HOME-WORK-HOME -- WINTER '07
62.8 miles per week. Is this sustainable? The better question: Is this worth it? Let's take a look.
Conclusions:
Assuming that parking is free, it's less of an expense to drive than run to and from work everyday. I would save $1.67 per month by driving everyday. That's 2.2% of my Hartford Marathon race entry fee!!!
Assuming that parking isn't free (it's not. it's greater than $100 per month), running rather than driving to and from work everyday is a no brainer.
What are the qualitative factors, and how do they affect the decision whether to drive or run?
4 comments:
I have also considered the costs. Running isn't cheap for several reasons: shoes, clothes, races, and and increased grocery bill. However, you can't put a value on the physical and mental health benefits, and the enjoyment factor.
If you want to decrease your cost of commuting get a bicycle and/or take the bus. Running to work a couple times a week wouldn't be a bad idea if you plan on running that day anyways. May as well make the most out of your commuting time (another factor you left out of your calculation).
And I'd never pay $95 for shoes.
I have paid $95 for shoes but mostly likely won't again (thanks to Dan and his frugal ways). I used $95 in the analysis so that it would be fair (and that's the price of a new pair of Brooks Adrenaline). There's no such thing as discounted, discontinued gas. Apples to apples.
apples to apples would be the average price you've paid for gasoline over x years vs. the average price you paid for running shoes over x years.
It'd be great to have the historical data to calculate those averages. Of course, without empirical data, all such analyses are limited. Thank you for your thoughtful comments.
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