Reasons we don't exercise

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Type 1 DM

Missy Foy

Gary Hall Jr.

Team Type 1

Adam Morrison

It is very expensive to be a runner?

Running is not an expensive sport. The only top-of-the range item you need is a pair of running shoes. I get mine from online clearance sales at places like Running Warehouse.

I rarely pay more than $60 for a pair of running shoes, and that's the best brands like Saucony, Asics and Brooks.

Most recently, I ran in Saucony shoes that cost $54; a Champion wicking top (it keeps sweat off my body) from Target for $9; running socks from Target for $5; Reebook running tights, $15 in a clearance sale; shorts, $10; a hat my mother knitted; thin gloves (ski mitt liners), $15. Total cost: $108.

Frank Shorter, Olympic gold medalist, marathon

The shoes will last for 500 miles, that's 10 weeks of running for me. All the other items will last six months to a year. Which makes my running pretty inexpensive.

I'm not a cheapskate. I don't set out to run as inexpensively as I can. But I don't feel there is any need to spend more than necessary. I don't want lots of baggage and frills. I want my running to be basic and simple.

Other runners are motivated by technical gadgets like a Garmin GPS. They're useful things to have, giving you all sorts of info about paces, distance covered, your location, split times. But they're are not vital to your running. They're a luxury.

If you want, you can spend thousands of dollars on your running and racing. Owning those things will probably make you feel better, which in turn might make you run better. But, the only essentials are a pair of good running shoes. All else is frosting on the cake.

By the way, I have a couple of $50 Puma singlets for races and two pairs of $120 Karhu running shoes, so I know what it's like to splash out on gear I really like.

Choose the right running shoes

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