Collect Moments


I saw this graphic and thought it was perfect for this week's blog topic which was about how much $ we are willing to spend on races.

My sister and I talk about this subject often. Over the years we've done a lot of race-cations and we've never regretted spending $ on any of them. In fact, vacations is something we never skimp on.

But let me keep this in perspective, we don't buy a lot of "things".  We don't spend money at bars, go to movies every weekend, or eat out every night. When we buy clothes, we try to buy on sale and our shampoo does not cost $12 a bottle.  I think there is a give and take to everything.  We like to race and we like to stay at nice hotels, so that's what we would rather spend our $ on.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you have to spend a lot of $ to have a great time or a memorable experience, that is NOT the case. I'm just saying at the end of the day (or month), you might regret not doing a race but I doubt you would ever say, "I wish I really wouldn't have spent (x amount of money) on that race/vacation".

Some of my best life moments have been travel with family and friends for race-cations and that alone is priceless.

On the OTHER hand, when it comes to local races, we do have a limit. We think anything more than $30 is too much for a small 5K.  Before you think we are cheapskates, let me explain.

 We've done a variety of races at a variety of different price points. Some of the higher priced 5K's offer an event along with it, a t-shirt, a medal or at least AG medals, and raffles.  Some smaller races don't offer any of those things and they are priced accordingly.

 HOWEVER, if a race registration is $25 or $30 and they don't offer a t-shirt, or AG awards, or anything else but the course, I'm sorry but I think that is greedy of a local race. I've seen this happen before and I know they are usually suppose to be for some charity (sometimes), but come on, they need to offer something to their runners.

So there ya have it. We are willing to spend whatever (with in reason of course) on race-cations but when it comes to local races, they better be reasonably priced. How's that for logic?



We'll be linking up with the gals from TOTR!


17 comments:

  1. I price my races per mile... I am ok with paying up to $35 for a 5K (But there better be somebody at least throwing color at me) and up to $100 for a half marathon. However, I have learned that I am not willing to spend money on races if they are not chipped timed, is that weird?

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  2. I am the same way! I love to travel and am willing to spend more to go to a fun place!

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  3. I like this whole idea. I love getting mememtos - but love when they're not pricey. Like pictures - capturing those moments are perfect for this photographers heart. But a friend of mine always told me when her kids were little, they couldnt afford big souvenirs so they would each pick a rock from special moments or places & then write on them where they were from & the date. She had the coolest vases of all their rocks - it was so beautiful. I've started doing that &LOVE looking back on my rocks & the dates/names on them. THe memories come flooding back.

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  4. We never regreted the money we spent on vacations. I love making memories! I don't race a lot, so if there is a race I really want to do it doesn't really matter the price... but that is just because I don't race a lot. I'm sure if I raced a couple times a month I would be more choosey!

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  5. yes creating memories are what it's all about! I love when a race becomes a whole event like a Ragnar or girls weekend that I will always remember

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  6. I agree 100% - you won't see me buying fancy things, but I won't hesitate to drop a few hundred or a few grand on a unique experience. I'm lucky that my family & fiance feel the same. I've never done a true runcation, but would love to.

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  7. I agree, experiences and memories are so important! There is a give and take to everything- so I figure if there are some things I will spend money on then I will be more frugal in other spending areas.

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  8. I'm pretty much over race tees unless they're really, really nice! But if there's a good cause behind it I'm willing to spend a little more.

    I think everyone is frugal in some ways, not so much in others. I do like clothes, and I'm willing to spend for it. We don't eat out all the time, I don't drink, and while my husband does, he never has wine out.

    Of course you know I'm all over a good racecation.

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  9. I agree with you 110%! I've definitely had people judge my choices to travel to races, telling me they don't have that "luxury" but it's really about making choices, as you mentioned. I too cherish those memories and have never regretted shelling out the $$$.

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  10. I've done everything from the expensive, stay in a nice hotel race to the $10 local 5k and I've enjoyed both of them. It really comes down to how the race is planned and enthusiasm of those that show up.
    I'm with you on the travel though... I will save money on a lot of things to be able to go and do it well!

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  11. It is difficult to want to run a race where I could run on any other day of the week. They have to make it fun at least, or have a really good cause.

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  12. Oh I think that makes so much sense. My sister and I are doing a racecation in Disney and we did not want to do it "on the cheap" so some splurges are involved. However when I do run locally, I don't like to spend too much money for the same reasons as you.

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  13. Honestly, one of the reasons that I am glad that I don't race all that much is because each and every one of those races is a standalone memory for me. I know that others go about things a bit differently, but that is what works for me!

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.