How do you budget for race expenses?

[stitchfan18]

Do you allow yourself a set amount of money each month for race registrations, a certain amount each year, or not budget for them at all? DH and I have never had a set budget that we followed, but now that we're planning to save $$ for a down-payment on a house we are working to set up a plan. I'm fine with scaling back on my racing habits, it does get expensive, but still want to include a few races (preferably Disney or other destination) each year to keep me motivated. I'm just wondering how most people budget for the expense, and if it helps to keep you from going over board and signing up for every fun new race that you hear about.

 

[cewait]

I budget 15 races a year; 3 destination races. I set up a training plan for the year, designating 4-5 A races and the remaining lower priority. The lower priority races fall off schedule if the A races cost more than expected. When I was running longer tri's I found budgeting a lot more important that I do with pure running races.

 

[MikeofRose&Mike]

I am a bad role model. I spend to much on Disney races.

 

[stitchfan18]

I like the idea of running a certain number of races each year as a means to budget. A lot of local races are pretty cheap as it is, which is why I find myself running so many.

 

[Duanerice]

I don't budget specifically but am conscious about what I sign up for. I usually do 2 half ironman and 1 full ironman race a year. That takes a lot of money as 2 of those races include 4 - 5 day travel/lodging. I also do some 5ks and a few HM in town. Last year I participated in a lot more races than this year.

And to think, I thought Disney races were expensive. Tri's get expensive, even a local sprint costs $60 - $70. A full IM is $700 with fees.

So yea, I kind of budget but not on paper.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[FFigawi]

I don't budget for races. If there's one I want to do, be it a Disney race or any other, then I sign up and go.

 

[longhorns2]

My priority are the Disney races right now. They are just too darn fun, a great weekend with the girls, and something that gets me motivated to move through the winter.

I budget based on the Princess. After doing it for 2 years I have a basic idea of what I need for that trip, and have set funds aside for it. I added in Tinkerbell this year to get C2C, but the Tink trip is looking way cheaper than Princess! I am forgoing a local half in order to do Tink- I know I can't spend the money on both.

My other races are in support of the Princess. I limit it to one 5K and one 10K (2 if I need a time) that are worked into the training plan I am following. I found I could eat up a lot of Disney drinking dollars with the local 5Ks, so I ditched them.

My issue is budgeting for gear- shoes and socks in particular. Last fall I bought most of the other things I can reuse this year (skirts, compression shorts, capris, bras, hats, water bottles, calf sleeves, arm sleeves) so it should be a lot cheaper this year overall. I hope anyway!

 

[jimandami]

I just keep signing us up for them until DH tells me NO!

 

[sunshine girl]

I budget $50 per month for race entry fees, and the leftover $$ rolls over. Most local races cost less than $50, so I generally have a slush fund to cover the additional cost of Disney races plus some of the travel expenses.

For the most part, though, my travel expenses for Disney (or other destination) races come out of my general "vacation" fund. My vacation fund is important and I make sure to put as much toward it each year as possible!

I'm a relatively new homeowner too, so as I rebuild my savings (a lot of my savings went toward the down payment), etc., I have had to cut back on my vacations and budget carefully, but if I really want to do a race, I've always made it happen!

 

[RunRookie]

I try to put money aside for races in the current year to pay for the following year, so I try to pick out my race schedule around November for the following year (even they aren't scheduled, usually I know the month they will be in so I try to have a schedule laid out). Then I can pay for them starting in January out of the 'fund'.

Setting the race schedule 'early' gives me a head start on preparing my training plan for the upcoming year, and, it helps me to cut down on (note that I did not say eliminate) impulse sign-ups.

As for Disney, I pay for Marathon Weekend out of my annual bonus from work (knock on wood).

This year I signed up for 17 races (including WDW). Kinda crazy. Next year I am going to be more disciplined and not do so many. So far, I only have nine races on my wish list for 2013. LOL

 

[crewmatt]

I usually do a few destinations races, and then pick up ones if I'm going to already be in the area for work, already visiting the area, near my house, etc. I also try to of course convince work I need to be in the area of my destination races .

What I do need to get better at is organizing my training around those races, as opposed to just maintaining general fitness.