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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.
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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.
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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.
Hitting the trails
Running wherever I go!
Taking the scenic route to jam in as much sightseeing as possible while out for a run.
Swimming with the kiddos, chopping wood, diggin in the dirt, fishing!! All the good stuff in the north woods!!
I like to go backpacking for my vacations, so I don’t do any running in that time. However carrying all your gear and food for multiple days and hiking many hours each day is training in a different kind of way.
Usually I go on vacations to major world cities. Therefore my training there would be walking from morning till night. How cool would it be to be able to count the steps I make :)
I will try to continue my training on vacation, especially if it’s in the middle of a Marathon training schedule. But if i’m not training for an event, I’ll cut it back a little, but not completely.
It shifts from running to swimming and throwing grade schoolers around in the water. Pick-up beach volleyball games. Sometimes I’m a fourth for tennis.
I always go on holiday in the mountains and try to make as many rides as can om my racebike, good training!
Plus one for running!
Just cut back the riding and/or swimming and increase my runs!
Depends on the type of vacation. If it’s leisure at beach then I continue training as usual. But if hiking or snowboarding, then I take a break from usual training.
Beer pong
Depending on where I am at I try to maintain whatever fitness I have worked so hard to achieve. This typically includes running and hiking and swimming if an option.
I always go on vacation with the best of intentions not to deviate form my training plan. Usually, the beer, food and treats get the better of me and I make up for it the following week.
I try to get in a few runs and see some less frequently visited locales where I’m visiting.
Mostly shift to only doing longer runs.
I try to get in some trail/mountain running, though typically never as much as originally planned.
Definitely cut back, but always try to get in a couple of runs. Great way to explore the new location!
It all depends on the vacation. If the vacation is already packed full of active things like hiking or skiing then I don’t stack any other training on top of those, but otherwise I at least try and map out some runs.
Run anywhere early in the morning. It’s a great way to discover the place. When I go home to Ireland (kinda like holidays) I like to run my old cross country haunts with a few mates from my old club.
Stick with my schedule
I definitely try to stay active on vacations. Usually in the form of early morning runs. Or as is preferably the case, my trips are fitness-based in the form of destination races or mountain bike trips.
A light run on the last morning, just to get me back into the swing of things when I return home.
Running is the only option really, everything else requires packing too much gear that will never get used. Who am I kidding, even if I pack the running shoes there’s always something better to do! :)
I find it easiest to just run on vacation. Of course, I eat a lot more junk on vacation so I am usually just trying to keep things even!
I try to plan my schedule so as to cut back during vacations!.
On vacations, I have the best of intentions, but pretty much never do any exercise except for walking around a lot. Unless it’s a bicycling vacation.
Running, mixed with strength training if a gym is available.
Running. Easiest option. I would generally cut back, maybe throw in some short intense efforts. Most of the time it is just easy runs. You are on vacation.
Vacation is about spending time with the family – so it’s either skiing, hiking or sailing. Something we can do together.
I run with the kids
My holidays tend to be fairly active (the most recent saw me gorge walking every day), so “proper exercise” tends to be put on hold. Scheduled running and cycling resume once I’m back home.
I typically go running on vacation. Maybe a swim if there’s easy access to a pool.
When away (not just on holidays but also for work where I travel a lot) I always seems to overdo the training a bit. The chance to see new places and run new trails is always too tempting!
I like to walk around and see all of the cool sites when I am on vacation. I work out as hard as I need to in order to see it all.
Morning circuit, and a sprint session.
Vacation’s the name, relaxation’s the game.
Definitely cut back, but I try to sneak in the occasional ride or run to see some new terrain / return to some familiar grounds. If neither are available, then stock up on family and friends time! Have a great vacation!
what’s a vacation? most vacations the bikes comes along and we just keep up the riding.
Normally just running, because it’s the easiest option.
Running is easy to do anywhere. I will sometimes bike and kayak, depending on where I am. I also enjoy a good hike. I just stay active as it all counts as cross-training!
I just think that my commute of 80kms is a good training. :) love it
Some easy running.
My “vacation” last week consisted of going to the Sea Otter Classic and getting in some racing!
I don’t think I’ve ever had a vacation in which some sort of cycling or triathlon wasn’t involved.
Running whenever I can. Usually with Garmin FR 410.
Take my bike whenever I can or just run to keep it simple.
If possible I try to carry with me our Thule multipurpose (bicycling, running, hiking, or cross country skiing) children’s kart to explore the holiday location together with my 2 year old son, Oskar. Favorite exercise is uphill bike intervals because it’s safe for him (low speed), you’ve got good chances of a nice view , it’s damn hard and good training, and I get train and get new experiences togehter with Oskar ;-)
Hey, it is almost the reverse situation for me. I am only traning on my holiday’s. My girl friend is a triatlet and I am bicycling with her. She has a scheduled that she needs to follow…. The good thing is that I have a good reason to catch a nap.
Take the opportunity to fit in as much training as possible and relish being away from the desk. All fuelled with pastries and wine though.
I maintain my training but try not to be beholden to a specific time of day or workout. It is fun to get others to join in or include an extra glass of wine or beer afterwards. I’ve let my training run my vacation before and I let vacation run my training. I find that the change of pace in my structure provides me renewed energy for my training schedule.
I take my sensors and an ipad and always find a hotel spin bike to run some trainerroad or sufferfest…
I typically bring my forerunner 410 and run around the neighborhood each morning. It’s a fun way to explore the local area are and scout out potential eateries/cafés for later!
Vacation means. Drop the schedule do what I feel.
The only time I take vacation is when I need to train and work was taking too much time away from training.
I always have the most ambition to keep training hard while on vacation, but I never follow through. So, my solution to this is, no longer taking vacations during training and make the race a vacation stay.
Easy pace in order to run more and discover more places around the hotel. Yeah !
For a typical vacation spending time with my family is a priority, so running often is the best I can aim for. On other vacations I’ve had the opportunity to treat it as a tri-camp, logging big hours while my family does a lot of relaxing (without me), thank goodness I have an understanding wife!
Mainly I go for running or swimming
Ski holiday = ski only. Any other holiday means swim/bike/run as normal with maybe some windsurfing or sailing thrown in for fun :)
I switch to running primarily as you can do that anywhere.
Walking, hiking, or downhill skiing. I don’t usually get any real runs in while on vacation.
I try to make the most of what the location gives me!
Morning runs are my favourite.
i swim, bike, and run on vacation except when I am racing.. Then I swim, bike, and run harder. On business trips I try to find places close to a pool to swim and always run, trying to record a run in every state and country I visit. And I tak my bike on long trips as well…
I prefer to continue my training and choose vacation places with some good trail running options. Of course, I’ll allow myself some treats as well!
I simply train every where it is possible, I run ultras… So for me vacation is perfect time for training as well. Inhave to say i take about 2 weeks of for restore my body and after that comming back even stronger.. And obviously after hard training here and there you need to reward yourself and for me it is icecream!
Exercise isn’t a choice, it’s a way of life that becomes and addiction. All the gear, swimming, bicycle and running gear goes with on vacations. Love it
i definitely cut back on the running when I am on holidays as I try to spend more time with the kids and my wife. That said we try to hike as much as we can to discover the places we travel to. Once in a while I try to match the vacation date with a Trail …
My vacations are all about family, friends and beach. I simply do some “by the sea” runs, beach soccer with friends, long hikes through the mountains across and some delicious meals with my family. And for all moments, the Fenix 3 would be a great companion.
Just got to island of Krk, for a week od vacation/training. Running, trail. Biking around the island and I hope some open water swimming.
Got my gear with me!
I’ll kick of the vacation with an Ironman 70.3. After that the family takes priority, but I’ll try to get in some swim, run or bike exercises when ever possible.
Long relaxing walks and swims, that`s for me…
Bring my bike and have a hour ride before wife and kid wake up. Well it is as same as usual days.
Lighten the load a little, either just because its vacation or because I did a race at the beginning of my vacation. My vacations tend to be active and I wont be sitting around either. But the calorie intake does usually go way up. But hey I’m on vacation.
Depends on where we are. Running always and if there is a pool swimming also.
I press on and eat ice cream. Win win for me.
I tend to bring my watch, chest strap and running shoes and explore the area im in. I often find that its another experience running around than as a normal tourist.
Generally train more on holiday, always running and if I can spin or hire a bike all the better.
I’ll usually sit in a pool thinking about swimming too!
More time – more trainings. And beach running is the best.
Hiking in summer and skiing in winter. Maybe get in one easy run.
I still run.
keep running, but instead of focusing on “training”, I run to enjoy it and to explore new places and just have fun!
lighten up a little on training, but vacations overall tend to be pretty active and we try to do a new activity every trip – next month we are trying rock climbing! :D
Keep the training plan the same, but work on mental toughness.
It’s so much harder to train hard continuously while drunk or hung over. Although Being in a drunken haze allows you to be less bashful about using that sub par pond or jumping the fence to use the private resorts swimming facilities.
Vacation means I’m riding my bike!
I try to choose my vacation spots based on the activities that I enjoy. So that involves things like hiking in the mountains of Colorado or diving in the waters of the Caribbean. I still get plenty of exercise, but I try to take time and enjoy the surrounds more.
I cut it down to the bare minimum and enjoy my holiday :-)
I cut back a little on my trainings, so I can have more energy for trying out new things.
I train customers on Garmin watches at my Fresno REI store.
I walk, cycle and kayak
summer is here!
I try to squeeze some training but usually is cut back time.
I quess I’m usually trending towards more exercise during vacation, but there are some exeptions to that rule. Usually I’m cycling, but sometimes just might go fishing and give the legs some well earned rest.
I’ll run a little, but for the main part I’ll cut back and just relax.
vacation is vacation. I do what is in front of me, whether it is a bowl of ice cream or a ride on a bike.
I try to at least bring my running shoes if I go on vacation. The cold beverages always taste better after a good sweat.
Cycling and swimming, and a Tough Mudder to keep it interesting.
I live at a higher altitude, so I usually vacation closer to sea-level…that means I end up with longer and faster runs when vacationing.
I try to stick to the plan no matter where I am.
I tend to run or walk while on vacation. I like to stay fit and active, but I want to make sure I take full advantage of the time with my friends and family.
Lots of easy running
Running every days, on mountains or along the lakes.
With Simone my baby daughter.