Lead Me Not Into Temptation

Whoever said running was a cheap sport needs to get his/her bloody head examined! Whatever little money I have in my pathetic wallet is spent on buying all kinds of running gear that soon I'm going to need three more jobs just to sustain this addiction.

Actually running is cheap, it's just that thing called ego that plays a big part in making it expensive. There was a time, a very long time ago, when I could just put on an old Power shoe with a cheap cotton socks, throw on an old rag like tee and some unglamorous looking shorts and take a brisk run around the area (of course, I didn't run all that long those days) and not give two hoots about my gear.

Like I said, that was a long time ago. These days, a lot of investment is spent for all my running gear, from my socks right down to the gadget that holds my race number bib (and no, pinning the numbers to my race tee just won't do!). Sometimes I think it's just a plain waste of money, though I don't always listen to myself la ... hahaha ... It's not like if I have a pair of Adidas on compared to a Power shoes, it's going to make me run any better. It's just ego that's making me buy all those expensive gear.

Thank god wifey is there to keep me in check half the time or I'd probably be begging on the streets for more money to buy more running gear ... hahaha! She's the sane one in this family. She's the more 'think properly first, before buying' kinda person compared to me, the 'must have it right now' kinda guy, whether the item I'm buying is practical or not is besides the point. Of course, she does have her, 'I must have that fancy schmancy gear' days too but it's not as often as mine ... hehehe ...

Ever since I re-started running about a year plus ago, I've been on a sporting goods spree of buying all kinds of running gear so much so that I have difficulties picking what to wear on race days ... hahaha ... I think I have more running gear than work clothes these days. And what makes it even worse is I can't stop adding more stuff to my already bloated running stuff.

Sometimes I think some of the stuff I buy are just frivolous, I mean, how many running vests do I really need la? Or shorts for that matter? Then there's the shoes, I already have three pairs and the moment I can print some money, I'm adding a forth one to that collection at the end of the month. It's not like I can use all four pairs and run at the same time so why do I need four then? Well, if I ever figure out the answer to that one, I'll let you know :P

I just can't resist buying some running gear or other whenever I see a sports shop. Take today for instance, I went out and bought this 2XU compression calf guard to help with my suspected peroneal tendonitis injury, not even sure if it will help or not and even bought wifey one of those high-tech Halo headbands cos she was complaining of sweat getting into her eyes when she runs, not that she wanted me to get one for her though. It was just an excuse to visit sports shops during working hours ... LOL!

Running really isn't cheap, especially if you're like me and want the latest and bestest there is to offer out there. I wonder if I hung up my Adidas vest and shorts, kept aside my Brooks Ghost 3 running shoes and Thorlo running socks, put away my Forerunner watch and donned my old Power shoes with those thin cotton socks, worn out looking RM5 Carrefour tee and cheap pasar malam (night-market) shorts, would I run any slower?

I suppose not. I guess it's just an addiction. But it's better to have an addiction to running and buy running gear than have an addiction for drugs, smoking, drinking or something equally horrible, right? Besides, it's not really my fault, I'm the innocent one here, just a victim. You should really be blaming all those sports shops out there for sprouting all over the place and leading me into temptation ... LOL!
.