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.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
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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.
Potentially last weekend with workable snow, so fatbiking and downhill skiing are the plan
This weekend technically starts today.
Friday: 5:30 PM Ride for 25 Miles. Fast paced, time trail course on our local bike path through the animal reserve. I’ve been trying to hit the 1 hour mark and I’m only 1:40 away from that. Tough but love it.
Sat: Hill climbing day. 50 miles minimum no more than 60.
Heading to the local hills for a minimum of 3500′. If I can talk my riding buddies to detour through Rattlesnake climb and hart park, we can pick up another 1500′ easily. Knowing me, I will bribe them and we’ll get that extra 1500′ easily.
Sunday: Enjoy the beautiful weather day. This is the day that I like to just get in a 25 mile recovery ride. Enjoy the beautiful weather with my buddies. Nothing to prove, everything to gain. We hit this on our local bike path which is 40 miles long. If its beautiful and sunny, its a 15 MPH ride, no helmets and just wool cycling caps.
Monday, hit the grind again!
Thanks for the opportunity!
6 mile run and yoga on Saturday, half marathon on Sunday. Score!
Weekend training plan is whatever my gastro riddled body lets me do!
For this evening if planed to play some soccer with the the guys at te gym followed by ab training en some weight lifting.
Saturday at least 110km of cycling
Sunday 120km cycling at least
Crossfit open 14.3 tomorrow morning, probably a bike ride in the afternoon and then a 1:30 run on Sunday.
Running for the first time after 2 months off due to injury!
Two hour TrainerRoad ride, and hopefully 1 hour Skate Ski.
I am thinking a few walks and try to get a trainer ride in. Still a bit too much snow on the ground outside.
Going for a 40km bike ride on Saturday (enjoying the sun) and mountain biking on Sunday morning.
Trip to the gym, followed by an easy 5-mile run today; 7-miler on Saturday, and 7-12 miles on Sunday. Lots of dogs walks in between.
5K race on Saturday 1:30 brick 1 hour bike to a 30 min run
Moving a lot of hay over snow and ice by hand due to truck breaking down! Love using my garmin bc it’s neat to see calories burned. Hoping to get 12 miles running in this weekend.
I will be starting my couch to 5k work out program
I’m doing a 30 minute ride on saturday and then the St. Patty’s Day sprint tri on sunday
6 mi saturday, NYC half sunday!
My son was born yestwrday(3/13) so my work out plan is to carry his 7lb 3 ounce body around the house and up and down stairs. All while fending off my daughter who will want a free ride as well.
TT practice on a hilly route & a long tempo run!
Ride at small intensity for around 40km on Saturday … resting on Sunday, or short running session ?!
Getting ready for a Grand Canyon R2R2R run, so I’ll be doing 3-4 hours of trail training this Sunday!
2x20m at 90% on sat, 2-3hrs endurance on sun
Sat 3h long bike easy ride
Sun italian duathlon championship Bergamo
A half-marathon race this Sunday. Hoping to break my PR! :)
1 hour run and 45 min swim on Saturday, 1 hour ride on Sunday.
Floorball on saturday!
5 mile run w/ 20-burpee stops every 1/2 mile.
I’ve been working months to recover from an injury so this weekend I’m hoping to tackle 5 miles running! I’ve been able do 5ks with no pain, so hoping to keep moving forward! :-D
Running the Asheville Marathon @ the beautiful Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.
A few thousand kilometres in my aircraft on night shift.
If it was last weekend, then it would have been cycling for 235km and 4600m of climbing in 10.5 hours!
A casual 10k round London. Its the six nations final day so not much room for anything else. Maybe a swim on Sunday.
45 minute ride today. 10 mile Run Saturday and a 1.5 hour trainer ride sunday
Sufferfest Violator video on my trainer in a few. Then heading down to Charlotte for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. Be back Sunday and probably only have time for another Sufferfest video, maybe Rubber Glove, been a little too long since i’ve tested my FTP.
Ok my workout plan is varied as I’m training for my 1st marathon on May 25th. Mon is military fitness, like cross training but with ex army instructors shouting at you for an hour! Tue is a 6 miler easy run, wed is a 9 miler run, thurs is a 6 miler again, fri is some easy cross training and rest. Sat is the long run at 14 miles and that’s my week. Pretty busy but loving it all the same and cannot wait to get this 1st marathon under my belt! In hopefully under 4hrs 30 mins!
Friday: 3.14 mile Pi Day race
Saturday: 22 mile run. 5 weeks to Boston!
Sunday: Easy Run, easy ride or both
Monday: get broken hand checked by doctor after surgery 1.5 weeks ago
8 km on Saturday -easy pace;around 5:40-6:00′
24 km on Sunday – long run, pace around 5:10-5:30′ /km
30ish miles with some hills bike ride on Saturday morning, followed by lap swim for about 40 mins on Saturday evening. Sunday I’me giving myself a break in the tri routine, by going up to Tahoe for a day of snowboarding :)
Hoping for a long run Saturday morning and some trainer time on Sunday!
20 km Tempo run saturday and 2h15 LSD trail running sunday !
Sat: 2200 Meter Swim followed by a 60 Minute Interval Run
Sun: 2.5 Hour Bike ride followed by a 40 Minute transition run.
Weekend training plan is pretty low. Tapering down to a easy bike saturday and an hour run sunday in preparation for the Rome marathon next weekend. $400 would go a long way towards outfitting that new road bike i have been dreaming of.
Family cross-country ski tonight. 6 mi. Run Saturday and 12 miles Sunday.
Love this one! Thanks Ray!
I’m in taper/peak for IM Los Cabos:
Friday – Swim: 45 min w/ Warm up and Drills, 4×500@Z4, Cool down
Friday – Bike: 40 min w/ 20 Warm up and 20 min at IM pace, then T2 practice into brick run…
Friday – Run: 95 min brick run off bike at IM pace
Saturday – Swim: Open Water Swim w my team, practicing mass starts – 35-40 min total, mostly recovery
Saturday – Bike: 120 minute recovery ride @ Z1
Saturday – Run: 45 minute recovery run @ Z1
Sunday – Bike: 90 minute recovery ride @ Z1
Sunday – Run: 60 minute recovery run @ Z2
Thanks for all your great info!
I plan to go on a hike with my dog and do a trainer ride.
10 + 18 Km run.
Tapering for my first marathon in three weeks time, so a nice easy fifteen miles running.
Long run on the roads Saturday with my running group, trail run Sunday if the trails are dry.
30min pre-ride warmup run and 3 hour interval bike ride on Saturday. 2 hour steady state bike ride on Sunday.
St Patrick day races with my 6 and 9 year kids with my 3 year old in a jogger.
Now as it appears spring has sprung, going to put some much needed miles outside on the road bike.
fitness class with my wife tonight, 15-20 mile bike ride tomorrow, rest on Sunday cause I start PT for my IT band on Monday
14km trail race on Sunday.
A aggressive bike ride in the South SF. ~70 miles w/ ~7k elevation! Should be a great day! Route: link to strava.com
Run at least a mile per day…trying to get a streak going!
Century training… Hill repeats, sprint repeats, recovery…. Do it again! Then coffee
8 mile run and hopefully a bike ride outside
I have a 10 mile road race tomorrow shooting for 1:30 or less. The a 28 mile bike ride and brick Sunday. My daughter is having tri team tryouts sunday afternoon,probably take a dip in the pool as well
Long run of 8 flat miles on saturday. I’m rehabbing the knee still and looking forward to doing a “long” run. bike sunday of 90 minutes or more on roller trainer.
Easy 3 mile run Saturday
NYC Half Marathon Sunday
36 mile road race.
Yay bikes
Started this morning with a 5 km run, Saturday will be a 10k run, and Sunday will be a rest day relaxing in the sunshine.
Still winter in Canada these days so looking at:
Trainer Road work outs on the bike Fri – 1 hour, Sat – 2 hours, Sun – 1.5 Hours.
Gotta throw in some stretching and a bit of core work after Sat effort.
Two days of rest & recovery after a full week of long commuting miles (325 miles Monday thru Friday).
I have 2 hours blocked off for a pleasure ride on my touring rig. No plan, no goals, just go outside and enjoy.
Multiple car bombs and Guinness. Oh wait you meant triathlon training plans.
A Saturday Parkrun and Sunday 15 miles – Edinburgh marathon training on tour – in Dorset!
It’s going to be a hiking and kayaking weekend for me, as spring has officially sprung in my part of the world!
Saturday is a brick workout: 2:30 bike with a quick 20 minute run. Later on the day, followed up with a 1:30 Swim!!
Sunday is another brick workout: 2:30 bike with a 45 Minute Run!!! Getting ready for IM Lake Placid!!
10 mile steady run on Saturday, and last long run before Manchester marathon (6th April) on Sunday. 22 miles with 16@MP planned. Then the madness of the taper can start!
Saturday Swim 1000 yds Sunday Bike and Run Brick 12 miles ride followed by 2 mile run
16mi training run for an upcoming marathon
Transitions on Saturday: Bike: 1. 20′ z1 + 15’Z2 +15’z1 , 2. 30′ z1 + 3x(3’Z3+7’Z1)
Run: 1. 5′ Z1 + 2x (3’Z3 + 3’z1) 2. 10′ Z1 + 4′ Z2 + 4’Z3
Sunday: Bike: 2:55 Z1 – Z2
today friday: 5x1Km repeats with 20′ warmup and cooldown
tomorrow saturday: 1h swimming
sunday: 15km marathon pace
…since next monday I will have my first marathon in Rome!!!!!!!!!
Ciao!
Sat: 20 miler, 20 – 30 second off of marathon race pace.
Sun: a couple of hours of easy spinning out on the bike.
80k ride on my cyclocross bike
Short run tomorrow. Mock Sprint Tri on Sunday.
Saturday: Early morning 60min run followed by some greek yogurt and cereal. Nap, then gym session working leg strength plyos/balance and calisthenics for upper body. Random lunch meal. 60min trainer steady state late afternoon. The rest of the day is up in the air.
Sunday: Mid morning 40min run pace depending on how I feel. Black bear diner breakfast hopefully. Afternoon gym sesh to be determined. 60min trainer with tempo intervals and catch up on my TV shows.
Saturday trainer ride Sunday long run + swim
Long run along St Thomas VI waterfront starting at the University with a turnaround point at the West Indian Company cruise ship dock
Just a short run each day – still recovering from IT band issues.
Racing the Chuckanut 50K in RAINY Bellingham, Wa
Nice 3000m pool session in the warm sun!
Being a week away from the Maratona di Roma, it will be an easy pace 90-min run, a 2-hr recovery and aerobic maintenance ride to keep the legs ticketing and a couple of swimming sessions. May attend a body bump class, will see how the body feels.
Bring on Roma!
Sat Morn: St Patrick’s Day 5k race here in Vancouver, Canada, followed by 5k tempo + WU/WD
Sat Arvo: Optional jog
Sun Morn: Long run (35k hopefully)
Sunday – St. Patrick’s 5K race
Friday : 10 KM running at easy pace
Saturday : 7 Km Running at Pace
Sunday : Back to work…(still Israel…)
3 rides, first was today: climbing, tomorrow cadans and sunday speed.
Friday – Hill repeats by my house and Saturday – 40 mile ride in the beautiful SF bay area!
Hello Ray :)
Saturday: 1H40 bike into 20mn run at longchamps
Sunday: 4H bike in chevreuse valley
That’s about it !
Running 8 miles tomorrow and resting on Sunday…Training for my first Half Marathon!!!
Hiking every morning this weekend. Living in the Pacific northwest has its benefits :)
Saturday: 140 mins bike
Sunday: 60 mins run
I will start this evening with a quick 10km from rambla Poblenou ( barcelona) along the beach to the W hotel and back. Leaving at 7am tomorrow morning for a 109km Bike ride! round trip with 1220mts climbing! then Sunday midday i hope to be in the sea to cold test my body with 1st sea swim of the season.. hoping for at least 15/16 degrees.. Brrrr hope to do at least 700mts.. All in prep for Aix en Provance Half ironman!!
Bike for 3 hours and a day of snowboarding.
9 mile run, and a lot of toddler chasing.
First Road Race of the year on Saturday!
Saturday: Long run around 12 miles. Moderate pace.
Sunday: I think I’ll sneak out for a short ride. Possibly the first ride of the season in a short sleeve jersey.
Same as my husband:
Saturday is a brick workout: 2 hour and 30 Min. bike with a quick 20 minute run. Later on the day, followed up with an hour and 30 minute Swim!!
Sunday is another brick workout: 2 hour and 30 min. bike with a 45 Minute Run!!! Getting ready for IM Lake Placid 2014
I am going for a 2hour run on Saturday and a 2.5hour trainer bikeride on Sunday. IronMan in August is the goal race :-)
Interval training saturday, 10k Sunday, with Garmin 620, and treadmill
sat: 1 hour easy run, sun: 4 hour trail run
Running the 10.8mi berserkr games, starting with a helo jump. Nothing too exciting.