Big Sports Tech Deals Right Now! The Garmin Epix Gen2 is on sale right now for a staggering $549USD, roughly $300 off, and the Titanium edition just $50 more! And, it also got a big slate of new features this past week. Alongside that, there’s big discounts on the Apple Watch Series 9, Polar, Samsung Galaxy Watch6, and a pile of other Garmin watches including the Forerunner 255, 955, and Instinct 2 series. Full updated list 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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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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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.
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras and Equipment 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! 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 2023 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 keep on running. Here in South Africa, in the Western Cape, we have wet winters, but not to such a degree that it really hampers training. In fact, I think my weekly mileage actually increases in winter!
I bought a Vortex Smart a couple of months ago, so next winter here in South Africa I’ll skip the hibernation 🙂
During winter times the bike is done on the trainer (and my coach loves interval training on the trainer…), swimming is done in a pool and running… as long as it’s warmer than -20C nothing really changes, except for the clothing 😉
I dislike winter here in the Midwest. For workouts I move everything into my basement. Bike goes on a trainer and runs mostly happen on the treadmill.
Indoor and outdoors all year long. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays this athlete from the swift completion of my appointed workouts.. I just spend more time in the gym (swimming, lifting and cardio) 🙂
Bundle up and keep running outside until it’s no longer feasible, then join a gym for three months to get me to spring weather and outside running again.
No adjustments in the training plans, just a bit warmer clothting…
I bought a treadmill so i plan to run indoor.
But i will try to train outdoors as much as i can.
I install winter tyres to my bike and wear warmer clothes.
It is barely Winter here, so I don’t really need to adjust my training.
Doing more brick training indoors !!!!!!
Normally, only i can adapt with more warm clothes and willpower.
Just suck it up and run in the rain/sleet/snow!
Nearly advent running time.
I live in Melbourne so the winter is quite mild. In fact I do most of my training in winter. Its more a matter of adjusting my training in summer to avoid the heat. I hate running in the hot weather.
Things go as always, just more treadmill and bike trainer…
Living in Denver I can run outside much of the year. Love the winter runs especially when I can skip the coat in January! When it gets icy I’ll run the treadmill in the gym.
I am lucky enough to live in the sub tropics so Winter is our GO season. Our summer (your winter) is the season for early morning rides and night work to avoid the heat of the day.
No trainers required!
Luckily I live where it only rains in winter, so I out some wider tyres on and a rain jacket and keep going!
In Texas the only real adjustment I make is to run later in the day on chilly mornings, other than that not much 🙂
Putting muddflaps on my MTB. Pulling out the waterproof running shoes and a headlight… But more or less it’ll stay the same. Will have a early IM in May next year!!
I put on some warmer clothes and push on. It feels great coming into spring after a long dark winter of training outside
We’re just coming out of winter down here in NZ so it’s time to work off the winter padding that’s developed around the waistline due to the reduced (i.e. lack of) winter training…
Thanks!
Not really changing anything to training, just adding layers and avoiding roads when snowy here in Switzerland
I live in Brisbane Australia, so will put myself in the lucky category weather wise. Yea it’s not Hawaii, but pretty warm and sunny all year round! With that said, I do train a lot indoors on my Bkool trainer, especially since they opened up their hardware to other software platforms. Structured training indoors gives me more bang for my “time poor” buck!
Cross country, other than that no change.
Winter in Oman means finally managing to actually stay in Z2 while running outdoors! It’s a blessing, so there will be less use of treadmill, and more actual road milage.
Skiing!
I can’t complain about winter training in Australia. The only change for me is a long sleeve shirt instead of a tank top. Running is far more likely to be pushed aside for a jaunt on the treadmill or a spin bike in summer when it’s too hot or stormy outside (like the 39C forecast on Friday this week)
I’m a “lucky one” who lives in San Diego, so adapting to winter training just means failing at eating way too many cookies and other goodies at Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. Glad you and the girl are safe.
Well, last year I ended up changing my training for the winter by breaking my arm in a post-Thanksgiving half-marathon, and spent a couple of months not moving much at all, after which I started running on the treadmill again. (I was too paranoid about slipping on wet ground to run outside.)
This year I messed up my back and didn’t do any fall training, so my winter training will consist of yoga and weightlifting to regain whatever core strength I used to have, and after a few treadmill sessions to get the running juices flowing again, I’ll try to get outside at least twice a week for half an hour just to stay moving.
… Yeah, I don’t have good luck with going a full year injury-free.
After taking a little pre-winter-training break I will start hitting it hard on a trainer.
Running (outside), cycling (indoor), swimming (indoor) 🙂
Winter is simple : More MTB, more running, more swimming .
I’m a triathlete and usually I try to do everything as normal until the temperature goes under 4°C. After that I move the bike on some indoor trainer. If snow and ice cover the ground outside, I run on a treadmill too.
The only difference between summer and winter in Ireland is more wind, a degree or two colder and about the same amount of rain. Hence, training is the same other than having discovered Zwift and being saved from being blown off the road!
I don’t adjust it much, other than to wear a running jacket. I like running when it’s a little chilly!
Living in Southern California does have it advantages, such as year round running in comfortable weather. But when traveling for the holidays a few runs get switched out for strength training.
I jump on the treadmill more often than in summer. If I do run outside I prefer to do go during lunch instead of before work.
Trainer, treadmill and the XC ski tracks, booyah!
Like the new look for fenix 3
Swimming in the indoor pool. Biking and running in the basement in front of the TV.
More running, less riding…
After an achilles tear I’m changing my training heavily, no running for the foreseeable future, extra swimming and turbo training for me
Training as usually till Christmas Eve. Then a weekend blowout of food and festivities before reluctantly getting bag on track! The Fenix will give me that incentive.
I live in Dubai, so adapting to winter means that you can actually go outside without getting cooked 🙂
Well it really depends on how much snow we get any given year. If it’s a heavy snow year it definitely changes where you can run and when.. I think I always ad more strength training in the winter though, regardless of snow fall, but that might be caused by the lack of sunlight..
it never rains in california
It’s SoCal, I wear a long sleeve jersey instead of short sleeve. If it rains, I wait until tomorrow to ride.
Training indoor as mcuh as possible for the three different sports that I must train to be able to complete the Ironman race next year.
The joys of living it mild in NZ. No adjustments required other than a change of clothing. Except for heading up the hills in winter when something spiky or waxed for your feet is the go.
I usually go more to the gym and less biking and running.
The bike goes on the trainer and I watch a lot more tv. I am hoping trainerroad keeps me engaged this winter.
I really want to go back to running
I tend to do more gym work during the winter. Also more swimming!
I am from Malaysia and we have summer all year round (except for some raining days), lucky me, when monsoon season is here, diving is out, so I hike & run. It is usually at the end of the year.
I typically just keep up with running. Main difference is being bundled up head to toe with not a sight of skin in sight.
Winter is big trail season here, so I have to up the mile and stend hours splashing in the water on the mountain…
Added running and soccer to the mix. And of course, the Tacx Vortex Smart as you recommended!
Indoor trainer and playing with my new and first PM
Riding the kickr inside with some short runs on the treadmill. Pretty much the same as in the summer, just a little less outside running in the winter.
I’m easing back on the running after a summer of Ultras and hopefully my “hurry knee” will settle down.
I change the schedule for the workouts, luch time becomes my favourite time for them!!!
Winter is for backcountry-skiing, but I still keep my running routine.
I’m going to start running in the cold and keep up my pool swimming routine.
Running doesn´t change much,
Biking on Bike Trainer in the Basement.
I’m going to attempt to just put on some warmer clothes but have to honestly say this is my first winter training out side and amd I can get pretty cold in the Netherlands, but I’m feeling up for the challenge!
I run more. Why? Because it’s nice and cold!
Now in Belgium, the winter is like autumn, hard wind and pretty warm. Ik will keep up running and MTB; so I keep my weight under control. Last year I didn’t do that and my weight was too high !
I live in Barcelona and luckily here winter is not so cold. With wear something more layers of clothing is enough.
More swimming, more layers while running and skiing in the alps
Totally follow the seasons. Summer bike and run, winter cross-country and some dowhhill skiing and the occasional run.
I dont adapt my training schedule for winter itself, only the running clothes and route get a change, due to the weather and darker season.
I shift focus to weightlifting over the winter months. Thanks to the sunny Seattle weather lately, you can still find me out on the bike at least 5 days a week. The toughest part of winter is the lack of daylight hours. Thankfully I’ve found a great group of folks willing to turn on the headlights and hit the road after work. There is definitely strength and safety in numbers when you are riding at night.
I change my training during winter, more indoor training like fitness and roller trainer but when sun is out i’m going immediatly on the road !
Pacific northwest = less sport in winter because I am weak that way(although I did just run in the rain for six hours).
I move most of my week outdoor training indoors to the gym!
Adapting for winter? Winter is just more running in the mud and snow!!!
I’m going to keep running and biking outdoors here in the bay area. I’ll just bundle up a bit on the bike rides…
Sure would love that Fenix three on my wrist while I did it…
Do everything in house on the turbo or treadmill and swim at the pool.
TrainerRoad with treadmill and outside runs permitting. Weather sucks here too ….
Indoor biking and XC skiing.
Use this as time to re-connect with the sports. Just enough intensity for some growth, but no mentally gruelling long workouts. Just time to go out and enjoy what I do, try some new routes, and look up and appreciate your surroundings.
I subscribed to a 6 month gym membership to complement my running with some indoor training but I still plan to run outside whenever possible. Light rain and colder temperatures can make things fun as long as the road isn’t slippery.
As a skiier, the winter have been the goal with all the training through the year. Finally time to put the result of all the workouts to the test.
Quack. Hilo. Windows open all year.
I tend to stop swimming in the winter. I don’t want to gain muscle mass. Otherwise, all other workouts stay in place.
I am switching to cross country skis as soon as we have snow in southern Finland too. Lucky you visiting Lapland!
In previous years winter training was just a compilation of multiple running/skiing/swimming workouts, however this will be third winter when I totally switch to running for achieving some “results” or PB’s. Last winter HM target sub 1:17 was achieved, so this winter I hope to get under 1:15 in just 8 weeks program
To adjust training i use the treadmill a bit more. Running outdoors i do less tempo training and more runs at easy paces.
A bit less cycling, without giving it up, as its the best thing 🙂 Started running little by little, maybe some cross-country skying if we have snow here.
Winter in Hong Kong means less humidity and lower temperatures, so running is fun again. Winter training means more running and less time on the bike.
Live in Norway, so winter is coming.. You either find me in the basement with my Tacx Vortex, or in the mountains skiing! Have a god winter!
Running on indoor track on the nastiest of days, plenty of trainer rides in front of the TV, swimming with plenty of hot tub soaking afterwards.
No need to change the habits, just need to adapt the clothing a bit 😉
Going more for indoor trainer bike and swimming. if the weather is good (no wind, no snow), outdoor run.
Winter is mild on the West Coast, just wearing a wind breaker jacket.
Trying to get the man cave up together, so the winter training can begin.
I go inside for the winter! Bike on the trainer at home, and hit the local gym for pool/treadmill/weights.
I live in Portugal. Great weather. 🙂
We have only 2 seasons here, Hot / Wet … lovely for training all year round be it outdoors when its hot or indoors when its wet, on the bike or the trainers.