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Sunday 27 May 2007

Running Dutch = Running Cheap???

I know that in English the word Dutch has a rather negative ring to it. 'Going Dutch', 'Double Dutch', 'Dutch role' (aviation), etc. Furthermore I know that abroad the Dutch are, like the Scots famous for their greediness therefore a nice article to start with....'How to save money' when running is you favorite sport. The text is a copy from a blog on the complete running network .

It has been said more than once that running is a cheap sport. However,
when adding up the money I spend on it over a year, I’m not sure I agree. As
with everything you do, there are plenty of ways to spend your money. If you
want to run along at a budget, try a few of those things:
  • Sports drinks are expensive. A cheaper alternative is to mix water and fruit
    juice. A 50/50 mix results in an isotonic drink, but you can water it down more
    if you find that easier to swallow during a run. Also, most sport drinks contain
    sodium, so add salt if you feel like it.
  • Energy gels are ridiculously expensive, considering that they mainly consist of some sugary paste. I used to take one gel if I ran 15 miles or more, and 2 gels for any 20 miler (or more). I have since completely given up on gels, apart from during marathon races. And guess what? My distance runs don’t feel any more difficult as a result.
  • Spending a lot of money on recovery drinks? According to coach Greg McMillan, the perfect recovery boost comes from a glass of Slim-Fast, because it contains the perfect mixture of carbohydrates and protein. My local supermarket even had it on a buy-one-get-one-free offer a few weeks ago, further driving down my expenses.
  • Energy bars are an expensive snack. I can think of two
    alternatives straight away: many “normal” snack bars contain pretty much the
    same amount of carbohydrates than the sport ones, but at a lower price. Just
    look at the ingredients. Even better, try some fruit. An apple, orange, plum,
    kiwi, peach or any other fruit you can think of will give you the same energy
    boost, but is both cheaper and healthier.
  • Running shoes are a major cost factor. Many shops have sales at the end of the year. Try and stock up on several pairs of runners then. You can literally save hundred of dollars/euros that way. (Disclaimer: I don’t have a local running shop to support.) Are you planning on an out-of-town marathon as well as a big holiday? Why not combine the two. Next time you take your spouse to Paris, why not do it in the middle of April? Just don’t get too romantic the evening before the race though, or you might come to regret it.

The tip on shoes is somewhat doubtful. Real running shoes are not very frequently on sale (at least not in the Netherlands). However I am not a fashion victim so I don't need matching running gear so I do buy al my other gear in the SALE.
I also found that a bar of mars delight also works in stead of a gel package. Easy to eat, enough calories to last another few miles.

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