Heads up! The big Garmin annual spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8 (first sale to date!), $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, the Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products including inReach Mini 2. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium is on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too. Full list & thoughts here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
5 Easy Steps To The Site
1
In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
2
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
3
Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
4
My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
5
The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2024 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
Dallas Katy trail. 19 degrees.
Just this past weekend it was about 10°F with a wicked wind chill and a fun inches of snow on the ground. I only lasted for a couple of miles before common sense kicked in.
Location: Umstead Park – Raleigh NC. Temperature: 28F (Felt like 17F). Wind Speed: 16mph. Distance: 24.69miles. Time: 3:11:44. Elevation Gain: 4172ft. Avg Cadence: 182spm. Watch: Garmin 910XT.
Ran 10km in -5C weather in March
January 26, 2014 – late afternoon nordic skiing training session. It was about 0F (windchill was -10F) with a few 20 mpg gusts, but being dehydrated and tired from a late night made my late afternoon workout super chilly, especially since I couldn’t really warm up that well.
Here in the Netherlands we are having the warmest winter ever it seems. The coldest weather we had was last weekend, with a temp of about -3 celcius. I know that that’s nothing compared to “real winter weather” but it’s still pretty cold for me and I’m totally surprised at how well I’m doing in this weather. The only small problem is that with long rides (I’m skating, actually) my hands get cold (I can relate to what Joe said: it took a while for the dexterity in my fingers to get back to normal). The rest of my body is just fine. I’m sure all of you hardened winter runners already know that, but it really surprised me.
Did a short run in 28F while visiting Maryland. Just had to get out of the house and do something. Living in FL, anything under 55F requires layering.
The coldest run so far this winter was @ the “Icebear-Cup” 7k-Run in Vienna on Sunday. Recovery-Red Bull at the finish line was frozen at -8°C/17,60000038°F. The cycling tour afterwards was even tougher as it started to snow and therefore it became quite slippy in the roundabouts… :)
5 mile run after work. Car said it was 40 degrees when I pulled into the garage. Shortly after I set out, the sun set and it got cold fast! Wasn’t dressed for it and when I got home I knew why I was freezing… 21 degrees deserves more clothes than I had on…
I’m in the DC area and a bit of a weather wimp…. so the coldest I got was a trainer ride next to a partially open garage door… so I could see the snow piled up next to the door and got free air conditioning… but didn’t have to be out in the wind & ice!
I’m a wimp and a relatively new runner. My first 5K race was last April it was 30 degrees when we started.
We’ve had temperatures of -30C, with winds cranking this up to -45C earlier this month. Crazy to run in this weather!
nothing too crazy, I was running on the 12th on the icy trail, it was sort of muddy between snow, it was 3°C with 14kph wind, gusting upto 40kph.
2 hours outside in the 20 degree weather plus windchill. With ice. But so happy to not be injured and be able to run, so it was worth it.
Did 16M in 12° with 15 Mph winds on snowy and icy roads a week ago Wednesday and my water and nutrition froze solid. Nothing like a Gu lolly to keep you energized. Even with 3x gloves and handwarmers my fingers froze. I won’t even go into the frozen snot/buff issue. :)
Split between a 11F run on Thanksgiving in Akron and a 10F run on Christmas in Massachusetts.
I’ve avoided the really cold weather running and cycling this winter. Partly because I’ve been layed up with an injury, partly because its just been too cold. Like minus 26 celsius (minus 15 Fahrenheit) plus windchill. So indoor cycling and treadmill have been my saving grace.
9 mile run in 4 degrees (F). My watch turned off from the cold, so clearly this $400 would be useful to me.
On 24 Jan I rode the Bupa Challenge as part if the Tour Down Under festivities (same route as stage 4). Riding through the Adelaide hills was a chilly 20C or so — a real shock after the 45C we had become used to!
We’re pretty spoiled in Southern California. “Cold” to us is when it drops into the 40s. I’m a morning runner and it was 39 degrees one morning in early December. Brrrrr! :)
Last Sunday I ran 18 miles 14F (feels like 4F). It was 5 miles to Central Park and then the Fred Lebow Half Marathon. Your run around in Finland motivated me to keep running through the cold snap here in NYC. Thanks!!
Jan 1st – Toronto 12k Solo Resolution Run in the middle of the polar vortex -25C.
Winter? What winter? I live in th tropics. Hence, coldest I swam/ride/run is like 20C early eary In the morning.
Nothing too epic yet, but I’ve had quite a few days of single digits with windchills in the -teens….best strategy was to bundle up and then hit the trails where the wind gets blocked and it’s ALMOST warm ;).
Because i leave in israel, the coldest run that i had was around 7C and only because it was 5am, by 8am it was back to 16c and nice, i’m ashamed ti admit, but it was very cold for me.
Well I Live in Ecuador so no chilling temp for me, but it rains a lot I’m a biker if it counts =)
coldest run was about 10 degrees with the wind chill.
Tour of Sufferlandria – Stage 4 … just this past week … 6deg F outside. Fingers were so cold I couldn’t get the fire started in the wood stove to try and warm up the pain cave – aka unheated barn. Hell Hath No Fury like riding in full winter garb “indoors”.
I’m coming back after a bit of a hiatus, which means I’m still in wuss mode. I’ve spent a couple of cold Saturdays (19F – 35F) up on the trainer. My trainer room isn’t heated and has drafty windows, so it was pretty chilly in there!
35F and 15 mph winds with a stroller is the coldest I’ve run in so far this year. Mostly treadmill and trainer this winter given our 1 year-old likes to take up our daylight hours lately.
I’ve been quite wimpy this year and my coldest workouts have been in the basement on the indoor trainer or treadmill. I haven’t been able to motivate myself to partake in a run or ride in anything less than 40F.
So far. Has to be January 7. Was -6C, but the sun was out. Apparently that was cold enough to close all schools in metro Atlanta. The streets were empty, and I went out to do my intervals. Everybody looked at me like I was crazy
A 5 mile run in early January.Actual temp was 2 degrees F, Windchill was -15.
5k Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day in Virginia. That was cold!
I have biked to work all January in DC weathering most of the coldest days. The worst was about three weeks ago. It was so cold (10 degrees without the windchill) I got about 4 houses from home and turned around for home. After warming up in the garage for 3 mins I decided I’d get to work faster by biking so told mystelf to harden up and rode in.
I’ve been a wuss. And sick. Coldest run this winter was mid December, a easy 6 miles at about 25F, partly cloudy. Quite a few snow banks to dodge though!
Last Friday during Houston’s first ice storm of the season. It was awesome!
It’s been a pretty cold January in New England, but, well, it’s winter isn’t it? Probably my coldest run this year has been about 10 degrees plus a pretty nasty windchill. Looking forward to spring. Thanks for all you do on your site; I find all the tech reviews particularly useful.
7F and snowing on a run. Not bad, a little slippery.
Getting on the trainer in my unheated garage at about 30 degrees while it was in the negatives outside. Riding the trainer sucks enough, without doing in a freezing cold garage.
It was 43F in Miami as few weeks back. I ran 6 miles, it was awful. :)
Day after XMas run on Trails at Swallow Cliff (Chicago South Burbs). Cold, snow, and icy. 4 miles.
-5 C on fat rbike ride in the Alps in Italy 26th January
Coldest this winter was 34F with a couple of inches of snow on the trails. I prefer to ride the mtb in the cold as moving more slowly there’s a lot less wind chill.
I live in Fargo and do my winter workouts at the gym. Does staring at a -25 outside(-50 with wind chill) from a treadmill count?
DC RAINMAKER! What’s up man? Love the blog! After a couple months off after the NY Marathon nursing an IT band injury, I decided enough waiting. Went for a run in Stratton, VT on New Year’s Eve. It was 6 degrees with a wind chill of “who the hell cares?” 2 minutes in to the run, my phone entered “safe mode” and shut itself off. No more music, no more Strava. During the 2.5 mile climb (link to strava.com) on the access road to the resort, I saw 3 different cars needing a tow service to be pulled out of snow banks. All in, I made it about 45 mins and just barely cracked 5 miles. I ran straight to the lodge and made my wife come pick me up. Enough is enough. Bring on summer…oh, and I’m back in PT for this stupid IT band issue. Awesome.
Located on the Gulf of Mexico coast, the coldest run for me this year was a breezy 26º. This run was memorable because just when the cold started to get to me a yippy wiener dog appears and starts to chase me down the road to encourage me to pick up my speed.. Since I am training for my first marathon I do my best to not let the weather stop me.
Found the freezing point of a Gu Gel.
Like many on here, below freezing run. 20F for about 10 miles. Thanks for the chance to win!
Last Tuesday I ran 13 miles with the temp hovering around 0F and the windchill around -20F (Michigan). With a good number of layers, and hand warmers, it was ok except for when the wind picked up, that just plain sucked. The amount of ice I had on my facemask and hat by the end was crazy, looked and felt like an icicle! With the snow underfoot as well that was one challenging run, can’t wait for spring.
I ran this winter when it was only 7 F. Not bad as long as you dress appropriately.
-21C (-6F) run in Finland. On a frozen lake.
20F run on January 30
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to train outdoors for well over a month now. Living in the “worst winter weather city in the US” Syracuse, NY. My girlfriend and I have been riding the trainers, running on treadmills and swimming indoors for weeks. We can’t wait to finally get back outside again. I don’t think it has been above 20F in weeks with constant temps in the single digits without windchill due to the polar vortex. Can’t wait for Spring, and a new garmin for the GF would certainly be nice to map those runs and rides!
10F on 6 mile Hill run.. Stayed warm, avg heart rate was 157bpm with max 201.. not bad for 46 yr old..
My coldest run was probably the Jingle Bell half marathon in Atkinson, NH on December 13th. I believe the starting temp was 13F before any windchill which thankfully there wasn’t much of. It may have gotten up to 20 by the time I finished.
Snowdrop Foundation 55-Hour Ultra Race – Dec 30 2013 to Jan 1st 2014. Middle day was windy and cold.
Its summer here in Oz, so how about a 25km ride in 43 C heat for a change from all the above :D
My friend asked me during the summer time if I want to swim with him in ‘Baltic Sea’ when the winter hits. I said: “No problem, what’s the big deal!”. Now when the winter is finally here and it brought -15°C and high humidity with it, I wounder: “I’ve changed my phone number, email address, removed my social network profiles and I am not home when I am at home … did I missed something?”.
P.S.
Don’t hesitate to answer this post if you find any undetected communication channels.
I live in Tucson, so no really cold rides here. But, I visited our daughter in Alexandria, VA and took a ride in 35F weather … very cold for this Southwesterner!
My coldest run was -2 degrees, training for my next marathon.
A nice pre-sunshine below 0 F run in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Only about 4 miles though.
Early morning run in 7 degree weather. Coldest run I’ve ever done.
I was on the run with Ben S above, training for Boston!
January 19th traditionally ‘Epiphany cross’ swim on Lake Uvac. Water temp was -1C outside temp was -11C.
Coldest run in a long time was in “sunny” North Carolina last week at 12°F! Great blog!
So hopefully you aren’t picking the worst condition story as the winner…
I hike out to my garage in California every other day to ride the trainer. it might have gotten as cold as 47 degrees. by the time I get going I dont even feel it.
I Once ran through Snow and Ice when it was around -10C (14F). My usual “warm” clothes never got to any kind of warm really. I even wore my thickest pair of running shoes, but after returning home I slowly had to reheat my toes! Won’t be doing that for a while now.
Ran during an 8F night in Massachusetts. I was indoors on a treadmill, but I did have to walk through a parking lot to get there.
The heater broke in the pool (indoor) when it was 10°F outside, so the water was pretty cold, definitely could have worn a wetsuit. A bunch of runs in sub-20°F too, but I don’t mind running in the cold too much.
I’m spoiled (or lazy) and don’t exercise outdoors if its below 50. Same goes for golf! SC just finished a few snow days and I was on the treadmill in the garage (outside 25deg/garage 40degreesish). Looking to get a trainer for the road bike so I can ride indoors and stay out of the cold. Ha.
It was -14 C (6.8F) in Warsaw, short and sweet few laps around my local park on the east side of the city.
But it is not the cold that gets you. It is the darkness…
Hey Ray – It’s been a very cold winter here in Central Vermont, so I have a lot to choose from. The most memorable was a run on January 4 this year. It was -14F with a windchill of -27F. I went out with two friends, in the midst of a blowing snowstorm for a trail run. The snowstorm was on the tail of an ice storm that put a 0.5 inch layer of ice on EVERYTHING, so needless to say, the trails were in pretty horrible shape, and we did not wear microspikes, yak tracks, or anything resembling appropriate footwear. We all had racing flats, basically. I was the local (my friends were visiting), so I went first on the trails…which led to a number of memorable wipeouts/falls and some great bruises. We made it about 6 miles, but the female friend I was running with was wearing a knit hat (again, not necessarily appropriate), and got frostbite on her ears and they were sore for the next few days. Luckily, the sun came out the next day (though it was still -30F with windchill) and we were able to do some great backcountry skiing at a local hill.
Ran 1 hr easy run in 5*F a couple days ago. I was very close to just staying in bed that morning.
I live in Texas so it’s warm, right? Wrong. It’s been below 20 many mornings. Luckily I am self-employed so I can wait for it to warm up a bit. Probably 27 has been my coldest this year.
A 3 mile run when it was about 24 degrees out around DC.
-20 Below. Polar Vortex in Wisconsin a couple weeks back. Went out for a 4 mile run, just to say I did it!
Ran a very short distance in -9 just to say i did
10F just last week. Winter running in Chicago…brrrrr…
A run, on Wednesday, the temp was 12, wind chill of -1. I wore lightweight running gloves that weren’t working at all, I ran with my hands in my sleeves and my sleeves in my jacket pockets. Needless to say it was slow and awkward. By the end of my 9 miler, my hands hurt bad, my balaclava and water bottle valve froze before I was done.
I have been a bit of a fair weather triathlete thus far this winter. The coldest was several weeks ago where we were caught in prolonged period of sub-freezing temps and I had had enough of the t-mill. Bundled up with numerous layers and got in about an hour. Still got the post-run “itchies” from the cold.
Jan 1st, 5k Race start the year running -15c/5F
I’m coming off an achilles injury and it was one of my first runs back. I ran a short 3 miles last week in NC in a frigid 22 degrees F. Not sure if it was the numbing cold, but my achilles felt good!
They all seem cold this Winter :(
I had a couple runs this winter when the temp was just over 0F, windchill about 10-15 below… sun was shining, wouldn’t have been TOO bad but except for my toes… Brooks PureConnect is not a warm shoe. Now it’s 15 below without windchill, so I’m treadmill bound.
This has been a pretty cold winter here in North Carolina. This morning was my coldest run in terms of temperature. It was 20 degrees out. I think that in terms of “real feel,” my run on January 3rd was the coldest. It was 30 but with a howling wind from the north so the wind chill was pretty low.
Nice 10 mile run in the 20s.
I live in Guatemala so the colder its been is about 10 centigrate and did a 16k run
Being in NJ, there’s been lots of cold runs. definitely done plenty of sub 20 degree runs while living in NYC and last Sunday, did a short run in 14 degree weather. THe uneven pavement from the snow was the bigger problem that day.
I live in Southern California. So I don’t get much cold weather, especially this winter. But I did run 3.25 miles in 14F weather while I was up in the Sierras for a ski trip.
I live in Atlanta. I am training for a marathon. I just did a 12-mile marathon pace training run through the Snowpocylpse that has frozen our fair city. Only fell twice.
I did a 5 mile run, first 2 and last 2 miles were uphill. The temperature was 30 degrees F.
Around 10F running hills in Chicago…in shorts!
we’ve had numerous -20C runs this year, with additional -10C windchills. For the most part you can dress for it, but it’s always kind of amusing to come back with ice in your beard and/or balaclava and/or eyebrows and/or eyelashes and/or hat and/or fingers….no wait, scratch the last one…
In Houston we don’t get the really cold but on this particular day my schedule was for me to ride my bike 55 minutes. I thought, sure I can do this I used to live in Indiana. It was 25 degrees and the wind was strong. I got all decked out in my warmest winter gear and took off. I rode 2 miles and my fingers were becoming numb, at 2.5 miles I thought is it worth losing a finger or two over a bike ride that was on my training schedule?! I turned around and got back in my Jeep with the heat cranked. I sat for 15 minutes waiting for my body to settle down before I could drive home. I still have all my fingers but I became smarter that day.
Not really a very cold winter here in Belgium this year, 101km bike ride at around 2°C
40 and rain. Way worse then 20s and sun.
Coldest run was 14 miles 2 weeks ago in snow at 15 degrees. Loads of fun!
I did a cyclocross race in New England last month, and it was 8˚F before the windchill. Couldn’t feel my hands after the first lap. Then I started to regain feeling in the second lap, and it HURT. Then it started snowing. Then I crashed. Then I got a flat tire and carried my bike to the finish. The burger I got from the food truck afterwards was the BEST one I’ve ever had.
Last week I biked to swim team practice. Temperature was -18F. Windchill was -40F. Factor in the bike speed and felt like -60F.