up the greens fees, cart rental, a labeled hat, some drinks on the course, some tips to pretty young beer cart girl, a meal and more drinks at the 19th hole....buying new balls and straightening an occassional iron.
I realized I was overextended in my golf game when I began to carry only my 7 iron, 9 iron and putter and ran the course instead of riding in the cart, essentially playing speed golf. Then I just stopped playing all together and while my friends played I would run around the perimeter of the course putting in miles.
I love Vegas and I am a so-so gambler. I actually paid $500 for a bottle of Sky Vodka at the Pure nightclub once. I don't get on the tables much anymore. Never really gambled on sports or watched any unless it was my fav team or a thrilling post season game.
But I started to think about all the money I spend on triathlons and then put it in context of all the other vices I could have in my life. I could blow a few hundred a month on golf. I could blow a grand gambling really quick. I could spend hours earning nothing, gaining nothing, sitting on the couch watching a sporting event Sunday afternoon.
One day of resort golfing or a new wetsuit that lasts a year or two?
A grand or so at Vegas for the weekend or new Zipps for the bike? Hell a new bike!!!
A fifty on the next UFC cage fight championship or a couple of Spinerval DVD's?
A $50 executive lunch of sushi and beer or new pair of tri-shorts?
So I don't quite get the point of triathlons being a sport of well-to-do's. Its a choice to spend our money on three disciplines that give us great joy instead of a fleeting fancy or impulse buy. I don't really want to spend $450 on an Ironman but it balances out the fact that I didn't spend that much on alcohol at the bars last month.
Sure some of our purchases can be high end; look at carbon fiber frames, power taps, wet suits, high end running shoes, bike shoes, the helmet Lance wore in the 2005 tour, the newest tops or bottoms or socks or fuel belts. Can I get an Amen!
The problem our peers have is that our money is spent on things that benefit us in the long term. Sure I don't get the rush of putting one large on Sweet Jimmy to win in the third, but I get that same rush when I dip my foot in the water for a mass swim start. I may not get to gloat that I won $100 in a skins game on the same course Tiger won on in 2001, but I get to gloat when I best my team mate to the finish line.
Its all a matter of cost perspective. Where's yours?
posted by Comm's @ 6:01 AM
15 comments
15 Comments:
Yea, I love it when somebody says "Are you one of the people who spends 1000 dollars on a stupid bike?" I can look them right in the eye and say "naw, thats not me dude". I'm the guy who spent a grand on my wheels that go on my 4,000 dollar bike.
No, I don't say that I just laugh and walk away. Ya gotta love it.
Yeah it is all perspective. I don't see triathlon is anymore expensive than a game of Golf or hockey or any other hobby.
Time wise, yeah tri is more expensive..but boy it sure is fun riding that bike for hours on end :)
Great post. It's true, we spend a lot of money on our "hobby", but who doesn't? At least ours actually benefits us in the long run.
Our endurance sport "hobby" keeps us fit and healthy. That adds up to a big savings on health care in the long run, no matter how many ART sessions we need.
Any money I spend on my "hobby" is an investment in a longer, healthier life. You can't get that by betting on the dogs, no matter how much you win.
I refuse to consider my health a luxury.
I never heard of ultimate fighting before your post. My perspective is.... that's just sick.
But I don't think I have very many more important things to spend my money on that something that contributes to my motivation to improve my fitness!!!
I can't take it with me.
like this post Comm. makes me want to go buy something... shiny?
Computrainer, or a set of climbing wheels off the top of my head.
I posted on this once. Peers would go out and buy a Harley and no one would say BOO.
My comparison was when I was into 'yachting'. I spent more in 3 years renting a piece of water to store my boat than I've spent on triathlon in total. Then, throw in maintenance and the cost of the actual boat.
Triathlon is a steal.
Although, I've been thinking about getting a small sailboat again....
and, still do triathlons!
I completely agree.
Amen!
Amen brother! I agree, since this is what hubby and I do, but my cost perspective is a little different.
I would rather eat the bare minimum for a couple of days for a night of splurging on some sushi. God that is so good. MMMM. Had some last night.
Endurance sport can be a big source of guilt for bystanders who know in their heart of hearts that they ought to get off the couch and do something. Criticism of the expense and even the stereotypes of one-track-minded training fiends who never see their families is comfort food for the guilty conscience. Meanwhile, the plank in the guilty guy's eye goes unseen while he attempts occular surgery on your peepers.
To quote my favorite triathlete writer, "Walk your line."
A-G-R-E-E-D!
To play devil's advocate for a moment though....to state that this is sport of 'well-to-dos' is still somewhat accurate. If you were to look at the percentage of average working folks that can afford to drop $500 or more per month or more on fun stuff like golf, gambling or triathlon...I think its probably less than 25%. if not much less. So the idea that just about anyone can afford triathlon is a stretch. Sure, you could do it on a hand-me-down bike, borrowed wetsuit, and cheap running shoes. But factoring in entry fees, travel, hotels, gym memberships....it still adds up.
Still I agree with your general point that everyone makes their own choices on how they spend their 'disposable' income. What seems ludicrous to some (I can't imagine dropping $50K to join country club, or $5k for a set of custom irons (and I like golf btw)....seems total worth it to the next person. And vice versa.
Fortunately, most in my peer group either run, race tris. And my boss heli-skis.....talk about an expensive hobby!
I like your post, Comm, and I like jp's comment (the one just above mine.) I get a lot of my stuff on eBay because it costs less.
Need you ask, baby? SHOES!!!!!!!!!
I spend all of my "clothing" money on race/training gear-it's so bad HG has applied for me to be on "What not to wear" I love this sport!
A great perspective and so true! All the expenses are directly an investment into my health. It's really hard to say that about a trip to Vegas or even a weekend of golf.
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