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: Swimming
Swim, Bike, Run, Rinse, Repeat
Monday marked a return to the norm. The ever constant and cyclic training regime: Swim, Bike, Run, Rinse, Repeat (actually, there are many rinses, fear not). Except, the cool thing is that since I’ve got a race on Sunday (Nation’s … Read More Here
How to make bad BBQ
Another weekend, another busy boatload of stuff. In my continued attempts to keep things short, here’s the quick version.Friday:After having fun with the usual Friday IT2 trainer ride, it was time to watch the opening ceremonies. Without a doubt the … Read More Here
The Last Century (condensed version)
In an attempt to appease the blogosphere, I will try and make this weekend workout recap short. Really…I promise Sarah and Peter. So let’s jump right in. Saturday: Continuing the week over week increase in swim time, I swam 1hr … 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
17,575
It’s funny. A few months ago I was reading a friends blog (he’s an Elite Triathlon dude) and he noted weeks where he was pushing upwards of 20,000 yards. I thought to myself then…wow – there is no way I … Read More Here
Yogi!
In many ways, my weekends are somewhat predictable. Run, Swim, Laze Around, Sleep, Bike, Run. Repeat. But, I try and mix things up as much as possible to keep the routine from becoming stagnant. Saturday: I met up with the … 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
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
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
Fearing the swim? Fear not.
It’s been less than a year since I started swimming. My first pool swim was on April 9th, 2007. That day it took me 40 minutes to go 750 yards, or an average of 5:00/100 yards. Seriously. I think doggie … 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
One big ice cube – swimming in cold water
Many of us ‘retire’ from open water swimming for the winter. Some of us have the excuse that our dear little puddle of water is frozen over. And then there are those of us that simply turn off the thought … 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
Box o Swim Stuff
Despite both DHL and USPS’s best attempts to keep me from getting my box of stuff, I have succeeded in taking ownership of it. (Side Note: If I pay for DHL shipping, I don’t want DHL to hand it over … 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
One Fish Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish
One of the major advantages of traveling in a westerly direction is that you body naturally wakes up earlier. Yesterday I was up at 6AM, right now it’s 5:30AM. After getting up at six yesterday, it was off to the … Read More Here
The Tour de Guam
We arrived into Guam last night late enough that it was dark out. I was looking forward to getting out and exploring things in the daylight, and in particular looking forward to going for an open water swim. Daylight struck … Read More Here
My warmed nuts
Yes folks – it’s not every day that someone willingly warms my nuts. But earlier today (or was that yesterday…I’ve lost track, I guess it depends on how you count the dateline and all) – I had my nuts warmed. … Read More Here
Getting the short pool
Sometimes you’ve just gotta make due with what you’ve got. Some people are blessed with size…and others with the ability to use what they have (I’m talking pools here folks, don’t be gettin’ all distracted on me). Tonight was a … Read More Here
Texas Tuesday
Things are just bigger in Texas. It’s as simple as that. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad. Since flying in Sunday night for a week’s worth of work stuffs, I’ve been experiencing all that the four mile radius around my … Read More Here
Photographic Proof – iWon
Per Jeanne’s request, I present you with photograph ‘proof’ of the iWon race. Well, proof as far as someone taking a few photos of me. I also have a pre-race group shot, but I don’t feel comfy publishing other people’s … Read More Here
Brickervals
I’m tired. I started off the day with a 22 mile ride down to a river/park south of DC to watch some friends in a rowing (crew?) competition. It’s a bit of an interesting sport in theory. Very similar I … Read More Here
Ekk! Tri shorts going invisible!
Rur-roh Scooby! My tri-shorts are going translucent…and in some scenic places too! I had picked up a pair of Pearl Izumi Tri shorts back earlier this summer. They seemed to work fairly well, fairly basic – but good. However, the … Read More Here
Pool Frustration
Grr…I’ve never had this much trouble trying to get in my swim workout. Normally I swim Wednesday/Friday/Sunday. This week I’m out in Seattle for work related stuff so I’ve converted to running/biking around Redmond and on the Burke Gilman trail, … Read More Here
My wetsuit makes brown water
After removing my wetsuit in T1 during the Nation’s Tri on Saturday, I left it in the transition area for the rest of the race (dragging it along on the bike or run didn’t seem like it would improve my … Read More Here
How to swim with your Garmin Forerunner GPS
After purchasing the Garmin Forerunner, I was determined to use it as much as possible to get the most out of my money. On an average day I have two training runs/rides/swims, and I use the GPS for every outdoor … Read More Here