Heads up – Massive Sports Tech Holiday Deals List is Live!!! The Garmin Fenix 8 is $250 off (even the Fenix 8 Pro is $100 off!), the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on sale, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is $249, the GoPro Hero 13 Black, DJI NEO, and a ton of other brands/deals, including Wahoo, Oura, Whoop, Polar, Samsung, Google, and more than 100 sports tech deals 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.
Recovering from a cracked rib and hurt back, so easing back into the pool and some cadence spins with drills. May jog a few miles next weekend.
Enjoying the weekend with the kids eating candy!
Cycle 3km, swim 500m and interval running with active recovery for 2km on Saturday. Squats, splits, calves exercise with ankle strengthening session on Sunday.
Lot´s of chocolate, bike with kids, and some running
I took some rest days this weekend, but still made a few short jonts around town.
I’m working Easter Monday but still worked in 2 runs and an intense community easter egg hunt!
I got one long run in and then a day off from training to let the body recover and spend time with the family!
I took the day off on Friday and Sunday, and just did a 10.6 mile ride on Saturday, then an 11.1 mile ride this morning.
Did a 12 km GA1 run on sunday since this was my schedule in the trainign plan for the upcoming halfmarathon two weeks later.
My weekend plan was: all skiing, all the time. And I executed on it, despite complaints from my unfit body.
Planned on a long run but settled for two shorter runs instead
Slow weekend with the family, so only some walking and little training
I will be out with me friends for a 3 days training. Our target is to 300km with 4500 elevation in 3 days.
I did a 7 mile speed work run.
a double century
Just a nice easy run
I am planning to run 14m in Marrakesh this weekend, and I’ll go slow…….then I’ll go to my favorite Italian restaurant.
I spent the Easter Weekend going on runs thru the city of Lucerne, Switzerland
Tried to do the first outdoor ride of the year but ended up just eating tons of food with family and friends…
I managed an easy cycle on Friday (it was windy) and a 76 mile cycle today. I would of ran but my knee is gubbed
Did World Half Marathon on Saturday and a nice easy 5k today
In anticipation for a Half marathon next weekend and the feast later that afternoon, 9 miles of a tempo run was necessary. At least I think it was about 9…
16 oz hydration drills with a variety of hop flavored water
Long ride on Saturday and a mix of short rides, runs and weight training the rest of the weekend, which will be slotted in as schedule allows :)
Well, plan was a 7 miles easy run yesterday, and trying out tabata today, but with the storm with yellow warning knocking down trees etc, let’s say I don’t feel entirely safe!
Nice trail run on one of the Dutch islands being Vlieland!
Training plans for the weekend, delicious easter brunch with family and friends followed by a run around central park
2 runs, 6 mile tempo and 4 mile recovery
Along with working all weekend, I got in a run on Saturday and a ride on Sunday. Happy post easter.
For the weekend, just a light run, and rest a lot.
Going to run 3 miles easy, just to wear off a little of the candy…
Trail run time!
Last resto before the tri-season
I rode 18 miles on a bike, which was my first time on a bike in 14 years. Yep. But it was fun! Did nothing the rest of the weekend.
Weekend training plans: lots of mountain bike riding to get ready for the Austin Rattler 100k on April 9th!
Big orienteering competitioin this weekend.
Driving across the province of Ontario to visit the in-laws! (Unfortunately I injured my knee recently, so an Easter egg hunt will be as much training as I get)
Racing a 5k on Saturday, back to daily run training on Monday.
Training plan for last weekend was 13 miles and weight lifting. I’d hoped to ride, but a rainy Easter prevented that.
Next weekend, I’ll be in D.C. for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler.
Easy part: two half-marathon length runs at 5:00 min/km. Hard part: four kids’ soccer matches (as a soccer dad) ;-)
Do a indoor class on Saturday and then did a longer faster outdoor ride on Sunday – no bunnies were harmed.
A trip on the indoor trainer.
Lots of easy training this weekend – need to give my knees a rest!
Long easy ride around
A hard 10k with two or three 1km intervals included which are coincidentally also Strava segments.
The wife and I did a 6K charity run on Friday followed by a 50K Easter Bunny Populaire.
Did a interval training on the Tacx yesterday, two days storm is not ideal to ride outside.
On vacation with my family this week for spring break – so just chasing the kids around…
Planning on my first outdoor ride of the year!
I was a simple 10k with my fiancee , training for our first triathlon =D
train for 100 mile race in Utah
Getting over jet lag with an easy 5k.
I will do a couple of short rides over the weekend and then a long ride on Monday.
10k on Saturday, and made an egg on Strava on my easy run Sunday for Easter!
Well, the weekend is over, but I got in a fast 45-mile ride Friday, an easy 30 miler Saturday, and a long 65 miles Sunday!
4 hr z2 ride with some bursts.
1 hour swim, 2 hour bike ride, 2 hour run and some Easter candy!
Run, run and run some more… spring is here and the weather makes running much more fun
This weekend? I’m going to a wedding – but to combine training with social activities I’m riding up there (~70 miles) on Saturday morning and riding back on Sunday night. Making it an adventure :)
I will have this years first real outdoor ride!
The snow finally melted away now during easter :)
Did a short run on Friday and then layed off for time with family
Trainer and then short interval sprints to grab egg-shaped like items hidden in various locations.
Planned and executed some hill repeats with my brother-in-law before Sundays Easter Dinner. Hydrated with beer. Awesome!
The goal was a long ride on Saturday and 45 min run on Sunday, but my Garmin decided to not work so no one knows what I actually did or did not do. It’s out of warranty so I’ll have to buy a new one.
I plan to ride my road bike on the warmest part of the day this weekend. No more sub zero snow rides.
Well, I missed the weekend part but it looks like I can still enter.
We rode in the car a lot, and then did short runs Saturday and Sunday. Nothing spectacular, but spectacular won’t win this, random numbers will.
Finish off another 13+ hour week with a long 90ish miles friday and easier rides Saturday & Sunday… Tapering for race next Sunday
Crushed a few bike rides outside before 3rd winter comes in today and ate a pizza for Easter
I’m moving this weekend. There will be lots of walking, last minute packing but most importantly, lots of running up and down staircases to turn an otherwise boring move into a fun workout!
Long run “sandwich”: Saturday 22M long run; Sunday 10M “recovery”.
Easter dinner with the family
This weekend I have a five mile pace run for Saturday and 1:45 worth of running on Sunday as part of my prep for the Lincoln Half. Having some new training tools would make my day! :)
I will be traveling to Florida this weekend, so my plan is to survive the humidity and get a decent long run in between 100 and 120 minutes.
Intermediate shop ride at lbs. Hill climbs on trails with dogs.
I am planning on doing zero training this weekend :-)
Trying to squeeze a couple of run in between flights,10k race on sat and definitively a long run this weekend.
Nice easy 6M loop run in Central Park with D Anders and E Hadad.
Long run at the in-laws house before too much chocolate.
This weekend just relaxing with family, drinking good Italian wine and lots of eggs.
Seeing as I just saw this today….
This weekend will have been:
100K+ ish “hill” training through the wild flowers Saturday.
Sunday, grab the single speed, head into the countryside and totally ignore all metrics during the ride…(of course have VivoActive tracking though because no track or entry on Strava means it didn’t happen eh?)
Monday…probably Sufferfest Nine Hammers squeezed in at lunch
50 mile base ride!
I’m going to try to ride on a day without my water bottle freezing up!
Due to a snow storm I went on a 12 mile run on the treadmill…
going for a century ride in a hilly area
Great weather in Houston this weekend. 6 mile tempo run on Friday with my best friend/training buddy. Swim workout on Saturday, and hill intervals/power work on Sunday!
I ran on Saturday and pushed chocolate eggs most of the day Sunday..
Terrible weekend, I had no time to train :-(
Anaerobic threshold run Friday. Long run Sunday.
Easter egg hunt with the munchkins! Yes you can totally turn this into a HIIT. Long run and rack of lamb (probably in that order).
Finished 100/100 running challenge last week. So it is hardcore pool and bike time now. Hitting the pool and lunch every day this week and getting in at least 2 long rides even if I freeze to death.
This weekend I finished a 70 mile ride and 6 mile run just before it started hailing…lucky I guess.
Long run on Sunday!
Long rides cause spring has sprung in the great old Midwestern USA states. 3 hours Friday, 3 hours Saturday, 4 hours Sunday. #baselife
I just completed my first 1/2 marathon this weekend and signed up for another one a couple months from now… so I will probably start training for that one.
I have done a long ride, long run, two long pool session. Woohoo!!!
Considering I’ve moved to a new location, my plans are to explore the forests there! Can’t wait to find new trails, etc. No bunnies, but probably with icecream :P
I had a long run of 14mi on Saturday then on Easter Sunday had a run of 8mi.
Training plan involved a long slow run 15km as well as interval sprints
Was a light weekend at the end of a recovery week – just one group ride on Sat (~60k) which was mostly easy, with a few efforts thrown in. Now I just have to shake this cold so I can leverage that recovery for the next 6 week training block.
Rode 40 miles power Z2. Was more exhausting that it should have been. Then rode 45 minutes with the Niece who is 9 (and needs the exercise – heavier than I was as a kid). Rode 30mins back home. Same Zone2.
Sunday. Early. Finally some traffic relief here in Phx. Rode out to the ‘hills’ to hit a 18% grade I have not done in a while. 55miles total. Various zone. Trying to improve my pathetic FTP.
Grilled lunch for my sister and niece of asparagus, salmon, potatoes, and peaches for easter.