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.
A half marathon somewhere on the east coast of Canada, not sure yet.
My next race is a parkrun tomorrow
To complete another Full marathon. This time, in less than 4:00. My Garmin just broke…so perfect timing to win ;)
The net time I Race is tomorrow, 5/10. I am actually running two races. The 1st is a 5k in honor of a friends dad as well as a fundraiser. My goal is to pr. I won’t say what that time is as I’m slow to average.
Second race is in the afternoon as is a 4 miles 4 water race that will be a fun run for me and some friends. Food trucks, beer garden and live bands after will make this a cool race.
Local hilly 10k. Goal is 42 even. One more week to train….
Just wrapped out road season with National Road Champs … so its winter training time now.
Race went well, activated it a little and managed to stay near the front.
Peachtree Road Race, Atlanta Ga – planning on sub-50.
I have a new race, the Life is Good duathlon, the goal is to do my best and be satisfied no matter the time or result. Life is short, have some fun.
6 Gap in September – sub 6 hour.
Ironman Wales, Tenby, September 14, complete in under 12 hours.
I’m trying to race at least three bike races a month. Tomorrow is the Smoketown Airport Criterium, next weekend the SoYoCo Circuit Race.
It’s not a race, but in July I’ll be biking, self-supported, around Lakes Erie and Ontario.
ITU Age Group Sprint Worlds in Edmonton, targeting 1:15
So my next race this year is in Bedford, England with my Tri Club in a relay format. I’m aiming to survive the 750 meter swim, get in a decent 20k bike then go for a 5k PB at the end!
Cheers Ray!!
Does the Tough Mudder count as a race? If so I completed it in Melbourne this year and it hurt enough I’ll probably line up for another one!
CHALLENGE Roth July 20th
Hoping a sub 10hr
Fingers crossed
My next goal race is a Marathon called Chasing the Unicorn. I am hoping to run 2:55 to improve my Boston seeding from the 3:01 I ran last month.
Next race 22 June, is in Mont Tremblant, Quebec I’ll try my first ironman 70.3 and I like only to completed de race before 7:00 hr
Hi! Next face Delta Espanha Rio de janeiro. Hope to finish under 1:20min 10K. Thanks!
Next race is: Berlin Marathon on 28 September, hopefully with new PR :)
Next planned race (paid for and on the calendar) is the Fort Myers Beach Marathon in November (although, I might do the Southernmost Marathon in Key West in October, undecided there). My goal is to simply better my marathon PR. Ideally, I’d hit a 4:30 or better.
My next big race is a Berlin Marathon in September the 28th. My second one this year :)
I have the Eirias Triathlon scheduled in North Wales for 9th August. It’s my first Olympic Distance so I’m aiming not to embarrass myself by not making the swim cut-off! ;)
Zayed Sports City 5K Run (Abu Dhabi) in October, goal below 27min.
Granfondo NY
May 18th
I recently ran the Boston Marathon, but it didn’t go as planned. This was due to a stomach virus that tore through my family the week before. Let’s just say I became acutely aware of every portapotty between mile 22 and 26.2… and then some! I’d like to qualify for Boston again, so I’ve decided to run the Cleveland Marathon on May 18th. My qualifying time needs to be 3:15, however my goal is to go under 3:00.
Next race is the Calgary Marathon on June 1st. We’ll see if all goes well and I can hit a 4:15.
Buffalo Marathon, 4 hours
Spartan Super, August 23 at Wintergreen, VA. Goal is under 4hrs.
The Tour of Somerville on Memorial Day 2014. Last year I was in great position with 2 to go and a crash happened right in front of me. This year, my goal is to be further up so I can avoid the mess and hopefully top 10.
My next race is the Leadville Heavy Half (15 miler) in Leadville, CO. My goal is 2:15! Thanks.
Ironman UK 70.3 in June; goals are to finish within 6 hours and enjoy!
Honolulu Triathlon, Olympic Distance, on May 18, but really I’m doing that as a dry run for Honu 70.3 on the 31st, which will be my first 70.3. Hopefully around 2:30 for the olympic, and 5:30 for the 70.3.
My next race will be a road race around Iceland on 24. – 27. June, a relay race with team of 10 cyclists. link to wowcyclothon.com.
Gran Fondo New York (not really a race, I know), and a bunch of crits shortly thereafter.
My next race is in June 2014. It is a 10k race and I’m planning to do it in 55 minutes because I’m just coming out of a leg and jaw surgery.
My next race is the Ottawa marathon in 15 days, I’ll be doing as the 5hr bunny for the second year in a row. And my goal is 4:59:00.
My next race will be Moscow halfmarathon on 18 May (in Moscow, Russia), and I hope to get 1h36 result.
Helsinki City Run, in Helsinki Finland at 10.5.2014. Half-marathon, I’m aiming for 1:45 time (my 2nd half-marathon ever).
Last race was Boston. Made some mistakes, well and truly bonked, still had a big PR. On to NYC, with probably some fun 5 and 10Ks over the summer.
It’s been so long that i can’t even remember my last race…
Man i need to get my ass in to gear and start training again…
Time trials in Maersta and Roslagen (Stockholm archipelago). Goal is to beat my times from last year and hopefully be able to make it into the national team.
I am doing the ColumbiaTri in Columbia MD on May 18th. My goal is to go under 2hrs35min in my third triathlon.
El Scorcho 50k midnight run on July 13th in Trinity Park, Fort Worth, Texas. It will be hot, so my goal will be just to finish before the cutoff.
Next race will be “Triathlon Nieuw West” in Amsterdam in June. This will be my first triathlon race, so the goal is mostly practising for IM 70.3 Zell am See in August!
Keswick Triathlon, June, in the Lake District, before IM UK in Bolton. Trying to knock an hour of my last IM time.
Heading to the Comrades ultra in South Africa at the start of June for a go at the down run, aim is to finish in ~8:15.
Thanks!
Unfortunately, I injured myself a few months ago and am still trying to recover. My goal is to run a race without pain soon.
45k time trial, goal under 1h 30m
May 17, Over the Mountain Triathlon, Kings Mountain, NC…survive the hills and stay under 3 hours.
Next race is 70.3 syracuse as a prep race for Placid. Goal time is 4:30-45 for syracuse and 11hr for Placid.
This weekend…the Operation Giveback Wounded Warrior 15K Run
15 days until race day! It’s the Ottawa race weekend and I’ll be doing my first marathon! I’ll consider it a success just to complete ;-). But really, I’m hoping for at least 4:15.
Moscow marathon on Sept. 21 with the objectives of finishing under 4:30
Franklin City Classic. It is a 5k at the end of the summer. My goal is to PR
I raced the kids to the park, does that count? I did win!
My last race was the marine corp marathon. I loved the patriotism and the marines throughout the course even though I didn’t get a pr.
Next (Tri)-race is Vättern Triathlon, June 28. My aim is set for sub 8:30 :)
Next big race is the Enka Triathlon in June; shooting for a 1:50:00, and not drowning in the lake!
12 hours of Bradbury mtn in September. Solo mountain bike race. Strategy: go slow steadily.
My 4 year old and I have a backyard race planned for the weekend.
The Coronation Triathlon in Edmonton, AB. Goal is to be quicker than last year!
Garmin Eton Supersprint Triathlon in the UK on 24th May. Goal is to finish my first triathlon without embarrassing myself.
the 160 km of the clyclosportive la montrealaise on september 7th 2014, near Montreal, hope to do a bit better than last year, took me 5 hours to do it
link to cyclosquebecoises.com
Next race will be a time trial of 23km at the beginning of August. Hoping to have a better time then last year.
Soon… 5/18/14 Chicago Springtime Half Marathon in Schamburg, Illinois (just north of Chicago near our O’Hare airport). My goal is a 2:10-2:15 time which would be close to my PR but still hoping a bit of weight-loss and more training can get me a sub 2:00 fall half marathon. Thanks for a great site Ray!
Miles for Moffit 10K this Sat is a wonderful charity race to help fund Cancer research. Sun has a Mother’s Day 5K race the family is doing together.
Tri on Saturday. Goal is to have fun with my beastie and to evaluate my swim during a race other than an Ironman to make improvements.
Augusta 70.3 – 5:30
My next race is the 1 mile Great North Swim in Lake Windermere on the 14th of June. Since it’s my first open water swim, my goal is simply not to drown!
Canada Army Run – 1/2 Marathon in Sept. 3rd time so hoping to beat my previous times (sub 1:55). Wont be hard beating last year as the legs cramped up with 2 km left…
Next race 27 of july, my first half marathon, never run one so im gonna try and punch it in the face and finish
next race?
I’m just training to finish 10km in less than 60′.
When I’ll get it, I’ll join to a race
Gear West Duathon in Minnesota in 2 weeks. Plan is to get through the mud on the run course!
Grand Rapids Triathlon, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Half Iron distance. Goal: finish the swim with a respectable time (last year Racine and Lake Michigan almost killed me!).
My next planned race is this years milestone for me as it’s my first triathlon. It is “Østfold Triatlon” here in Norway and as it happens it’s located in my hometown and old “backyard” as my old home (my parents home) is right by. Olympic distance and nothing fancy, but being my first triathlon and having just started to swim and just purchased a road bike my first and foremost goal is to complete the race.
2014 St Paul Classic 45 mile route…hopefully finish early in the afternoon. ‘Never a bad time to ride!’
If injuries stop plaguing me, my next race will be a half IM distance (non-sanctioned) in November, at the countryside of Sao Paulo State, in Pirassununga city.
My next race is the Bergen-Voss (Norway) bike race 31st of May, my goal is to get most of my fellow club members (Bergen Triathlon Club) safe and sound to the finish line in less than 6h30m.
My next race is the “Trail des forts” (Besançon, France) 27k. The alternative distances are 19km and 47km
San Sebastian marathon in the fall sub 3H (if current injury lets me train for it)
Have fun
Next event will be the High Wycombe 10k on 20th July, first race on foot for a couple of years and aiming for under 45mins.
I am doing the Baker Hughes 10k, on 18/05/14 in Aberdeen, UK
Rio de Janeiro Marathon, july 27. My first marathon. I’ll try to finish in 4:28.
Next race is the Gold Coast marathon. Hopefully under 3:15:00…
Next race will be a half marathon around my home town. trying to set a PR.
Ironman Mont Tremblant in August – as long as I give it my all, I’ll be happy.
The Ottawa Marathon is coming up for me on May 25th. Its a great venue with a nice scenic course. I highly recommend it.
Next race up this year is Challenge Atlantic City! June 29
Billingeracet in Sweden, a 77km mtb race this Saturday. First time on this course. Will be dirty, muddy, rough and a whole lotta fun.
Montreal Spartan Super on May 19th ;)
Boise 70.3 June 7th (my first triathlon of any distance) looking to do it in 5:30 or better.
Door County Sprint Tri July 18. Goal to finish with a smile
June 1st and June 8th
Kinetic sprint – tune up for my first half ironman (Eagleman). Goal is to get mentally and physically prepared for the races to come
2 Mile Swim at Mirror Lake, Lake Placid, NY and my goal is to be in the top 10 for my age group
Escape from Alcatraz. I would like to beat my time from last year.
Ironman Western Australia in December, and aiming for a 10:29:59
Surf Coast Trail Marathob, Australia, June 28th. After minimal running due to the arrival of my first child I’m just aiming to finish but under 5hbwiuld be nice. I predict much time will be spent in the hurt locker though!
Winsteds mtb race In the Root 66 series on may 18th. Looking for top 3,my best is forth this year.
Dam tot Damloop (The Netherlands) – 16.1km with a goal of 1h 13m
Ironman 70.3 November 2nd in Taiwan – goal time sub 6h