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.
Triatlo de Viana do Castelo, Portugal on August 31th 2014
Training for a family 5k this summer with my parents!
Run my first Half-Marathon of Ulm.
My next planned race is one of a series of six 10km races. It is the fourth one and its local for me, at North Harbour Stadium on May 25th. I hope to do it in 1:10.
yes please!
3 weeks tomorrow (1st June) (and counting) to my first triathlon (Olympic distance) on the Olympic course in Hyde Park, London. My goals are 1) to complete the course 2) to get round in under 3 hours.
Excited and apprehensive in equal measure!
Good luck to all!
Cap City Half last weekend. Sinus infection made me miss my goal time, but I still finished!!
It had been a planned olympic distance tri in port Stephens nsw Australia but a foot injury is getting in the way of prep :-(
Canmore Half Marathon in September. Might do the Calgary 10K on June 1. Training for Santa Barbara full marathon in November.
Canmore half marathon in September. My email was incorrect on my earlier post. (glem instead of glen).
Dublin Half marathon. Break the two hour mark!
half mountain maraton under 3:30h
Just finished Miwok 100K a week ago. The next race is a trail 50K in one month. I don’t have any particular target for it because it is more like a training run for a 50-miler later in July.
Next up is the Sugarloaf 15k on May 18th. Goal is the run pain free. Have a great weekend.
Plano Ballon Festival Half Marathon. End of September. I’m using this race to both help prepare me for my first full marathon (the Dallas half marathon in December) and enjoy running alongside Texas wildlife as hot air balloons are launched into the sunrise.
Last year in winter my little son brought every single cold home from krabbelstube (like a pre-kindergarten) one can possibly catch there. It was kind of a four-month-outbreak wich ruined my fitness, nerves and trainingplans for my first time ever start at an Ironman race in Frankfurt am Main. I had to cancel it one month before wich was a great loss… This year i am training for IM Mallorca in September to do my first triathlon long distance. btw my wife never catches the stuff he brings homes for us wich is a real mystery to me :-D
central park 5k next month, shooting for <19 minutes
i will be running the Ottawa 1/2 marathon on may 25. I want a PR at around 1h40.
5-mile open water swim in Charleston, SC in a couple weeks! Going to try to beat my time from last year.
Tallinn Marathon on Sept 14. Primary goal is to complete my 1st marathon. Secondary goal is to do it in less than 4:30.
Carvin’s Cove Marathon, Roanoke, VA in June with a goal of top 10 finish.
9th Place, 21:45
I’m training for my first 50 miler – Stone Mill 50 in November. My goal is to finish!
Looking to go for a PR at my next 10KM in 3 weeks.
Calgary 50km June 1st.
I hope to not die maybe even finish under 4 hours :)
Next race is the Dover, NH “Spirit of Recovery” 5k. Not really training for it, but fitting it in and hoping to maybe break 20, since hey, sea level. I’m moving to town and busted ass to make sure I could get there in time to finish seven races in the race series, since that gets the jacket ;)
Brisbane Half Marathon on August 3rd, I am hoping for a sub 1hr 55min time. It is my first one though, so finishing will be good enough
1st A race of the season = MDQ 70.3 (Mid December)
Goal = sub 5hs finish
Copenhagen Marathon 18/5.
Goal is sub 4hours, but it’s my first marathon, so I’ll settle with survive and finish if it comes down to it. Being my 10th wedding anniversary on that day as well I’m quite sure my wife will be slightly upset with me if I fail to survive ;)
Tour de hood hood river or.
Finish with my son in less time then last year
I am going to speak about the race that was held in 2013. It was a BRM 200 KM as always it was fun and challenging. I was leading the pack right from the beginning. When I reached the 100KM mark it was U turn and I decided to move along and not stop for a long time. So during the return leg I was overtaken by an PRO rider and he was the 1st and the last to overtake me in that ride. I completed 2nd in the ride. It was super fun and challenging. Thank you DC rainmaker for giving me the opportunity to remember back the wonderful event.
My next race is the MusselMan Half in Geneva NY in July.
Just completed my first IronMan 70.3 (Texas) and it went great. Much better than expected. I signed up for the race as my first tri but shortly after sign up registered for a Sprint. Even only after having completed the one race prior I was very happy with my performance. I almost feel I could have maybe done a little better which just makes me more excited about going back for round 2 next year.
Between now and then I’m signed up for two olympic distance races (Playtri Festival International 06/01/2014 and Stonebridge Ranch Triathlon 09/28/2014). The later is the sprint I completed last year.
Now more than ever looking forward to progressing even further in what I’m capable, both physically and mentally.
Ps.
Just learned of the site. I’m loving it. Great articles and reviews. Keep up the great work.
Next up: 12th Greater Oviedo 5k with a 22 min PR
Next race is Syracuse Race Weekend Road Race….hmm goals? Not get dropped on the climbs and place (at least) in the top half.
My race was the Robin Hood Half Marathon in Nottingham.. my first official race and I ran 1.39, my next race is to be the full marathon!
Chicago Marathon this fall with a goal of 3:30
My next race is Timberman Ironman 70.3, August 17! Thx for all the reviews!!!
24hrs of old pueblo. Top 20
Ironman 70.3 Syracuse June, 22
Im running the Sint Victor half marathon on 18 May in Flanders
Lancaster Nightmare Tours on 8/9/14. 177 miles following the perimeter of Lancaster, PA. Shooting for 11 hours…
Asics Half Marathon, Gold Coast, Australia in July. I’ll set my goal closer to the race.
next race is Tour of Winston-Salem to qualify for UCI Master Worlds Time Trial in Slovenia. Goal there is to win a rainbow jersey
My last race was the conference championships for the Northwest Collegiate Cycling Conference, which was also my final collegiate road race due to impending graduation.
In exactly one week I have my first ever track race at the Victoria Track Series. I’ll be doing the 5000m and going for 18:22 (VDOT 55).
Another half at end of summer. Probably will add another in between.
Ran Celebration Half Marathon back in January in 1:43:20. Set a pr.
B2VT on June 14 – 135 mile ride. Hoping to finish ;)
VIII Ursynow’s run in 5 km distance in Warsaw, goal time below 28 min.
My very first sprint tri in Xel-Ha in Cancun, Mexico. ;) I hope I can finish it with Some grace.
Goal is to ride La Marmotte in July. It’ll be about having fun with friends, beautiful scenery, camaraderie with other riders and, of course, croissants. We just don’t get good croissants in northern Ontario.
I have a 10k in two weeks. Just looking to have fun.
Unfortunately I have caught the “I like chocolate doughnuts” bug and it has lasted over six months. Recovery should begin soon and the couch that has been attached to my ass is getting surgically removed this weekend. So…my next race should be in 3 months (if all goes well).
I am normally very active – blaming it on a brutal winter.
Thanks for the consideration.
My next race is my first half marathon. It is on May 25 and is the Abbotsford Run for Water. My goal is to run 1:45.
I am working on getting my 1st half marathon run later this year in Austin. Been reading your articles for years and have always viewed your reviews of equipment as the gold standard.
Hi Ray,
I will race Levi’ Gran Fondo. My goal is to finish it.
Andre
Next race, a 5K in Detroit on Father’s Day. The goal is sub 21:00.
My first race of the season is on Mother’s Day. I’m doing my first half-marathon at Sudbury Rocks and if feeling good would like to do sub 1:30. Recently went to TriMuskoka’s Trisummit and it was fun talking to someone else that reads your site and picked up a Kickr. Keep up the great work.
Coming back from an injury I’m eyeing the Philly 10k and R&R Half this fall. No expectations for it, I’ll just be happy to participate.
My last race was a low-key 5K last month that I used to shake off the winter rust. Let’s just say that there was plenty of rust :)
My next race is the San Diego Rock n Roll Half Marathon in 3 weeks where I will get under 1:30:00.
Ironman 70.3 Kansas on Sunday June 8th, 2014. This will be my first half iron distance and I’m hoping for a sub 6:30.
Jay Benson Triathlon (Sprint/Albuquerque, NM). I was unable to train for triathlons for a while. This is my first one getting back in the circus. I hope all goes well.
Last race completed was the Abilene 1/2 on 4/13/13 and set a PR of 11:54 pace, not too bad for weighing over 400lbs 1.5 years before that. Quit running shortly after that for a variety of personal reasons but started up again 1/10/14 and have been slowly getting back to where I was a couple of years ago. Looking for a 1/2 in the fall though just to get back into the racing groove again and want to run the Abilene again in 2015.
My next race will be SurfCity in Huntington Beach, CA in October. I am still working on what my goals will be.
Montauk Lighthouse Sprint Triathlon. It’s at the very end of Long Island and my whole family does it. Ideally, I’d beat my father-in-law, but not optimistic. So, I’m settling for the goal of beating my time from last year by at least 5 mins. Shooting for a 1:20 time.
Marina run HM – I managed a 1:59
Brooklyn Half next weekend, sub 1.35!!
My next event is the BFAST Sprint Tri in Jacksonville, FL on May 17. I am hoping to beat my previous sprint time of 1:21 and maybe a top ten finish.
10k run close to my hometown in 36 min. However this was ages ago.
Time to participate somewhere…
Rode the Cheesehead Roubaix sportif Apr 27. Classic spring classics weather — 39 degrees and rain at the start. 63 miles, 10 of which are gravel. Had the time of my life!
My first Marathon, Rock n Roll San Diego on June 4th. I am not sure what to expect, my fastest half marathon is about 1:50 so I am going to try to run the full in 4 hours event.
June 14th Sprint – Looking for sub 1:30. Completed it in 1:36 last year.
Running the Sydney Half Marathon finishing under 100 minutes
First 5K in NJ in August. I don’t have a specific number in mind, I’m a new runner, so I just want to see how I do!
Well it was today, Mud on the Mountain. 7.7 miles up down and all our local ski resort. And we finished in about 3 hours
Not big on races but did run a 5 km flat race and completed the 20 minute goal. Race organised and well done by the local Montreal – Hochelaga YMCA.
Next race XCski Marchablanca 21k.Only to remember what 21k on skis was…..incredible fun!
Next race sprint Tri in Jupiter,FL. Start of my ramp up to first full iron in November. Ironman Florida!
Ironman Kona 70.3 in a few weeks. Looking to PR.
Running a 5K Ottawa Race May25.
Next race is the USAF Marathon on September 20; shooting for a sub-4.
50k Ultra in Calgary, and pretty much the goal is to survive, or get around 4:30
CapTex Tri (Austin, TX)/Memorial Day (5-25-2014/Looking to place in the top 5 for my age group. First tri of the season, 2 more leading to my first 70.3 in October. Going to be a great year!
Next race is rev3 Williamsburg. 5:30 or so would be nice.
Did a 50k this morning. My goal was to run hard and finish strong. I managed the first part!
My next race is Virginia Wune Country Half Marathon, 31 May. Goal is to finish within 2 hours.
My 1st ever triathlon, a Sprint in the Ottawa River Triathlon, on June 14th.
last event cyclosportif perth. great event, great weather, definitely on the list again this year.
Next big one planned so far is the Chicago Marathon, and my goal is to run sub 4. I’ll probably get some local races between now and then, but nothing planned yet.
The last race I rum was the Semi-marathon de Paris. I do not have any race schedule yet but I am thinking about signing up for a 5K later this month. If not then 10K time-trial it is on 5/31 :-)
MRDC Race for the Children 5k, Tirane, Albania, September 2014. Goal: to win.
Sydney harbour 10km in July. Living here makes it easy to want to race!
I’m planning on running a half marathon in Spokane Washington on June 1st. I’m running with a friend and my plan is just to have fun and enjoy the run! I grew up in Spokane so it will be fun to go back and run into the park where the 1974 World/s Fair was held.
My next race will be an off-road relay race on the outskirts of Curitiba (Brazil). It is always very tiring but great fun to hang around with the team all day.
My next race (and first “real” race) will be an Olympic Duathlon on July 12th. Being my first time doing a Duathlon, I’m just hoping to not finish last in my group.
Next race is an xterra off-road running race next weekend. First race in a while so main goal is to test out the fitness and hopefully be up near the front.
Went yesterday to the Seeland Classic in Switzerland. My goal was to finish with below 2 hrs time but finished with 2hrs 3 minutes
Dwars door Hasselt, Belgium. 10 K in october. Hoping to do a sub 55m run.