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.
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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.
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.
Tapering for Paris Marathon – “Where the Foch is the finish?”
Going for a 30 mile ride Saturday & Sunday in Long Island!
Plan for long ride and start to run again after got some injuries.
Two runs planned, dodging tourists visiting the just opened Keukenhof
Crossfit session Saturday, rest Sunday and chocolate eating session, repeat Monday (Crossfit of course)
25 km easy
20 km easy
18 km fast
Have everything on the billet today; 90 min ride just slow and steady, 2400m swim in the pool this afternoon followed by an easy 5k run. Sunday I’ll be heading out for my long run, let’s hope my Garmin 310 crashes (yet again) and I win so I can up-grade to something more reliable!
Races last weekend, no nothing big this weekend. Hope to push my daughter for 5k on Sunday to earn my turkey.
My in-laws are staying with us for Easter week (that’s right, there is no “end”). So, I’m planning to get in plenty of long, slow distance runs.
I’m planning on rowing 10 to 15 K on Saturday (if it’s not too windy), and riding about 40K on Saturday.
I plan on working out with some Indian Clubs this weekend!
Just some light cycling in the muck and slush.
Today: 10 km run, 30 km biking on Saturday and 15 km running on Monday afternoon.
My plans were to carefully take up running again, after almost three months of forced inactivity due to severe knee pain. I just returned and it went well. Sunny weather, short trousers, no pain at all. I’m happy!
I’ve got my last long run before the London marathon; 24 miles with the last 3 at marathon pace.
finishing up the 40km running plan for the week, and a quick bikeride if I ever manage to clean the machine
Pre riding a mtb course for a race in two weeks. Ham, beer, and peeps on Sunday!
Saturday ocean swim and Sunday morning run on the beach in Rayong, Thailand.
Going to take a couple of family rides this weekend. The wife just got a new Trek that she loves. Next week it’s back to gravel racing!
Skiing in Graubünden/Switzerland
A short run on Saturday and Batman vs Superman on Sunday.
Just easy jogging after a sore knee kept me away from running in the last couple of months :/
10k run yesterday, maybe a swim later on today and another 10k run tomorrow.
Training – Long run of 7 miles. Currently training for a 10K leg of an upcoming marathon relay race next month!
first 6k run after a long break
Saturday training ride for upcoming local century charity ride, and a 5k run on Sunday afternoon.
Sat Brick Buke+Run (2h30+30)
Sun Run 15k
Already went swimming yesterday and my goal on Sunday is to do a trial run for the 8km I will be doing on April 10th.
1h run and 3h bike in the beautiful countryside where all the easter bunnies come from.
I’ll go for a quick run today and tomorrow hopefully it’s gonna be hot enough so all the ice/snow on the road will be gone and I can go for my 2nd ride of this year. Canada winter here…
Training will be limited as completed my first half marathon this morning. May need to do very short recovery run.
My plan for the weekend is to do a indoor ride while watching the E3 on Friday, try out the new mountain route on Zwift on Saturday (I’ve been away on easter vacation) and get my bike outdoor for my first outdoor ride this year on Sunday before watching the Gent-Wevelgem post-ride.
Saturday a short 7-10 km run and maybe a short swim in the pool if I have the energy. Sunday a longer run.
4.6 mile run yesterday. 30 mile bike today. Supposed to be cloudy and rainy tomorrow so looks like a good day for some lap swimming – aiming for 2300-2500 yards. Nutrition: TBD. Whatever strikes the tastebuds. Always have some Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix and Fruit Drops for the runs and rides and Daily Electrolyte Drink for the recovery periods.
(Long) weekend training.
So far: (Thurs) Regents Park laps morning, velodrome evening. (Fri) 100 miles. (Sat) More RP laps.
To come: Sunday: beer and curry. Monday: depends on how many beers…
Medium run for testing my brand new VO2Max App on my Garmin Vivoactive.
Debug chocolate Week !!!
Long run Sunday. Aiming for 30km, followed by a binge on chocolate :)
Saturday: hiking 2-3 hours
Sunday: 60-90 minute ride if possible; 30 minute run if not. Lots of chocolate.
Hoping to catch up on training after a week with the world’s worst cold. Maybe a not-so-long long run today.
Tomorrow i plan to MTB 30km.
Workout will be a 2:45 brick, a swim and some yoga.
I will be doing two easy runs this weekend hopefully 8-9 miles on Saturday and probably 6-7 on Sunday.
Finished my first half marathon this morning so no real training. Maybe a short recovery run early next week.
Happy Easter!
I’ll be working my PT strength sessions (I’m four weeks post-op on my knee). Plus, I’m able to move up to a whopping 20 minutes on the trainer (can you taste the sarcasm?)
But still, at least it’s activity! Thanks to you and Clever Training for another great giveaway!
I have a 7 mi run planned for Sunday with my wife as a part of training for a half marathon in May.
Some tennis with the oldsters!
Got a trainer ride in on Friday. Saturday is meant to be a long run. Then will enjoy a day off on Sunday. Hope all have a great weekend.
Hope you mean 2016!
Got an hour bike ride Saturday and a 90min run on Sunday preparing for a half-marathon in May.
London to Brighton bike ride
Hide them for my 4 and 6 year old, suffer from my hernia and maybe, if there is time left, try to ride my bike…
Weather doesn’t meet expectations, I’ll see.
Started on Saturday with a 75 km ride which will be follwowed by two runs on Sunday and Monday to loose some weight. Happy easter to all!
FTP Test Friday, Long Run Saturday, and Easter Feasting all day Sunday.
A 14km trail run and a mountain bike ride
It’s Easter weekend so most likely only some walks.
Maybe a long, long run, if there is time.
I’ll be taking a rest weekend in combination with a buddy’s bachelor party. Reverse training?
A 19k long run awaits me. Hope I find some reasonable route around the vacation place.
a 16-18km run on this sunday…
Today an awesome season start of my cyclingclub! Great ride in great weather
Training this weekend is going to consist of a ride with a good friend around Poolesville, Maryland, and either a ride or a run around Millersville, Md, tomorrow.
a nice Bike Ride with my Family (about 80km) on Monday.
2 hours on the trainer this weekend as it is snowing (3 inches so far today).
Hill repeats on the menu for today. Rest tomorrow.
My training is to get back into the gym and recover from some niggling injuries.
On Saturday: 1:30 hours run and 3700m swim(+ 800m swim test);
On Sunday: 3:30 hours cycling with some works and 40min run;
Easy Run Saturday, Longish run Sunday and chocolate eggs for recovery, If chocolate milk is good, chocolate eggs must be better.
Doing some trainerroad.com sweet spot base training low volume II .
My other half hides chocolate eggs over 4 sq km and provides clues so I burn off the chocolate with each new find.
I am still recovering from my first marathon last weekend so I’ll just be doing a short/easy bike on Saturday (probably about 15-18 miles).
Will run my last 28k LR before Messini’s (Greece) marathon in two weeks time :)
Camping, hiking, surfing, mountain biking. Easter is all about cross training, that is how the hot bun got its name after all.
A couple 40 mile rides around Germany training for upcoming sportives in Belgium.
I ran 6 miles this morning and will ride fifteen quick miles tomorrow. I have to work off all that candy!
Need to start training…
Heading up to Teacup Lake for some XC skiing with the family!
Short ride on Saturday with blocks of jackrabbit sprints to prepare for Easter deliveries to grandkids on Sunday.
If the weather will allow it, a 3hrs ride on monday morning. happy easter to all!
Hoping the weather cooperates so I can do a ride out to the lighthouse. Thanks for the giveaway!
Just a couple of short runs with my kiddos
Just done 5×0.75M @ 5:45m/m + 5M @ 6:58
Early stages training for IM Louisville! 2.5hr bike today and an 1hr run + 1700yd in the pool tomorrow.
Casual taper weekend for Knoxville Marathon. Run 5k with daughter. Run with son while learning to ride bike.
Group ride to take advantage of this incredible weather today, then off to DC for some spring break sight seeing, and hopefully a couple of runs around the capital with my family. Happy Easter!
Some interval work on the trainer. 3 weeks to mtb race day. :)
Easy run today and then Sunday is long run day.
Three weeks out from Boston and I have a 20 Mile run on the schedule today!
Still recovering from the Catalina Marathon so a short TRX session today and an easy 8 miler tomorrow. Doing Ragnar SoCal as an ultra team in a week!
Resting up due to an epic head cold. Hopefully getting in a 50 miler at steady pave tomorrow, it all depends how I feel
50 mile gravel grinder and 50 mile road ride….perfect weather in Houston!
I’m heading out for a 4.5 mile run today and then a long run tomorrow of 12-14 miles. Looking forward to a 70 degree day!
Physio for my burst vertebra on Saturday :( Rest on Sunday
18 mile run today and a 15-16 mile run tomorrow :)
Saturday I’ve got 3.5hour ride on the trainer followed by a 30min brick run. Sunday I’ve got a long run 2hours. I’m gearing up for a 70.3
First training brick of the season! Plus a swim and long run to round it out.
Much needed rest day today; 12 mile run tomorrow. Then hosting easter dinner at my house. Wheeeee
Trying to get back in the swing of running while on vacation. Have a moderate 5-ish mile trail run planned in the beautiful terrain around Tucson, AZ. Plan to hit up either an out and back section of the 50 year trail at Catalina State Park or do the Canyon loop trail. Loving the scenery here!
Excited for the nicer weather here so I can finally get a long ride in off the rollers!
I will commute to work, m-f, 20 miles each way.
20 miles run on sunday and cycle with the fiancee on monday