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.
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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.
My normal training includes a lot of body weight and dumbbell workouts. When I’m on vacation, I tend to mostly run so I can explore new places and see the area as the locals do. I go out of my way to experiment with unmarked paths (sometimes hit dead ends!). In all cases if there’s water nearby, I always find a way to run alongside the waterways. Not sure why but I find water magnetic when traveling (Maybe because I live in Dallas??) and always prefer to see/hear/experience it firsthand.
Because I plan my vacations to be active ones (like hiking or bike trip) so I usually do not have enough energy left to continue with my running trainings.
Usually some run training and a lot of hiking if I can.
Sight seeing runs!
Vacation means its time to run bare foot along the beach…Chicagoland weather often does not permit such luxury! Have a great vacation!
If I’m traveling on vacation, I usually take it a little more easy with the training. Cut back on the tempo on the runs, and try to use them as seightseeing runs, and bring a camera for photo opportunities. If I’m at home it’s training as usual, with some added distance, since there is more time for it.
I normally bicycle, but on vacation (if I can’t bring my bike along), I switch over to a run or use a fitness room.
I try to keep my training schedule as normal as possible. Vacation is usually code for “eat every meal at a restaurant,” so I try to offset that with running.
Usually running, but swimming if we are someplace with good places to swim.
Vacation runs & bikes.
I rent a bike and go exploring the areas. One of my best vacation highlights are from these rides :)
Destrination! Did an ironman 70.3 on a vacation to Austria last year! Amazing scenery and time but a pain to lug the bike around. I usually have active vacations anyways; climbing, mountaineering, etc. So no need for more training!
None at all
Im Urlaub laufe ich gegen die lange Weile und gegen die Kalorien die ich in der Zeit des nichts tun´s zu mir genommen habe.
Running/Cycling – vacation is perfect to splurge all night and crush a workout the next morning.
love running, hiking, biking, and canoeing on vacation!
Holiday usually means time off for my broken body especially after the end of the (field) hockey season.
Vacation time = Training in the morning and enjoying the rest on the day with family and friends! There’s nothing like sunbathing at the pool knowing the daily training log has been completed!
i do at least 1hr at the hotel fitness center.
Ice cream – mojito – late ice cream
Cause you need to stick to the routine
Usually try to at least run to counteract the ice cream and beer :)
On vacation I’m usually Swimming openwater.. Find it the best to relax :)
Running because it is the easiest to pack for and a great way to explore. Don’t feel as bad about not training or eating while on vacation then. Wife is not a morning person and I am so it is usually in the morning.
Always try to squeeze in a run while on vacation, its more about the exploration of a new city than anything. If the vacation is within driving distance try to bring my bike to do even more exploration!
Running is the simple choice, swimming usually the more enjoyed. Try to get some training in, but also keep an eye on the fact that it is vacation time!
I try to climb a few mountains on the bike since where I live there are only hills. Beautiful hills, but nothing very high.
I cut my exercise in half when on vacation.
Long run!
I continue to do cycling on vacation and try to get out at least 5 of the 7 days. Some days I go hard, other days I try to enjoy the scenery and surroundings and really relax.
I run and explore whatever I can. Preferably somewhere where there isn’t a ton of people.
if I’m at the beach I wake up before sunrise to get a run in down near the waters edge. Nothing better than running with the waves crashing as the sun slowly starts to rise over the water.
All the best vacations are based on some activity! Cycling, hiking, etc.
After Twenty years of travelling and only ever going to the Gym I vowed a couple of years ago to always run in a new place on holiday so i could get to see the sights, people and lifestyle. It works, nothing better than a run in a city or out on a beach to get a real feel for the place… then upload the data to remind me of the memory for the rest of the years
I do much longer runs, and I enjoy it even more by bringing my two kids in my babyjogger! Which means even more training – especially up hill! ;)
Vacation usually means my only workouts are lots of runs exploring the area…and of course LOTS of food at new restaurants
Hiking, trail running, kayaking, swimming and biking are all the vacation choices for me.
I love to run when on vacation! I plan everything before leaving home.
Depends on the length of vacation. A 2 week vacation I try to keep up with the regular running schedule. Long weekend trips I may cut back.
My last longer vacation has been a triathlon trainings camp on Mallorca, and as such, I did not much else than sporting. On business trips I will run every other day.
Will try get a run or two in but inevitably fail to do so and then eat to much..:)
I run and do body weight exercises. Enjoy running in the warm mornings rather than the cold/wet of Seattle. Enjoy your vacation!
carry my girl and walking around playground or Disneyland…
Beach running and swimming with the dog!
The training usually lightens up a bit while on vacation but I will continue with my workouts at a hotel gym which would include the treadmill. If we are at a beach there is usually some jogging/walking along the boardwalk to burn off those extra calories. Camping will usually include hikes and smores with extra marshmallows.
Next vacation (in 1 week) going to my hometown (Tampico, Mexico), which is close to the ocean, I will try to get some OWS and some runs on the beach!
Always get a kick from foriegn runs/races showing up on GPS watch software! And always get at least one marathon vacation in every year
If I’m on tri training, then I usually just replacing my swim and bike with runs. Excuse to see the area that I might not see otherwise.
If I can take my bike, I do and explore the area. Otherwise it is long walk and utilizing the hotel gym.
vacations for me means a lot o biking and hiking. I love to explore and there is no better way of getting there by bike!
I attempt to do my training as per my normal plan.
Rarely any specific training. Just running to visit as much as possible without taking to much time away from the ice cream!
First of all, thank you for taking the time to do this giveaway and always being so thorough in your write-ups!
Training for me is training. No matter whether it is vacation or work travel (Which I do quite a bit of as a security consultant for a fortune 5 company), I continue on with my training. I used to use my travel as an excuse of “I can’t work out,” but that was just that; an excuse!
I’ve been working lately to train for my first triathlon and an Iron Man in my near future. Even if it’s just a simple treadmill workout, stationary bike, or a local gym for a swim, I must be determined and continue on. Discipline is key for me lately. As soon as I make a single excuse, that trickle effect takes over and it’s a very slippery downhill slope!
No matter where you are, or what you have going on in your life, always be disciplined and push on. The only person standing in the way of your goals is yourself!
Thanks again Ray!
–Steven
About half of ‘vacations’ have been short term missions trips and exercise has been manual labor sun up to sun down. It makes you really respect people who do that daily.
Otherwise it’s hopefully somewhere with swimming opportunities and fun to explore by foot with running and hiking.
I hope you and The Girl enjoy your vacation! Thanks for the cool posts and giveaways!
When I’m lucky enough to be able to pull away from the hectic rigmarole of the work-life, I ALWAYS bring a pair of Nike 2 in 1 shorts, a dri-fit tee, and my Brooks to get out and see the world! Last trip I took for a destination wedding, made sure I got up early and hit the pavement – what a rush! After getting the heart rate up, I definitely indulge – I mean, I’m on vacation! :)
A lot of walking, some running and off the course the local cuisine… ;-)
My last vacation included the Philadelphia marathon, bug I’m not planning on that being typical!
I never leave town without my running shoes.
Vacation time would normally be light runs. This year it will be push on as normal or maybe harder in swimming, running and the bike.
Vacations for my wife and I typically involve bicycle touring. We find a scenic route that gives us 30-50 miles in the morning, which earns us the right to pig out on good food and good wine in the evenings!
Uhm, definitely the ice cream :-D
Running, cycling, kayaking, XC Skiing, or just hiking with the dogs!
Sightseeing vacation training degenerates to long walks/hikes through destination. Resort vacation – strength training/cardio in the gym BEFORE spa treat(ment)s.
If the vacation isn’t focused on climbing a mountain or something similar then I do cut back but try to get in some easy runs just to keep active.
In Costa Rica currently. I try to keep up with my running , doing a little running in the mornings or late evening while it’s not too hot.
Generally speaking, running wins out. If not on the streets, then the treadmill. I just got back from a trip last week. I was working most of the time, but me and the treadmill had a standing date at 12:30 everyday. Got a cruise coming up in July so I imagine I will split between running and hiking during our excursions, especially since I will be doing plenty of eating.
What’s a “vacation”?
The training schedule tends to suffer a lot during the vacation period depending on activities.
I am trying to keep up the running though.
Vacations is about getting out of the routine and run, swim or hike new places.
I like running to explore the new area. Also try to do more swimming if we are at the beach.
Run, swim, road bike, MTB. Between these actions some relaxing in sauna with some beer
5km bike beach commute and then waffle with whipped cream and blueberries carbo loading
Generally, I back off the training but start each morning off with a run to go explore.
While on vacation I try and hit the gym for a day or two just to maintain a routine.
I consider sitting on a beach more of idle training, but I also like to throw in some 3-5 mile runs and maybe even a little speed work. Maybe a couple VERY easy swims.
I try to run as much as possible, but my mileage might drop a bit. The hardest part is finding places to run.
I like to do some running and biking. But more importantly to enjoy my vacation by doing what I like to do most.
I do more running and less riding because I usually don’t travel with a bike, but rent or borrow when I get there. I seeing new cities and countrysides while running. And meeting new people along the way.
I tend press harder without work in the way. Usually much more swim time mixed with long runs on the beach. I’d be a happier athlete if I got more vacation time
I run as much as I can (everyday) and bicycle if possible…I love exploring new routes abroad and check out the Stravasegments
I’like press if it’s close to a race, but the majority of the time I’ll plan workouts around local scenery. Then sit back and relax with a cold IPA
I always plan for my regular workouts-but massages and wine always win.
training usually ends up modified a bit meaning 3-5 mile run every couple of days. i dont really change how i eat, i allow myself “cheats” if you will but never really dive into a carton of ice cream.
Free running when ever i have time.
I continue running and eating. and eating and drinking. and then try to run again.
I dont get to travel all that much, but when I do, I will try and get out to run the new environment. Otherwise its the hotel gym for some “fun” spinning and/or treadmill runs.
Long slow runs are the best way to get to explore a city, and barefoot beach runs are great for a little bit of calf work!
Try to compensate for the beer and the chocolate ice cream.
Vacations are about relaxing and exploring the area. I usually run exploring area attractions, parks, and trials. Many times it allows me to see the local hangouts and areas not listed in the visitors guides or websites.
Most actual training gets shut down. I will try to fit in some easy runs as much as possible and try to enjoy a new environment and scenery.
Thanks!
I try to jump into the treadmill, or just do a bit of core before breakfast
Vacations and training go together like peanut butter and jelly! If I am driving, I bring my bike to get in some running and biking. To a resort? Usually stick with running, swimming, and some cross training.
Depends on the vacation spot. Run and swim if possible, otherwise take advantage of the hotel gym.
I try to keep running a little and do local sport …skiing, swimming (open sea), hiking….but it also involves ice creams and good food
I don’t normally take my bike with me, but I will run, not usually speed work, but focus on some long runs… keeping fit rather than race prep
Run in the morning. Swim if possible.
My wife and I generally try to pack so much tourist stuff into our trips that we often don’t have time for workouts … so much world to see and so little time. But we try to squeeze in runs whenever we can. And you often see things off the beaten path while running that you ordinarily wouldn’t see if you just stuck to the typical site-seeing stuff.
I run at every vacation spot…just to record that I was there
Hi,
Vacation means more time for training bike, strength and run but if traveling is involved than I cut back, running remains the viable choice if swimming is not possible.
when I happen to get a vacation, I’ll plan beforehand by mapping out some routes I’ll take in the morning. Either it has some scenery to take in or maybe a nice little coffee/bagel shop to enjoy along the way.
Run most mornings.