It Ain't Just The Shoes

How many times do you see this statement “running is the simplest sport, all it takes is a good pair of running shoes”?  In today’s world, anyone that runs knows that is far from the truth.  Don’t get me wrong, a good pair of running shoes is supremely important and can make or break a runner, but running is not an inexpensive sport.  Sure, if you never run an organized race and if you live in a moderate climate and have a great running physique you can get away on the cheaper end of things but for most of us …

Currently Two Pairs of Brooks Ghost 5s in Rotation

For grins, let’s start with running shoes.  Some people are blessed with good mechanics and can run in just about anything.  It seems, however, the majority of us are really persnickety about what shoes work for us.  For instance, I started running in an Asics stability shoe.  What did I know?  Stability sounded like a good thing.  Yet, for someone with a very high arch and a rigid foot (who knew?) that was probably the worst choice I could make.  Luckily, I bought those first shoes on sale and was only out about $60 for the shoes.  But, I was out about $200 for the orthopedic exam and x-rays and out a whole season of running from the stress fractures and other problems that I’m sure were exacerbated by the shoes.  After hours of research, I settled on Mizuno Precision 13s (a less constructed shoe) and a pair of Brooks Ghost 5’s (more constructed).  Both pairs are neutral shoes and were approximately $100 each.  I love both shoes.  I’ve had no recurrences of injury and my legs and feet feel great.  As I’m approaching 300 miles on both pairs of shoes, I just purchased another 2 pairs, another $200.  You can start to see where this is going….

Let’s start moving up from the shoes.  What do you wear with your running shoes?  Some people go barefoot but I find that my feet get way too sweaty and I end up with blisters, chafing and all sorts of other problems.  Socks.  Oh no, not just any socks.  Socks with seams and/or inside threads rub and cause all sorts of problems.  Running socks, however, are seamless and usually EXPENSIVE.  I love Thorlos and Wrightsox but they are $15/each.  Wow, didn’t see that coming when I thought I might like running.  I can wear Adidas socks that I get 6 pairs for $12 at Coscto, but my toes pop through after about 3 wearings.  Not sure that’s much of a savings.

It gets better (or worse depending on viewpoint.)  Running shorts.  In theory, almost any pair of athletic shorts will work and for short distances they do.  Start putting on miles, though, and shorts become a very critical part of the run.  Shorts have a horrible tendency to twist and/or ride up.  After a few miles, tugging shorts into place is really annoying.  Not only is it annoying, but it can lead to serious chafing. You also will need to ask yourself “do I want loose shorts or compression shorts?”  The former often come with an interior liner so you can opt out of underwear (or at least I do – I know, TMI!! TMI!!) The latter, while very comfortable sometimes just don’t seem right for an older gal.  Neither kind are cheap.   I think I’ve paid as much as $60 for a pair of shorts and believe me running pants can go well over $100.  I love my Brooks shorts and my Moving Comfort compression shorts but cheap they were not.  Sure sales can be found, but usually only XS and XXXL are in the good sale bins, Mediums rarely show up.  If compression shorts show too much, women can opt for running skirts.  These have compression shorts underneath, tend to have pockets on the shorts for gels, etc and look great.  Again, not cheap.

While we are on the subject, Body Glide or its equivalent is also a necessity.  Once you start racking up the mileage on hot summer days, chafing becomes a real issue.  You never know where it might raise its ugly specter – bra line, the crease between your leg and your butt, the neckline of your t-shirt????? I’ve got a chafed spot from my 23 miler a week or so ago that’s more like a gouge! This stuff isn’t cheap either but it is worth the dollars spent.  Well worth it.

Now one of the only places to save money is on tech shirts.  Why is that?  They almost always hand them out at running events/races…..for which you spend a lot of money.  But for us women, the “top” expense is the running bra.  Unless you’re built like an ironing board, this is a supreme necessity.  The girls do NOT stay still on a run.  The least expensive running bra that I’ve found that works for me is $50 ~ one of the Moving

Comfort models.  I always have at least 3 in rotation so that’s another $150.

No Shirt, but a Great Medal

Then there are the “extras”, hats, water belts, hand-held water bottles, GPS watches and/or heart monitors, cooling bandanas, nutrition aids for long runs, lights, reflective materials, etc.   All of which can be expensive.  

It ain’t just the shoes!  But as my husband pointed out, what a perfect sport for women … you get to buy new shoes!!!  What else have you had to purchase for running?