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.
I hope to get a chance for a nice long road ride through some hills around my place
Racing the Ottawa marathon
Lots of hiking and trail running. No particular structure.
Round island ride in Singapore!
Will be running all three days getting back into training after a little break.
Hang out at a lake cabin all weekend. Get out for a leisurely run or two. Maybe golf.
Final stages of IM build! Brick on Sat, run + BBQ Sun, REST Mon!
I have my wedding on Saturday .. so it’s gonna be that + i will attempt a bit of hungover interval training on Sunday.
Wish me luck
Should be fun :D
Unfortunately, the most I can hope for is a long walk since I had surgery on my wrist this week.
Gran Fondo training in “Le Parc de la Mauricie”
Seven mile run, shrimp seven ways, and plenty of grill action. Have a great weekend!
Still dealing with knee issues. A 20ish mile bike ride if I’m lucky. Nothing at all if I’m not.
10-mile run and 50-mile bike
I’m on vacation :) Instead of training I’ll just watch the last 2 stages of the giro.
My family will be in town from the UK (where Monday is also a holiday) for the weekend so we will be grilling baby, grilling – burgers!
Run, ride, repeat. 180 miles total.
slow jog on thursday (around 10k)
friday unfortunately I have to work
saturday 15 k moderate pace
Saturday long run, Sunday medium length run, Monday golf…
I have to work the next 4 days (each 12+ hours shifts)
But, will plan a quick jog in the AM before the dog walk. Does dog walking count?
I will run my first marathon this Sunday in Ottawa! So a short 30 minutes run Saturday to get ready.
I will end Sunday with a beer i think!
Mt Tam or OLH/Pescadero/Tunitas
Biking and running!
Will be cycling for few hours on Sunday. Tomorrow is a hard workday at the countryside.
I’ll be training with a short hike, some beers, and plenty of resting!
Boys weekend with my son, starting with parkrun tomorrow, and junior parkrun on Sunday. A night run on Monday hopefully.
Hoping to go out for a bike ride, if my bike’s back from repair!
A weekend long run for me here in Toronto. Probably followed up with a pint :)
A bit of mountain biking, a bit of running, a lot of burgers and beer. Then probably some more mountain biking.
3k pool swim
Longish ride, BBQ, kids cricket matches.
This weekend will be fun, swim training in an hour, running tomorrow and maybe some cycling, and sunday a 38k trail race with 1000m+, yes, it’ll be a fun fun weekend :D
9 mile long run, and a 40 mile bike ride on tap between the beach going.
I will be doing two solo rides this weekend. First Saturday, 1.5 hour endurance miles. Second Monday, Power Intervals for about 1.5 hours.
Aaron
Will go cycling with my “tri” girlfriend for sure. Storms are coming but will manage. Kids have their last Swim Competition of the year too! So sports are on the agenda.
Run again, now that my newborns are sleep trained
Running on the beach ALL weekend in between bbq’s and beers!
Long ride with Honister 92 to climb Great Dun Fell (840m), the highest paved road in England.
I’m going to cycle 3 hours at friday, then have a 2 hours swimming session on saturday with some running in the evening. On sunday i head out for a long run.
A full weekend of “Stretching.”
Running from the grill to the cooler to get more beer
Taking my new Shiv for a ride & praying I do ok in aero, followed by introducing the future inlaws to my fam at a Bbq…both will hopefully be successful. Probably an interval run too.
Teaching a new cyclist how to ride. Hoping to crack a 40 km loop.
Fingers crossed!
This weekend the plan is easy bike workout on sat and easy short run on sun. I now officially entered the tapering since next sat I will run Stockholm marathon!!! Ciao!
1h swim, 1h run and 3h bike rode. And lots of Family Fun!
2-3h bike ride on Saturday
30min run on Sunday
Have a nice WE
ABR Masters racing
I will be working repairing my yard from the installation of my new pool. then of course taking a dip in the pool.
Im off to Vegas this weekend!
So i will make up for it with a long ride on Monday when i get back
Thanks Ray appreciate it
Flying to Mallorca. Will ride there
swam outside this morning in 36F weather; the pool felt like a hot tub, but the walk back to the locker rooms sure didn’t. Tomorrow is a run in Eugene before the Prefontaine Classic.
and don’t be dissin’ on Spam, because Spam Musubi is a gift from heaven. All the sodium an endurance athlete needs (with none of the nutrients).
Hi there,
going to test my new cyclocross bike with the di2 :)
I think I have a ride on the Kickr, but I will have to confirm with my husband, the coach.
A slow, mid-distance run (6 miles or so) in the mountains on Saturday with my wife, and a trip to the pool to try and get myself back into “swim shape” (after taking a year and a half off) on Sunday. On Monday I fire up the grill and throw on whatever meats my friends choose to bring. And beer. Plenty of beer.
Today it is one hour on the TT Bike for some Tempo intervals. Tomorrow I ride the local Century. Sunday recover and then Monday Vo2Max interval day.
Run Friday and then a long run on Sunday. Maybe some swimming at some point. And beer.
Get a cycling team ride going in the DC area!
Same procedure as every week-end : get up and get fit !
Long ride on Saturday and then hanging out doing nothing for the remainder of the day.
Short run and swim on Saturday and long run on Sunday.
I would like to get out on my road bike on both mornings. But, the weather forecast is calling for rain, so I may have to settle for a couple of indoor rides on my KICKR.
5k swim Sat morning followed by moving 1/2 ton of crusher run for a patio base. Kids festival on Sunday followed by laying said patio on Monday ?
fasted state run saturday morning
swimming pool in the afternoon
long bike ride to go to my parents’ house for mother’s day
Studying for Bar exam. Maybe getting a cookout or run in.
Altitude training in the California Sierras. They just open the passes I love a few weeks ago and now it time to go 7k plus riding
Bike maintenance tonight, short ride plus travel Saturday, 3.8k lake swim race Sunday, sprint Tri Monday, die under a duvet Tuesday
Just weights and a couple of runs for speed. If the weather cooperates may go for a hike.
Easy running cross trained with spreading out 5 cubic yards of mulch. 10K race on Memorial Day proper
Pulling my daughter around in the new bike trailer. What else would you by your 1 year old for her birthday? Next year she gets the TT bike with training wheels.
Base miles and lamb burgers on the grill!
Probably a 12K run on Saturday.
It’s the final weekend before my race, so a practice tri is on the books. And then packing for our move. :(
I’m going to find some time for a nice, long run this weekend.
Weekend training plans is Saturday 60 mile road bike group ride and Sunday 40 mile climbing day.
I will be running for 5-10km on Saturday, depending on the weather in preparation for global running day on 1 june 2016. That will be followed by some strength training in the following morning and lots of walking in the afternoon at shopping malls.
Running, cycling, eating, drinking, repeat! Specifically, BBQ party tonight, long run tomorrow, and 120 km ride on Sunday.
Recovering from Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga last weekend so hopefully 30 miles Saturday on the bike and a 6 mile run Sunday. Probably a short ride Monday.
Thanks for everything you do on this site, Ray!
It’s hot in the Midwest. Get up early and Long run Saturday and Mknday. Sunday a day of rest.
Volunteering in Israel s women triathlon
Swimming intervals Saturday, gym and run Sunday. Ride Monday
Trying to sneak in a run between plans with friends!
I plan to ride a couple of local trails this weekend.
Saturday 2 hours bike with 2×20@Z3
Sunday 45min run and 2km swim
In between some red wine and a good steak
Long bike ride with the wife to get coffee and brunch
Our long run will have group taking turns carrying the American Flag!
Final long run as a race sim (wake up at 4 am) on Saturday. Maybe a short run or ride on Sunday. and enjoying friends and family on Monday!
Thanks Ray!
Compete in a sprint triathlon!!! Woho
Gonna be lots of running this weekend.
I will try to conquer 3 hills that got the best of me a while ago. 4000 ft of climbing over 30 miles
I did a Tri-Brick today (friday): 1.5k swim, 40k ride and 10k run. Tomorrow will be a rest day and sunday swimming race (on a pool)!
Some bike training around Firenze! In preparation for the Marathon of the Dolomites.
Friday run, Sunday long run. :)
I will run 13k run on saturday and a long bike ride on sunday approx 120km.
Short Run Today,
Long Run Saturday,
Bike Ride Sunday,
Half Marathon Monday AM, then Wake boarding in the PM
Riding in the nearby 7 Hills of Kirkland ride! 100 miles or bust.
Some nice long bike rides.. if the weather plays along
Two days of hard train on the bike :D
Fri. Short Brick
Sat. Long run & strength work
Sun. Swim & BBQ
Mon. Long Brick
Short run this morning, spin class this afternoon, 14 mile hike on Saturday, 4 mile hike on Sunday, and eating absurd amounts of bbq all weekend.
Sat – Swim followed by long run, followed by my son’s 4th birthday party, followed by San Jose Earthquakes game, followed by picking my parents up at the airport.
Sun – Long bike followed by tempo run, followed by nothing but relaxation.
Mon – Swim in the SF Bay followed by some serious BBQ and family time!
I am running a marathon next weekend, so I am in the last week of my taper. 12 mi medium-long run Saturday, off Sunday, 6 mile recovery run Monday.