I gave up a long time ago on “free” (hobbies, games, products, etc) ever really being free. Running definitely isn’t free. You would think it is – all you have to do is run around, right? Wrong. So, so wrong.
Way back when I first took up running, pre-dating my Couch-to-5K days, I went out and bought myself some official running shoes. In case you haven’t heard, official=expensive. I went to a discount designer shoe store and tried on all the Asics running shoes they had. One of my acquaintances who is hardcore into working out used Asics, so I figured they were probably the way to go. I settled on some Asics Kahana Gel Strikes, or some such ridiculous fancy sounding name. $80. But it was an investment and they would last forever and keep me as injury-free as was possible. Okay, there’s the shoes. You need to invest in quality shoes. I was done, right? Wrong.
Once you have the shoes, you’re going to need some gear. I bought two or three sports bras ($17 a pop) and two pairs of running shorts ($11 each). I had t-shirts coming out of my ears, so I didn’t need those. I had a few ratty ones of my own and all of my then-husband’s old t-shirts from his (much skinnier) military days. Almost $200 and I was all set for my “free” running stint.
Well, then the divorce happened and the running stopped. (The aerobics didn’t, but that’s an entirely different set of expenses.) Flash forward to Secret Agent C talking me into this Couch-to-5k thing. I had the shoes. I had my gear from before. Surely I was in the clear now, right? Right! For awhile, at least. Then the weather started getting colder – stupid weather! – and I needed some warmer clothes. So Santa picked up two pair of capri running pants ($15 each), a running jacket ($20), a fitted tank-top in case the cotton jersey’s didn’t fit under the jacket ($9) and a long-sleeve fancy-schmancy running shirt ($11). I had two pair of running pants I was using as lounge wear that I finally hemmed so I could wear them outside, but I was still out another $100. And that’s not even going into the money I spent to replace my iPod or the number of earbuds I’ve bought to find some that won’t fall out while I’m running, the ace bandages, re-usable ice packs, and braces I’ve bought to keep me in one piece, or the reflective gear I should buy to make sure no one tries to run over me.
The point is: I finally, finally got to where I think I’m in the clear. I might want to pick up another pair of shorts or some new sports bras when the weather warms up, but they’re not necessities at this point. I’m good. Which is why my shoes wore out. Yep, I needed new (expensive) running shoes. My knees were starting to hurt every time I ran. I had been running this C25K program for the past 5 months – and before that I was using them sporadically for over a year – and they say that shoes are good for x number of miles or about 6 months of regular usage. I have no idea how many miles they’re good for because I knew I was never going to hit that number. So I went out and bought some brand new shoes. Or, at least, I tried to. My shoes are not imprinted with their name. They have a number and the shoe size printed on a tongue-tag. That number was not helpful when I searched all the shoe sites. I finally googled it and that’s how I found out I had Kahanas. Then DSW wouldn’t let me use their coupon. And Zappos wanted my first-born in exchange for their sneakers. Amazon had them, but they couldn’t ship them for over a week – and that was with Super-Saver shipping, so no telling how long they would take to get here once they shipped. No worries, I would try the local DSW store – nada. In a fit of desperation before I resigned myself to sore knees while I waited for Amazon to slow-boat my shoes to me, I tried Famous Footwear. I found them! The price was not cheap, but the gratification would be immediate. And to be honest, the price was only $5 more than I would have paid on Amazon. So I gave in and bought my shoes. Then I went and had stomach issues on Monday and weather issues on Wednesday and that is why I didn’t even get to run until this morning. Le sigh.
But! NOW, now I am all set. I am good. I am ready to go! And also I no longer care that the registration fee for my race is $25. Because at this point, who cares.
January 31, 2010 at 1:57 pm |
Just try to think of all the health benefits and what a hot body you have to show for it!
January 31, 2010 at 3:14 pm |
This made me laugh–kind of! It hits a little too close to home. Does it help that I am feeling your pain. (And not the one that comes from running–waiting for black ice to dry up again! *double le sigh!)
February 2, 2010 at 9:36 am |
Must be you are an official runner now – what with all the money you’ve spent and the fact that you are actually running. Keep up the great work.
February 8, 2010 at 8:58 pm |
Thank you for the absorbing read! Alright playtime is over and back to school work.