Heads up – Massive Sports Tech Holiday Deals List is Live!!! The Garmin Fenix 8 is $250 off (even the Fenix 8 Pro is $100 off!), the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on sale, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is $249, the GoPro Hero 13 Black, DJI NEO, and a ton of other brands/deals, including Wahoo, Oura, Whoop, Polar, Samsung, Google, and more than 100 sports tech deals here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…

I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.

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Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!

Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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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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FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
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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.
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!
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.
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!
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.














Weight training 4x/week and working on getting back to running after an injury.
I’m on a bit of a break, so nothing too strenuous planned. Daily dog walks, trainer ride tomorrow due to rain in the forecast, and perhaps a 5k next weekend. And maybe I’ll make it back to the pool this month. :-)
Looking forward to doing parkrun (free timed 5K run every Saturday morning) in the UK on Saturday 13th Dec after a few weeks break due to being ill. Getting back on it!
2014 Closeout – Sun 28th – Long ride 80km through the streets of Rio de Janeiro
PICK ME PLEASE
I am an avid runner who tries to get in 30 miles a week when I can find the time. I plan on participating in a local 10K this month, followed by a half marathon a week later.
BTW, your articles/reviews are very in depth and well written.
This will be my swim workout for this afternoon!
Warm up: 400 swim, 4×100 pull, 4×50 kick with fins
Main set:
3×200 descend, 20sec rest
50 easy
300 hard, 20sec rest
100 easy
4×150 descend, 20s rest
50 easy
300 hard, beat previous time, 20s rest
100 easy
5×100 descend
50 easy
300 PULL hard
50 easy cooldown
Running the 12ks of Christmas on the towpath in DC on Dec 13th!
Im on the 35th day of a 90 day running every day challenge that at the same time is part of my training for Disney dopey challenge. Wish me luck!
half marathon on Dec 28
Runs with Dad, yoga with Mom, and weight training with my Brother!
short training run this week, and working through a sufferfest based plan on Trainer Road and trying to figure out the what/how/why of my new TRX
10 mile run tomorrow and back to the pool monday; trainer is under tree….
3 miles of speedwork on Sunday.
I am going to spend as much time as possible playing hockey on the pond with my kids.
The Dallas Marathon is coming up in a week. The best part is that I did the Philly Marathon a couple of weeks ago, got my PR, and now I can just run for “fun”!
Have just signed up to some personal training so will be knocking out 10km on foot and 6km by pool each week for the foreseeable future!
This afternoon, on a 5-mile loop along the Long Island sound. I was running every day during the Summer, but an absurd work schedule disrupted my workouts during October and November. Now, it’s time to get back in the groove!
Athens 10km run “Run the Lake” @ 14/12
A 22 mile attempt at a competitive strava KOM!
I’m doing a 4 hour treadmill run (today!) for the Snow Drop Foundation of Wisconsin. The run is in support of the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and raises funds for the Snow Drop Foundation and their mission to help children with cancer.
One last outdoor bike ride in 2014.
5k row / 5k run
Annual lactate testing in next week. Looking forward to suffer.
I’m doing Real Ryder indoor cycling until Christmas twice a week. Prepping for the coming training!
The easiest one: 10 lss run.
Oceanside 70.3 in March. First open water ocean swim for me!
Leek XC – 3 laps of mud and hills
No planned races; I’m back in base building for the winter. 5 mi easy today.
Running with my ladies every tuesday and thursday mornings!
Bike to gym, long swim, home.
100Mile bike ride, Training for La Marmotte 2015, (one of my bucket list Sportives)
I Will be doing the 8,6 Km “San Silvestre” in San Sebastian to say goodbye to 2014
Tomorrow (Saturday) 8:00 am: 20k, in the woods, expecting snow :)
A six mile out and back on Sunday morning.
Last work out of TrainerRoad’s Intermediate Base I on Sunday.
Can’t wait to see what has happened to my FTP.
Aiming for a BQ time at the Dallas Marathon on Dec 14th.
Just an easy 3 mile walk/run to keep loose during the Holidays!
40 minute swim at the Y today
5k Jingle Jog in my hometown (Collegeville, PA) this Saturday that is the lead in to the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
I’m racing IRONMAN Chattanooga next year in September! As Bart Scott once said on national television, “CAN’T WAIT!”.
I am going to run (10K workout) on Sunday.
Regards,
Since I’m currently pregnant, all my workout goals are just to continue biking, running and swimming as long as I’m comfortable.
About to head out now for 20 minutes swimming then an hour of pool running. :)
5k dressed as Santa tomorrow morning
Pere Marquette trail run – very tough race but fun
8 miles through the hills of Weston (Sunday).
I have a post injury rehab run scheduled for this afternoon (05/12/2014). Here’s hoping the knee doesn’t hurt!
Various stretching and band exercises as I recover from ACL surgery.
No races, but any workout is good at the moment, give I just overcame the Chikungunya virus. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone!
Knocking the dust off my trainer and getting at least one ride in before the new year.
Fiesta Bowl half marathon December 14th in Scottsdale, AZ.
Hill repeats for Heli-Skiing CMH
Cant wait for going to the mountains Dec 18th and being on cross country skis at 6h30 AM to be at the top for the sun set ! 3.000m elevation and repeat !
Thanks Ray and Clever! Simple 5 mi run tomorrow, probably turn it in to a 1-1/2 up, 2 mi tempo, 1-1/2 down.
Daily PT, spinning bike and walking: rehab after broken ankle followed by meniscus surgery…. starting over.
Gonna be hard to pick just one…
For me 2015: So far 70.3 and IM Mont Tremblant on the schedule
Nothing fancy, just a 2 hour easy ride this Saturday.
Parkrun on Christmas day
All I have left are training runs and 5k parkruns! Bring on the sow!
A 5K run while my daughter naps on Saturday.
I’m looking forward to the White Rock… oops… Dallas Marathon… next week. Lower back soreness mean I won’t be fast, but I’ll endure! Now tapering.
Hot Chocolate 15K this Sunday—the first of a four race sequence leading up to the Phoenix Marathon in February.
The Jingle Bell Run 5K. Gonna film it with the virb – woot!
Xmas eve MTB at Kirroughtree
Bookend weekend runs every weekend running up to a March Ultra
Banana Relay is a fun race I have joined a team of 3 to run 2x 4km per pax carrying a banana with me!
My pre-X-mas sprint workout. A swim-bike-run approximatly the length of a sprint triathlon. Done on the X-mas eve morning.
HITS International Distance Tri on Sunday
MTB Bike across my country – 650 km roads of cold, snow, lakes, forests in Belarus (Europe)
:)
If the weather is ok a 45k bike ride, but definitely some swimming and running
Saturday morning 10k fun run with friends at a local park and my weekly TRX every Thursday. Thanks for the opportunity!!
Woo Hoo! I’m doing the Jingle Bell Run 5k … That’s right yall!
100 run’s / 100 days!
Mental Elf 5k charity run 21st December in Chorley
3 hour endurance spin this Saturday.
Repeats on A Mountain in Tucson, AZ
I have scheduled a 32 km long run in preparation for the Disney Marathon. It will probably be on December, 21, in Rio de Janeiro.The idea is to run around Lagoa, in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil in 4 laps + something. Rgds.
Just bought a Turbo Muin and signed up for TrainerRoad, so let’s start with an 8 minute test.
A 6 mile run this Sunday as part of my half marathon preparation.
2 holiday 5ks next weekend in Boston!
Short run tomorrow to calibrate a new footpod.
Swimming in sea and barefoot running on the beach in Phuket, Thailand during Xmas holidays!
Planning to a 5K run in Shanghai, China.
Just a local half marathon on the 31st
5k race on Sunday.
It will be an indoor ride of Spinervals, little cold in Buffalo, NY currently. Looking forward to spring cycling events.
One last century to finish off my ‘at least one century per month’ goal for the year. Stretch goal, fit in two more centuries to get it up to 20 centuries for the year.
Looking forward to the Singapore Marathon this Sunday and a very special Banana Relay race next Sunday. Can’t wait :)
The Fredericksburg, Virginia, half marathon on December 7!
A santa run! It has to be done at this time of the year.
Latka 5K on 12/21
Try to swim 4x a week this month after taking 3 months off! :-o
No races planned for the remainder of the year but in training for 3 the first two months of 2015. Last training run for this week is 10 miles scheduled for Saturday. Really wish I could win a trainer for my bike, been missing riding since the cold weather rolled in.
It has been raining and cold for days, and I haven’t seen the sun since last weekend. I’m struggling to find motivation to go outside. Is this how life in Seattle was? Regardless, I’ll do a video from The Sufferfest this weekend. Probably Revolver or The Wretched.
I have a 2.5 mile base building swim Saturday of next week.
Working through Trainer Road sweet spot base I plan.
Solitary marathon to check freezing ponds of the Schelde in Belgium December 14th. If someone joins, it will not be solitary anymore :-)
This coming Saturday/ cyclibg a 45 mile loop from San Francisco to Marin county and back to downtown San Francisco through the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a ride I’ve been wanting to complete for some time.
Jingle Bell Jog on the 14th
10K race pace workout on Saturday 6/12!
I’m doing the second leg of the Oxfordshire Cross Country League this weekend!