2024 Recap: Running expenses edition

They say running is the most affordable sport. You just need a pair of shoes, right? WRONG. That’s what we say to get people to join our cult, but running isn’t just a sport; it’s a full-on lifestyle.

Here’s how my running expenses in 2024 spiraled out of control. While I started strong, my logic and justification for my purchases started to get looser as my desperation to keep my body running strong increased.

January: New Year, New Debts

Part of the collection (but it’s been years in the making!)

Bought a 40-pack of hand warmers (Raynaud’s is no joke, and treadmill access is for the weak). … -$30
Saucony Kinvara Pro—because starting the year with a fresh pair of shoes is basically mandatory. … -$160
Subscribed to the Peloton app for yoga and strength training. Because balance! … -$13/month

February: Mango Gels and New Balance Bills

New Balance FuelCell Rebel—apparently, I’ve committed to a “new month, new shoes” plan.

A box of mango gels—because running on vibes doesn’t cut it. Who knew carbs could bankrupt you?
Bought a new running watch - $450

March: The IT Band Strikes Back

This was the month of solutions that didn’t solve anything:

Race weekend in Chicago for the Shamrock Shuffle
Red light therapy band that promised to “magically” erase pain. … -$25
Massage gun, because the red light wasn’t cutting it. … -$40
One-hour deep tissue massage. A friend told me it was “preventative medicine.” … -$100
TENS unit—basically a massage, but at home! … -$50
Two visits to the drop-in ortho clinic. … Copay x2

At this point, my IT band was still inflamed and my bank account? Not so much.

April: Hip, Hip, Hooray (Not Really)

Things got… serious.

Hip MRI to figure out what was wrong. Spoiler alert: No one knows.
Spin bike—because I couldn’t walk without pain, but my training plan still stared me down. … -$1,000
More copays, steroid injections, and knee braces. … #desperate #itbandsyndrome
Race day outfit—because looking fast is half the battle, even if I could barely walk.
Four sports bras with phone holders. Life-changing. Non-negotiable. … -$120
Personal training package. My PT said, “It’s an investment!” … -$1,800

May: The “Winning” Month

Bought Nike Alphafly 3s—because obviously a $300 shoe will fix my broken body.
Flew to Nebraska for a race (free lodging, thanks, family!).
Placed 5th at the Lincoln Marathon and won $300. The super shoes practically paid for themselves!

June: New Cycle, Same Spending

New training cycle = new shoes (duh). … -$150
Stocked up on BPN electrolytes and protein powder to survive summer heat. … -$100
A casual $150 haul on The Feed. Because how many gels is too many? Answer: Infinite.

July: San Francisco Splurge

Plane tickets to San Francisco for the marathon.
Ran the SF Marathon and won a free plane ticket on China Airlines (Tokyo 2025?!) I also won the same exact model running watch that I bought in february.

August: The Quiet Before the Storm

Another pair of shoes (Brooks Hyperion Max 2). I’ve lost track of my shoe count.
Sold the watch for $375!

September: Science Meets Desperation

Protein powders, creatine, turmeric, tart cherry—anything to fix my hamstring.
Accidentally became an annual Strava subscriber. Oh well, I guess I’m committed now!

October: Recovery = $$$

Treated myself to Milwaukee running merch. … -$30
More energy chews because gels are so last season.
Tried a continuous glucose monitor—it fell off, but hey, refund FTW!
Splurged on Normatec boots. Best. Couch. Recovery. Ever. (and it’s increased my work from home productivity as I’m locked in place for 30+ minutes and can’t get up for a new drink or snack!)… -$1,000

November: Philly

$40 copay for a steroid injection consultation that led nowhere.
Deep tissue massage—again. Makes the steroid injection look like a cheap alternative. … -$100
Flew to Philly and stayed in an Airbnb for the marathon. Race weekend mode = no budgeting. $16 smoothie bowl for a snack? Can’t think of a better way to carb load = need. Coffee? Duh

December: Ending the Year Strong-ish

Bought ultra zero-drop shoes because clearly this will save my hamstring. … -$100
Found a new PT offering dry needling for $20/session—finally, something affordable!
Treated myself to a winter running leggings haul from TJ Maxx. … -$40

2024 Total? TBD. But Probably a Mortgage Payment.

Moral of the Story

They say running is a cheap sport, but it’s only cheap if you skip the shoes, the training, the races, and the rehab. Honestly, walking might be cheaper, but where’s the fun in that?

Takeaways

Let’s not forget, every purchase this year was an “investment in my health.” And sure, I’m still nursing some niggles, but imagine how much worse they’d be without PT, Normatec boots, and nightly tart cherry supplements!

I’m convinced there’s a direct relationship between miles run and dollars spent—fuel, shoes, rehab gadgets, and all those little extras to gain the tiniest edge in recovery.

And yet, despite all the spending, I practiced restraint! Bandit and Tracksmith are still just dreams, and I’m out here running in TJ Maxx leggings from high school. And with exception for the Shamrock Shuffle, all my race entries were free based on time qualifications saving me probably close to $500!

As for the supplement industry? Don’t get me started. I could easily go broke chasing the next big thing—bicarb, ketones, watermelon seed protein, mushroom powders, green mystery drinks. The marketing gets me every time.

But hey, let’s celebrate the small victories. Like the self-control it takes to build the perfect cart on The Feed, then close the tab without buying. Yes, I left something in my cart. Maybe I’ll buy it in 2025. Or not.

How’d Your Running Expenses Stack Up?

Share your 2024 spending confessions below—because misery loves company, and I know I’m not alone in this running-budget spiral. 🏃‍♀️💸

Who Said Running was a Cheap Sport?