triathlons aren't cheap

I am fortunate to have had gainful employment and that my wife currently makes enough to support our family comfortably.

Unfortunately there are a lot of great thriathletes out there that will not be able to compete at a high level due to cost constraints.

You can do them and enjoy hte fitness and social benefits and go for PR's with very little money but if you want to be competitive on a higher level you need a better bike, separate shoes to bike in and some other junk.

The minimum to enter
•Swim suit $0 (you have something now)
•goggles ($0-$10 if you don't have any you can get them for under 10)
•bike $0 (again you have access to a bike)
•shoes $0-$50 (either you have a pair of running shoes or you can get some Cheap)
•helmet 0 or $10-$25 if you don't already have one
•optional shirt, shorts and socks $0 (you have these)
•$35 entry fee to a non USAT sprint tri.

So start up cost is $35 <---this is how I did my first 4 Tri's only entry fee was needed - I had the rest.

to improve or be an age group competitor you'll want
•a close fitting swim suit that you feel comfortable wearing on the bike and run $10-$50
•decent goggles $10-$15
•an entry level road bike (not a Huffy type department stoare road bike) $200-$400
•helmet $10-$50
•good running shoes $60-$120
•optional technical shirt 0 or$10-$20 or number belt $5-$10
•race entry fees $35-$50 +$10 for USAT license srint or olympic distance

So intermediate cost is about $500
- I had some stuff and got a good deal on a bike so it ran me about $250 to go to this level- obviously your cost per race goes down as you reuse the same equipment. My second one cost $35.

If you really want to compete at an amateur level you'll want

•a close fitting swim suit that you feel comfortable wearing on the bike and run $10-$50 or a tri suit $200& up (I don't use this)
•nice goggles $10-$20
•a nice road bike or entry level tri bike $500-$1500
•helmet $30-$100 (mine is actually still a junky $10 cap)
•good running shoes $60-$120 AND biking shoes $80-$150
•number belt $5-$10
•race entry fees $35-$50 +$10 for USAT license srint or olympic distance more for longer distances

so at this level it costs about $1350
-it cost me $1130 to make this jump

at an elite level a better bike and tri speed suit and top end equip are called for THIS COULD COST OVER $10,000 FOR EVERYTHING. the funny thing is I saw guys who spent this kind of money coming in way after me in tris when I was at the $250 level. At $1380 I am able to compete with any non professional athlete.

Remember to spend the amount that is appropriate for your level and Consider the amount you will use the stuff.