Comments on: The Cost Of Doing An Ironman Triathlon http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/ Where personal finance & frugal living are sexy, delicious, and fun. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tim Riker http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/comment-page-1/#comment-425457 Tim Riker Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:58:58 +0000 http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/#comment-425457 Interesting article, but I spend way less on my equipment here in Sacramento. I only participate in local races and triathlons which often include race shirts with the fees which I use for training. For races, I rent a road bike which includes pedals for $40 a day from City Bicycle Works and a wetsuit from Fleet Feet Sacramento for $40 a week. I am a member of the Sacramento Bike Kitchen which costs $50 a year and includes access to tools, used bike parts, lube, etc. I bought my training bike used for $50 there and tricked it up a bit with new and used parts. Other members assist me with making repairs, teach me how to maintain my bicycle, and share bicycling tips. I am a member of the Sacramento Triathlon Club which costs $75 initially, but includes a race shirt, bike rack at races, training, support, etc. This membership includes a lot of discounts at local stores which saves a lot on clothing. I am a member of 24 Hour Fitness, which cost me $200 for 1 year and includes access to multiple gyms which have swimming pools with lap lanes. After 8 PM, most swimming pools are lightly used. Rather than spending a lot on clothing, I usually just buy a couple triathlon shorts mainly for bicycling. I wear race shirts and technical tees I get from various races. I spend less than $1,000 a year on triathlon expenses. Interesting article, but I spend way less on my equipment here in Sacramento.

I only participate in local races and triathlons which often include race shirts with the fees which I use for training. For races, I rent a road bike which includes pedals for $40 a day from City Bicycle Works and a wetsuit from Fleet Feet Sacramento for $40 a week.

I am a member of the Sacramento Bike Kitchen which costs $50 a year and includes access to tools, used bike parts, lube, etc. I bought my training bike used for $50 there and tricked it up a bit with new and used parts. Other members assist me with making repairs, teach me how to maintain my bicycle, and share bicycling tips.

I am a member of the Sacramento Triathlon Club which costs $75 initially, but includes a race shirt, bike rack at races, training, support, etc. This membership includes a lot of discounts at local stores which saves a lot on clothing.

I am a member of 24 Hour Fitness, which cost me $200 for 1 year and includes access to multiple gyms which have swimming pools with lap lanes. After 8 PM, most swimming pools are lightly used.

Rather than spending a lot on clothing, I usually just buy a couple triathlon shorts mainly for bicycling. I wear race shirts and technical tees I get from various races.

I spend less than $1,000 a year on triathlon expenses.

]]> By: Simon http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/comment-page-1/#comment-215449 Simon Mon, 12 Sep 2011 05:36:47 +0000 http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/#comment-215449 Why are iron man events so expensive - I've just completed a 70.3 and even though it is just twice as long as a typical triathlon it was four times more expensive? Why are iron man events so expensive – I’ve just completed a 70.3 and even though it is just twice as long as a typical triathlon it was four times more expensive?

]]> By: Ben http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/comment-page-1/#comment-101651 Ben Sat, 07 May 2011 00:05:00 +0000 http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/#comment-101651 Ive done one ironman and getting ready for the 2nd. Rented the wetsuit for $50. Got a used bike. Spent $150 on race outfit and sunglasses. But was already a triahtlete so had pretty much everyt ing else. A lot of people work their way up to Ironman so the gear and base you get over time is really already spread out.. Ive done one ironman and getting ready for the 2nd. Rented the wetsuit for $50. Got a used bike. Spent $150 on race outfit and sunglasses. But was already a triahtlete so had pretty much everyt ing else. A lot of people work their way up to Ironman so the gear and base you get over time is really already spread out..

]]> By: George http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/comment-page-1/#comment-94044 George Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:00:33 +0000 http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/#comment-94044 Josh - Agreed that you can probably do it cheaper than the "budget minded" above if you "already have" most of the equipment, but no way you can do an Ironman for $250 excluding race fees (unless you are a pro and everything's sponsored)! Doing a full Ironman is definitely not the cheapest sporting goal on the planet. I probably do it as cheap as anyone (ignoring opportunity costs) because I get hand-me-downs, share hotels, and a host of other things, but even just little necessary nits and nats add up to way more (by orders of magnitude) than $250 on stuff other than race fees. I agree, don't do WTC events and you'll save a lot, but not that much. Tubes, tires, chain oil will take that much! If you really add it all up - for full 140.6 race - you might be surprised at how much actually went out the door. Josh – Agreed that you can probably do it cheaper than the “budget minded” above if you “already have” most of the equipment, but no way you can do an Ironman for $250 excluding race fees (unless you are a pro and everything’s sponsored)! Doing a full Ironman is definitely not the cheapest sporting goal on the planet. I probably do it as cheap as anyone (ignoring opportunity costs) because I get hand-me-downs, share hotels, and a host of other things, but even just little necessary nits and nats add up to way more (by orders of magnitude) than $250 on stuff other than race fees. I agree, don’t do WTC events and you’ll save a lot, but not that much. Tubes, tires, chain oil will take that much! If you really add it all up – for full 140.6 race – you might be surprised at how much actually went out the door.

]]> By: George http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/comment-page-1/#comment-94039 George Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:50:55 +0000 http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/#comment-94039 Interesting article. Thanks. I would add, though, for a more accurate economic analysis you much include opportunity costs of your time. Back of the envelope.... Let's say you train 20 hours/week for 6 months (most would try for more months than that). Without Ironman, you'd "work out" an hour a day to keep yourself healthy, so 7 hours a week. Thus, doing Ironman adds 13/hours week for 26 weeks (ignoring setup, setdown, etc.). So, very roughly and probably conservatively, you just gave up another 338 hours of your life. If your time is worth $25/hour that's $8,450. If you time is worth $500/hour that's $169,000. The equipment is cheap :-). Interesting article. Thanks. I would add, though, for a more accurate economic analysis you much include opportunity costs of your time. Back of the envelope…. Let’s say you train 20 hours/week for 6 months (most would try for more months than that). Without Ironman, you’d “work out” an hour a day to keep yourself healthy, so 7 hours a week. Thus, doing Ironman adds 13/hours week for 26 weeks (ignoring setup, setdown, etc.). So, very roughly and probably conservatively, you just gave up another 338 hours of your life. If your time is worth $25/hour that’s $8,450. If you time is worth $500/hour that’s $169,000.

The equipment is cheap :-) .

]]> By: Josh Kraplan http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/comment-page-1/#comment-85060 Josh Kraplan Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:43:25 +0000 http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/#comment-85060 and physiotherapy.massage..really,? I guess I'm being a little critical of a point your just trying to make. Pick up the whortons book of stretching and maybe a significant other to give you a rubdown. After all that training and tapering, they'll probably be excited to get to touch you anyways. and physiotherapy.massage..really,? I guess I’m being a little critical of a point your just trying to make. Pick up the whortons book of stretching and maybe a significant other to give you a rubdown. After all that training and tapering, they’ll probably be excited to get to touch you anyways.

]]> By: Josh Kraplan http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/comment-page-1/#comment-85057 Josh Kraplan Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:37:20 +0000 http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/#comment-85057 That seems like an overestimate. Two big things here: If you have competed in any of those disciplines before you already own those things. You do not need to belong to a club or masters swimming group to have great training partners. Borrow a wetsuit if you can. Maybe I am unique but if I wanted to pay for an iron man now I would get: 2 pairs of running shoes, borrow a wetsuit, camp out to reduce lodging fees, not go to an iron man that costs 500$ in gas to get to and get a couple tubs of gatorade from wal-mart (plus race fee). I have free access to a pool and all gear listed here at college. I have all bike gear and got a hand-me-down bike that is usable. I have friends who like to train. I guess I am particularly lucky. I think I could do this all now for I think around $750 with 2/3 of that being race fees. I think I would buy a GPS or at least mileage device for my bike, but I get discounts on that so maybe 150$ more for a luxury item. I am very lucky to be in college and have access to so much around me. I have never done an iron-man but competed in all three disciplines before so maybe there is something I am not realizing. anyways, I drive a used Subaru! That seems like an overestimate. Two big things here:

If you have competed in any of those disciplines before you already own those things.

You do not need to belong to a club or masters swimming group to have great training partners.

Borrow a wetsuit if you can. Maybe I am unique but if I wanted to pay for an iron man now I would get: 2 pairs of running shoes, borrow a wetsuit, camp out to reduce lodging fees, not go to an iron man that costs 500$ in gas to get to and get a couple tubs of gatorade from wal-mart (plus race fee). I have free access to a pool and all gear listed here at college. I have all bike gear and got a hand-me-down bike that is usable. I have friends who like to train.

I guess I am particularly lucky. I think I could do this all now for I think around $750 with 2/3 of that being race fees. I think I would buy a GPS or at least mileage device for my bike, but I get discounts on that so maybe 150$ more for a luxury item.

I am very lucky to be in college and have access to so much around me. I have never done an iron-man but competed in all three disciplines before so maybe there is something I am not realizing.

anyways, I drive a used Subaru!

]]> By: gene http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/comment-page-1/#comment-82706 gene Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:17:02 +0000 http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/#comment-82706 Agreed, buying a new car is a horrible way to suffer the ravages of depreciation. I decided to buy new because I can afford it and plan to drive it into the ground. Hopefully 15 years plus. It would make more economic sense to buy a car a few years old and run it into the ground, but I felt more comfortable buying a car for my small family without having to wonder how the previous owners drove and maintained it. If we ever add a second car for zipping around town in, I'd probably get a used one. Thanks for the reply, Squawk Fox. Agreed, buying a new car is a horrible way to suffer the ravages of depreciation. I decided to buy new because I can afford it and plan to drive it into the ground. Hopefully 15 years plus.

It would make more economic sense to buy a car a few years old and run it into the ground, but I felt more comfortable buying a car for my small family without having to wonder how the previous owners drove and maintained it. If we ever add a second car for zipping around town in, I’d probably get a used one.

Thanks for the reply, Squawk Fox.

]]> By: Kerry http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/comment-page-1/#comment-82704 Kerry Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:07:40 +0000 http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/#comment-82704 I can save thousands by buying a used Subaru. :) See my Subarus here: http://www.squawkfox.com/2009/06/10/buying-used-cars-online and here: http://www.squawkfox.com/2009/04/13/the-costs-of-a-car-crash/ I can save thousands by buying a used Subaru. :) See my Subarus here: http://www.squawkfox.com/2009/06/10/buying-used-cars-online and here: http://www.squawkfox.com/2009/04/13/the-costs-of-a-car-crash/

]]> By: gene http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/comment-page-1/#comment-82703 gene Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:03:07 +0000 http://www.squawkfox.com/2008/02/13/the-cost-of-doing-an-ironman-triathlon/#comment-82703 Sorry, it's $750 savings on a new Subaru. Sorry, it’s $750 savings on a new Subaru.

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