Heads up! The big Garmin spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8, $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265, and countless other Garmin products. 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.
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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!
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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.
10 mile trail race in Kansas with 2,000 ft of elevation. And they say it’s flat in Kansas.
Heartland 50 in May. It’s gravel roads near my house, a goof friend is the race director, and I know a lot of people running it. I can’t wait!
I will be laying on the couch with ice on my knee since I was out running with our 6 month old Australian Shepherd last night and he cut in front of me taking me down hard on my left knee. Too bad there are not any magical re-cooperative devices on your gadget list.
10*1km
3 hours uphill and into the wind at -5C. But with butter tarts to finish!
Nothing exciting in the near future. Hopefully an xmas and new year run and if I lose my mind a dunk in Boston harbor to start the new year.
Running a five miler today as soon as I get off work. Just ordered a lot of cold weather cycling gear to keep me going on my bike as well.
Early winter midwest bike/run brick!!
I am 10 miles on Sunday
Holiday 5K
Triple T in Ohio!
Pacing a friend who is 0-5 in BQs to a BQ for ’16 in Tunnel Marathon in July! Best BQ course there is.
No races this year due to IT band issues. Easy runs with plenty of strength training/rehab.
Endurance challenge SF half marathon on sunday
Christmas run with the kids.
A Xmas 5k with my wife !
A 2,2km swim with some drills. Trondheim, Norway
21km run building up for Paris marathon next year!
I have a trail 10K in just 3 hours.
Thanks for another giveaway Ray!
6mi run at Central Park on Sun.
Zone 3 indoor training until xc ski trails open… At which point you remember how hard you should have trained…
Mount Tam in San Francisco this Sunday.
Swim one. Mile.
Beer mile!
4X(1 beer, 1/4mile)
X-country skiing race 28/12. Mora
Just did a 73km race with my 12 year old son, so now to Christmas is training to keep fitness up and getting ready for skiing
A 12 mile-run on Roosevelt Island tomorrow
5k Chocolate Run on 12/21!!!
Working on my cycling base with the indoor trainer… 1 week in, 5 to go on the Trainer Road Sweet Base plan… 60min this morning, tomorrow a rest and back to 4 days of indoor fun on the rollers! If I don’t kill myself on the rollers, I should be good to go in the spring!
11km Sunday workout – up and down the Niagara Escarpment
Doing 1 h intv cycling today.
HITS Triathlon in Palm Springs
The vondelparkloop 10k in Amsterdam, jan 18th. Goal time 38:00
Early morning swim fitness session with SwimForTri on Wednesday morning :-)
15 km Montferland Night trail
ride to the cotswolds next saturday, taking in 2-3 of the local climbs
Cross Country skiing with the family the day after Christmas up the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, MN.
Christmas Day Santa Run, Merry Christmas DC!
Christmas Day ride yet to be determined…
Cable bridge run 5K finising in the crane construction warehouse
5km – 2 x 10 mins easy, 1 x 10 mins race pace.
21k in a few days for my ultra next year!!! =)
Starting the 100 runs in 100 days challenge on Dec 15th. Yeeeew.
I will be doing a 30 mile cycling workout next weekend
Sufferfest Islagiatt tonight
20-min warm-up on rollers, followed by 1:15 endurance run
11 mile trail run at 8:26 min/mile, not bad for an offseason run.
1 hour zone 2 training run, followed by weights for another hour.
I plan to run a couple of miles with my husky.
Thanks for the give a way.
20 x 100yd on 2:00 in the short course pool.
Training with bigger gears on my fixie during the winter climbing my favorite local hills in Alexandria, VA.
Zwift 3 hour marathon 23rd of december…
Just walking here I’m afraid. About 5 k this evening with a friend
16k thirsday which equals my record.
I’m doing a 5 mile race this coming weekend on 12/13!
After a year that included running my first marathon (Chicago), the doctor said no running for 4-6 weeks. Really looking forward to physical therapy beginning tomorrow, NOT.
Take part in a classic ski race at the Winter World Masters Games in Québec city…
Bike workout – Trainer Road Sufferfest ISLAGIAT at full FTP.
Holla at the Dolla (10 miles of hills starting at the a Dollar Store) every Sunday until January (just before local marathon -Mobile, AL)
I will be participating in the Athen’s Winter Bike League!
Trail run at least 6 miles. That is when I’ll know my ankle is recovered.
I have the dallas marathon scheduled for next Sunday. Looking forward to crushing it this year.
Ps.
Thanks in advance Ray and Clever Training for my prize!!!
Hi Santa, next weekend I will be running a fun 50k trail run through the Redwoods in Redwoid City, Ca. Inside Trail always have the greatest aid station buffets full of carbs….. Cheers..
This Saturday on the 6th, I have a 3 hour bike ride. The ride will consist of riding 2 hours at tempo and 1 hour at endurance level riding. I will be training with a heart rate monitor though, because I just cannot afford a power meter.
Down here in Australia it’s summer so I’m about to have a week of beach holiday with ocean swims and long rides.
The ugly sweater run!
San Antonio Marathon: 12/7
Tomorrow 2 laps (6 miles 800ft gain each) one lap on foot one on the mnt bike. Saturday resort skiing. Sunday back to the bricks!
Hill repeats on Thursday
I’m going with my girl for our first ever run together. (5km)
Zumba class this weekend!
Tomorrow will doing a 3km OWS followed by a 15km run that includes the Victor Harbor parkrun.
Running hill repeats with the lunch running group.
Mustache Dashe Phx. 5K
5k Run in Monterrey Mexico
5k run on Saturday.
Honolulu Marathon on December 14 — going for a BQ!
Running Santa Claus half marathon tomorrow in Germany
3 hour training ride on Sat morning if it doesn’t rain. Have to use my phone/strava, as no Garmin and no HR/Cadence etc etc. No photos, as no camera :( So lots of good reasons to pick me :)
A 5k santa run in the Efteling (nicest Dutch amusement parc) in full costume including (highly pregnant) belly.
Happy Christmas, Ray. :-)
I’m looking forward to running the Muddy Welly run next Sunday.
link to muddywelly.com
Rudolph’s Revenge…30mi MTB
My favorite half marathon if the year takes place in a week. The bakers dozen half marathon where the number of treats you consume every 3 miles are more important than how fast you run. Excited to run with my kids and eat lots if cupcakes, sugar cookies and dirty dr pepper.
Honolulu Marathon on Dec 14!
I will be doing my own indoor brick, 1 hour on the bike followed by 1 hour on the treadmill…thank goodness for my DVR.
Looking forward to the King of the Mountain race at Mt. Maunganui, Bay of Plenty New Zealand, on Boxing Day.
Thanks for all your efforts Ray, cheers.
Am looking forward to at least getting one or two more biking days in before the end of the year. regardless of getting outside, I am definitely going to be inside playing a few games basketball at my local YMCA.
I will try an indoor group treadmill training. I have nevere tried one of those and hope that it will not be as boring as treadmill running by your self is.
Santa Monica Christmas 10K on Saturday
Pednor 10. 10 mile road run just after Christmas – to burn off a few surplus calories
Just moved to the coast, so it looks like it is going to be a ride down to San Diego for me.
Merry Christmas!
Bugger to all ye long milers (jealousy speaking); the only race I have in before New Years is the Jingle Bell Run 5K in the Caves of KCK. I’m training for a 10mi trail run in Feb, but that’s 2015 all the way! Details for the 5K = RUN FAST, NO FASTER … JUST A LITTLE FASTER!!
Just signed up for the Lake Sammamish Half. This will be the first time to run a race for the second time.
Up Roque de los Muchachos from sea level to 2426m :)
2,600 m endurance swim next Monday
Thanks Ray!!
10k in the middle of Zurich
Carry on commuting 10 miles each way to help recovery from a skiing accident almost 2 years ago
tune up half marathon on Dec 7th on a flattish course
tiberias marathon, 2015
Too cold and too much snow to ride outside in Ottawa, Canada. At least, for me!
So, a kickr session in my basement with a Sufferfest video on Sunday.
I am going to have some regular training sessions in the park or with the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine at home, but as a highlight I plan to go out on Christmas Eve (24th of December) to have a lonely run in the park.
Cheers
The Big Sur International Marathon – This will be my 3rd time running on the edge of the western world!
Pyramid sprints (running) this coming Tuesday. 200/400/600/800/600/400/200
Busselton Runners Club 5K monthly Time Trial Handicap on Wednesday the 10th.
Getting back on the pony for an easy 50 miler. Just hoping for some warm sun!
My important workouts for the rest of the year aren’t well scheduled yet, other than that they are skiing related!
I’ve got a 6 mile tempo run on tap for tomorrow AM.
My first aquathlon this Sunday (600m swim, 5k run).
Just racking up the milage. Hopefully, a 10 miler or two.
Happy holidays! Thanks for offering this giveaway. I don’t have any officially planned workouts/races before the end of the year, but I am planning to get out for a new year’s eve day run or walk (and plenty beforehand, just not sure which days yet.)
Many laps of the 2.3km man made snow loop for cross country skiing. The races all start after the first of the year.
Long swim Sunday
Super short and slow jog on Sunday December 7th. It’s been weeks since I’ve run as I’ve been busy with a work project due Dec 6.
15k in St. Louis in 10 days. Last year was rediculously cold. Hopefully this year not so much.
The forecast for tomorrow is the best for ages so the bike is coming out – I’m just going to enjoy riding without worrying about getting hypothermia.
Beach Race in Belgium next week on Sunday
I’ve got a 5k coming up on Sunday. It’s the final in a 3-race series. I’m 2nd place by a comfortable margin, but I’m too far out of first to take a shot. So it will be more of a measured effort than all-out racing.
Getting back into my daily 5k routine
25k Long steady distance with the 5min/km pace group in my club on Saturday
My brick reverse triathlon workout :
Run,bike , swim :8, 20, 1.5
The sold out 6 inch Trail Marathon on 21 December here in Perth, WA, Australia.
Can’t wait for my first run beyond 25kms. :D
This weekend’s long run will be 15 miles with 11 at marathon pace – something that I usually try to do at least once during marathon training, so I can compare how I’ve done against previous similar runs.
A 10km run event this Sunday, maybe 2x 70km rides next week and the week after :)
Even though it looks like rain, I will go out and run today
End the year with the New Years Eve 5km race with the West Australian marathon club. Best way to set up NYE celebrations!
I have a Christmas morning 10K fun run scheduled. For added entertainment via toddler commentary/tantrums I will be carrying my 2 year old daughter in a specially designed backpack the whole way.
Runyon canyon 5-mile loop. Looking forward to doing it without carrying my phone!!
Going on a get back from a cold run, including some easy 7k jogging with a nice long stretching session afterwards and for the grand finale – A steaming hot sauna. Nice!
Cycle the hilly portion of IM Switzerland over the week end in spite of the currently rather “fresh” temperature (3-5°C)
Standard Chartered Full Marathon Singapore this Sunday: yeah :)
Have a 5k coming up next week that I am planning to run after working all night. It might turn into more sleepwalking than running.
Ran 3 miles in Everett this morning. 10:30/mile pace. Hey I’m old! Anyways my Garmin 210 is having battery issues and I’m looking to replace it.
Jay
Next week I will be on a ship diving trip in Red Sea. One cannot run too much on the ship, but this is not my first time there, so I am peforming a “run on the spot” strategy on the top deck. Which I am going to do for about an hour.
Hi, I have a nice 10km race scheduled next Sunday in the Vincennes wood, called Courir pour le plaisir – run for fun. And for training I’ll try a run in West Cumbria countryside next week…
I’ll be doing the B.T. Half marathon (Lyngby, Denmark) in April. It was the first half marathon I did back in 2009 and now after taking 2 years off from racing, I’ll start again with the same race.
after november’s calf strain and the lingering flu, i’m looking forward to a good 5k run and a quick spin on the mountain bike next week.
5 mile tempo at half race pace in preparation for a spring full! Would love a Garmin 620!
My version of bricks on Saturday the 6th. Ride 12 miles from Lexington (MA), do a one hour step class, ride another 15 or so miles to Boston, do a one hour Zumba, ride back to Lexington (12 to 18 miles depending on route)
I’ll be running in the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon in a few weeks.
47 km trail race as a part of training!
Doing 20-minutes intervals in zone 3 for aerobic capacity while still in early build cycle preparing for the spring season.
I will have the Post Office 2015 10 Km Grand Prix on Sunday and then the Saint Silvester Race on 31 December. Thanks CT and Ray.
I’m running the 10km “Emma & Tom’s” Christmas Run, in support of the Peter Mac Cancer Foundation (link to starttofinish.com.au), and I really need an indoor cycling trainer for the winter months, so I can do the Ride To Conquer Cancer next year (also in aid of the Peter Mac Foundation).
2 hr ride with three 20 minute FTP intervals. Can’t wait!
It’s a little cold now so it’s mostly interval trainer workouts for me.
No races planned at the moment, but with the weather getting colder I plan to put in plenty of time on the indoor trainer (possibly using a new app from your recent roundup/review) with maybe a run or two in the snow (depending on the weather) as well!
A 30 km run in the Royal National Park (Sydney, AU)
Indoor cycling!! Too cold in Alaska to enjoy being outdoors anymore!
I’ll run the traditional new year’s eve 10k race in Munich’s lovely olympic park.
A 5k run to test my rested knee on Saturday.
Lots of swimming! National Club Challenge!
2015 – 3 Dams Challenge in Perth Western Australia! 145 km and a gain of 1517 m of climbing adventure
Doing some rock climbing at the local rock gym on Saturday.
It is getting cold and ugly outside, so it looks like I’ll be doing a lot of indoor cycling – TacxTours races are always a good excercise!
I will be doing a midwinter run on the 21st of December (a city nearby is organizing it), so I want to do at least one training in the dark, late at night to get used to it! Other than that, intervals :) I’m like a turtle.
19mile TT to end the season!
14 hour flight back to Australia for Christmas ;)
A 15 km long run by lake ontario on Saturday.
Covering today’s route link to connect.garmin.com in reverse
Sprint Tri on Sunday 7 Dec – Summertime in Oz!