Opportunity Cost of Running

When I read this article The Opportunity Cost of Running I thought it was pretty interesting, especially because another one of my interest is economics. Not so much the supply and demand curves econ. but rather the science and numbers behind why thing act and react the way they do.

This article touches a little on the opportunity cost of running. So I figured I'd do a rough estimate on some of the financial aspect of what my opportunity cost of running is.

Estimated cost for 2009:

Race fees-11 races(avg race fee $75) $825

Shoes- about 6 pairs a year at $95 each $575

Equipment-bottles, lights, gear, ect... $250

Consumables-gels, powerbars, gatorade, coconut water, race day food ect... $400

Travel accomidations for races- $1500-$2000 including one destination race (Boston this year)

Clothing- $500

Now the interesting part the opportunity for me to be doing other things than running. i.e. I have a part time job that pays me about $15 hour (before taxes). So if we figure that I allocate that rate to the amount of time I spent running it should provide me with an estimate of the amount of money I could be earning. This is somewhat flawed because I would not be able to spend the exact amount of time running at my part time job, nor would I, but it is hard to quantify time relaxing, reading a book or taking classes.

On average I spend four 2 hours a day during the weekdays running and generally two 4 hour days on the weekend, on average. So that is

16 hours a week running X $15/hr = ($240/week) X 45weeks(b/c I don't train that much year round) = $10,800.00 before taxes.

GRAND TOTAL: $15,350.00 (and that doesn't include blogging time)

So, all in all running, at least to the degree that I do it, is not cheap. However, the main reason running is so expensive for me is that I not only love to run but love to race, and as the article suggests the opportunity cost of giving up something you love is incalculable, so keep running recession of no recession.

Some other great econ related books that I recommend:

Freakonomics by Stephen Dunbar and Steven D. Levitt

Super Crunchers By Ian Ayers

More Sex is Safer Sex by Steven E. Landsburg (Trust me its Econ related)

Blink, Outliers, The Tipping Point By Malcolm Gladwell (All 3 are great)

The Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

Talent is Over Rated By Geoff Colvin

Video Product Review: Fuel Belt Hand

This is my first attempt at a video post. I am just using my computer camera and am not taking much time to do a lot of takes, so there will be errors. Just a reminder that I am only giving my opinion as to what my experiences have been. I would strongly recommend that you go out and try thing on your own. Enjoy and let me know if you like the video post or not.

Fuel Belt Sahara 22oz. Palm Holder:

Late Night Marathon

This is pretty cool you can see the workout that I just did. One nice function is the "Play" feature that lets you replay the workout with heart rate, pace and elevation as you replay the workout.

I had to try out my new headlamp, worked great.

Garmin Connect -
Activity Details for
Late Night Marathon

Wildwoods Challenge : Pictures

Ok in this one above, I got a little lost

had to turn around and go back the other way.

Train Like a Caveman:

Here is a link to a blog on Runner's World that comments on an article from the Wall Street Journal.  The article is about Kara Goucher and the training techniques that her coach Alberto Salazar, her plan run "run more, think less."

http://dailyviews.runnersworld.com/2009/08/has-training-become-too-scientific.html

National Rankings

I accidentally stumbled upon my national and state rankings in the marathon.  I was actually Googling myself and found the site.  Running in the USA that give male and female ranking in the marathon, males under 3 hour times and females under 3:30.  

I am ranked 978th in the USA and 26th in Minnesota, not too bad.  See for yourself.

Rankings:

They also have a great mantra.  Work hard, play hard.  

It's only a matter of time before your Knees give out:

An actual scientific study done on the effects of distance running on your knees.  And the verdict is????  

http://dean.runnersworld.com/2009/08/surprise-surprise.html

Nike Free

As some of you know I am starting to become a advocator for barefoot running or minimalist running shoes.  Well, Nike seemed to be one of the few companies out there that is at least trying to tailor to this audience.  The Nike Free series are shoes designed to simulate barefoot running.  Here is a good review I found on them along with another article on the top three companies producing minimalist running shoes.

Enjoy!

Nike Free 5.0 Running Shoes Review

Running Shoes That Promise to Improve Your Running Style 

Wildwoods Challenge 2009 Results:

I am please to announce that I got my first career win as a distance runner.  The Wildwoods Challenge 25K Trail race was a lot of fun.  The only complaint was that the course was not marked really well, but only a minor detail.  It was a great race and a lot of fun.  It was a bit more challenging of a course then I thought, but still had a lot of fun.  I'd like to thank Ryanell Johnson the race director and all of the volunteers, there was some kinks to workout, but for a first run it was a great event.  I will definitely be back next year.    

Overall Place: 1st

Time: 1:44:23

Garmin Follow Up

I have to say that I am more than impressed with my new Garmin 405.  It not only syncs very quickly and easily but the amount of data that it stores and the functionality of the device is great.  Once you are finished with your workout you sync it to your online profile and it will display your entire workout, from your heart rate, speed, elevation and pace at any point during your run.  Plus the Touch Bezel and during the run functions are really easy to see and use.  

I have a race on Saturday, the Wildwoods Challenge, that I am excited for and will be really excited to see the results that I get from running a race.  I have never gotten data of my HR and Pace throughout a race so it will be very interesting.  

New Watch!

I finally got a new Heart Rate Monitor.  After putting it off all summer and combing through product reviews and online sites, I finally go one.  I went with the Garmin 405, the big selling points for me were the all-in-one GPS and the great reviews the GPS system got.  Apparently it is good for running on trails and under trees without losing signal.  Both of these are big selling points for me because I'm going to be doing a lot more trail races and not having to strap an additional arm band on is great, not to mention the majority of the setting are controlled but the Touch Bezel, which is similar to the ipod touch wheel.  It definitely is bigger than your normal watch quite a bit bigger than the Polar FT80 that I had an lost.  But functionality over fashion any day in the running community.  

I'm even considering getting up tomorrow morning and going for a run just to try it out.  I needed to charge it today, otherwise I would have done use it today.  By the way I went for about 8 miles total with 2 set of 3 miles at a 6 minute mile pace.  I had to try and squeeze some speed work in for my 25K this weekend.  

50 Miles

For those of you who remember I posted a link to a video about a 13 year old girl who complete a 50 mile race.  I have also found out that Wilt Chamberlain, nicknamed "Wilt the Stilt" ran a few marathons as well as a 50 mile race.  I have heard the excuse that I'm just not build for running, well you have two examples from both extremes now, Being over weight is not an excuse, run a train for a 50 mile race and it won't be a factor any more.  Anyone from a 13 year old girl to a 7'1" 275lbs. man can run and run far.  No excuses.  

Beat the Heat!

I didn't have to go to work this Saturday, so I decided to get a good run in.  I guess I know I'm in pretty good shape know when I can run nearly a marathon in a spur of the moment.  I didn't quiet make it a marathon about 25 miles, but I took off after learning I didn't have to go to work with a 1/2 of a smoothie in my stomach a cup of coffee and a danish to fuel me.  I, quite foolishly didn't take any water, gatorade or any type of replenisher with my.  All I had was a cliff bar, and my ipod.  I didn't even stretch just headed out and it was hot I think it was around 75 degrees when I started, 11:40am and it ended up around 90 when I was done, 3:25pm.

The humidity was pretty bad the heat index was around 95 degrees I guess.  I should say that the route I was running had plenty of water fountains to drink from and plenty of other runners, walkers, and bikers the whole way.  I do not recommend this for anyone, you should carry a replenisher, something with electrolytes and sodium, if you are going to run for more than an hour, especially in the heat.    

I actually felt pretty good and ran the thing pretty darn fast, I definitely would have been a sub-4 hour marathon.  With all the running I have done I do feel that I run better then most in the heat.  It doesn't really seem to effect me nearly as much.   I don't really plan to taper much for the Wildwoods 25k this weekend but I'm looking forward to it and will probably try and get in some good tempo runs just to get the legs moving so I remember what it's like running a 6:15 mile pace.  

Here is a nice video for some general hydration tips.

Staying Hydrated:

Wildwoods Challenge

I have decided to enter a race next weekend it is only a 25K, or about 15 mile, race so nothing too crazy, but it should be a lot fun.  It is in Itasca State Park where I recently did some trail running and it is a great area.  

It should be a a pretty fast race, I haven't done anything under a marathon this year so I'll have to pick up the pace.  My Dad is running the 10K which I think starts 20 mins after the 25K, so I figure if I can run around a 6:15-6:25 mile pace I should finish right around his time, depending on how fast he plans on running.  I have been doing a lot of trail running, so I should be able to keep a pretty good pace.  

Green Smoothies!

As I have said earlier, nutrition has been a big part of my focus this year.  I do not have a specific diet but I tend to eat what allows me to run better.  I find that a lot of fresh fruits, veggies and lean proteins seem to do the trick.  

One thing I do almost every morning and often as a post workout refueling is a Green Smoothie.  A green smoothies is defined as a fruit smoothie that has some sort of leafy green incorporated into it.  There are tons of recipes out there just google it, here is the recipe that I use.  The main advantage of a green smoothie is that you can get the benefits of those leafy greens without having to eat them straight.  Plus I add in a few extra ingredients for protein, vitamins, minerals ect...  

Jordan's Green Smoothies recipe:

2 bananas

1/2 cup of berries ( I often use frozen blue berries or strawberries)

one medium leaf of Kale

1 tablespoon of hemp seed

1 tablespoon of dulse flakes

1 tablespoon of bee pollen

1-2 cups of water or coconut water (amount of water depends on how thick you like your smoothies)

Blend them all up in a blender and enjoy.  It doesn't have to be a expensive one, I have a $15 one from Kmart.   Hint: use frozen berries and your smoothie will be ice cold if using fresh berries add a few ice cubes.  

 

Impressive!

Kara Goucher wins the Rock N' Roll Chicago 1/2 marathon, finishing 1st overall.  Her time 1:08:05, which is about 5:12 minute mile pace.  I honestly don't think I could beat that time, or at least I would have to train pretty hard to get that fast.  I'm impressed.  Here is the article.

Article:

A Case for Bare Foot Running

Here is an interesting video that examines a side by side video of a runner with shoes and without.  I guess take it for all its worth, it is youtube but it is interesting none the less.  

Video:

Born to Run

I just got done reading a fascinating book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It is a book that describes an amazing adventure that stemmed from one question, "Why does my foot hurt?"  The author has had consistent running related injuries from only light running and is told by doctors that running is the cause of his injuries.  

He sets out to find whether or not humans were really made to run or not.  Along the why he encounters some of the top ultra runners in the sport today, including Scott Jurek, and the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico.  The Tarahumara are an tribe of people know for the peaceful but harsh existence in the Copper Canyons of Mexico and for their ability to run long distances at great speed.  

The author tells of a great race pitting some of today modern ultra runners against the top runners of the Tarahumara tribe.  A race that allow us really pit modern science against the warriors of the past.  McDougall as make a pretty strong case that humans were made to run and the "problem" is our shoes not our inability as a species.  It is somewhere in between an adventure tail, documentary, science experiment and spiritual realization.  He make a lot of strong points for ditching those over engineered and over priced running shoes.  

I strongly recommend this book for any runner, but the book also does a great job at captivating you with a great story while getting the authors point across.