TOTR: If I had $1,000

By | October 8, 2018

I love Tuesdays on the Run. And I love having the “cheat sheet” of the topics early so I can get these written at the weekend. This week? If I had $1000 to spend on running Iā€™dā€¦

Linking up with: Erika at MCM Mama, Marcia at Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and Patty at No Guilt Life.

[bctt tweet=”if a had a million dollars, or at least a thousand #RunTheYear” username=”travellingcari”]

One thing I know for sure, it wouldn’t be clothes or sneakers. Why not? I’ve tried a couple Under Armor options and didn’t find I liked them any more than RBX. Lululemon doesn’t appeal. And to be honest, I can find the former at TJ Maxx. Sneakers? I like the brand I wear and don’t have where to stash more.

So is it pure running costs, or could it be a racecation? I’m taking liberty and going with a mix of the two. Plus um, blog name? šŸ˜€

A couple of years ago when I knew I needed to replace my former laptop and was trying to decide how to finance it, I stumbled upon the 52 Week Challenge. It’s basically the old Christmas Club wherein you put money aside each week. Since then I’ve used it for my laptop, some travel (including the Fort Lauderdale Half racecation), miscellaneous needs and holiday gifts for the kids in my family. I try to spend it on fun things; or fun necessities, not bills.

But if I could spend the majority of that $1300 on running? Whoa. In no particular order:

  • I wouldn’t blink at the entry fees for NYC Marathon or Half. Together they’re about $500. I’m still going to do them, but it would be nice not to raid my regular savings account
  • I might do Cherry Blossom again. I loved the race experience and the race itself is a very reasonable $45, but the related costs are high due to cherry blossom season. I probably won’t repeat this anytime soon as I’d rather experience races in other cities.
  • I wouldn’t blink about whether I was accepted into the London Marathon lottery. No, $1,000 won’t pay for a(nother) trip to London, but it would be a nice offset
    • I’d do an exotic racecation. What’s exotic? My perception is so skewed due to travel I’ve done, but probably an island somewhere
  • I might do one of the Vacation Races series. The altitude on those concerns me more than the cost, but they’re still not cheap. I’d also pair it with a vacation more broadly, because I’m a complete National Parks nerd
  • While I’m not particularly trying to do a race in each state, I’m about 13 states from 50 and it would be fun to tie some of those state visits into racecations

Can I spend it on someone else’s running? Have some friends fundraising for fall marathon races and I’d like to support some at a greater level than I currently can.

Gadgets? Maybe. But I just bought myself a Garmin so that doesn’t appeal right now. If it was after this morning’s run with my watch hiccuping without a Garmin on the way? Maybe.

And yes, I have Bare Naked Ladies’ If I Had a Million Dollars … in my head. Don’t you?

24 thoughts on “TOTR: If I had $1,000

    1. cari Post author

      Yeah, I feel like we need inflation for this topic
      I think $1K used to pay for a lot more

      Reply
  1. Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy

    Vacation Races has been on my radar forever. I’ve done several races with altitude already, but VR looks tougher. I hear nothing but goid things about them though.

    Which reminds me: running cruise. šŸ™‚

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I’m not a cruise person, but one with a race in each port could be cool

      Reply
  2. Marcia

    I was eyeing Vacation Races last week. Very appealing. But yeah, the altitude and elevations gave me pause. You are sweet to want to help your friends fundraise!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I’m lucky that a lot of us support the same causes so it helps the fundraising and the race element. Team in Training, Joyful Heart, Team for Kids, Fred’s Team. Not that there are many bad causes out there.

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Me too! Perfect way to balance the general slug of some of my vacations – especially Florida

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      A couple of colleagues and I are in a 50 states before 50 years old challenge. I won’t win, but I might come in second.

      Reply
  3. kookyrunner

    I agree with all of your choices. I am not doing the 50 state challenge but I am hoping to run in 25 different states so I would use the $1,000 toward a racecation. Airfare can be SO expensive now!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I haven’t read all posts yet, but seems we’re all thinking travel even though $1,000 is probably barely a domestic weekend destination race

      Reply
  4. Lesley

    Any kind of travel, and/or big races takes up $1,000 quickly. I’ve thought about the Disneyland Paris races, and maybe clumping in the 5k and 10k. If I can’t run the half, gotta make the trip count!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yep! I feel like combinations are key to effective use of destination races

      Reply
  5. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets

    I really think that $1,000 can be spent quickly on running…all those race registrations add up! I’d love to go on some type of running retreat off in the woods somewhere, lol. They seem to be pretty pricey excursions!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yes! I remember looking in awe of the Runners’ World weekend escapes.
      My gym also does a Wings series, so many great destinations

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      You get the distinction of not going with travel/fees.
      LOL. Enough. I know not this concept. Is that like too many books

      Reply
  6. rach

    I know, the NYC entry fees are the worst. I’m semi-local (an hour outside the city) so I justify that all I need is the fee and the train ticket!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      That’s like me when I’m considering races by my mom. Early start? Oh ok, I can head to hers the night before

      Reply

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