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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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.
4
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!
5
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.
First time for a longer run – need the snow to hold off though.
Relaxing with kids on Friday … Will run both on Sat & Sun in the local trails & road!
I am going to a club run every day except on sundy. 2x 70km 2x100km. Pretty though that early in the season :)
it might involve spin class or running, but definitely a lot of chocolate!
10k easy run is the plan for Sunday :)
A run? Maybe. A bike ride? Maybe. Roller coasters and junk food? Absolutely!
I’ve got a 5K and a 5 hour bike ride – and its my birthday on Sunday, which requires its own special training.
On Saturday I have a 16-mile run with the last 4mi at marathon pace. Then Sunday has always been my off day so nothing :-)
Not the most exciting response, but I’m resting a sore knee this weekend. And I’ll have my fingers crossed about this giveaway.
I am finally taking a day off on Saturday and then an easy 10 miler on Sunday.
I’ll be trying out new Zwift mountain course, and weather permitting, Easter Sunday 50k ride.
Returning from vacation. ?
Much needed R&R with the family.
12 to 13 miles on the books this weekend. Thanks for the great opportunity as always Ray!
Pre family dinner ride, out for a long quiet run Saturday morning, then back from some left overs lunch
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Typical Team 2 Cycling group which inevitable start with everyone saying how tired they are, what a rough week it’s been or yesterdays intervals really hurt and then ride a 2 to 3 hours “hurt me hurt you fest”
Sunday: “Easter Bunny Hop” 2 or so hours of hilly back country roads….enjoying the sights, sounds smells and then “eat big dinner”
Going to run 11 on Friday – play with my grandchildren on Saturday and eat dark chocolate on Sunday. Back to the bike on Monday!
15 mile run on Saturday, deep frying a turkey on Sunday!
Lots of rest and relaxation after the Two Oceans ultra.
Planning on running a 6-hour trail race tomorrow!
Couple of easy runs followed by smoking some chicken and salmon!
Wife’s got a full social day planned sunday, but Saturday I’ll be on the bike for a few hours. I am looking forward to getting a new bike computer. The new Wahoo Elemnt looks pretty awesome!
I’ll be taking advantage of the new snowfall and skiing. Easter will involve searching for the dish with the most bacon.
Riding 75 miles on Saturday to fulfill my weekly goal of 300 miles.
2 hours on the bike. And a soccer game.
Today is an easy, short recovery ride on some local gravel roads after a medium-hard group ride last night. Tomorrow I’ll be doing threshold intervals on the TT bike, then Sunday is just a 2.5 hour endurance road ride.
My goal is to enjoy time with the family and be able to run 2 times this long week-end. 2nd marathon in may ;)
I’ll be riding the Hell of Hunterdon in Skillman, New Jersey, USA. Just over 81 miles and nearly 5,200 feet of climbing! Pray for me.
Have to put one last 20 miler in before tapering for Patriots Day.
Tomorrow ski, sunday light run, monday bunny race
Training? Most likely it will be from hiding plastic eggs and then chasing little ones around the yard to find said eggs, then chasing little ones around after eating the candy inside said eggs. Cross-training.
Two-hour run this weekend
I am just trying to walk a little each day and have some fun family time with my 2 kids and my in laws.
Two rides and a run for this weekend. One ride will be LSD for a few hours, the second some hill repeats. The run will be a casual 5k.
I will do a 3 mile run and then enjoy the rest of the beautiful weekend with my family- easter egg hunt and eating dinner.
Having my niece visiting us with three kids, but hope to go for a bike ride anyway :)
Road bike on Saturday then trail running on Sunday (Trail des Tranchées, in Verdun – FR).
Recovery on monday ;)
You always have these when I’m on vacation. Training was done pre trip with 2 long days on the cycle trainer. Then a trail run on Sunday. Maybe I’ll see that Easter Bunny in the woods.
After a puncture-riddled, drastically-shortened ride this morning I’m going to stick to the turbo trainer and running!
I’ve got some group strength training, a 10 mile bike ride and a 45 min run.
Hoping to get over this cold and coughing enough to get in an easy ride.
I’ll be hunting the easter bunny on my bike!
Looking for my motivation which I seem to have lost lately; wining this give away sure will help
10k race.
And an obviously even harder race for chocolate in various gardens.
Since the weather in Montréal is really bad, I will go on the computrainer at least for 2 sessions.
I will be riding 50 miles on back country roads to see all the bunnies out in celebration of humanity’s redemption
Training for the Easter weekend include herding small children for an Easter egg hunt and if I’m lucky a quick morning road ride.
2 very long rides 150K ++
This weekend will consist of an easy 7-8 mile run. I’m not signed up for anything currently, but doing it to stay in shape!
As I am unfortunately working on saturday, the plan is to go for a soft morning run (around 10K) on sunday, then refuel with chocolate and finally burn all those calories on sunday with a long ride up in the mountains ! Of course don’t forget to take some chocolate during the ride for refuel !
With that have a nice easter Ray !
If it is nice outside I will be going for a 8-10 mile run on Saturday along with a easy ride on the trainer on Sunday.
Sat. 10-13 miles
Sun. Likely a 20 miler
Recovery with chocolate eggs after
8mi run on Saturday in prep for OKC Memorial half marathon, and 35mi bike ride on Sunday in prep for OKC Redbud Classic!
Rice, Rice.. Baby (ode to Vanilla Ice) strained my calf on a run earlier this week…. Gonna be catching catching up on some shows!!
Friday: 14 Rounds For Time: -10 Deadlifts -10 Squat Cleans -10 Push Press -50′ Walking Lunge with barbell *Athletes must continue holding onto the bar and can only drop the bar to the ground after rounds 3, 7, and 9……where they will complete 20 burpees! RX Weights-(95/65lbs) Scaled- (65/45)
Sat: 4mi training run to build base for an ultra while the wife trains for the AVON39.
I’ll be doing a 3.5-4hr hilly ride… provided I can face the “heavy rain” that’s forecast!
3 painful hours in the Kickr…
Sister in law is in town and no one is telling me what the plans are so I’m guessing my plans won’t go as planned. Probably MTB and swim today. Road ride on Saturday. Run and swim on Sunday.
I’m going for a short run on saturday. Followed by a 60km road bike adventure at the loonse en drunese duinen (Tilburg the Netherlands).
Heading out on my teams group ride, about 60 miles.
This time of year I do mostly intense stuff on trainer during the week and try to get some 2-3 outdoor rides at endurance pace.
I bent the rear wheel of my bike in an unfortunate cycle trainer accident on Wednesday and new wheels won’t be in until late next week. This weekend will consist of some out door runs since the weather is supposed to hit 60 here in upstate NY. Love the site and Clever training thanks for doing what you do.
Indoor session to strengthen my knee tendon and maybe squeeze in a short run in between chocolate eating.
Well beeing the Easter weekend the gym will not be open Sunday but always I can do a 30 – 45 minutes running in the park I have in my neighborhood.
My fitness plans are primarily trying to frantically find all the eggs the kids leave behind before they start stinking!
3x 10km runs on my favorite routes in my hometown.
Winding down from the Barcelona marathon/winding up for London! Just come back from a beautiful 8 mile run on sunny Jersey, and hopefully clocking up another 15-20 on each of Saturday, Sunday and Monday. God bless 4 day weekends!
getting bike miles
Plan on having a sufferfest packed weekend… Includes supper with the inlaws.
No training. Just cruising.
Long run, rest day then easy run. Simple!
My plan is to go for a two hours ride on my mtb and a 10 km run on Sunday.
Otherwise I would do as little as possible…
With Snow now gone,- 25mile bike ride sat and sun
5k Saturday morning and then hit the gym with the fiancee on Sunday.
I’m going out of towns to visit the in-laws this weekend. I’ll get in about 45 minutes of running tomorrow (and will probably be accompanied by my father in law on his bike creating the image of a Rocky-esque training montage). We’ll be back home Sunday night and I will get in an hour on the trainer before bed.
I’ll be taking the bike off the trainer and getting some miles in on the road this weekend to take advantage of the warm weather.
I’ve got my last long run before my half marathon and I’ll be accompanying my boyfriend to his first powerlifting meet!
Hopefully a nice run in the wet Scottish Countryside!!
A couple long runs, sleeping in, and lots of chocolate.
90 minute ride on Sunday and chasing after the kids all weekend.
Run through new snow. Eat chocolate bunnies.
Last long run before 1/2 marathon and 20K trail races on back to back weekends.
Friday is a forced rest day. Saturday, our group is riding 56 miles at a target 19mph. Sunday is a light 90 high cadence easy day.
20 mile long run Saturday. Yoga Sunday.
It’s non-standard, but I’ll be rock climbing!
Ran a 6 mi run this morning (Friday). Rest of Saturday. Slow, 3 mile jog on Sunday night.
Mountain biking with old friends and an Easter egg hunt on bikes with the kids.
Is hiding eggs considered training? Lets call it: setting up dozens of nutrition stops for a 0.1k youth adventure race…..
Probably a short run with the family dog – and a ride to the DC cherry blossoms!
Being Catholic, I’ll be doing some fasted riding on Good Friday
Mountain bike 25K ride around Limburg, NL
I’m going to run and hopefully bike, if I get my bike back from the shop.
I plan on completing some 3-5 mile training runs this weekend in preparation for Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday, April 3. Yes, the leprechaun will still be around after the Easter bunny has hopped away.
Friday nite – 25mile ritual brewing ride
Saturday – quick run, then golf
Sunday – 30mile breakfast ride
Saturday: long easy bike ride in the morning, swim in the afternoon
Sunday: long ease run in the morning, afternoon short bike spin
(\_/)
(o.o)
(___)0
I’m hosting my in-laws for the weekend…. I have to do as much early morning trainer riding as needed to burn off all the beer I have to drink to make it through the weekend.
I’m heading out to the inlaws in the middle of nowhere east texas today. Fortunately I have room for my kickr and bike in the truck so Saturday morning I will knock out 2.5 hours at various intensities followed by a short 5K run.
Squeeze in a 35-40 miler on Friday and hope to get in another 40 on Saturday.
Going run a 10K Race on Saturday – Hoping to PR then a long run 20m on sunday
Gonna try to wake up early Sunday and get on the trainer for a couple hours.
And then have some chocolate…