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.
Hi. I am begginer and not very competetive in running so my first “big” race I plan on september. It is half maraton and i hope tu finish it below 2:00 :)
Love the site. My next race will be a tough mudder in the north west of England to celebrate my 40th. Building up to the race over the last year I have used technology gifts to treat myself every time I achieve a goal. Your site has provides the list of items I “gift” myself.
Tri-Shark Classic near Normal IL, May 31! Going for top 3 AG…
Next up is the Celebrate Israel 4 Mile… June 1. No goal, I just do it every year for tradition’s sake!
Norseman 2 aug 2014.Extreme Triathlon in Norway. My goal is to make it to the toppen of Gaustatoppen – the finishline at 1883 moh.
Rev3 Age Group Championships in Knoxville, May 18th.
Currently ranked 9th, goal is to break the top 5 for the yearly rankings.
Next planned race not until January 25, 2015 in New Orleans. Working on a PR.
The UAE healthy kidney 10k at Central Park this Saturday! Although I can’t wait till the Chicago marathon in October!!
I’m racing escape the cape 5/31. Its a sprint tri and a training race for me, so my goal is to shake out the tri bugs.
Rock N’ Roll Man Half Ironman in Macon, GA on 31-May. First triathlon ever! Should be nice and steamy… I’m training for IM Chattanooga so I basically hope to survive and learn something.
Next race is liberty 1/2. Minneapolis area. June7th. Really hoping the ice is off the lake. As I already put the skates away. Looking for a 4:10.
Green Bay Marathon next weekend. Hoping to use it as a good trianing race for a summer 50 miler
tomorrow, 10th of May, trail marathon, 2400m positive difference, under 6h
I’ll be racing my first 70.3 distance at Rev3 Knoxville on May 18th. Fingers crossed that I don’t get hit by a car. ;) That comes on the heels of a new PR and first sub-3 marathon in Nashville last month!
Thanks for offering this giveaway!
I don’t have any races on the calendar this year. The last organized event I did was the MS bike ride (which I now realize was a long time ago!). It was my first big organized ride, and it went fine after the first few miles — but those first few miles were awful. It was SO crowded and felt so dangerous that I contemplated leaving. There was only enough to pedal to stay upright; if you pedaled any more than was necessary, you’d have crashed into several people. Kind of scary for a first organized ride!
No races coming up but several bike events next up is Patuxent River Rural Legacy Ride – a metric century.
Ten for Texas, 10 mile race in The Woodlands TX. Top ten in AG
My next races are the 10k and 1/2 at the Ottawa Race Weekend.
I don’t have any ‘races’ this year but instead am training to do the 3 peaks challenge here in the UK. This will involve walking up Mount Snowdon in Wales (1,085m) Scafell Pike in England (978m) and Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,344m), and cycling in between each one. This will mean a total of circa 600miles on the bike in the 6 days plus the hiking.
It would be fantastic to have a new GoPro to document the whole journey on :)
Not technically a race but I do have a gran fondo scheduled for July 19th.
My next race, and first in 2 years is the Prairieman half iron distance on Sept 7!
Aug 2007, Shenandoah Mtn 100, a 100 mile Mtn Race. Last big event before having kids. Finished in 10:55 which was 1 hr and 5 minutes better than my goal!
Next Race will be a Mountainbike Marathon in End of June. 54km 1800attitude, Goal will be survival :D
Thanks Ray!
My next race is the America’s Finest City 1/2 Marathon! This will be my third 1/2 this year and will complete the Triple Crown series. My goal is 1:38:00!!
I am racing the Muncie May Olympic distance tomorrow!!! It will be my first Olympic race and only my second open water swim!!! With a 2.5 hr drive means I’m getting up at 3am tomorrow!
Raleigh 70.3 is next. Goal is to finish.
My next race is a 100K gravel race tomorrow in Israel!
I’m hoping for a top 10 finish.
Attempting to break 20:00 in a 5K this weekend for the first time in 10+ years.
Next race is a 10k in August in England, my third ever race. I’m hoping to break 50mins!
My next run will be tomorrow, first race after an injury.
10K and my goal will be just to run and finish.
As a NoVA reader, it’s the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half and Marine Corps Marathon for me.
Bolder boulder 10k, ~ 42:30 or whatever I can manage if I can’t shake this itbs
My next race is another Beer Mile with friends over Labor Day weekend then the OBX Tri in September.
Last race was te Hotter n Hell this past August. And unfortunately my bike has been collecting dust since then!
My next race is a local 5k with my 8 yr old daughter. The goal – to have fun.
Hell of the West, Kilkee Ireland 28th June
10K Race in Rome. Hope for a new PB!
Next race – Bryce 100m June 14th, this is my first 100m so my goal is to finish. Probable time will be 32 hours, stretch goal will be under 30 hours.
Second ride of the year outside today. About 70 km of bike. The goal, not to turn blue… it’s still just 8C this morning!
It will not be a race but within 5 weeks I will do a 140km trip with 4 cols (twice Mont Ventoux)
Next race: May 18th. 10k. After a long period of inactivity, finishing it in less than sixty minutes will be a grand victory!
Kinetic Half tomorrow – training has been a bit sporadic recently, so shooting for a sub 5:00 finish time
Playtri Festival Olympic Distance – Overall Win!
I’ve got an Olympic distance coming up in a few weeks at the Capitol of Texas Triathlon on Memorial Day. I had a time goal a few months ago but with my spotty training I just need to finish
I was due to run the Bristol 10K this coming Sunday before I did my calf in training for it! Was aiming for a 45min PB.
Next race in one week… a tri (M distance) in Chalons, FR… no aim, no pain, just pleasure.
good luck to all of U (for your races.. also).
Chalons M triathlon also … I will try to be better than last year
Ogden half marathon on May 17. Looking for a sub 1:33!
My next race will be the Dam to Damrun, the biggest run in the Netherlands.
Strathearn Marathon, a small but very scenic marathon in Scotland on 8 June. I won it last year, so the goal will be to win again. Won’t be easy though.
Got to be getting back into 5km Park Run races now that I’m over my IT band issues with lots of core strength exercises.
Great site Ray – always my favourite read at lunchtime.
Next race: SSS-Cup #2
Goal: Finish first.
My first tri on june 15th : Trathlon du Lac-Beauport … Goal : Finish it
Next race is my first marathon, cape peninsula(CT, RSA) marathon in September, hoping to do it in under 4 hours, did my first 21km last month in just over 2 with minimal training, so hopeful for a sub 4. Then thereafter a 100 miler bike race in October with a sub 5 as the goal.
GORUCK HCL (Heavy/Challenge/Light) June 5-7,2014. Des Moines. Goal: complete all events according to Cadre standard.
“GET YOUR MIND RIGHT”-Cadre Dan.
Next race is Winnebago County (WI) sprint tri on July 13th. Looking to beat last years time by 5 min
PEAK 2 PEAK MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE OCTOBER 19, 2013 at Crystal Mountain, Thomsonville MI. This race was my last hurrah, a little over a month later I had surgery on my ankle to repair a loose ligement and take out some bone spurs. I’m am dying to get back out there and bike and run. I am eyeing a couple for late summer.
To complete the half ironman in New Orleans next year. Would like a goal around 6:30.
I’ll be doing an early fall triathlon called the Mighty Magnolia. My goal is to finish feeling strong as this will be my first foray back into racing after a 2 year break!
10k on June 2 while my 8-yr old son tries a 2-mile run/walk
Ross TriFit in Columbus, OH. First ever sprint tri, goal is to finish
The next event – The Almanzo 100 mile gravel race in Spring Valley, MN. 100 miles, 100% self-suppported, 100% free.
Running the Weekend Warrior half marathon in Michigan tomorrow 5/10/14. Hoping to finish before 2:45:00.
Next race this sunday “Rund um Buckow”.
My goal: top 10.
Next race will be in september for a sprint triathlon. 1st one since 2 year or since I am a dad !
May 18th (11km) City to Casino in Tasmania, Australia. Sub 47:00 please.
Tri Girl Sprint Triathlon, on Mothers Say May 11 in Houston. 48:00…but my main goal for the race is to just conquer the short open water swim.
70.3 triathlon in 2 days (May 11, 2014). Sub 5:30 would be great. Cant wait!
NYS MTB Series opener @ Williams Lake…Hope for a top 5 Finish…
Chicago Marathon October 12th
My season started two weeks ago with a half-marathon and will move onto triathlons as of June 1st (which means for us northern people that the water will be freaking cold). For the summer, I have lined up 3 sprints, 3 Olympics, and a 70.3 to top it off in September! I think my plate is full!
Hoi Ray,
My next race will be on the 25th of May. It called the “Vestingloop” free translating is the “Fortress run”. Is holt in de city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in Holland. The run is 15k. I am aming for a time between 1.15 and 1.20.
Doing a Half Iron Tri in a few day. Goal: stick to the plan and finish.
Geist 5K – under 21
Liberty triathlon long course, Rockford MN, June7th. I’ll be in full IM training mode (LP) so the goal for this 70.3 is to just have fun!
GORUCK HCL (Heavy/Challenge/Light)
Des Moines, IA June 5-7.
Goal: complete all events according to the Cadre’s standard.
Run Like a Girl 4 Miler–Pocahontas State Park, Virginia. Running with friends to support HERA. Goal is to finish with a smile on my face!
Tempe International Olympic Triathlon on May 18th. Will try to beat last years time of 2:35.
Dallas marathon dec 12.
KY track regionals coming up next week. Hoping to finish out the track season strong with a PR.
Next race is this Sunday, the New England Season Opener Triathlon. It is my first triathlon and I am hoping to finish in 1:30.
Next race is Idaho Great Potato Marathon in 8 days. Goal is under 4 hours.
I will be running the half marathon in Gothenburg next week. I fly out from Canada today. Want to complete in less than 1:55.
3M Half Marathon next January, sub 2
Going to do my first olympic length triathlon Memphis in May next weekend. Not sure about the swim but should be fun, just hoping to make it thru the transitions and finish.
My next race is in two weeks. It’s a charity 5k in the suburbs of Chicago that two of my kids are running with me. They are 9 and 11 and it’s their first 5k.
Swimming as part of a relay at the Gulf Coast Tri
My next race will be Trot To The Beach Half Marathon in Erieau on June 1st.
May 17th I’m going to run my first trail event called the Dirty Dog 15k. It’s a tough course as the hills are very steep. I can do it though
Next race is in just a few days, 10k. Going for a personnel record of course!
I ran the Oklahoma City Memorial half marathon a few weeks ago, and I got a PR! I definitely plan on running it again next year,but I’ll probably also enter the lottery to try to get a spot in the Houston half marathon in January.
Miami speeday halfiron may 25th. I expect to be max 6 hours out there.
My next race is the first triathlon for the summer season here in Quebec : Triathlon de Joliette. I’ll do the sprint!
Great fact on this race, the swim is a fast swim in a river with the stream helping you!
My first ever triathlon is tomorrow, the Pieathlon. Sprint length, fund raider for the local YMCA.
Next race is our local Pineapple 5k but just signed up for my first full marathon in January so training will start soon!
My next race is the Run for the animals 5k in Wheaton Maryland next weekend. I do not have a goal set since I have been lax in my training as of late.
Did Tri Miami last weekend and just signed up for Mack Trilogy in Key Biscayne for July 20. Will be my 4th triathlon. I’m just getting started! PS- I do the sting ray shuffle! ;)
My next race is a 5k but I have been healing from an injury so I want to finish and have fun
I was registered for the 10K in Ottawa coming up May 25th. But I injured my knee in volleyball and the lack of training got me way behind my schedule so I’ll have to skip. I get back in shape this summer and hopefully registered for a 10K this Fall…
Next race will be my first Ironman 70.3- goal is just to finish strong!
Too precious to race, but my first century ride of the year happens between now and the drawing date…