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The cost of corpore sano

January 28th, 2004 · 1 Comment

Long overdue, I finally found the time today to stop by the island sports store and buy a new pair of running shoes. I’m always amazed at how much they cost. So I put it off until I’m paying another price: pain in my knees. To think that I have to spend three figures to find something that fits my feet. And to think that I am just a basic recreational runner without any aspirations or racing regimen. All I hope to do is get a good view of the neighborhood a few times in the mornings. But if I were a marathon runner or even a consistent 10-Ker, I’d be burning through shoes – and Ben Franklins – in no time.

All I bought today were the shoes. The store was out of stock, so I’ll have to go back later to buy the special insoles that are good support for my feet – another $30 there. Imagine how much money I’d be spending if I bought some sleek running outfits to match my shoes (instead of the old Ts and bulky polar fleece I wear, looking more logger than jogger). Or if I joined a gym for some weight training and cross-training help. That’d all easily add up to four figures a year, just to maintain my figure.

What I like about running is that it is simple. It doesn’t require an ice rink with Zamboni or a court with rackets and nets. No shells stored in a boathouse or nets hung high inside a gym. Therefore no need to spend much money either! But even simple sports are becoming complicated and costly.

The Asics box I brought home today reads Anima Sana in Corpore Sano: A sound mind in a sound body. Okay, but where’s my sound wallet? 🙂

Tags: health

1 response so far ↓

  • 1 Kris Hasson-Jones // Jan 29, 2004 at 12:37 pm

    The last time I bought shoes (to lift weights and do the treadmill), the salesguy told me if you wear them daily for a workout, they’ll last about 6 months. That’s an hour or so, once a day, for 6 months! Then the resilient materials and support are gone, and you might as well be going barefoot.