Everything costs something. Being athletic and playing a few sports in school, I’ve always been aware of this. And, as I’ve (re)discovered running, the cost of running is obvious. I seem to review it often. I’m stating the obvious for some people, but I always find reflective exercises like this quite helpful.
Gear, Nutrition–Fuelling and Stuff
When starting out with running, one of the things you’re told is to get a good shoe. Then there is apparel. Running tights or shorts, ‘special’ shirts because a normal cotton tee is not ideal. Socks matter because blisters on them extra-long runs. Winter–gloves for the cold. Fuelling–gels an stuff, as well as hydration vests for long runs and more.
Oh, there is also the minefield of tracking watches and devices. Because well, you want to have some of that data. Then there is the odd visit to the physiotherapist, or some medical checks. Did I mention gym subscriptions for strength training and such?
These are a few of the practical things that draw from your bank account. While this may be a great investment into wellness, the financial costs are real. Accounting for them is a good thing to help plan and good stewardship.
Cost also transcends finances.
The Other Costs Associated With Running
Looking beyond the financial demands, there is the impact on relationships. Running is a privilege that Ingrid gifts me. She lets me run. Sometimes the running impacts family life. On some days, for example, she lets us eat an hour later because ‘I had to fit in a run’. That is on the day-to-day. Then there are race days, and that’s another story.
I’m not saying I’m inflexible, I have skipped some runs because we were visiting with friends. What I’m saying is that there are relational trade-offs you might lose on. Or better still need to plan and be intentional with.
There are times I cannot do something because it clashes with the running training plan. Commitment to some things, in this case running, often means saying, “No” to other things.
In The End,
There are other costs to running I could mention. But, it’s not the point of this post. The point is: there are many different costs to doing the running thing. At least, the way I am or want to do it. If I am going to run marathons, the first one being The Cape Town Marathon, maybe even ultras 😬, it will cost something.
The important thing is that I stay aware of what it costs. Not only that, but also that I am happy to pay the costs, or mitigate them. As much as I want to be mindful in my training, I want to make sure that I know the costs and that I happy to pay.
Thoughts, anyone?
I like reading this, as an almost complete non-runner myself, because runners always seem to talk as though it’s a win-win-win. I don’t feel those people are living in the same universe as me. I see the upsides to running, but I’m also very aware of the downsides. Thanks for acknowledging.