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.
On Saturday will do a 8 km run to the bakery get the breakfast for the family and the run back.
On Sunday I will just enjoy a Happy Easter Breakfast with lots of goodie foods.
On Monday I will have to do a 25 km run to burn those calories from Sunday. But enjoying that as much as the breakfast on Sunday.
A few short runs to start things up slowly and eating a lot of lamb goodies. I consider that exercise :-)
Go on 60 mile rides on Friday and Sunday and fit a tempo run in between on Saturday.
I’m probably going on a couple short runs and a couple short rides.
Hit hills and new trails in Schonbrunn palace. Long weekend are good for you :-)
Friday – weight training;
Saturday – indoor spin;
Sunday – Weight training + tempo run.
Ran the Two Oceans Ultra today, so rest tomorrow!
Stretch exercises and some walking are in line for this weekend, it’s been a long Winter! May give the bike a little cleaning.
Friday was a day a alpine skiing in the glades and moguls at Le Massif. Sunday will be a 90 min ride on Zwift.
I’m gonna have a long hilly ride on sunday morning, followed by a long family lunch and topped with an even longer graduation party
Thanks for your great reviews, always inspiring
Have a nice day you all!
I ran the Two Oceans Half Marathon this morning, so I plan to rest for the remainder of the weekend :-)
This weekend I will do some cross-country skiing on Saturday and run 10k. On Sunday I plan to make a longer run 15-25k, depending on the weather.
What training plan? With family visiting, I won’t back to to the program until after noon on Monday.
Taking it easy this weekend with the family. Plans start next week…
Looking to rest the legs after a very blustery parkrun 5k (plus getting there and back!) for the rest of the day, followed by an early start to hit the trails for hopefully a tough and hilly 14 miles! Wouldn’t mind trying a good trail-friendly watch with elevation etc, and wish I had one to know exactly how much gain I got at last week’s short and sharp fell race (600ft climb off the bat, in about a mile!)
Happy Easter Ray and all!
Make a testride with new bike stuff along the river Main (Mainradweg) in Frankonia/Bavaria, Germany
5k run on Saturday morning, followed by extended hot cross bun intervals for rest of weekend.
Well, the plan was a bit of easy running to see how the bad knee is getting on, but it’s turned into cycling repeatedly into work to reset a bit of equipment that’s decided the Easter weekend is the perfect time to filp out.
Leaving Paris for my natal belgium and running in the silent woods there and moutainbiking
Hilly 100km bike ride today, easy Z2 tomorrow and mobility Monday!
Power Yoga and a long run. Let’s make it happen!
Sunday a long run & saturday a ride
Plan a long run of 20 miles in preparation of the London marathon.
Planning on doing 2h on the rollers to be ready for summer!
Sat a short 50min run with 25min SS and 5min max efforts. Sun is a much needed rest day and of course cleaning up and chocolate eggs the kids miss.
Zwift 100km and 10km run
A 7k run today and a long swim tomorrow.
Hopefully…
I’ve got a couple of shorter sprints on the bike and hopefully a long run.
Taking a 5 mile run with the hubby!
Lots of running. Great forecast for the weekend!
Already done a trainer ride during the kids naps on Friday and then a 60-80km ride along the west coast of Table Mountain on Monday morning (will eat eggs instead of bars :) )
this weekend will run 10 miles, and interval training, plus weight training
Running on Friday, swimming on Saturday and cycling on Sunday and Monday.
New runner. Building miles since January. Not sure what the next goal will be, but hoping to clear 75 miles before the 1st. I’m at 65 now, which is as far as I’ve ever logged so far in a month! So that’s the workout plan. Keep going and see how far I can go.
Plan to do a 90 minute ride on Saturday, followed by two large family get togethers with large meals.
Taking a 3 mile run with the wife before we spend hours making the eggs as hard to find as possible. The only problem is sometimes we forget where we hid them!!
Two Oceans Ultra Marathon 56km, done and dusted this morning. Now for some easter eggs!
I’m going to run and maybe a ride on sunday.
sat 40m group ride
maybe a sunday afternoon short recovery ride
Medium run on Saturday and a Turbo session on Sunday since it’s raining (again!) in the UK
I did a total body workout this morning and tomorrow is a 3 mile run
Getting back into training mode after some time off
Feeling wonderful and happy :)
Oh and had a great birthday celebration yesterday too !
Going for a 2 hour run on Saturday and a 3 our bike on Sunday
Hopefuly be able to do a long run and a short interval training in preparation for a HM in two weeks.
Friday, easy trail Run. Saturday, 3 hr bike ride (no rain this weekend in Vancouver!). Sunday, 10k run and strength workout. Happy Easter everyone!
I’m on the mend right now. So I’ll be doing my Plantar Fasciitis PT exercises and then heading out into the yard to plant wildflower seeds, startup the irrigation, and clean out a few flower beds. Spring is here!
4 hour mountain bike run and hopefully a family hike
Getting a quick commute in to and from work, but that’s about it. It’d be good if I could get in a longer ride; however, it doesn’t seem likely.
Some easy running! Thanks!
10-12 miles running on Sunday before dinner. Then lots and lots of food.
Canal runs, airport runs. Plane ride, cycle ride. (As long as the weather holds up!)
For tous week nearly 110km ouch!
Friday cycled 40miles mixed on/off road in glorious sunshine.
Saturday 20 miles cycle ride in windy pouring rain :-( (that’s the UK for you!)
Sunday Swim Ladder at the local pool.
Thanks a lot!
Tapering for Oceanside
It’s going to be a busy weekend, but I’m looking to squeeze in at least two 20 – 30 mile rides.
For sunday: 1-1.5 light trail running with my favourite person.
Friday: Backcountry Whistler, BC
Saturday: 50k Bike Ride
Sunday: Yoga/Rehab
I ran 11k today, The plan for sunday is a 2hr30 cycle with a run off the bike
13-14 mile long run on Sunday and a Netflix binge on Daredevil afterwards!
I’m walking and eating (chocolate included) and drinking wine. and probably shoveling some dirt.
I ran 15k Friday so Saturday is day off. Sunday I hope to run 3k with my 11 year old daughter and some 4k with my son. After this I might go for some interval training. For this a Fenix watch would be king.
BR Poul Erik aka Pollerunner
I plan to hop on the trainer Saturday and go for a quick run Sunday.
Easy 200km ride.
Go for a couple of 10k runs, hope it doesn’t rain to much and eat a rabbit or 2 with my kids ;)
Brick on Saturday (2 hr bike and short run after) with a longer run and swim on Sunday night.
Some hills session, getting ready for Portland Ronde 2016!
Maybe some chocolate as well!
Playing roller derby and chasing small children around
Bike Saturday, swim and run Sunday
Today 60k ride, tomorrow 1 hour in the gym and for monday (part of the Easterweekend here in Holland) a 2 hour MTB ride. In between i’ll be eating chocolate.
Setting up jelly bean trail for my daughter and hopefully eating them with her. Maybe a quick ride too but mainly jelly beans
Slow short run down the beach with my wife.
A swim in Cape Town’s Sea Point outdoor pool. A hike around Lion’s Head. A trail run. Oh, and a bit of chocolate here and there. :)
Preparing for the Dark Side Challenge. 6 miles Sat, 11 miles Sun. Followed up with stealing niece/nephews Easter candy.
Run – ride – run and repeat again
…I’m running the “Chocolate Bunny” – nigttime trail marathon (Saturday night to Sunday morning). It’s the last of the training runs for MMT 100 in May. Put on by the best ultra running club in the world, VHTRC, it’s free (one aid station donation) and you get a chocolate bunny when you finish.
At least 2 runs to get all that sugar out… Did 9k today with my son in the stroller, planning a 12k on Monday. Tomorrow it’s all about chocolate and running after the Easter bunny!
At least one 5 mile run plus some indoor climbing.
My running program doesn’t start until April 4th so i’m doing a lot of compound weight training (stronglifts 5×5) for the off season.
I managed to have a peak week before Easter, so I’m happy to be in regerneration phase. Nonetheless, I went for a short ride to a good ice cream shop 20km away..
10k race pace on Sunday morning
Drink a couple liters of beer, to hidrate the night before a 60km ride.
Thanks Ray
Lots of snow here in Denver so it’s time to cross train with some skiing.
A lot of walking, and stairs! -> easter spent in lake como, italy with the mrs.
30KM ride on Saturday, 18KM run on Sunday
Long cardio session
My weekend training started late Friday with a 3,000yd swim. Somehow my half marathon plan eased up on me this weekend: 5mi and 8mi. There is some room to go for the extra mile…
An easy run on Friday. Loads of eating on Saturday. Long run on SW Coastal park on Sunday. More eating on Monday.
Today, run work my dog and Hill training 8×1′ and then run home. Tomorrow easy run again with my poodle.
Hi – will enjoy a sunny halfmarathon. Try to make it close to race pace sub 1:30.
just a ride w my bike 30+ km or so and weight training in the gym.
I did a 5 mile half marathon pace run this morning and I am doing a 10 mile long run tomorrow, Easter morning. Training for the Cap City half next month!!
Run 5k each day
Today my plan was biking to the top of a Hill down, back up and down back home (28.23 kilometers). Tomorrow my plan was hiking but my group fell thru, so I needed to change plans to half an hour of trail running.
As spring is here and we finally have weather nice enough to roam the woods: loads and loads of disc golf. Or, some indoor biking, if the weather turns bad.
A few runs in the park with the family/stroller and maybe a longer bike ride on the North Shore (of Lake Ponchartrain).
Hikking in Greece (15+ km)
Running and some rather intense cross-training, that is, if you can call spring cleaning cross-training ;)
The beginning of a week long spring training camp in the beautiful Okanagan valley. Cycling and eating along with taking ice baths in Skaha Lake.
Do 3 hrs of spinning plus 3 outside rides weather permitting.
Today I did a nice trail with my son. Tomorrow bike + run and Monday I hope an OWS!
Thank you Ray
A walk around the park as part of running rehabilitation!