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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
Tag Archives: Running
Failboat, now arriving
Within the small circle of friends that I run with on a regular basis we often joke about committing a ‘fail’ – as epitomized on the fail blog via the Failboat. While I personally manage many fails on a daily … Read More Here
Back to the track…and Seattle.
The last few days in Seattle have been great. I’ve been out here for work, but I’m able to get a ton of non-work things in as well.After arriving Monday afternoon I swung downtown to pickup my relevant conference speaker … Read More Here
Kayaking, Long Swims and Rifles
I’ve been a wee bit busy over the last few days – especially since Thursday afternoon. I’m SOOO far behind in e-mail, catching up with reading folks blogs, and really just about everything. So here’s the rundown. I tried to … Read More Here
Going Long
This weekend was all about the long game. Long swim, long bike. The usual long run comes Tuesday. I actually spent Saturday morning baking, making a nice breakfast and making ice cream (which is a post for later this week). … Read More Here
The long run
Given tonight was my usual Tuesday 20-miler night, I had about 2.5 hours to think to myself. While I was realizing the error of having a Chipotle Burrito for lunch (holy crap…no really..holy crap – I had to go so … Read More Here
Faux Race
This weekend was a solid mix of different stuff, not overwhelmingly busy – but just good-type busy.Saturday:At 6:53AM I was laying in bed deciding whether or not I wanted to join up with the running group to do loops around … Read More Here
Become a Brooks Running Tester
While bumbling around Brooks’ site trying to find a specific t-shirt, I stumbled into this little section off the main page – which allows you to signup to test out Brooks shoes. http://www.brooksrunning.com/Fun+Stuff/Become+a+Lab+Rat/ I tried signing up, but apparently I … Read More Here
GW Parkway 10 Miler Report: Aka – the mother of all negative splits
Alternate titles: “Top 20 finish”, “How to take photos on the run”, “How not to take photos on the run”, “How to lay down a monster 100 yard sprint finish”, “PR baby”, “I should cycle 90 miles the day before … Read More Here
Robots at an Ironman Transition Area?
If the Japanese have their way – quite possibly. In this week’s TGIF video I present to you some solid evidence of impending transition area world robotic dominance. This system can handle over 9,400 bikes, so a paltry 2,000 at … Read More Here
Registered for NYC Marathon…again.
I tried last year to get into NYC Marathon via the lottery. But it didn’t pan out (aka I didn’t get lucky). I’m trying again this year for the lottery. If it doesn’t work out I’ll simply pick up one … Read More Here
Newspaper Running Roundup
Think of this like a bit of a link clearance. Stuff I saved up that’s interesting, but didn’t have any specific post to put it in.Running is a drug:Most of us have felt the ‘high’ of endorphins after a good … Read More Here
Trust the Fork
I think my weekends are getting busier. And not just from training – but life in general. I’m not sure at what point combustion will occur, but I’ll let ya know if it happens. Friday: The Washington National’s moved from … Read More Here
Running: Love or hate?
I saw this last night on TV, pretty cool ad from New Balance. Exactly how I feel sometimes.Btw…officially the shortest post EVAH from me.
Busy Busy Bumble Bee
Today was nothing short of long. Not quite exhausting though – just tiring. So much stuff packed into so little time. Up at 5:35AM to catch a 6:55AM flight from Reagan National Airport to Atlanta. The cool part about DCA … Read More Here
Blame Canada – Canadian Blogger Infiltrates DCRainmaker grounds
A few weeks back Canadian* blogger Bruno from 70.3Challenge e-mailed me to let me know he’s going to be in town. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to take an ‘out of towner’ on a whirlwind tour of the city. … Read More Here
Whirlwind Weekend Wrapup
I knew going into this weekend that things were going to get interesting….and busy. But that’s all good – I like being busy.Day Before SaturdayBut my weekend really started on Friday morning… with my first technique session with the new … Read More Here
Bike, Work, Bike, Bike Again, Run, Jump
Tis the story of my day. For some reason, I rarely think through how it will all fit together – until after I do it. I just simply take one item at a time and then deal with the next … Read More Here
Running in the rain
The training continues on. Just under three weeks left till the first race of the year and things are coming together fairly nicely. I was somewhat worried just 3-4 short weeks ago as my knee was seemingly off in it’s … Read More Here
Sausage Fest!
It was time. It was time for a collection of the male species to gather and fest. This could only be done properly in the company of over 25 sausages. We’re talkin’ about tasty, juicy, thick and plump ones. Ya … Read More Here
Weekend Wrap-up
For the first time since last fall, I was finally able to complete a full week’s worth of ‘normal’ workouts without worrying about injury – nor paying for it later with an annoyed knee. While it certainly wasn’t a super-heavy … Read More Here
Woohoo – snow!
I haven’t had much snow this year here in DC. Very disappointing. Really only once while I was actually in town, and it simply made a mess of the roads and hosed up a long bike ride. So when it … Read More Here
Jumping Houses
We spent the morning of our second and final day skiing in France on the Courchevel side of the Three Valley’s Resort. As I mentioned yesterday, the ski area is really a collection of a number of resorts all seamlessly … Read More Here
The Trifecta
Yesterday was a busy-bee day here in Seattle. I had three sports planned, plus a full day of work sandwiched in between.It started off with a hour long bike ride out to Alki point and back (from downtown along the … Read More Here
Seattle Running
One of the things I enjoy about getting back to Seattle is the running. Mostly because it’s always cool – but without the dryness of the DC area. Although sometimes that does indeed mean sucky rain (ok..most times), but sometimes … Read More Here
Chicago Marathon Folks: Watch out for running balls!
So today is the big day if you’re planning on signing up for the Chicago Marathon. Registration started at midnight this morning (CST timezone) for the 31st running of the Chicago Marathon. Today’s TGIF post brings you a reminder to … Read More Here
Brickman
After yesterday’s brickage – I am the brickman. Well…technically these dudes down in Texas are the brickman, but I certainly feel like I could be the brickman. Yesterday’s swim, ride & run was the first time I’ve done three sports … Read More Here
A frozen slip and slide
Some things in life are more difficult in the snow. Activities such as building a house, sunbathing and gardening come to mind. Some activities are easier in the snow; such as skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. And then there is riding … Read More Here
Running it all off
There are certain times of the year where running with less is better. For example – 100* in the summer – the less you wear, the more comfortable you are (at least me). Running along a sandy beach – perhaps … Read More Here
The State of my State
So this is my 2007 wrap-up and 2008 goals post all in one – and a few days later then the rest of the blogosphere. Cause really – ya’ll got your fill of reading the resolutions and goal posts last … Read More Here
Registration Reminder: “Spirit of the Marathon” movie in theatres one day only
In case you haven’t heard yet – there’s a movie about the Chicago Marathon that will be playing nationwide for just 1 night (Thursday, January 24th, 2008). You have to register via Active.com, but it’s at a ton of major … Read More Here
Monday Race Registration Reminder
Just a quick reminder about a few upcoming race registration times/dates: The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler here in DC opens tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8AM sharp! It sold out last year in two days (or so they say, I thought it … Read More Here
You think you can run fast? Think again.
This Friday’s most excellent TGIF running/tri related video is probably one of my all time favorites. I think the music and announcers voice really makes it even better, but even by itself it’s just so darn impressive. Especially towards the … Read More Here
Mini-Marathons
Ok – I don’t get it. Why do people call things a “Mini-Marathon”? Why does someone go around and say “I ran a mini-marathon, have you run a mini-marathon?”. I don’t know, what the heck is a mini-marathon? Is it … Read More Here
Nutrition on the run
So if you read the title of this post, you probably thought you were going to get some long-winded technical explanation regarding nutrition during the run segment of a tri or a running race. But not today! Because it’s Friday, … Read More Here
Upcoming local DC running races (plus one in Cali)
I got an e-mail from Pacers a few days ago with a list of a few major/minor upcoming running races in the DC area. These are the ‘official’ dates, now that the event dates are confirmed. So mark your calendars! … Read More Here