How I Afford Triathlon on a Tight Budget

The short answer is I have a lot of help. The caveat is that I work my ass off to get the things I do have. I have made choices in my life, so far, that I do not lend to making a financially lucrative career. For example, I didn’t get a STEM degree or become an electrician. I haven’t moved home, even in COVID (I was hell-bent on staying in Bellingham), I am in love with the sport of triathlon, and I don’t work full-time. However, I am not lazy. I worked so hard throughout COVID for my French degree, I train hard day in and day out for triathlon to someday reach my goal of becoming a professional. I started a book club, I started this blog, I cook for myself, and I make time to do fun stuff with my boyfriend and my family. I have learned that throughout this post-college time, it is really hard to not have a lot of money and not have a path to a career. I will figure it out though, I have to, I can’t live like this forever. And I am so glad that I have a passion in the forefront of my mind. It doesn’t make me any money, yet 😉 but it makes me so happy because when I live my life like this, I am 100% myself.

Today I want to talk about the ins and outs of my income, expenses, debt, and budget, and the sacrifices I make to “afford” triathlon. I want to explain all of this to promote transparency, help others not feel alone if they are in a similar position, and/or want to make triathlon work on a budget. I will end with tips I have to make triathlon cheaper. I don’t think people should have to choose between living a healthy lifestyle, their passion, and a job. All in moderation, right? *wink wink*

Income: I have so many jobs but the main 2 are working at Arne Hanna Aquatic Center where I bring in about $400 every two weeks and working for Pacific Multisports where I earn $20 an hour working 7-10 hours every week. I also work off my rent, which is $550, and I work at $25 an hour. So, every month I work for 22 hours doing house chores. I also pick up babysitting shifts at $21 an hour and sporadically go down to Seattle for timing jobs with Blackfish Timing on the weekends at $20 an hour. So, in a given month, I will earn around $1,700 - give or take. Each week I work about 28 hours, give or take. I’ll train around 10-15 hours a week. Bringing the total work hours, including training, to around 43 hours.

Sitting on my cabin’s threshold just a couple of days ago posing for this photo. Photo by me.

Expenses: Each week I spend about $25 on gas, and $50 in groceries, I might go out to eat a couple of times so lets say $30 there, I like to go thrifting every once in a while, and I have a credit card bill I put around $15 each week. I am on my parent’s insurance. Right now, I am going skiing this winter a lot, so I am spending a lot of money on travel expenses. Andy, my boyfriend, pays around 70% of the expenses on our trips. I put my leftover money in my two savings accounts. But honestly, most of my expenses come from big unplanned purchases like getting new car tires, new cycling shoes (that I need), emergency bike maintenance, ect. So, in a given week I spend around $250.

Debt: I have $25,000 of student debt and I have about $800 in credit card debt from registering for all my races this year. I am currently not paying off my student debt. I am on an Income Driven Student Repayment Plan which allows me to defer my loans without interest. I wish I could have enough money left over to pay for that, but I am not there yet.

Budget: I don’t have a budget, but I spend very consciously. I don’t feel like I earn enough to warrant a proper budget because I just spend what I need to to be able to do the things I need to. I do my best every day to limit what I spend, and I try my best to make conscious decisions. I don’t spend it impulsively.  

Savings: I currently have $2,100 in my ‘don’t touch’ account, which is my absolutely do not touch savings until absolutely necessary. I have a ‘travel fund’ account which is for bigger out-of-plan purchases like car tires, plane tickets, or a bike mechanical issue, etc.

Sacrifices: I could be working full-time right now doing anything, but I am not. I could be making more money and putting more time and energy into job searching, but I am not. Training takes it out of you, leaving not a lot of energy to do extra stuff like this at the end of the day. I have made triathlon my life, which I love, but there are some serious trade-offs to making it work. Right now, it is worth it for me to make less and train more.

How I afford triathlon: I want to preface this by saying that I started training for triathlon in 2020, got a coach in 2021, and started training seriously in 2024. It has taken me years of being in the sport, forming connections to be able to get all this stuff for free. My coach doesn’t charge me. I am on Team Bellingham which reimburses me $500 toward race entry fees. I was given my triathlon bike by my godfather who used to race triathlons for the Marines. I don’t buy nutrition, except during race season and drink mix. I don’t get injured a lot (knock on wood). I ask my mom and dad for random purchases like a VO2 max test or a massage here and there. I have had friends give me discounts on new shoes or give me their old kits. I swim for free at the pool where I work and since I work for the city, I get access to a gym for free. I choose races where I have a place to stay, whether that be with a friend or at home. I don’t race Ironman races. I am an ambassador for JOLYN where I get swimsuits for free.

My very first triathlon - 2021 at Lake Wildnerness! Using my trusty road bike and SPD cycling shoes that were too small. Photo by Andy Dewey.

My top 5 tips to spend less in triathlon:

1.      Make your nutrition

• I have invested in a small book called ‘The Feed Zone Portables’ made by Skratch. I got this book to save money on nutrition. My stomach has been so happy! This has been key in the off-season and long rides to save money. I think you should practice a couple of times with your race day nutrition but you do not need to waste money all year on expensive gels and chews. The Feed always has deals going on. Get signed up for their texts to stay on top of when they have free shipping!

2.      Choose your races wisely

• Pick races that are close to home and that don’t require a hotel. If they do require an overnight stay, choose races close to your friends who live far away and ask to stay with them! Don’t race Ironman, this is a sure way to drain your savings. Support smaller 70.3 and iron distance races (yes, they do exist).

3.      Ask for help

• Reach out to your favorite brands and see if there’s any free product they can get you. That’s how I got my ambassadorship with JOLYN. I had already been posting about JOYLN suits which I believe helped a lot. Reach out to friends and/or family and ask if they’d help pay for your races. I notice that when you’re passionate about something people want to support you.

4.      Ask race organizers for discounts

• The people who run these events are kind folks and can usually afford to let you enter at a highly discounted rate, especially if you offer to volunteer in exchange. Just ask. You’d be surprised at how many people will let you race at a discounted rate!

5.      Join a club

a.      The Triathlon club that I am in, Bellingham Triathlon Club, has discounts to local races and products, and access to gear like bike boxes for traveling. It is also a great way to get to know more people in the community who might be able to help you down the line. I have met some amazing people through my local triathlon community and a lot of them have been eager to help me with getting gear like wetsuits, racing kits, and cycling kits.

Training ride on Whidbey Island’s Fort Casey - Summer 2024. Kit given by a friend, shoes were a gift, godfather’s gifted bike (mine now), aero bottle given to me, helmet was a Christmas gift from 2023. Photos by Andy Dewey.

Key takeaways:

Triathlons are an expensive sport and has a pretty large barrier to entry. But hopefully, this article as shed light on the fact that everyone starts somewhere. I started racing on my TT bike 2 years into the sport, before that I was on my road bike. Use what you have and get out there. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It will take work and dedication but if you want to make it work, you will! Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.