Christmas schwag and saving money

So, those of us chasing the m-dot know it is not a cheap endeavor. Through the years friends have mentioned ways to help save money here and there, and I always took a mental note. Lately I've been putting some of them into action.

Tip #1 was from an acquaintance I met through Jack and Adam's core classes in Austin, TX:
OFFER TO VOLUNTEER IN EXCHANGE FOR DISCOUNTED RACE FEE OR SCHWAG

I've tried it with every race I've signed up for this year. Had two turn-downs, two offers of race schwag (read: leftover GU, powerade, and other race nutrition), and two entry fee discounts! I am so grateful to the open minded race directors that helped me out!

Tip #2 came from a USAT Triathlon magazine article: ASK FOR WHAT YOU WILL NEED DURING TRAINING FOR CHRISTMAS, BIRTHDAYS, ETC

Maybe it's not as fun as being surprised by gifts on those days, but it sure can help with the cost. I built a wish list on amazon so friends and family could see what I needed. This year, combining my birthday and Christmas (both in December) I was SPOILED ROTTEN with:

fancy silk running gloves
waterfi swimming headphones
DeSoto arm coolers
leg compression sleeves
a digital food scale
two boxes of margarita Clif shotbloks
A box of strawberry shot bloks
A box of honey stinger waffles
Hammer enduralyte tablets
Salt tablets
A box of Nuun
A box of espresso Gu
A box of peppermint Gu
A box of watermelon chomps
Heed Perpetuem formula
Clif electrolyte mix
Chamois butter
And a fancy lululemon water bottle



I think the only things not pictured are the scale, gloves, and water bottle.

One family member told me she liked the idea of getting me race nutrition, because she knew she would be helping me DURING my workouts, which is something she otherwise wouldn't get to do. I am a lucky gal to have such supportive (and understanding) family who entertain my weird amazon wishlist whims...

How do y'all save money while training??