Ongoing linky parties: Motivation Monday and Fabulously Frugal Thursdays.
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Being frugally minded, I approach the buying of my running clothes the same way I buy the rest of my wardrobe – thrift shopping at Goodwill or buying on clearance. I also hold onto my running clothes for a long time. The only items I need to replace every few years are the jogging bras and socks. I’m going to replace the socks anyway since I wear them with sneakers casually. I try to replace my running bras during sales, but since I don’t buy them often, I’m okay with paying full price at Target for a running bra.
When it comes to my running wardrobe, I think the most important parts are the shorts, the bras and the socks. In my opinion, t-shirts are a dime a dozen. Being small, I can often snag t-shirts from my older children if I’m really desperate. Because I’m not comfortable with my legs, I’m very picky about the shorts and pants I wear. I hate to say that I tend to go for the pants over the shorts to cover up my legs, definitely a personal issue I need to work on.
I found the shirt on the left at Goodwill and paid half price for it since it was coded with the sale color of the week. I think my cost was $1.75 to $2.50. (I’m rusty on my Goodwill prices.) I found the one on the right in the clearance rack at Target. I think I paid $4 to $6 for it.
The shorts on the left came from Goodwill and the ones on the right from Target. I decided I don’t like the ones on the right so I’m using them when I go swimming with the kids. I told you I’m self-conscious about my thighs! I think I paid full price for the Target shorts (maybe $15) because I was so frustrated with finding shorts that I liked.
The bra on the right came from Target which has several options for running bras. When I bought this bra, I found it on the clearance rack along with another, plus I bought one full price, giving me 3 bras to rotate through. All my bras go through the cold cycle in the washing machine. The cute blue windbreaker on the right is a clearance rack find from Kohl’s. I also have some cute cold weather running clothes from Kohl’s which I bought on sale in late winter; I’ll share them another time.
Since I run 5 days a week, my goal is to have 3 to 4 of each item to rotate through during the week. I throw the clothes in the cold cycle along with the rest of my family’s clothes. I do a cold wash generally every other day. Most of the time, I line dry the clothes since they dry very quickly. I also think they last longer with line drying.
Fitness Update
Tomorrow morning, I’m running my 1st race in a long time! I’ll be hitting the trails at Linvilla Orchards to do their Pickle Run. Wish me luck since we’re officially in another heat wave starting today and going through Sunday.
How are you doing with your fitness goals this week?
For more fitness inspiration, check out SuperExhausted’s Fitness Friday and Jill Conyer’s Fitness Friday.
For frugal inspiration, check out Frugal Friday at Life as Mom and Frugal Thursday Rewind. For Fashion inspiration, there’s Fashion Friday at Musings of a Housewife.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
We’re a frugal family, too! It just makes sense- both for your pocketbook, but also for the environment. I’ve found a lot of great second hand or cheap running clothes too, although for longer distances I’ve definitely splurged on a few items that are worth the comfort.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..The secret to running in the heat
Just started regularly working out someplace other than home, and I appreciate these tips. I was given my current work out clothes as bday gifts and hand-me downs, and I feel really cute in them, which I think should be a requirement of work out clothes, haha.
Right now I work out 2-3 times a week, so I just keep tossing the same clothes in the washer 2-3 times a week. At this rate, I suspect they’ll wear out pretty quickly.
Have you checked out Old Navy? I love their active tanks – and they are soooo cheap on clearance!!
I’m definitely a tank girl! I’ll check out Old Navy. I always get my jammy pants there, and I’ve done well finding clothes for ds16.
i never thought to look for workout clothes at Goodwill!! SO smart!!
girlymama recently posted..Tucked in by ELMO
Smart idea to checkout Goodwill! I get all my workout clothes from Ross and TJmaxx. You get the top brands without paying the top price!
cassidy recently posted..Patriotic nails
What a smart way to shop. Old Navy is another good place that has great prices for workout clothes.
Thanks for linking up with Fitness Friday!
[Fitness, Health and Happiness]
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Fitness Friday || Height Half Marathon (Race Recap)
I never thought of Old Navy. They have a great clearance section, and good sales throughout the year.
BTW, I did great with my trail race yesterday. I started out well, and paced myself during the race. I wasn’t expecting major hills at the end, though now I know for next year.
Reading your post on Friday helped me form a plan.
I am sort of addicted to buying running clothes right now! I usually go straight to Athleta — I know, frugal I am not.
I justify it b/c it helps motivate me to get out there if I like my running clothes. 
Jo-Lynne {Musings of a Housewife} recently posted..Fashion Friday :: Red, White & Blue!
LOL – I’ve been thinking about suggesting a Fashion Friday post about summer athletic wear. As I said, I’m really fussy about the bottom part. I get the Athleta catalog now. I think they have the running skorts which look so cute.
Frugal is my middle name! I loved it when someone gave me a whole bag of running shorts that didn’t fit them anymore. I never thought of looking for running clothes at Goodwill. Maybe I should. I usually wear the tech race shirt I get and the shorts from my friend. I’ve found a ton of great socks on clearance at REI.
Amy recently posted..A Trip Down Memory Lane
I love REI! Our closest store is 30 minutes away and I had kids with me the last time I was there.
I’m not as happy with the shorts I’ve found at Goodwill though it’s been a learning process. I have no problems finding the same tops that I’ve seen at Target.
Free clothes are the best, aren’t they?
The cost of proper exercise gear is way too high, isn’t it? I keep a very small rotation of running clothes and just try to get them washed as quickly as possible after a run.
I’m not completely fussed on second hand running gear – running generates a lot of sweat, and I’d be a little worried about wearing someone else’s stuff, even after a few washes!
After hearing that feces was found in new clothes at Walmart, I don’t feel as squeamish anymore about buying stuff at Goodwill. I DO wash everything before wearing it. Either way, whether you buy new or used, you have no control over whoever tried the clothes on before you which does make me feel a little icky thinking about it.
With new clothes, you would need to wash them anyway because of the chemicals on the clothes to make them look nice for selling. Hope that helps!
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