How much does an Ironman really cost?-interesting blog post

[boston340]

How much does an Ironman really cost?

mealsandmiles.com/2013/12/19/how-much-does-an-ironman-really-cost/


I thought this blog post was an interesting look at the real costs of doing an Ironman.  For the ladies on this board who have completed one, do you agree with this analysis?

[clseale]

No IM experience, but the runner in me noticed that she didn't account for shoes. lol

[kams]

Yeah, she's missing a few things (shoes & fuel come to mind immediately).

Also, there was no hotel in the woodlands that weekend that was costing me only $400! And, my masters swim is more than a pool membership. But, I fortunately already have a tri bike, wetsuit (which likely won't be needed for my race), and garmin - the most expensive gear.

I think the steep registration of nearly $700 is the easy part when you really get going. Don't remind my DH

[joenali]

It costs a fucking lot! That's one reason I'm not going another this year! I ou bought one new pair of shoes during training.

[joenali]

She also forgot her nutrition stuff for training and race day. I went through two large jugs of carbo pro, several containers if EFS, and a jug of endurox. That's well over $200 right there!

[katandkevin]

How did she only use a $5 tube of body glide? I easily went through an entire bottle of lube and a tube of body glide during my half and the full training that I did.

I have told everyone that the $700 registration fee is the cheapest part of the race.

[joenali]

I also bought new socks, new bra, two race kits ($200 each, don't ask!!), numerous copays for chiropractic and PT. Hmmmm, what else, bought winter/wet weather bike gear. I'll probably think of more later!

[clseale]

Dec 20, 2013 11:27:04 GMT -5 katandkevin said:

How did she only use a $5 tube of body glide? I easily went through an entire bottle of lube and a tube of body glide during my half and the full training that I did.

I have told everyone that the $700 registration fee is the cheapest part of the race.

Are tris particularly chafey? (LOL) I've had the same tube of glide for 3+ years. Do you just slather yourself in it between the swim & the bike? I love reading the responses from our tri ladies. It's a completely different world. 

[joenali]

Dec 20, 2013 11:48:42 GMT -5 clseale said:

Dec 20, 2013 11:27:04 GMT -5 katandkevin said:

How did she only use a $5 tube of body glide? I easily went through an entire bottle of lube and a tube of body glide during my half and the full training that I did.

I have told everyone that the $700 registration fee is the cheapest part of the race.

Are tris particularly chaffy? (LOL) I've had the same tube of glide for 3+ years. Do you just slather yourself in it between the swim & the bike? I love reading the responses from our tri ladies. It's a completely different world. 

112 miles on a bike? Not lubed up right? Lots of chaffe! I went through one tube if chamois Butt'r.

[kams]

My wetsuit also gives me a chafe hickey on my neck and underarms on long swims. It also is easier to get a wetsuit off when your ankles are lued. And, you go all day with a wet kit on, so it doesn't hurt to be nice a slick .

[kams]

And oh lord, without chamois butter my ass would be raw on a long ride

[clseale]

Dec 20, 2013 11:51:04 GMT -5 joenali said:

Dec 20, 2013 11:48:42 GMT -5 clseale said:

Are tris particularly chaffy? (LOL) I've had the same tube of glide for 3+ years. Do you just slather yourself in it between the swim & the bike? I love reading the responses from our tri ladies. It's a completely different world. 

112 miles on a bike? Not lubed up right? Lots of chaffe! I went through one tube if chamois Butt'r.

Just the thought of 112 miles on a bike seat makes my undercarriage hurt. My mind has never even gone to the chaffing potential. lol 

[clseale]

This all makes complete sense when you type it out, but it really is such a separate beast from what all of the one sport athletes are used to. Just the different logistics makes my head spin. Go on with your bad selves, ladies.

[katandkevin]

Dec 20, 2013 11:48:42 GMT -5 clseale said:

Dec 20, 2013 11:27:04 GMT -5 katandkevin said:

How did she only use a $5 tube of body glide? I easily went through an entire bottle of lube and a tube of body glide during my half and the full training that I did.

I have told everyone that the $700 registration fee is the cheapest part of the race.

Are tris particularly chafey? (LOL) I've had the same tube of glide for 3+ years. Do you just slather yourself in it between the swim & the bike? I love reading the responses from our tri ladies. It's a completely different world. 

I use body glide on my feet before running and on my neck when I have a wetsuit on. It is not enough of a lube for the girly parts on a long bike ride. I like one called skin strong slik.

[Susie]

I have trouble with chafing along the seam on the edge of the chamois, during the run. It goes right across my butt cheek, and has happened with more than one pair of tri shorts.

I realize this is an odd complaint.

I am also hoping Calvin got me a neoprene timing chip ankle thingy as a stocking stuffer because I have chafed until I bled on my ankle from those cheapies that look like bracelets to get into a party.

[hannahb]

The cost is why I will never do an ironman. Oh yeah and the 2.4 mile swim and a 112 mile bike

[trigal]

I spent way more than that! And, she didn't have to buy a new bike. Sounds like she already had one.

[blndsnbrdr]

Dec 20, 2013 10:18:52 GMT -5 joenali said:

She also forgot her nutrition stuff for training and race day. I went through two large jugs of carbo pro, several containers if EFS, and a jug of endurox. That's well over $200 right there!

She had the most jacked up take on nutrition. In her posts about her long runs/rides she depended on past race freebies and her siblings for a lot of her nutrition. 

I don't mean to hate on her, but I'm shocked she had no nutrition/GI issues on race day based solely upon her non-existent nutrition trial/error!

[blndsnbrdr]

Here is another take on Ironman costs - this one from SUAR who ran the same race.

www.shutupandrun.net/2013/11/my-ironman-florida-faqs.html

She got a fair amount comped because she was on a sponsored team, but she takes those items into consideration.

[ebeth]

Today I learned an ironman is damn Near $700. That would be the end of my 'journey'. Fuck. That. Noise.

Which is not to say I don't admire the shit out of ppl who complete ironmans. But holy shot dude. $700?!!?

[ebeth]

Dec 21, 2013 18:19:27 GMT -5 blndsnbrdr said:

Dec 20, 2013 10:18:52 GMT -5 joenali said:

She also forgot her nutrition stuff for training and race day. I went through two large jugs of carbo pro, several containers if EFS, and a jug of endurox. That's well over $200 right there!

She had the most jacked up take on nutrition. In her posts about her long runs/rides she depended on past race freebies and her siblings for a lot of her nutrition. 

I don't mean to hate on her, but I'm shocked she had no nutrition/GI issues on race day based solely upon her non-existent nutrition trial/error!

To this point, I can eat just about anything during a race w/o consequence. What I eat the night before is way way more important

[joenali]

Dec 21, 2013 22:47:39 GMT -5 ebeth said:

Dec 21, 2013 18:19:27 GMT -5 blndsnbrdr said:

She had the most jacked up take on nutrition. In her posts about her long runs/rides she depended on past race freebies and her siblings for a lot of her nutrition. 

I don't mean to hate on her, but I'm shocked she had no nutrition/GI issues on race day based solely upon her non-existent nutrition trial/error!

To this point, I can eat just about anything during a race w/o consequence. What I eat the night before is way way more important

Well when you swim for over an hour, are on a bike for 8 hours and have to run 26.2 after that, you usually don't "eat about anything" . It's highly thought out and planned! And the $700 price tag comes with one of the best supported races I've ever done, plus a backpack!!

[kams]

Ironman events are definitely more expensive because they are a brand that sells out. But, course support for triathlon is a big undertaking: med tents, transition setup, life gaurds, boats, etc in the water, over 100 miles of bike course with marshals and aid stations (sometimes road closures), and then a fully supported marathon. The ironman brand does an outstanding job of support (at least in my experience, which is limited).

It is really expensive, but it's not something you do very often (at least, most people).

[naldridge]

Dec 22, 2013 0:48:43 GMT -5 kams said:

Ironman events are definitely more expensive because they are a brand that sells out. But, course support for triathlon is a big undertaking: med tents, transition setup, life gaurds, boats, etc in the water, over 100 miles of bike course with marshals and aid stations (sometimes road closures), and then a fully supported marathon. The ironman brand does an outstanding job of support (at least in my experience, which is limited).

It is really expensive, but it's not something you do very often (at least, most people).

Aren't a few of the costs one-timers, too? Like if you bought a new bike for one IM, you wouldn't have that cost on the 2nd, 3rd, etc. I would imagine that you as become more comfortable with nutrition you'd do less experimenting during training, etc. 

[beachygal]

This is interesting, but I think even training for a Sprint tri can get very pricey. Unless you have lots of H&F 'friends who are willing to loan/sell you items, you're going to spend good money just to get started. I think it;s really the biking that makes things so pricey.

I will say that after some huge expenses (most notably a carbon bike), I think I'm good for the foreseeable future. One East Coast company does tris that are fairly reasonably priced, and when I look to do a half Ironman (hopefully in 2015, GULP), I'm planning to do one of their events instead of an Ironman branded event, both to save money on race fees and by staying local.