What a difference 5yrs can make!

Lately as I have been getting ready to go for a run I have been thinking that it sure seems like I have a lot of gear to get ready to go out!  Who ever said all you need to run is a pair of shoes obviously has never caught the bug!!  I can’t believe how much of a difference 5 yrs can make.  I remember when I was training for and running my first ½ marathon in 2004 my list of gear looked like this:

–          Cotton Shorts ($15)

–          Pair of old boxers ($10)

–          White ‘sport’ socks ($3)

–          Cotton Shirt ($ free with a case of beer)

–          Hat (from old Navy I believe) ($15)

–          Analog Watch (with a very small digital stopwatch) ($200, nice watch just not made for running)

–          Shoes (probably not the right type) ($90)

Total ($333)

My goal during my first ½ marathon was to break the 2hr mark, I came just about as close as you can finishing at 2hrs and 46 seconds!  Not too bad considering I was probably carrying a few extra pounds from the sweat soaked into my cotton clothes! From what I can remember I had chafing in places I shouldn’t and blisters on my feet like crazy!

Fast Forward 5 years and in order for me to go for a run I need:

–          Running Shorts (quick dry of course with boxer lining) ($65)

–          Running Socks (again quick dry) ($20)

–          Technical T-Shirt (quick dry) ($30)

–          Running Hat (quick dry) ($25)

–          Garmin ($300)

–          Shoes (Specific make and model of New Balance to fit my square shaped feet) ($130)

–          Energy Gels ($3.00)

–          Water Belt ($50.00)

–          IPod ($100)

–          Sunglasses ($30)

Total ($743)

WOW twice as much money! You would think I would run twice as fast!  Unfortunately that is not what happened.  Instead it takes me twice as long to get ready to go out! I have also become so dependant on having all of these items for my runs if I forget something it feels awkward! Same thing goes for my Garmin or Ipod running out of batteries it just feels weird to run without them!!

I am starting to feel more and more like a little old lady who is dependant on meals on wheels and the Young and the Restless to make it through the day! 

My PB in the ½ is 1:51 so I guess being equipped with more up to date equipment has helped a little…..wonder what would happen if I spent a little more…..besides my wife giving me trouble and insisting that she spend the same amount on new furniture!!