Wednesday, July 20, 2011

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!
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22 comments:

  1. Okay, you need to tone down. I have only 1 running shoe and that has reach the wearing off state. And I need a new one. Heck maybe I need 2 new ones. And I have 4 sets of running attire, that is not enough coz last Tuesday I had to wear my baggy one coz the other 4 waiting to dry. Hmm, so I guess I'm on the sane state, I though, could not stop buying dresses online. Even I got friends telling me I should get sports attire/gear than dresses. Hahahah help!

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  2. You really are one serious running shopper. I bet running store owners would perk up if you enter their shop! LOL

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  3. Maslight - Hahaha, yes I really need to time down! It's like a bad thing la if I go into a sports shop and don't buy anything.

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  4. Lina - Hahaha, not serious more like insane la! I really got to tone down as Mas said above ... hehehe ...

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  5. @Nick,
    Your "insane"ness is good for the economy. Support sport stores! LOL

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  6. Temptations... they are EVERYWHERE.. and urmm.. your addiction is pretty harmless la.

    urmm.. wondering if your router can print $$$ and urmmm.. mebbe print a signboard too.. hehehhehe

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  7. i THINK (i don't usually THINK) that POWER shoes are quite powerful and surely can make you run faster than a adidas...

    and secondly.. i THINK (i am thinking) that your wifey COULD use a iphone 4 and an ipod.. and urmms.. a treadmill... and a halo was nice.. and and and... lemme ask her again.

    and thirdly.. i am THINKING... damn.. i forgot what i was thinking. Lost my train of thoughts.

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  8. the calf guard looks super duper cool.. looks like spiderman running.. hehhehehehe :) just don't buy those tights to run la.. i saw one man running in those black tights.. make him look so weird.

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  9. Lina - LOL! Do you think think the government will give me a discount on my taxes?

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  10. Anny - How I wish it could print money la, then I can hi on a shopping spree ... Hahaha ... Where git money for signboard la, I need to use the money to buy more sporting goods ... LOL!

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  11. Anny - No need to THINK so much la. I THINK you should instead buy me a treadmill la ... Hahaha ...

    But yeah, Power shoes memang got power one :D

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  12. Anny - Oh, don't worry, no tights for me. Wifey thinks they look so gay ... Hahaha! I'll just stick with my good trusty shorts :)

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  13. As for me bro, like i said i loved running, i have a pair of brooks (RM380) Ascis (RM300++) running vest and short and an Sony MP3 RM299.... guess that's it........

    thinking of buying a running watch too,but i really think whether it is worthy or do i really need it, i don't know.........

    hey btw way,if you do want to part with your old watches, do let me know,probably i could buy it at second hand value from you,,i am a cheapskate lah,,,hahahhahahah.

    so are you coming to Penang Bridge International Marathon...?

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  14. Eugene - Wah, you have quite a bit of running gear too :D

    Is that Sony MP3 the wireless one? I have the wireless model and it's really a crappily designed unit, especially the start/stop lever.

    No la, I don't have any old watches to sell cos I only just bought my Forerunner a few weeks ago :D Can't afford to buy another one so soon la ... LOL!

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  15. I got three pairs of shoes but loving the Adidas that I bought a few months back so am always wearing it for my run. Buying the shoes, always kena scolded by my hubby as I am particular about brand as much as comfort. Hihihi... He asked me why I don't want to buy Power shoes and I was like, are you kidding me? Do you think I want to wear that brand. So brand conscious! LOL

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  16. Lina - LOL! Ya la, what to do, must glamour sikit while running.

    Besides, these branded shoes gives you the illusion that you're running a little faster ... hahaha!

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  17. hahaha.. slow down, big guy! looks like you've been running in a glamorous way huh! thank goodness wifey is here. :)

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  18. Jean - hahaha ... yeah, thank god for wifey, if not, sure pokai by now!

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  19. Add it into the income tax claims... ;)

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  20. Yeah... there's one section for 'peralatan sukan' which you can claim. Too bad it doesn't include gym membership fees :(

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  21. Terra - Whoa, that's cool :D Like this can buy more la ... hahaha!

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