They Make You Pay to Run?

I was having a conversation with some folks at church last night.  My running buddy Ryan and I are planning to announce a "Couch to 5K" group at the church.  We were standing around trying to talk some others into joining the effort and along the way, I let slip that I was wanting to set aside some money for running.

One of the guys in the group responds, "Wait, they make you pay to run?"  Apparently , the thought had never occurred to him that races might have entry fees.  I'm pretty sure he's been firmly living in the "You'd have to pay me to run" world. 

So I started to think about the cost/benefit side of running.  One of the things I truly love about running is that is really doesn't cost much to begin with.  In fact, when you first start all you really need are some semi-comfy shoes and some clothes that allow you to move.  When I started running again last year, I primarily did it in some ill-fitting New Balance shoes (that I had owned for a year or more), swim trunks, and a tee shirt.  When it started getting cold I supplemented the outfit with a hoodie and eventually with some warm-up pants.  Initial investment: $0.  That got me to my 5K, which cost $30 that provided me a great race, a nice-enough long sleeve t-shirt, post-race snacks, and the good feeling that my race entry fee benefitted the local homeless shelter (The Jesus Center in Chico, CA).

Now that i'm working on my first Half Marathon, I have made a few more investments, but each one comes with a nice return to me:

• Running pants--Cost $20/Benefit-warm legs and easier movement
• Winter Tech Shirt--Cost $20/Benefit--warm top without collecting sweat like cotton
• New Shoes--Cost $100/Benefit--happy feet (I can't believe I actually ran in my old shoes)
• Camelback fanny pack--Cost $25/Benefit--portable hydration
• Socks--Cost $15/Benefit--no more "sloggin' in the cotton"
• Bidwell Classic Entry Fee--Cost $40/Benefit--the chance to check off my first Half!

The intangible--The peaceful easy feeling of getting back into shape!