How to do a triahtlon cheap (er)

Are you a middle to the back of the packer? Do you do triathlons because they are fun, a great way to keep in shape, and have no hopes of being sponsored? Do you have kids, a spouse, students loans, car loans, mortgages, rent, a life outside of triathlons? Read on.

So... triathlons are an expensive hobby. The race entry fee alone is enough to break the bank. But, have no fear, here are some tips to help lower the cost.

Race Entry Fee:

This is the hardest to cut costs on because, unfortunately, there aren't many coupons out there for discounts on your triathlon. However, there are some ways to help.
1. Register Early.
There is usually an early bird registration fee that is discounted.
2. Volunteer.
Many triathlons give discounts to people that volunteer for other races. I have received half off my entrance fee (for an Olympic distance)!
3. Sign up for multiple races at a time hosted by the same organization.
Often, organizations offer discounts when you sign up for more than one race.

Bike:

1. Craigslist.com

Don't be afraid of a used bike. The internet is loaded with deals. You might even find a good deal on a used bike at a local bike shop. You do not need to spend over $800 to find a decent bike.
2. Borrow
Are you preparing for your first triathlon? There is no need to go out and buy a fancy bike right away. You might do it and hate it (though you will probably be hooked!). Don't invest in something until you know this is something you're going to commit to. Ask around and see if any of your friends have a bike they would be willing to spare for a few months. Granted, the bike portion of the race is a lot easier in a lighter bike, you will see people riding on bikes from all decades in a triathlon. (For anything longer than a Sprint distance, I would recommend a road or hybrid bike.)

Bike Equipment

1. Shoes.
Depending on what kind of pedals you have will depend on what type of shoes you need. If you have clip pedals, you can just wear your running shoes. If you have clipless, you will need a pair of bike shoes. Wait for sales at stores or buy online. I don't like the idea of used shoes... check out Amazon.com or Ebay.com for some sweet deals.
2. Helmet and Glasses
$20 and you're done. Again, not used. Pick up some clearance sunglasses that will fit under your helmet straps.
3. Attire.
As long as you don't care about looking like Lance, this category is really easy to find some sweet deals. THRIFT STORES. You can find bike shorts, pants, jerseys, etc. at thrift stores. Again, it's going to take some commitment, but it's fun! Bring a friend, you never know what kind of treasures you'll find. I have gotten all of my bike shorts and pants at thrift stores. I broke the bank of a pair of pants for $6. No sign of wear. I also scored a pair of new Cannondale bike shorts for $4.
4. Cyclo-puter
You know, one of those computers that tell you how fast/far/temperature/etc. I got mine for $8 at Target. It is very accurate. It tells me my distance, speed, max. speed, average speed, calories burned, temperature, time, overall time used, overall distance used. They have more expensive ones but I'm happy as a clam with my Schwinn brand from Target.

Swim

1. Suit
I do not swim in a wetsuit, however I have also seen a LOT of wetsuits at local thrift stores for dirt cheap. Amazon and Ebay are also great to search for cheaper prices. I buy my swim suits (sorry you males reading this!) at Costco. For $20 you can get a Speedo racing bathing suit... and if you're on the smaller side... they have up to size 14 girls for only $12! You have to hit the season at the right time, but they have a pretty good selection when they are in stock.

2. Goggles
Costco. A three pack of Speedo racing goggles for $15. When they put out the pool stock, check for the goggles, I have seen them every year for the past three years.

3. Tri Shorts.
These are harder to find at thrift stores, but I have seen them. I bought mine on amazon.com for $15. I train in bike shorts, but I race/swim/run in tri shorts.

4. Bike Pack
Make sure you have your pack stocked with an extra tube, multi-tool, etc. This cost is minimal and will be a life saver when you get a flat in the rain.

Run

1. Shoes
Sorry, no savings on the shoes. A good pair of running shoes are essential to avoid injury. However, I did just discover something about my Chase credit card. One of my rewards that I can redeem with my credit card points is a "statement credit". For a couple of thousand points, I can get a $100 statement credit. I redeemed the points for the statement credit, bought my shoes with my credit card and... voila! A "free" new pair of shoes!

Training

Instead of paying way too much for a personal trainer, join a local triathlon team. They hold practices and coaching sessions. They offer great discounts and sometimes even discount your race entry fee if you wear their logo during the race. The cost per year is usually around $30. If the schedule of the team doesn't fit your schedule (that's my problem)... get a friend to sign up for the race with you. You can motivate one another and save a whole lot of cash in the process.

Miscillaneous

What about a heart rate monitor, bike trainer, triathlon bag, etc.??? If that's what you're looking for, you're at the wrong blog. This information is for people that are looking for what they need... minus the bells and whistles. Let's face it... we're middle to back of the packers and a bike frame that is an ounce lighter really isn't going to help our time.

Good luck in your upcoming season. May your stoke be efficient, your cadence be steady, and your legs not feel like jell-0!