Heads up! The big Garmin spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8, $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265, and countless other Garmin products. Full list & thoughts 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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Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
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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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
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FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
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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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Maybe an easy run on Saturday but for sure a long run on Sunday.
Sprints on Saturday. Slow distance Sunday
A run and a bike planned for Saturday. Rest day on Sunday to spend time with the family and enjoy chocolate bunnies!
I will be running around after my kid, trying not to eat too many of her Easter candy.
Parkrun on saturday morning. 100k cycle sunday. :)
Long walks along canal as giving running a break.
Planning to do an “Easter Eggs” local 10km race on Saturday!
I’ve got a 10K training run on Saturday, then hoping to maybe get in some biking as well.
This weekend we got a group ride of roughly 45 miles and maybe a quick 15 min off the bike. Easter Sunday a 90 min run to make some room for the feast with the family!
Thanks Ray,
Matt Aguirre
The next weekend I’ll spend trying my new Garmin Fenix 3 HR, I’ll performe different tests to decide if I buy the HRM band.
Cadbury Mini Eggs. Running a 10k to break even on the Mini Eggs. Then probably more Mini Eggs.
We’ll be hiking up a mountain in a national park… And if I’m feeling sprightly I’ll probably get on my indoor trainer too.
So long as my back spasms stop, I will ride my bike for 1-2 hrs tomorrow morning to get back in to the swing of things after a bout w the flu.
Friday a long rainy run, Sunday hopefully a fast sunny one. If all things go as planned a quick ride on the bike Saturday.
OK, a sick MTB shred and then a nice tempo 10km on Saturday followed by some form of bike ride on Sunday!
Still some snow here in Colorado, so I’m headed out for a backcountry ski.
Getting out for a ride today on my bike fresh from a tuneup!
A few spin classes and a short run
Planning a 35 mile, 5,000 training climb on Saturday, and a light run on Sunday!
Saturday 53 mile road race and on Sunday continue training for AZT300 on mtb.
Hoping to recover from my spring cold enough to get a cycle in.
Going out Saturday morning for a long, slow run in prep for a half marathon in Orlando in April. Might jump on the bike for a spin on Sunday. I have a new Forerunner 920 I’m trying to test out (for which $600 would have been helpful a week ago).
I’m gonna test my new 27.5 hardtail on the local trails :-D.
Only doing some indoor training this weekend, gotta watch the baby ;)
eating chocolate eggs
Going for my last training before the marathon de Paris next week, around 15km I guess
Home for Easter so it’s a 12 mile run around a forest preserve a few times instead of playing dodge the cherry blossom tourists.
Long unstructured rides both days, to enjoy the wonderful weather forecast for this weekend!
1. 40 mile ride sat
2. 25 mile sunday
3. eat 50 cadbury eggs.
(no one can eat 50 eggs).
I’m still a bit under two months from my next marathon (which is actually part of a running festival – 58 miles or so of races in one week), and on a reduced week after two long ones. So I’ll do a shorter long run on Saturday and a recovery run on Sunday.
Thanks for the giveaway, Ray!
Last 20mi LSD before tapering for Boston. Although, I pulled a muscle in my left calf (soleus) so may need to put it off for a few days. it’s not too bad. just a little sore.
Back to back trainer rides on the Trainer Road 1/2 build plan. Squeezing in a 6 mile run somewhere too.
Lots of Zwifting until the weather turns a bit more so I can get outside. Merry Easter All!
Heading back to Scotland to see family and to go for some wet, windy runs up the braes.
Riding on zwift, trying to rebuild my CTL
100 mile gravel ride Saturday
My knee acted up after last weekend’s 23 K run so I will mostly be resting sadly, but Friday I will do a nice 8-10 K run. I’ve also already done some laps in the pool.
Planning a long run for Saturday
Heading out for park laps on Friday, and two ~30 milers Saturday and Sunday. Maybe longer Sunday to work off the after effects of a long Saturday eating chili.
I have two 100k bike rides planned on some Midwestern gravel roads.
Two runs and a yoga class!
Saturday: 35 mile tempo ride
Sunday: wishing I could run and biking instead.
First bike ride this year wearing shorts and a long swim session with hopefully not too much chocolate bunny related drag
Going for a solid swim and then some solid runs this weekend. Might go for a leisurely ride if the weather is especially nice.
Easy 13 mile run as I’m starting to taper for my half marathon.
Recovering from last week’s 10 mile run event; so just a moderate recovery run, with a 2 hr bike spin thrown in for good measure. With plenty of Easter candy for re-fueling.
A 20km run each on Saturday and Sunday, perhaps a bike trip on Monday
Weekend before my first A race this year. Short rides and runs and I’m sure there will be some nutrition enhancements in the form of Reese’s eggs…
My “long” run is of the shorter variety this Saturday — 6 or 8 miles.
Rehearsal workouts for IM 70.3 Oceanside. Pick me!
10 km forrest run (run Forrest)!
Just some time on the trainer and treadmill, as I’m on call for work. No fun.
Easy week… recovering from Barcelona Marathon, and after 3 days skiing I need to build up some mileage for the next one (April 24th, Madrid Marathon)
Going on a 70km+ ride tomorrow!
link to strava.com
I plan on easy base miles. Some on the trainer tonight, and then a couple of easy runs over the weekend.
Egg hunt. Trainer Ride. Ham.
Trainer rides + Netflix due to a weekend of rain. Thanks for the chance!
Running 22 miles to cap off my peak mileage week for spring marathon.
I’m doing a seven mile run in Saturday and resting on Sunday.
Half marathon training. Tonight, 45 min EZ with hill sprints. Later this weekend, long run between painting projects. Hoping to get a ride in, too.
We’re going skiing! And maybe I’ll hide a few eggs on the slopes for the kids to find. The Easter Bunny is actually a snowshoe hare in our house. :)
I’ll do a phased tempo training with 8 strides in the middle!
I hope for some weights and some swimming tomorrow and some running on Sunday. Thanks,
I have a 70 mile club ride Saturday morning and then on Sunday i will do intervals on the treadmill. Then I will proceed to devour a scrumptious milk chocolate easter bunny.
Long bike ride with at least 2500m+
The goal is to get the mountain bike at some point this weekend, and run a few miles
3200+ mts in 90 kms, nice to live in chile, lot of earthquakes but nice mountains LOL
Just an easy run, still taking it easy after a recent half marathon
Snow storm this night here in Quebec, so I will use the trainer ;-)
Long run weekend ahead … 24 miles on Saturday and probably 20 on Sunday. Training for a 100 miler in June.
Resuming indoor cycling Saturday after a bit of a hiatus, then a distance pool swim on Sunday, followed by far too much refueling.
15 mile trail run on Saturday and then a couple of durability miles on sunday.
Weekend training plans? Making waffles. Strawberries are in season and I’m having trouble being motivated in a wet PNW spring. (though I am using my KICKR..)
Long ride on Saturday
Family Sunday
Short run on holliday Monday morning
Heading to one of my favorite Southern Delta towns – Greenwood, Mississippi. Will run the Viking (think kitchen stoves not Nordic guys or football teams) half marathon Saturday morning followed by a runner’s Easter brunch at a truly ‘old south’ restaurant where I will enjoy rewarding myself with the best lemon pie I have ever tasted.
I’m staring at a 40 mile ride on Sat, followed by a 9-10 mile run on Sunday. Luckily the weather will be nice.
No training for me, just recovery after a surgery.
No training at all… easy golf, recovering from a dental problem
Long swim today, ride tomorrow. Sleep in on Sunday.
10 mile run at HM pace
Doing Sa Calobra on Mallorca.
Long slow run to build up the base.
Run 5k on A treadmill
Tri training
Very easy run. Suffering from an inflamed tendon which I’m hoping will largely be fixed before Sunday’s 10 or so miles easy.
Going on the “long” ride of the season with my wife (who doesn’t ride through the winter as much as I do.) She indicated either our 12-mile or possibly the 16-mile ride. We didn’t actually get much of a winter this year, and it’s already getting quite spring-like about a month ahead of the usual.
2.5 hr taper ride + 20′ brick on Sat.
50′ swim on Sun
Prep for Oceanside
Last real weekend of training prior to the Rotterdam Marathon. 2,5 hours of egg hunting in the dunes to look forward to!
Just joined a gym so that I can swim and get some quick triathlon practice in – I’m happy with my running and cycling.
Stair work out at McClellan Ranch in Cupertino, followed by some rugby.
40-50 miles on the bike on Saturday helping a buddy shake out a new ride.
This weekend my training plans are to go on a nice long ride to get my legs working after a slow winter.
Weather is getting a little nicer here in Ottawa so I am going to try to get out for a bike ride (outdoor). If not, maybe an outdoor run. And worst case scenario I will just sit on my couch and enjoy my Easter off…
I’m doing one last long run before the taper for the Boston Marathon! Then having celebratory pancake =D
Saturday: 8 mile run; Sunday: 2500m swim
Looking forward for my first run after a severe cold.
This Easter i will do a brick training on Sunday and on Saturday i will do a 2:30 hour bike ride
Time to build the base! Planning to ride around 50 miles on Saturday with a mix of terrain. Should see elevation gains of around 2500 feet for this ride. The weather is not looking so good for Sunday. Weather permitting I will sneak in a 25-30 mile ride.
Both a run and a ride, lets get ready for the tour of flanders (for tourists)
Heading up to the mountains for some skiing which will hopefully not totally kill my legs for the next week on the bike.