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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!
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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.
I try to schedule my marathons for vacations…but if I’m not in marathon shape, I’ll just “recover.”
I usually just run because it’s the easiest to pack for.
None.
I normally crank up mileage during vacation and holidays. If the weather helps I go cycling longer miles, at least 3 times a week. Then I normally run, 5-7 miles, I cut the mileage a little bit because of the increased cycling mileage. Running can be done anytime and cycling for long time just on vacation or weekends
Kids means generally less, as cant use the commute to work as an excuse!
Holiday = hot weather => lots of swimming, perhaps a bit less of running and cycling though..
Push on! Through the heat! Through the snow! Just keep on trucking!
I usually get in more riding (and harder) because my schedule opens up.
You da Man Ray! Who needs an apple watch when we could have this!!! Thanks as always and enjoy your weekend! Gabe
I LOVE running and exploring while on vacation!
Hill/mountain training as we haven’t got many of them where I live :-)
Mostly running on vacation. It’s just not worth lugging the bike around, and makes for a good excuse add some training variety.
slow easy runs and stationary bike if available.
I tend to either run or swim on vacation, depending on where we go. We were just on a cruise and I got to swim in the Caribbean Sea, which was quite beautiful. I also did some running out in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico and the Garmin tracks for that amuse me to no end.
Definitely ice cream…
Love to ride/run around and explore new places
I usually try and swim when on vacation…in the lake, ocean, river or whatever is available. I’d love to bike but never bring my bike on vacations.
I pretty much run every were. I also look for great swim areas.
Try to at least do lots of walking and maybe get a swim in.
“Vacation” usually means a cycling event or backwoods hiking, so I suppose you could say that I train for my vacations… :-)
No training after the IM
None, vacation is time For feet up, warm sand and sun….but I still need to know what time it is.
Vacation is for relaxing, exploring city by foot for hours is my workout ;p
I’ll usually just do a bit of running. If they have a nice lap pool or lake maybe a swim or 2.
On vacation I don’t scale back my training. Just shift time a little. After all that marathon I want to run is not waiting for me.
We typically do a race in one of the cities we visit.
long slow distance
Try to keep the same training if not step it up a bit so I can enjoy that ice cream while on vacation :)
I try to go for a run during vacation. Usually nothing big, especially vacation usually is once a year and up in Central NY in the middle of winter. Feet often freeze on me. Although this winter I used a stationary bike at my Dad’s house also.
I don’t believe in physical activity while on vacation. I don’t even shave. It’s a vacation after all.
Always go for a run or hike to explore the new area
Usually plenty of walking between beer and ice-cream!
If possible, open water swims. Rest a lot, run a little, but please, without any schedule.
I run and exlorining for new places
The running gear travels with me wherever I go. Hitting the streets is an amazing way to really experience a new place. I’ve run through the avenues of Paris, Tokyo, London, Chicago, Frankfurt, Miami, Berlin, Geneva, Monte Carlo and New York, as well as in the Alps and around the Nurburgring. It’s something I look forward to on every journey, and it’s fun to look back at the GPS traces and photos and relive the memories upon my return.
I usually run a lot. Great way to get to know an area
Most of my holidays are to do training! Camps, exploring on bikes, lots of hills and trails and the odd sea swim :)
Just enjoy vacation and relax, that’s what it’s for!
I usually try to relax and recover from marathon training by exercising my left arm with the odd drink, although my arm would look much better with a Fenix 3 on it.
Always try and run somewhere. Nice to look back on Strava and see somewhere new rather than the usual route.
It depends on where we are and what we are doing. If at Disney World, I dial in long runs, cause it is fun to run around the parks, etc, If at the beach, ocean swims, and runs, etc. I typically dont take my bike with me (cause there is only so much we can carry with the kids, and they seem to want to come on vacation).
Mostly running and cycling. Swim if there is an opportunity.
Hiking and biking.. I will train only if there is something big coming up.
When on vacation, I back off a bit but I am definitely searching for some trails to run!!!
I like to still do my training on vacation for two reasons. 1. It lets you explore in an interesting way and 2. You don’t feel quite as bad about how poorly you are eating.
Usually just run when on vacation although I’ve been known to find a hotel spin bike!
Vacation for me usually means going to the mountains… so apart from climbing, I’ll go for some trail running. Mountain biking may happen if I’m lucky. Swimming is rarer. No ice cream for me, and my girlfriend makes sure to test my resolve. Cheers from Rio.
Just easy training and relaxing
I usually try to keep up some semblance of running schedule, but let myself relax a bit and don’t beat myself up if I miss a run or two.
Have a great vacation!
cut back and do what I can to stay active. Hike etc. Run if I can take it as a recovery week.
Running! If the weather is bad or there’s no time during the day to run, I’ll hit the treadmill in the hotel (if there is an exercise room), or try to get to the nearest 24-Hour fitness. I bring my foam roller with me everywhere.
It seems like even the worst hotel gym has at least a treadmill and stationary bike. I use those and usually a plyo routine in my hotel room most mornings on vacation so I can enjoy the rest of the day without my workout hanging over me!
On a vacation, my training switches to long, easy runs while I enjoy and take in the new surroundings. If there’s a trek that’d be fun workout for a change. And if there’s an open water body, I go planned for some fun swim sessions.
One day, I’ll go for a vacation in snowy region so I can try my hands at skiing.
I try to get out an run 5k before 7am. And say hi to the other nuts like me that are out there. Then get back to room and woke everybody.
I don’t really have a normal vacation plan, I just really do what it is in my training plan for whatever I have coming up.
Vacation=longer runs with my cousins along the Cape Cod Shipping Canal as well as swims out to the point and back!
If I’m Ironman training, then I’m still all in. If not, a few runs are in order.
I try to explore a new route or trail wherever I am. This means either a run, ride or a hike. Of course it’s followed by recovery margaritas!
Training on vacation usually includes swimming with my daughter who much stronger than I am at 10. Who taught me to flip turn, that would be my 10 year old daughter.
For international travel I usually relax and take a break with my wife but do lots of walking around, this year however I’m off to Dublin for a 70.3 Ironman
Thanks Ray
A lot of my vacations are at the beach. I don’t normally scale mileage back but I do a scale back intensity and try to enjoy the runs and scenery more.
I cut back on vacation but try to get a run in where I am.
I like to use running as a means to explore, whether I’m on vacation or traveling for work. Great memories of running along the Danube before sunrise on a winter morning in Vienna, dodging stray dogs and chickens in San Juan’s Santurce neighborhood, discovering a great riverside path in Chattanooga, glimpsing the Golden Gate bridge through the trees in the Presidio…
I try not to go too long when on vacation, but 15-18 miles makes for great exploration!
We have a leave donor program at work so I donate a majority of my annual leave to employees who are less fortunate than myself and are recovering from or going through some type of illness. I use a small portion of my annual leave to attempt to play some golf.
definitely don’t swim or bike. maybe a run or two but that depends on the severity of any potential hangover and/or who I am vacationing with.
I usually just bring my runners as they don’t take up too much space in my carry on.
Mostly drop the plan and just run to feel – holidays shouldn’t come with a to-do list!
Its mine!
Finally convinced my wife to take a raceation. Going out to MD this June to do Eagleman and visit the beach for a week.
i usually cut back my training
I plan a lot of training… But when I get there it’s pretty much the ice cream thing! Thank you for sponsoring this!
My winter vacation is a ski trip. Nothing but skiing my brains out for 8-10 days, this year with my Fenix 2 tracking the runs. In summer, we usually go to Europe for a week or 10 days. I’ll get in 3 or 4 runs, but mostly it’s as much gelato as possible.
I love to take out my mtb and go for an hard and intensively ride.
Last year was fell-walking but this year I will also be running, including hopefully taking in Lake Windermere parkrun, as I will be starting the build-up to my first half marathon.
Try to run as much as possible on vacation because it’s easy to pack for. Then again, sometimes beer and pizza seem like a better idea.
The time that i go out for run is vacation time for me! No real vacation! Keep workin!
It depends where I am in my training. Usually I keep it easy as vacations are most likely after a big race.
Vacation is a great excuse for a cut back week and a good chance to run with my husband (who is slower than i am) and explore a new area. I run in the morning so it won’t interfere with any other activities.
depends on the vacation. usually i’ll just take my running gear, but last summer i went to western south dakota with my road bike, mountain bike and hiking boots. rode the road bike through the badlands and a loop from custer up to mt rushmore and back. mountain biked on two separate sections of the centennial trail in the black hills. hiked an all-day loop including harney peak and sylvan lake. other gear i took with me: edge510, ambit2s, hero3 & point&shoot camera.
My vacation exercise consists of walking from bar to restaurant to bar. Unless we’re traveling for a race of course, like for Escape from Alcatraz in June.
My vacation is usually built into my post race recovery routine. It makes it easy to stay active while not keeping the same intensity.
‘Training’ for me usually consists of taking however many laps of the pool my sister does every day and adding 10! Sibling rivalry, eh?
I don’t do holidays anymore. That is, I spend all my leave on training weeks and ultrarunning events. So, a Fenix 3 would certainly come in handy
No junk food on vacation! Usually run, gym and swim when traveling as I won’t have my bike. Did that in Las Vagas recently.
At this stage in my life, vacations are spent with my family. I have two daughters (5 & 10) that love to explore which leaves me with no time to train, luckily we go on vacation once every two years :)
My wife and I strive to schedule active vacations, where we can walk plenty over the course of the day. we also look to find places to hike wherever we are going.
I usually bring running gear and use the EasyRoute app on my iPhone to find places to run and map out a course ahead of time so that my wife knows where I will be.
Mostly swimming and hiking no racing.
On vacation’s i love taking a bike with me. You don’t have to go hard, but it’s one of the best ways to get around and see the sights.
Always bring the running gear just in case but it’s really for the enjoyment of seeing the new city by foot.
Don’t laugh–I’m not making this up: I log into Strava on a laptop and search popular segments in the area where we’re vacationing, then either run or cycle to add my name. It’s a bit like the initialed version of an electronic padlock latched to a bridge in Paris, right? Only less of a structural hazard. It’s also cool to check my Strava Heat map to see the places my wife and I ran or biked on trips–a different sort of vacation scrapbook.
It totally depends on the vacation, but I generally bring running shoes or hiking boots. Often times the purpose of the vacation is sport.
On vacations I try to combine sports and relax. I usually do either running or road cycling in the morning and afterwards I try to do an active recovery, either taklin a long walk or swimming in the sea. I do enjoy discovering new places and finding new roads on vacations, it keeps my mind fresh and I feel renewed.
I would love to wind the new Fenix 3, but I guess I am not such a super sporty woman that deserves so… I only try to keep healthy and fit, I don´t normally participate in races.
While on vacation I always plan to keep training on schedule. However almost always this gets side tracked. I end up cutting back a bit. My favorite is when I am somewhere warm and get to do beach runs.
Its all chocolate and dessert for me! That is what vacation is for. Then back to training hard!
Try and do at least a litte, just to feel a little less guilty about stuffing my face!
Just flipping tractor tires and dragging anchor chains wherever possible.
Maybe a run here and there, but vacay is generally time for sitting and reading
run outside to take in the new scenery
My vacations are for hiking. I plan the basic route but have lost many times while following them, found new tree or vista points that brings a great sunset view. Its so amazing to loose my self in nature and celebrate the life!
I just go on a long run and explore the around :)