Started doing chocolate mile post workout and dropped the R-4 two years ago...
I'm lucky...the high school where I work has a pool and an awesome weight room...big savings, but I also lift at home.
I camp at races when it's allowed, but I've done that for years...
Performance bike is a great place to get good deals on stuff...
My local running club has dozens of races a year that are free to club members...all for a fee of $30 bucks for two years!

Reduced the number of races by half at least. Race fees keep going up and associated costs add up.
I train more near home on weekends rather than travel to even local races. There were a lot of fun little sprints I liked to do locally but those have gone from $50 to $90+ per entry fee.

For my training tires, I stick with cheaper road tires rather than get something like a Michelin ProRace3.
I also hang on to my running shoes a bit longer and rotate them in with a couple of other pairs.

When there is a race that requires me to travel and sleep there overnight, I just sleep in my van rather than stay at a motel.

I cut out all races requiring an overnight stay this year. I actually found some really well-run "unsponsored" local events this way.

[quote=Anton]I camp at races when it's allowed, but I've done that for years...[/quote]

+1 Just started camping at race sites. Usually free or a whopping $10 a night or so. Wait, I had to buy a pack, tent, down bag, sleeping pad, cooking system, etc. So I'll need to race dozens of more times and camp out to recoup the cost of the camping gear. Like that logic? I used to work for AIG. Maybe the government will bail me out.

I have the same GMC van that the A-Team had. It's a conversion with a nice rear bench that folds down into a bed. I sleep really well inside that thing. Plus, the windows are tinted and have blinds for privacy so it's really as good as a hotel room. It even has a little faucet.
The only thing I wish it had is a bathroom. But a nearby gas station does the trick if you gotta go.

Also, it lets me store the bike inside the van so I don't have to worry about it being left out in the open on a roof or trunk rack.

[quote=mtbke15]I like camping and I like racing but not sure how I feel about doing both. Sleeping on the ground a night before a race or for that matter sleeping on the ground the night after, I may not be getting back up if I did. But I like the idea. Yea you will definitely need to spend some quality time camping to make up for those expenses. [/quote]

i camp out at races that i have to travel far for. I have a big queen size inflatable mattress that manages to keep me comfortable enough to not wake up throughout the night. I don't take a stove or anything, just get hot food on the way out there and eat cold food while i am camping. When food is on sale that I eat I buy a lot of it as long as it is not perishable. I also ride my bike to the grocery store and to run all kinds of other errands. I tried riding to work, but the amount of $$ i save from not using gas isn't more than the money i could make working, so I just put in overtime.

I bought almost all my gear on craigslist. Saved a ton of money on the wetsuit and bike accessories. I also wait until end of the year sales on clothing (I have done this for years even if the economy is good).

I decided to get a job with a women's cycling and triathlon, now I get freebies. First week on the job, Zoot racing shoes ($140), Sugoi bike shorts ($150)...oh yea, I'm saving money :) oh and endless free espresso all day long!

[quote=RunMDC]I bought almost all my gear on craigslist. Saved a ton of money on the wetsuit and bike accessories. I also wait until end of the year sales on clothing (I have done this for years even if the economy is good).[/quote]

I tried to do that, but then realized that end of year sales are usually only good for people that wear abnormally sized clothing. Every time I am looking at the closeout sales, they never have my size! That's what I get for being of a common size.

[quote=mtbke15]I am actually looking to get a part time job at a gym or my local running store to help cut down those cost. [/quote] I thought about picking up a part-time sales job at the LBS for the Christmas Rush. I imagine if I could buy at cost (or clost to it) I could save more than I could earn.

I got a job that pays a little better, then spent over $1,000 in registration fees this year. Since one of the races is in Cozumel, I don't think I'll be able to save money by sleeping in a van. Last year I only spent about $200 in local races.

My price crunch is going to be a bike. Assuming my wife gives the go-ahead for me to buy a tri-bike (currently using a $500 road bike), I'm not sure if I'd spend around $1500 on something that I can call a tri-bike, or if I'd spend more on one that I thought would hold up to more of a beating (steel or titanium?). Anyway, that's another post :)

A lot of the same ideas here. Doing Silverman in November with a few friends so we are driving out and splitting the cost of fuel and hotel. I've cut down on traveling to races and do a lot of local events that are very small scale but very well run, ie. 40 mile train run for $30! I also do 90% of my training from my front door so I don't drive 20 miles to bike 100 miles. I do have to drive a bit for the open water swims though. I'll have to try Craigslist for some bike gear. I love my bike (2005 Trek Equinox 7) but I am looking to upgrade the aerobars and components.

I sell pints of my blood...;-)

I just got a new house so our budget is tight.
I am reducing the number of events I am doing, and the events I am doing are going to be closer to home of near someone I know so I can possibly crash there.

I am also looking for cheaper, and free events(yay Fat @$$!!)

I keep my gear maintained, and have seriously limited my purchases.

[quote=beads1985]I keep my gear maintained, and have seriously limited my purchases.[/quote]

Oh yeah, forgot about that! I've made almost no gear purchases this year. Just running shoes, and got those on deep discount (last year's model). Consequently, my Christmas list is a mile long this year :)

I live well within my means, so things aren't hurting. I live/work/play/train all downtown MPLS so gas has had a zero effect. I suppose the only major thing is the cost of flights. I was considering cutting out my San Diego trip in April, but since I already paid for the race entry I might as well go. It may not be an annual event as I had hoped though, so I guess the economy is having an effect. Other than that all of my events are local or day trippers.

Limited purchases to bike cleats, gels, ecaps, and 1 tub of powdered gatorade. Changed fall marathon to Philly to save travel costs. The problem is I will need lots of stuff next season.

I had no living costs for the past 2 years (rent, food, travel, etc.). Saves you a pile of money for race fees and travel.

No longer the case, but I have a decent job that pays the bills with a bit left over for all the goodies. Chicago craigslist is absurd when you look at prices people are asking for low quality gear, so I bypass that and hit up ebay for the big things. And I get my balance bars at target for $4.50/8. Killer deal.

I got a job with better pay. Sure makes things easier. Buy stuff on sale, carpool, walk/ride your bike around town, make your coffee in the morning, bring your lunch to work, cook dinner at home, and cut out all the unnecessary extras (do you really need 800 channels on your TV that you're never home to watch?)

90% of my tri stuff I got on sale. All my races were close enough to drive to (+1 night at a cheap hotel). I got a family membership at the Y down the street for me and my fiance for what I was paying for just me at NYSC. I changed my route to work to save $15/month in tolls. I drive a crazy efficient and cheap car.

I'm just cheap by nature because I got used to always being broke. Certainly helps my bank account.

I have a husband that keeps us in line! He paid the registration for IMCDA and makes sure that I get time to practice. I, like beads, keep everything maintained to spend less money. The guys at Trek get less beer!