The "Start Up" Expenses of TRI'ing!

When my husband and I decided a few weeks ago to step into the Triathlon ring, I don't think either of us really thought about how involved this whole thing would be!! At least I didn't. I instead rationalized our decision by thinking "I already run, I swim, and I bike. Let's put it all together and give it a go!" Little did I consider all the "extras" involved.

First, the bike. Yes I had a bike, a hybrid, but quickly learned it was not the performance model needed to be competitive in cycling. So I started scanning Craigslist.com ads and local bike shops, hoping to score an end of season sale....and THAT I did. My bike brand new ( a few years ago) was $2400. I bought it for less than HALF the cost! YAY!

Then hubby decided that he too could find a deal on Craigslist. This initially was not in the plans. Both of us were just going to use the bikes we had, but then we got to thinking: if we want to be competitive and see what our true abilities are, we need to have a road bike. So after a few weeks of scouring the ads, he too scored a deal. So now we both have high performance road bikes. Cost for both bikes close to $2000.

So now that we have "nice" bikes, and two kids who wouldn't know a nice bike from their own, we needed something to store them on. So we bought two wall mounts (Pics to follow later). Cost $60

Then we thought about transporting our bikes to and from the mechanics, the race sites, parks with the kids. We now must have a carrier. But not just a carrier, a hitch too because we don't have an SUV or truck. Our's had to be a "special" one (pics to follow). Hitch cost: $140, Carrier Cost $440

Now onto mechanics.....tune ups...and fittings. Fittings were $65 each and tune ups are $20 each bike (brake check, oil, chain lube, etc)

Ok so now the bikes are figured out. Onto the "fashion" of the Tri. The big decision: what to WEAR? I have a swim suit....so do I just get tri shorts and wear my suit for the entire race, or do I try and get a Tri Suit? Let me tell you, this is NOT an easy decision. And yesterday it proved to be the most self depricating thing I've ever been through.

I've always been told I have an "athletic build". I'm not skinny....I'm not big....I'm "athletic". Typically I wear a medium size. That's not bad. I'm very active: I run, I swim, I bike...and I'm in shape. So if I'm so "athletic" than why is it so hard to find something to fit? Everything is sized to fit the "elite" athlete. I'm telling you, I was close to tears yesterday leaving the fitting rooms with my XL tri suit that didn't fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I immediately felt judged by the clothing fitters. But at the same time, I learned "Ok maybe a tri suit is not the way to go". So now what?

I don't think the two piece tri suits would work either, because 1) I have a mommy gutt that I KNOW will show it's face in the race overtop of my tri shorts and 2) I don't think tri shorts look good on an XL butt! So do I just wear my swim suit and get a pair of shorts over top or what? Ahhhh!

Either way, there is an expense to that, and the jury is still out as to what I will wear. It will either cost me $149-175 for a tri suit, or $45-65 for a top and then $45-80 for bottoms if I do the two piece!!!!!

The swim fashion is a little easier....$5 for silicone ear plugs, $8 for goggles, and $10 for a silicone cap. Done!

Now onto a race belt. I've seen belts with GU holders or just plain belts. Depending on which one we go with, it could be $9-15 for a belt.

GUs and other energy sources are purchased for training and for race day, so you can add another $0.99-1.99 per packet depending on the brands.

We have a babysitter come over on Saturday mornings to watch the kiddos while we do our early morning runs. So add $5 an hour for up to 2 hours, every Saturday for 6 weeks!

Shoes are already purchased (thank goodness) because mine are $139 (Kayanos). But we did buy Yanx which are speed laces for your shoes: $6.99 a pair (for both of us)

Add to this expense our registration fee of $55 per person for the race which is $110!



Crossing our first triathlon finish line: PRICELESS! (right??)