Thursday, January 19, 2012

3TT, money edition ...

Money, part 1 - I know that everyone says that triathlon is an expensive sport. And it is. I mean, I spent $265 just to register for Ironman 70.3 Texas. And since I decided I was actually going to train for this, I had to get a pool membership. Then there was my bike. Yes, we got a great deal on it and yes, it was technically a birthday gift, but it was still paid for out of our family budget.

But, once I had the bike I was all set, right? Wrong. Then I needed water bottle cages and a new bike computer for the trainer. Oh, and let's not forget the bento box or the fact that I am still on a quest for the perfect goggles.

But that's it. I had everything I needed (except the goggles) and all I needed to do was drive to Texas. Well, that was until we decided NOT to drive to Texas. Now, we need to purchase a plane ticket (or use a bajillion frequent flyer miles) AND ship my bike there.

Do you know what it cost to ship a bike? It's not pretty. There's always the option of checking it with my luggage but the cost really isn't that different. And with either option, I still need to have some sort of case or reinforced/padded bike box. The sheer thought of all this money makes me want to cry.

But, if nothing else, this has taught me a lesson.

Only register for triathlons that you can DRIVE to in 12 hrs or less.

That's why this race is on my radar for next summer. It's only like an hour and a half from here with ZERO chance of a need to ship my bike.

Money, part 2 - It's no secret that we are Disney-aholics in this house. We've visited Walt Disney World four times since March 2010 and our next two trips are already planned. I mean, we need to put those annual passes to good use.

Anyway, we have always wanted to take the girls to eat with the princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table, but we've never been able to get a reservation. Until now. Somehow, when I searched the Disney Dining reservation system two days ago, there were four available reservations during our trip in February.

You know I snatched one up. And you know that Disney gladly took my arm and my leg to cover the cost.

Money, part 3 - A big part of why we have visited Disney so often is that children under three are admitted free, not only into the park but to any paid attraction, including character dining. Considering that we've had at least one child under the age of three for the last seven years, it was a big money saver.

That's about to change. Dilly turns three next week, just in time for our next trip. I'm less than thrilled at the prospect of purchasing her annual pass. She, however, could not be more excited. Just yesterday morning, we overheard her talking to her sisters about our upcoming trip and the fact that she'll have her own pass.

"Doodle, I'm not three yet, but when I am, I am going to have my own ticket and then I will get my own FastPass. We are going to go on the Tower of Terror and the Yeti."

Obviously, we've brainwashed our children. But, at least they have learned the importance of FastPasses.

20 comments:

Kurt @ Becoming An Ironman said...

Southwest is the way to fly with a bike. They only charge $50 each way. However, you do have to have a case for the bike. Other airlines charge between $100 and 200 each way - RIDICULOUS!! And yes, racecation triathlons are expensive!

Karen said...

I haven't ventured into triathlons outside of my driving zone just yet for that very reason. I was afraid to add the expense and worry of shipping the bike. Zero idea about how to take it apart and put it together. Someday, I will add that to my resume I suppose :)

How awesome to get a reservation for Cinderella's Royal Table - eek!

Running Ricig said...

Now I want to go to disney.

I can't imagine how much it costs to ship a bike and then it's one of those "what if it gets lost in the mail, etc. etc." situations, too!

Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri said...

I consider myself SO lucky that I won a tri bike in a contest. Otherwise I would have stuck to my $100 Target bike and never really enjoyed a triathlon.

Jason said...

Triathlon is absurdly expensive but it is what I do so I don't mind spending the money. If I drank then money would go there. If I played squash then money would go there, instead it goes to triathlon.

That being said there are certainly ways to cut costs and you don't NEED a bento box. You can just put the stuff in your cycling jersey.

For goggles get yourself the TYR Nest Pro. The best goggle out there that doesn't leave you with raccoon eyes. I have a review on my blog just search for TYR Nest Pro.

I had one pair for over a year and just a couple of weeks ago bought a second pair. They are about $25 but for 12 months that is only $2/month. Well worth the investment.

giraffy said...

Man. You know I feel your pain on Disney. Curse them, and their magical ways...

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, I never thought about packing a bike cross country. What a pain.

We went to San Diego just before A turned 3, just so we could get her into the attractions for free.

Aimee said...

Yep..triathlon is an expensive sport. AND, don't listen to Jason...get a bento box. It is the best thing ever! It's less than $10 and it just makes eating while biking sooo much easier. I HATE putting stuff in my jersey b/c it's just so uncomfortable!
Anyways, the way I think about spending money on the sport, is that doing triathlons is something I'm going to do year after year. The start up costs can be pricey, but once you get the stuff you need, you'll be able to use it year after year!

Jessica (Pace of Me) said...

wow - triathlon is expensive! that would give me even more motivation to race well and give it all i've got on race day, that's for sure!

ahhh, disney. we haven't gone yet. just this morning abby and will were telling me that they will "happily donate their savings from their piggy banks" in order for us to go - SOON.

robert and i are dying to take them! i think we will go in the next year or two - before baby G turns 3. i am going to have a gazillion questions for you. i think i want to take them next year at christmas, the way you guys do it, and totally surprise them the way you did a while back. i remember a post where you talked about one of your girls waking up in the car and seeing the palm trees and asking if you were in rhode island or something. totally cracked me up and got me excited to surprise our kids with that trip!! i am sure it will be worth every penny :o)

Jason said...

HA HA.....Aimee you rock!

I'm just saying that you don't NEED a bento box if you go to all liquid nutrition/hydration......

If you plan on eating then yes you should have one.

For me I have a honeystinger waffle (flat) in my jersey and get all my calories and hydration through liquid. I have a Speedfil on my frame and a torpedo on my aerobars.

Marlene said...

I don't even want to talk about how expensive this sport is!

Yup, proximity of races is one of (if not THE) biggest factors for me.

I sooo want to go back to Disney. I don't think I can wait til we have kids!

Unknown said...

...and just think, that was a relatively inexpensive half. Timberman was $325.00 ;)

Message me if there are things you are looking to get, I can help you get it cheap(er). Really

Elizabeth said...

and i thought my many 1/2 marathons and marathons were expensive. luckily i’m sticking to that. :) and i just got back from the goofy challenge and was shocked at how expensive disney was (hadn’t been since i was 4). props to yall for taking the girls so often. such a treat!

a runners' life said...

I agree, triathlon is expensive but so worth it. The bonus of traveling for races is that although you have to pay that little bit extra you can explore a part of the country or world you haven't been to before.

H Love said...

Love the castle! Dude next time you need to look at using the Dining Plan. You just use 2 of your Dining Service tickets and save a ton! You can do the same with any fancy fun place. Kids loved Corral Reef and same thing we used tickets and then you automatically get an appetizer, entree, and dessert no matter what the cost. $48 steak or $12 salad all covered. Rambling but my hubby is all over making the dining plan "work" for you. Excited for you! You are amazing with all your training!! You can do this!

BigHappyFamily said...

Yikes. That's a lot of cash for the tri. I love Disney too, but we've only been once. Curious ... if you could pick a date would you go late April or the last week in August ... thinking about crowds and weather as our primary concerns.

ajh said...

Biking guzzles money. Running is so cheap in comparison! There is always something else you need or want for biking to say nothing about the bike itself.

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Isn't it obvious? Ride your bike to Texas! No plane ticket, no bike shipping, PROBLEM SOLVED! :)

You're welcome.

Char said...

It's so cute that to Dilly the sign of the next stage of growing up is to get your own ticket to Disneyland. My son's sign was getting his licence. My next one will either be a grandchild or my 50th birthday.

Running Backwards in High Heels said...

That's hilarious that she is excited about her own ticket! I was skeptical about the expense of the Royal Table.. the look on C's face when she walked in and Cinderella was there to greet her, was worth the $300 breakfast!