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.
I have the etape du tour de france sportive in July and my goal is just not being injured :p
Next race is a Murray Man long course triathlon in Barmerra, Australia. (2km swim, 80km bike, 20km run). My goal for this is 5hours. I know I can manage the splits for each leg on its own.(I hope) I have no idea if I can pug them all together and get this result. But its gonna be fun trying.
Next planned race is Rev3’s Age Group Championships in Knoxville TN on May 18, which I qualified for by being in the top 10 of AG during two of Rev3’s events in 2013. A bit different in that the Half and Oly events will also be taking place. We’ll almost be like pros here with our own distance event (a hybrid between the other two) and going first in our own wave. Goal is to podium and bring home some cash since that’s what the awards will be for the AG Champions. That’s in a little over 2 weeks – Bring it!
Ironman Switzerland on 27 August 2014. Goal is 2hrs faster than my 1st time there in 2011. This means a sub 12hrs race.
Gold Coast half marathon on July 6th, my first one
I’m still trying to decide on a race or more (5-10K) for running. I haven’t done one since last year’s Peachtree Road Race and I have to miss it this year. My major event is the Atlanta BikeMS ride.
Saturday May 10th Seaton Soaker 50k in Pickering ON, will run there so to add an extra 32k. This will be my longest training run before Bryce 100miler in Utah.
TDS part of the UTMB series, hopes just to complete it, after half a year of injury. 110 km / 7500 meters of elevation gain, allowed 30 hrs. for completion.
Seaside Sprint, Bridgeport. Looking for under 1hr15min
Competing next Saturday (17th) in the Göteborgsvarvet (link to goteborgsvarvet.se), the world’s largest half marathon. Aiming for SUB 1h:50m.
Next race, tomorrow.
Grand prix de Berne (CH), 16miles, expected time filled at the inscription 1h20, done 1h15 during my preparation on a relatively not flat terrain (euphemism), I will start the race at a pace of 1h12, and I hope to be able to finish under the 1h10. Good luck to all readers. See you there maybe.
And for the record, next objective: in september, Alesia trail in France, 51km with D+:1800m, in the most beautiful countryside area of France. Nno, i’m not chauvinist ;), Come and see by yourself, you will be more than welcome.
Next race is Columbia Triathlon on May 18. Aiming for 2:30.
My next race will be the NYC Marathon 11-2-14!
Stockholm Marathon on May 31 is the next “real” race, apart for some small ones during the weekends.
Hi Ray, doing the ironman 70.3 in the Philipines on August 3, 2014 and hoping to clock in at 6:00. All the best to DC Rainmaker!
Saturday May 10th: improve my PB on 10K
My next race is the Turtle Crawl OLY triathlon May 17 at Jekyll Island, Ga. My goal is to better my time compared to my last OLY tri which will be difficult as this race has a longer bike ride by 5-6 miles. Given that I’m hoping to be as fast or a little faster than that last race.
My next event is Athens Classic Marathon on Sunday 9th, November, 2014. My goal is 3:45 total time.
90 minute mass start score orienteering event on Sunday. At Turkey Ridge, North of Auckland NZ. Won my age group for the 1st time last week – so looking to do the repeat.
My next race is the Woodstock Duathlon. I signed for a Du because I’m too chicken to get in the lake so early in the year. I never raced a du, so hopefully I won’t have the urge to rip my tri suit off before getting on the bike. I feel like such a noob.
I’m running my first half marathon at the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon/Half Marathon in Ohio on a May 18th. My goal is to finish under 2 hours.
First race is Hope sprint in the vacation state of Maine! It is a hilly run and I walked part last year…so maybe goal is no walking and improve time over last 2 yrs.
Gran Fondo NY May 18th, hoping for better weather than last year. Target to complete the century in 8 hours.
I’m training for the heartbreak hill half marathon with 50 other women. My second half and hope to break 2 hr 35 min.
My next race is the Marine Corps Half Marathon in September. My goal is sub 2:45. I know it’s not spectacularly fast, but it would be a huge PR for me.
Also : My 610 is acting wonky, so I’d use the credit for a shiny new 620.
Working up to my first Triathlon in Cambridge,UK in September – been running for a few years now but the other 2 sports are new. I guess my goal is to swim without drowning, to cycle without falling off and to run without collapsing. Anything more is a bonus (at 41). And then hopefully next year do some more a little faster.
Many thanks for the blog,
chris
Wow! Great May Day!
Next race will be le trail des crêtes du Chablais, on June 22nd. 67 km loop in the South area of Lac Léman with 17000 ft of positive altitude change and beautiful landscapes. Target time is 10 hours.
Olympic distance in Gemünden, Germany. Expect to stay below 2:30 for a first check of training state early in the season, but I don’t know the bike section, which is said to be quite hilly, so lets see how it works out…
Rev3 Quassy, in preparation for IM MT 70.3
Next race will be a half marathon in Budapest (Hungary).
Will be taking part in the Blenheim Triathlon (first ever Tri) on the 7th June. Looking to finish (goal 1!) ahead of all other work colleagues that are also taking part (goal 2)…or at least win the run (goal 3)
Last race was Run Your Buns Off 10k, 4th overall finish. Next race is Run The PBR half marathon on May 17th, Augusta, GA. Hoping for a 1:38 or better.
I´m running Norway´s biggest relay Holmenkollstafetten on saturday. They close the city streets and over 37.000 people on 2300 teams compete.
Next race is a 10k in Elk Rapids, MI called the Harbor Run. I think it is the first week of August.
I just raced on the weekend. I thought I was going to win then I got caught with 1km to go then I got popped off the back of the bunch. Shattered!
Next race is Rev3 Knoxville half. Hoping for a podium spot but after a rough winter in Chicago more just hoping to set a solid baseline for the upcoming season.
My next big race is the Brooklyn Half next Saturday – this being my first half I am fairly certain I will get a PR
Goldcost oceanfest aquathon, a race with in a music festival! Just to get the free ticket that comes with it :-P
Rock-N-Roll 1/2 marathon in Virginia Beach, August 31st
3 weeks to Bergen -Voss. 165k om roadbike. Target 5t.30min
Next race is Mother of all Races, a Mother’s Day 10K this Sunday. Goal is to simply enjoy the day!
In April 2011 I sustained a severe accident to my left wrist causing extensive nerve damage. My left hand is still there, but it’s just a “helper hand”, not capable of any fine motor activity. It’s completely numb with chronic, unrelenting nerve pain that will never get better. I had bought a Serotta several years ago and one of my biggest fears was that I’d never be able to ride again. Fortunately I can still manage to control the shift and break levers on the left side of my bike, but getting back on the road has been a challenge. Now after 3 years, I’m just getting back to riding and this winter I logged 2,500 miles on my trainer in my basement, as I get ready to finally ride again. I can’t wait to go outside and try riding again. I’m 64 and not a racer, but getting back in the saddle again has been the mental therapy I needed to get over the hump of my accident and start living again.
10k in lexington, ky in July. 42:10.
Eagleman in early June. Hoping to do better than in past years.
My next race is the Pittsburgh Triathlon, my 2nd Olympic Tri, I hope to beat my time from last year which was 2:41:07. I’m feeling very good about it, since I’ve been working on my run, which was my weakest sport. If everything goes well, the plan it to aim for my first 1/2 Ironman!
The Great Race (10k), Pittsburgh in Sept… gives me 4months for my knee to recover! Target likely to be sub 35
Hopefully Wigan 10K in September. Goal is just to finish it.
My next race is the Sani2C 3 day MTB race next week. Aim is for less than 13hrs.
Next race is deadmans 5 mile in carrick on suir, Tipperary. Hoping for a sub 33 run. Just getting back after a long break :)
Black Bear Half Iron Triathlon. Beltsville, PA on June 1st. Sub-5:45.
Secret City 5K for Haiti in Oak Ridge TN. My goal is 17:40
Dublin marathon Oct 2014. Sun 3:10 please :-)
My first ultra-marathon in 4weeks. 44 miles of costal trail running in Cornwall called the Classic Quarter. Nervous yet excited! Target is to finish in under 7hours. Love the blog mate, thanks for the time and effort put in! Cheers
Last race was a local 5k – my kids were racing, I was pacing.
Next race is in two weeks in a village about an hour from Nuremberg. A 10k race as a prep for later season races. Aiming towards something sub 40
My last race was a local turkey trot last Thanksgiving. I’m looking forward to getting back in shape post-baby (due August).
Edinburgh Half Marathon on May 25th. Aiming towards a 1h40m finish time but as it’s all downhill…. who knows!
Gran Fondo. NY may 18th. My goal is top 50% for my age group.
Ironman Texas…may 17! Yikes!!!
Quarter Marathon in Waterford, Ireland. First start ever.
GO! St Louis 5k, pr at 07:14/mi pace. Trusty Garmin 620 at hand, performed perfectly. Goal was 07:30 so I’m pleased. Next race? A local 10k in June, followed by another 13.1 or 26.2 this fall.
Sprint tri in fair hope Alabama. Goal is under 1:30
My next race will be a 10km in the town where my grandparents live
Sunday 27th April I ran the Enschede Marathon (The Netherlands) in 3.49.04 Hours.
I did the 42.195 kms at the day I was 42 years and 195 days old :-)
Next Race: 5th June, FBK-Double Mile, target < 13 minutes.
Next race big race is the nf100 but I think you should give it to the guy who is about to ride again after damaging his hand. Prob deserves it more than most.
The north face 100 in Australia next week (16th of May). My Goal? Survive! First time doing it the long way. Hoping for a sub 12
My next race is the Gear West Duathlon in Orono, MN (suburban Twin Cities) where I hope to complete the 5K/30K/5K course in under 1:50:00. With this winter that will not end, I am a little worried about my lack of real outdoor bike training.
My next race will probably be the Rocketman Olympic in August. Goal: Don’t die since I’ll be spending the entirety of July in Africa and won’t be able to swim or bike.
My next race will be the Peachtree Road Race, which is a 10K, in Atlanta. It’s my first 10K so I’m excited to see how I fair. I’m looking to finish is in 55 mins or less. Thanks.
Next race would be a 2 Days MTB in Colombia, “la 10a Travesía del Quindio” in Augusto. My goal is just Finish.
MS Muck Ruckus with the wife end of May. Goal is to have fun, stay healthy and support a cause
Hi Ray,
love the info, been following for a while now.
Next race is Swanley triathlon in June a nice low key event really well run by a local tri club. Plus there are a couple of charity sportives building up to the big one for me, Outlaw iron distance in July, which I want to finish this time after a DNF last year.
A 17K trail race this Sunday. Last year i did 2:35, i hope this year i will be around 2:20.
Warsaw Marathon (Maraton Warszawski). My goal is under 5:00.
My next race will be 5K fun run partly on the beach. So hoping for some great weather!
Next race is tomorrow, Olympic tri, at Taylorsville lake, Ky. Goal is win AG maybe podium.
May 24th, cross-country MTB in Bratislava, Slovakia, Europe… No specific goal yet…
I’m racing the Kinetic Half in Spotsylvania, VA (Lake Anna). This is a tuneup for Placid, do my goal is for a seamless race without any GI issues.
Next race is a trail marathon in western NY on May 24. Goal is to finish and avoid re injuring my Achilles.
Tri Fest sprint. Taylorsville Ky, tomorrow. Not sure of goal as this is my first race on this hilly course. Perhaps 1:12 and an age group award.
My next race will be an Ironman 70.30 race the 6th of July in Haugesund, Norway.I hope to finish sub-5h30mins.
My next race (And first of the season) is the olympic distance Couples Triathlon in Madison, WI June 8. Goal? Better my run time over years past.
Sugarloaf 15k in 9 days! Goal is to finish- it’s my longest distance yet.
My next race, and let’s say, my first as weell, will be the . If I get to finish, it would be my price!
OD at ITU world triathlon series Hamburg, hope I’ll beat my last year personal record.
8 days to go to Göteborgs Varvet, the world’s largest half-marathon. I am starting in wave 3 and by the time I hopefully finish with a new sub 1:30 PR there will still be 12 waves waiting to start the race, allowing me to cheer on my colleagues when they start they race! :)
Just a half marathon for fun! The objective is to enter the finish line with my nephews, not to beat the clock!
My next race is Challenge Atlantic City, it will be my second full iron distance race! I was hoping for less than 14 hours but with the horrible north east winter we had training was tough so now I just wanna finish!
At the moment the Swansea Half Marathon in July. The goal is to get my girlfriend across the finish line!
Ironman 70.3 next week end in Aix en Provence. My goal is to reach the finish line :) sub 7h would be cool !
Next race will be a 100 km trekking tour in Hungary. Time limit is 24 hours.
21km of Asics Golden Four in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on august 3rd, with a predicted time of 1h35m
Rock Hall sprint tri. Goal is just to finish since it’s my first one in two years!
New Prague Half Marathon – May 10th. I am hoping to break 1:30
Ironman 70.3 Cebu in August. Hope to avoid the GI issues encountered last year at the end of the bike!
Next Race: The Yeti SankeBite 50/50 in Lithia Springs, Georgia on August 31st. This will be my first 50 mile race. Man I could really use a Fenix2.
My race will be the Gaelforce Connemara adventure race in Ireland, competing against a cross-dressing stag. My aim is not to wet myself laughing…and to complete it of course
on Sunday I will debut in the triathlon, just a simple sprint….and I’m very excited!!!
Ironman 70.3 Augusta in September and my goal is to finish in under 6 hours!
Last race was the Paris Marathon, 3h30min, exactly the time I expected !
Next race, it might be a trail in the Queyras (in the french Alps) at the end of June if my left foot is doing better :).
32km, 1900m d+, in less than 6 hours maybe ?