LOW BUDGET IRONMAN....cheap bikes, saving money, and cutting expensesA low budget ironman can mean different things to different people. At first it may seem expensive to become a triathlete, but don't despair. There are many ways to cut costs and still become an Ironman.
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There is no denying that for many their Ironman budget might be limited. The beginner triathlete is looking at a costly endeavor when considering taking a run at their very first triathlon or Ironman distance race. This is especially true with the world-wide recession that has impacted so many people. Not only is the entry fee high, but bikes, wetsuits and other tri gear are expensive, and just getting yourself to the race and finding a place to stay has to be taken into account. However, a low budget ironman is very possible.
COSTS TO CONSIDER Let's not forget to include coaching for the beginner triathlete when it come to their Ironman budget. For those who are completely new to the sport, fitness club membership fees, and all that pool time that has to be payed for also have to be taken into account. On the positive side, you can learn from books and train yourself as many triathletes do. For instance Total Immersion has a great swimming technique that you can learn from their books and tapes and if necessary, do without costly swim-coach fees. Visit the Total Immersion site on this site and see how to get yourself a 10% discount on purchases. See, you are already learning ways to save money and learn how a low budget ironman is very possible. Then of course there are all those special drinks, vitamins, gels, powders, and other magic elixirs that will make you faster than a speeding bullet. Well, if you believe all the hype. Keep in mind that the earliest Ironmen made it basically on water and their own drink concoctions and favorite power food. For Dave Scott it was figs and bananas with not a power gel in sight. The high tech drinks, bars, and gels were not even invented back then. So what does all this mean? Should the unrelenting call of the Ironman be left in the distant swirling dust along with all those other forgotten dreams that have been lost on this freeway called life that is passing you by at breakneck speed---all because you are restricted to a meager Ironman budget? YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE RICH Not in a million years should let this opportunity pass you by. There is always a way to become a low budget ironman and be successful if the desire is in your heart and you have a passion in your soul to grasp this one chance to discover who you really are and just how much you are truly capable of. It will require some imagination and a bit of sacrifice, but the low budget ironman that might seem impossible at first is truly a very possible concept that can make your Ironman dream a reality. First of all, don't get swept up by the mentality that all the fancy gear you see in tri magazines is necessary to your ultimate success.
Yes, there is some amazing ironman technology out there and some stunning gear and clothing as well, but it is not an $8000 bike, a $600 wetsuit, and $400 sunglasses that are essential to propel you to the Ironman finish line. Just fancy sunglasses can cost as much as an Ironman entry fee and will take up a lot or your Ironman budget. In fact it's the heart to endure the 112 mile bike, the courage and skill to maneuver through the 2.4 mile swim, and the vision to never lose sight of the finish line that will be the real tools that will sustain you through-out your journey. SO WHAT ABOUT A BIKE? Keep in mind that in the early days of the Ironman, none of the current technology existed. There were no snap-in pedals, aero-bars, bike computers, and frames made of titanium and other space-age metals were still on the drawing-board somewhere. You might say that back in those days every Ironman was a low budget ironman. Keep in mind that most of the expensive gear available to today's triathletes was simply not available to us old-timers so we made do with cheap bikes, cheap swimsuits, and cheap running shoes for the most part.
As a matter of fact, just finding a pair of tri-shorts was a challenge, but still, back in those days traveling was a pretty big expense and basically, until Ironman Canada came along, Kona was the only Ironman race in the world. The fact that the Ironman has been growing so fast and new races are being developed is good news if you are on a tight budget. If you live in the U.S. the pretty well has to be one or more Ironman races within driving distance. Even if you live in Canada you have the option of entering the Ironman Canada in Penticton. If you live in Eastern Canada you can easily drive to Lake Placid, and if you live in Western Canada and can't land an entry to Penticton, you can always drive to Idaho for Ironman Couer d' Alene. It's also the same for Europeans. There are races all over Europe now and most European triathletes can find an Ironman race to drive to and eliminate expensive flying costs. Travel expenses are the best way to save money if you are planning on doing a low budget ironman. I will forever remember heading out on the King K. highway in Kona that memorable day in 1984 when race-day temperatures hit over 105 degrees on Ironman day. I will remember it not because of the weather, but more because of the piece of crap bike I was riding. Talk about an Ironman budget. It was about the only bike I could afford and today it probably wouldn't make the grade as a wind-trainer bike, yet it got me through the day even though I had no spare tire, no computer, no aero bars, no titanium, and about 70 pounds of air pressure in my tires. Pictures by art.com
So if you are a beginner triathlete on a shoestring budget don't obsess about not having the money for a bike to do your Ironman. Buy what you can afford. Buy used if necessary. USED TRI-BIKES CAN BE A GREAT COST-SAVING CHOICE There's not much of a market for used tri bikes so the advantage goes to the buyer...buy used, buy used, buy used.........I don't know how else to put it. Spend 3 or 5 hundred bucks instead of $3000 and save yourself a ton of money and avoid stretching your Ironman budget to the breaking point. This is especially wise if you only want one shot at the Ironman and are not making a career out of it. Coaches are great, but if the cost is beyond your reach, buy some of the really great tri books on the market. Mindset Triathlon. Download the best triathlon and running books. Save money. Instant access. No shipping costs ever. Currently both of my Ironstruck books are listed in the top ten.
CUTTING DOWN ON TRAVEL COSTS To cut down on your Ironman travel costs, pick a race that's the closest to you. Hopefully it's within driving distance. Driving has a ton of advantages. First you save by not having to fly and you can pack much of your favorite food to take with you. Also you can car-pool and even save money on gas. While you are at it, share a place to stay with two or three others and your accommodation costs will come way down. Be sure to get a full kitchenette so you can prepare your own food. Especially the food you brought with you from home. It's smart not just because you save tons of money, but also because you don't have any drastic changes to the diet you have been training with all year. WHAT TO WEAR ON RACE-DAY Well first of all, you can most likely rent a wetsuit and that alone will save you several hundred dollars on your Ironman budget. This is especially wise if you only plan on taking part in one Ironman.
Otherwise you will spend 5 or 6 hundred dollars and it will hang in your closet for 20 years after the race. You really don't have to train all year in a wetsuit. Some people aiming for a low budget ironman decide to rent their wetsuit. Maybe rent one for a tune-up race as you prepare for the Ironman just so you can see what it feels like and what size fits you best. Then just rent one for the Ironman. Instead of buying fancy, expensive bike clothes, consider purchasing an inexpensive tri-suit that you can wear under your wetsuit. You won't have to change for the rest of the race. You can bike and run in your tri-suit. There is no advantage to paying hundreds if dollars for a pair of sunglasses. However sunglasses are essential to protect your eyes from flying debris and bugs during your bike rides. Sun or not, you will need sunglasses. Buy a pair for $19.99 or something along those lines. Try and find a pair that are shaded yellow. I say yellow because even on an overcast day they will brighten things up while protecting your eyes. Trying for a low budget ironman does not mean being careless about your safety. SPEND WITHIN YOUR MEANS So if you really want your shot at the Ironman but are on a strict Ironman budget, it's very possible to succeed. Simply buy what you can afford and at the end of the day when you cross that Ironman finish line, it will make your accomplishment all that more amazing and memorable. Remember that you can always use my contact page on this site and I will be glad to help you on your journey as much as I can and that is "always" free. Of course I'm not a certified coach and I can't write out entire training programs because I have visitors from around 80 countries every month, but I will help all I can from the experiences I have had. Who knows, there may be more ways to do a low budget ironman that I can pass on to you.
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