You could always take home prize money. Didn't Macca make, like, 600-700k last year?

I'm still on the cheap. I've stayed away from buying a bike...so far.

How do I justify the expense? I'm a big girl, with a big girl job.

There's no question it's a gear intensive sport, but what level you participate is up to you. Skip the wetsuit, ride a Huffy, and run bare foot.

I justify it thus:

When i do tri, i dont smoke cigarettes.

When i do tri, i dont get drunk 5-7 nights a week.

Ignoring the future savings in medical bills or possible drunk driving tickets, triathlon is still cheaper than my old habits were.

-Alan

Unfortunately for me it is going to result in less events entered. Last weekend was a great example: option A was spending $95 on an entry fee for a sprint triathlon, get to race and see where I am in my training. Option B was to put in many hours on the bike, follow it with a run and do it with a buddy and push each other the whole way. Option B won out, purely because the cost of always entering events is just too expensive. At least our training is free, think of golfers who must pay every time they work on their game.

i used to race MX, so i find this whole thinga bit cheaper. i also play with hot rods and that gets expensive as well.

Unless you're choosing between tri and feeding your family, don't bother justifying the expenses. If you want to do it and you have the money to do it, then make it happen. The alternative is to pinch pennies and save a few bucks now so that when you're old (and incapable of enjoying yourself) you can afford the slightly nicer nursing home - you know, the one where the staff beats you, but at least they don't steal your belongings.

See, now you guys with the "big kid" incomes fit that sexy demographic of triathletes that the WTC race owners like Graham Fraser are so proud to tout to prospective 7 figure sponsors!

Triathlon is a sport for the socio-economic elite.

For my own case,
Until this year I swam in a borrowed wetsuit, rode a bike re-cycled from the city dump and on runners that had seen 3 or 4 marathons over as many years, slept in my car for four days to do IMC on borrowed money and a little sponsorship from some local businesses.
My 27" wheels were salvaged off a $10 garage sale bike.

This year of course I am going to ride my new Cervélo P2SL ( a generous gift from the manufacturer) built up with spare parts from my friends here at Trifuel (Kylie, Kkocan and Catwood) but I'll still be sleeping in the car come August.

I reckon my $550 IMC race fee is an investment in reduced health care costs, reduced entertainment expenses and in reducing my footprint on the planet (I haven't fired up the car since last August.)

PoC

From Happy Gilmore - How about a nice warm glass of shut the hell up Grandma!

I just wish I had realized when I was younger that when you have nothing to lose that you really have it all. I would have made a few different decisions.

Thoreau wrote: "Man is rich in proportion to number of things he can afford to leave alone." And like so many have stated they "leave alone" lots of things because of the lifestyle triathlon evokes. I bought a sleeveless wetsuit this year with my "beer money." I don't drink. My health is good and with the money I don't spend on doctors and medications I can afford an entry fee or two. Plus the gas I could have been using going to the doctor I can use to go to triathlons. And the cigarettes I don't smoke, that money can go toward equipment.
I am 65 and living on a fixed income so inflated prices hit hard here but nevertheless, triathlons are still cheaper than the nursing home I could be in. But, central to it all, triathlons give me that childlike passion and purpose to get out there every day and stay young and fit. What else are we spending money on that could be worth more at any age..

Spent a few hours last night at a viewing for a friend's mom who died way to young from lung cancer. Nothing like it for putting life back in perspective. "I was just complaining about what trivial thing."

Life is good, it is just currently more expensive. We will make adjustments and hopefully come to appreciate what we have and do to a higher degree. Endurance sports enhance my life and make me feel like I am getting everything I can get out of my time here.

I'm 25 years old, just moved out on my own finally with my 4 yeard old and let me tell you all about budgeting!

Pretty much what I am going to say sums up with what everyone is saying is that sacrfices have to be made, budgets have to reconstructed (for some) but if this sport is something you enjoy there will be ways to get around this "wonderful" economy. Saving gas, ride your bike to work (if able to) or walk (if near by). Eat more at home, limit going out (just buy something at the store and stay at home) and other things that can wait a bit.

I'm doing a sprint up in PA this weekend and told my buddy I couldn't make it due to gas (I drive an F-150) and the entry being $45. I haven't even gotten this month's bills! All I care is I have it for the rent-a plus big time. He's helping me w/ the entry fee, I have enough (thankfully) to make it up to PA. Plus it's only an hour from Cleveland so that isn't to shabby either, but it's like the excuse is now, "I can't afford it." Anyone agree?

Where there is a will, there's a way. Right?

Budgeting is all about making decisions. Some people call these decisions sacrifices. I prefer to call them choices. :o)

It's just money; I don't work all week/year to sit on the couch because I don't want to spend a few bucks. You won't be able to do triathlons once you hit a certain age but the money will always be there.
-Mat

nyfan - good point. Someday, we will be old and our memories of riding a bike into the ground and wearing our tri shorts to shreds will be more precious than the monetary value saved by not having purchased that bike. The entry fee and gas money and hotel costs to run that race will be offset by the greater person forged by the experience.

Then a few weeks after you do an Ironman you will start thinking how cool it would be to do another one.

I followed the half plan available on Trifuel: http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon-training/Half-Ironman-Training.php

Good plan created by Tribro's brother. I added some to the long bike rides and long runs.

I've been watching this thread for the last few days and have just been mulling over some of what folks have said.
Just some random thoughts on the subject:
* It's your money. Spend it on what you want.
* There are millions of people IN THIS COUNTRY who can't afford the basic necessities.
* If you ignore that fact, and do nothing to help, I feel sorry for you.
* The average household income for triathletes is $120,000.
The median individual income for triathletes is $96,000 .
55% of triathletes have a median income of over $100,000.
( source: Katalist Multisport Management, Ironman Lake Placid 2007 Fact sheet
had similar numbers)
* The average HOUSEHOLD income in the US in 2006 was $46,000 (source: US Census office)
* The average income in Bangaldesh is $1.25 a day. (source: Washington Post)
* While Triathlon can make your life seem worthwhile, so can just plain old running
at a start up cost of less than $150.
* Don't complain about the cost of triathlon while mom and dad are footing most of your bills.
If you are a single parent with kids you can complain all you want, about anything.
If you're double income, no kids...no whining.
If your double income with kids and still able to do tri's...you have a well paying jobs.
* Been using the house as an ATM to afford this sport?...Yikes!
* Triathlon is expensive but a new set of Callaway irons will set you back $1,200, not to mention
the woods, putter, bag, balls and green fees.
* Bring on the $5 a gallon or more gas. That way maybe we'll get our heads out of our oil
dependant back sides and do something about mass transit, bike lanes and alternative energy.
( yeah, it hits me too, my gasoline bill has tripled in the last year)
* car pool to races.
* Triathlon won't be cool forever. It will be cheaper when it's not.
* If people complained about costs instead of just paying up, because "there might be a chance
I'll go to Kona." or because you feel some need to be ranked, the big corporate RD's might
listen...maybe. Don't know till you try.
* give back to others, always, even in this sport.
* You can get a group of friends together and set up an event and have a great time...for free.
* We are all just a spot of bad luck away from being on the street.
* Triathlon is the Polo of the current era.