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…
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:
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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.
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.
Hola,el reloj es una pasada y gracias anticipadas
Jump roping and running in square patterns. Don’t want to get totally lost on a vacation.
Try and get a run or 2 done. Especially is at an all inclusive resort.
Vacation means “vacation” so no running jogging ciclying or swimming (:
Running in new places is always the best! Plus its great to add more GPS routes around the country!
I always have to run while on vacation to balance out the ridiculous amount of food I usually eat. Especially when we go down to my wife’s old hometown of Albuquerque. Best food ever.
It’s a vacation! I take it easy.
Runs that are in locations far more beautiful or interesting that my hometown.
I usually do the same training.
I enjoy a swim where it’s possible, a run in a new place, and sometimes a hotel gym workout. And lots of walking to take in the sights. I’m not much of a bonbon girl, but I’ll take you up on that ice cream thing!
I prefer to spend my holidays at the sea and I enjoy running along the seaside with that beautiful view!
I’m trying to keep up with my half marathon training while visiting family in Austin. It’s 30 degrees warmer and 10x more humid than Madison, WI my home. I’m taking lots of water breaks and breaking up my long run.
Usually I run a little, swim a little and lounge a lot!
Biking, as usual! :)
Running always!!
My training during vacation is more balanced is more balanced than the rest of the year, at least I’m sure to stick better to the easy days
When on holiday, I’ll take my shoes, but I don’t stick to my schedule. Whatever takes my fancy as long as I can get out a bit and not feel too guilty when I go eat the local delicacies later on.
Maybe a run, maybe not; definitely a beer!
I continue to train and run and enjoy the new environment and scenery.
Vacation?…that’s why you take a vacation, to swim, bike and run whenever you want!! It’s also a great way to see the local sites while the family sleeps in. Ohhhh, a Fenix 3!!!
It all depends on the type of vacation.
However, I typically do more training while on vacation because the places visited are a lot more scenic than the state of Kansas is very boring. So, exercising in these locations is cool and creates memories! Having a Fenix 3 would be great as locations I visit suit each feature set.
Depends if I’m training for a race or not; if yes, I try to keep the same training rhythm. If not, I just put in a couple of runs per week and get lazy the rest of the time!
Usually it’s the pool. Hitting the pool or just a short run. It’s a vacation!
Run for a day, recline and relax for the rest. B)
I usually do on vacation is to slow down the training and enjoy rest days although if I am motivated I make some special training. And I also sleep sleep and more sleep
Here is what I do. 1. pack all of my training gear. 2. ignore all of it. 3. Feel guilty abou it and maybe go for a short pitty run. 4. fail to change the patern next time.
I usually run and swim more on my holidays.
Taking a nice stroll along the Missouri river with the family!
Despite best intentions of continuing to train, more often than not it becomes all about the ice cream.
cycling + inline skating!
I cut back slightly and either look for a great running route or suck it up and use the hotel treadmill.
I scale back on training on vacations to be fair to my fiance…I try to sneak in a run or two though!
I try to see what interesting places can be explored and alter my training objectives to maximise the opportunities that present.
running, it is an opportunity to discover new tracks. the best way for getting out of a routine
I usually do mountain biking and some hiking
Run, walk, drink wine :-)
Last vacation, I enjoyed running in different cities.
I take any opportunity to run or swim! Favorite vacation training: long barefoot beach run followed by swimming in the sea.
Running to discover new territory and bars.
I can run everyday when on vacation!
Running (lot), swimming (a bit), biking (less)
I’ll stick to my training schedule during vacation to work towards new PR on 1/2 marathon. It’s also very inspiring to explore a new area during a training session when travelling abroad.
I try to get some barefoot beach runs in. Failing that, some early morning runs around whatever city I’m in.
Short run before the family gets up. That early morning light normally sets up a beautiful day to enjoy with the family. I try to explore somewhere new on the run that we can visit during the day at a more leisurely pace.
I begin all vacations by packing two bags. The first bag is my destination specific wears and the other being my training bag.
Upon arriving to my destination I unpack and layout all my outfits. The for some odd reason I find myself at the end of my vacation with my training gear sitting there untouched since the first day in town. Sadly this is my routine for the better part of 20 years.
Maybe a new watch could help?!
Probably not as beer and delicious foods win me over every time.
Running in a slow pace so I can get to know the places I visit without stopping my training.
does lifting a piña colada count as a workout? I do a couple hundred reps…
Definitely, I find a soccer field where some people are playing and I get a friendly soccer game on. Also love to take a scenic evening run to explore a little and then I find the popular neighborhood bar and negate all the exercise I did prior by drinking the bartender’s recommendation/s of the best beers on tap.
When on vacation I try to go on longer runs as I have a bit more time, and have the kids follow me on their bikes.
Hiking, relaxing and a pinch of racing.
On vacation, our family usually goes camping so we bring our mountain bikes with us. Everyday I either take a 5 mile run, a 45 minute to 1 hour bike ride or a day off where I take a long hike. When we went on a Cross Country trip I was able to run 5 miles almost every day in places like the Grand Tetons, the Grand Canyon North Rim, Yellowstone National Park, Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park and Zion National Park. Even though I am not training for a specific race these days, I enjoy getting outside and exploring on foot or on bike new areas. Of course I like to keep a record of my workouts so I have either my trusty Edge or Forerunner to keep track.
Running trails and always swimming
If I’m at my ‘caravilla’ in Devon, its sea swimming & running along the cliff tops!
Definitely run and swim everyday in order to offset the increased dessert intake that typically occurs on vacation.
Find a treadmill and try to pound out 7 miles as fast as I can so I can feel good about the junk I will be eating the rest of the day!
usually running…
Run Run Run, most likely on a treadmill
“Vacation” for me usually means a competition, not training.
Still like to fit in two easy runs per week between 5 days of mojitos and bloody Mary’s.
I tend to walk more while on vacations. No bike or running.
I build the training around the vacation – if it’s the type of vacation where I can get a run or two in, awesome. If it’s not (like a bachelorette weekend…), I take a break and enjoy my time off. I figure recovery is a part of training, too!
My wife and I are both runners, so we usually get a few runs in. A bit shorter and easier pace than usual though.
Holiday and family absolutely comes first. But if I can sneak in a few runs and rides to earn that extra helping of whatever I normally avoid then all the better!
When I’m on vacation I like to RUN!!! :)
Vacation = Running
Easy to bring a pair of shoes and I love exploring new areas early in the morning before most are awake.
Last vacation was training at its best! Riding my bike all day at lago di garda, italy!
vacation is one of the best times to run because you can choose when you do it and how long. There are no restrictions
Training carries on as normal, if not more to accommodate extra eating and drinking!
12-16km running at least every other day early in the morning while everyone still sleeps. No phone, no headphones, just enjoying the running and the nature around.
I cut right back to just a few runs and spend more time with family.
Vacation usually involves running or cycling, eating and drinking loads, waking up feeling like a slob then repeating the previous days good intentions/mistakes
Vacation isn’t the time to take a break from running – it’s the time to discover exciting new routes!
Depending on the vacation and the location…I cut back. With all the Triathlon training during the year it is really nice to set back a little and slow down and spend time with the family.
Vacation is all HIT training. Fast and hard so the vacation food and drink is guilt free. :)
Apologies, iOS mangled my email address in the last comment!
Depending on the vacation I try to make it to the gym.
In summer vacations I cut back on running and go for hiking and treking.
Running and swimming @ any body of water/pool I can find.
Besides relaxation, vacation’s about the trinity of sports: swimming, running and biking. Mostly biking and running, but if possible I also keep up with my swim training
My only vacations are 1/2 or full Ironman races. I suppose those are training for the next year’s vacations.
When on vacation, I take it right back to simple runs or cycles just to make sure the legs still work when I get home, oh and to counter-act all the bad vacation food!
Though it is tougher to motivate myself while on vacation, I still try to stick to my scheduled training
Runnng and swimming to compensate the calories of the diners and drinks
My vacation in Sardinia are always ” tri – crazy ” … to go running , swimming and biking with fantastic see, sun and food!
*Vacation* means toddler + triplet baby-chasing training.
I do just enough training to keep the extra pounds off.
I like to kayak on vacation, so usually a running watch GPS would think that I am running on water! :)
It would be nice to have more activity options! haha
Lots of hiking and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea!! Fewer runs on vacation, it’s too hot!. ;-))
I’ll usually run a bit longer than during the week and swim in the summer.
Press on, ideally it will be a beach vacation. Love getting a long run in on the sand.
Gelato all the way, 3 times a day, it just makes every run, swim and bike faster knowing whats waiting for you after!
Stand up paddle boarding!
I do enough to counteract what I eat :-) then come home and continue business as usual
I would still run and try to cut back on the junk food…but you have to put some life into living right :)
Run every morning, swim in the afternoons if I can. Bike is just if you are lucky.
Press on! Love going for a relaxing run enjoying the scenery!! Or maybe some cross training of sorts going hiking of swimming in the ocean!
My vacations are typically running vacations! This year it was a trail race in Portland. Next year a multi-day race in Colorado. If I do get away with the family, I scale back the running, but always feel better if I can at least get a 5k run in.
Skiing or biking depending on location and time of year.
Holiday running = new adventures + beer after a run is the BEST!
Just bring the bike and explore and the training takes care of itself.
Op vakantie hou ik ervan om lekker hard te trainen wielrennen, hardlopen en voor de rust te golfen. Al deze sporten maken je hoofd leeg in onze drukke bestaan…
The training on vacation becomes more for fun and run shoes will fit the bill (unless we’re in the middle of tri season, then everything goes). Depending on the time/distance of the vacation, the bike might get packed for the journey too! A fenix 3 would only make things better because well….who doesn’t like more data right?