Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list 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 2023 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.
May I join in the fun, too? I’d love to upgrade from my old F205!
volunteering at IMLP and signing up for 2012
ran a pr in a local 5k, poison ivy on my ankles….Thanks for the great posts.
My second time riding with a bike group and we got caught in a severe rain / thunder storm! We took shelter in a fireman’s training “burn house”.
One guy called his friend to pick us up – to our surprise he picked us up in a limousine!
The experience was great and ushered in an amazing summer of riding.
Also looking forward to kicking some butt in my 70.3 on Sept. 11.
10K run around Little Corn Island off the coast of Nicaragua. Barefoot all on the beach or island trails.
Finished in 99 degree heat with a soak in the Carribean
Tie between knocking 30 min off my HIM PR at Lake Stevens, or just finishing the Chelan half IM after a knee injury that took me out of training for over 14 weeks.
My alias is chrisseg should I happen to win :)
Running the first time together with my girlfriend was really great (even if I was running loops around her as she is much slower than me :) )
I took part in my first multisport event this summer. I finished a dualthlon at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis. Great time and great event.
A PR at the Vermont City Marathon!
long runs early Saturday morning to beat the summer heat.
Oh, I’m in! I just completed the Crim 10 miler in a 2 minute PR compared to my last 10 miler in June. I felt two months and two minutes faster was huge progress. Thanks for doing the giveaway.
Chicken wings at the end of a race! Yum.
Hitting a PR on my 13.1mi training run a couple of weeks ago! (training for Richmond half) Makes the hard work worth it. Second would be the summer tradition of trying to get my long run finished in time to watch the start of the Tour de France weekend stages. :) Thanks for doing the giveaway.
Started running this summer with C25K…
I would say my best memory was yesterday. I went to run around Tobyhanna St. Park in Pa only to find my way blocked by a lake. So I ran the other direction to find my way blocked by down trees all because of the hurricane. It was fun climbing through trees and dodging things :)
What a cool watch. I’d like one.
Please :-)
after a 50 mile ride a few weekends ago, i had an amazing 10 miler in the rain. it was the most invigorating workout i had all summer and the first time i knew i was going to make it through my first half IM!
My favorite fitness moment this summer was running a PR 5K when I wasn’t even trying to PR! I was just trying out my VFFs in a race situation! I guess they worked!
Completing my first sprint triathlon which got me hooked on tris! Someday I hope to work up to a half Ironman!
Five guys burgers and fries after a half century in 98 degree weather. My pace was slow, but, my burger was gooood :-)
My best run was a 16 minute mile. Paced by my 4 year old son.
Doing long runs in the 100 degree heat of Texas. For some reason, they always make long runs seem much more epic. I don’t get the same feeling during the winter so I always look forward to these epic hot summer long runs.
I just took up running to get in shape and be healthier and I finished my first 10k race this summer, the beach to beacon. It was great to have completed the first of what i hope is many to come.
Finishing my first 100K MTB race, the Mohican 100! It was EPIC! and I managed to not have a crazy blood sugar drop or end up in the ER because of my diabetes. Can’t wait for the next epic race!
Have two 70.3s left (Diamondman in DE and Pocono) a sprint and then the Philly marathon (see ya there)to close out my season! Needless to say that garmin would come in handy.
Thanks!
Finishing a 40 mile ride without getting dropped by the pack for the first time.
I love running in summer rain! Any run in the summer rain is relaxing and empowering!
My best summer race was a winter race.
Let me explain: it was the Rio de Janeiro Marathon in last july, winter in Brazil, so we are expecting 16ºC (60ºF) and a dry wether, but the temperature was like 36ºC (96,8ºF).
A lot of people fell down, past out because of the heat. My race time prediction was 3:50:00 and I finishied the race in 4:20:01, it means more half hour in the fire! That´s my best summer race because I survive to a to the heat of the winter!
Summiting George’s Gap in Blood Sweat and Gears! (almost) all downhill from there!
We did a race a couple months back that was actually sponsored by a local brewer. At the end of each event was free beer for all! I must say, on the last day after a longish race in the sweltering heat of the south, I was happy to throw back a beer or two.
60k ride with the DF and realizing hey she can ride!
My fav memory was finishing my first 10k two years ago…after being convinced there was no way I could run “that far!” (I was a sprinter in track…)
Made it threw another Georgia summer of running during my lunch hour. That’s a feat in itself since our summers are 90 & 90.
Great giveaway!
improving my sprint tri time by 12 minutes!
I’m a month and a half away from running my first half marathon! And I’m celebrating the big 3-0 in a month. The Garmin would make an excellent b-day present :)
Hi,
Don’t know which one is my favorite, between my daily trip house -> work with my fixie, or my last week ride with my first Col !
Savoring the Philly Dog and Fries with no guilt after the Mussleman Tri in Geneva NY.
Just about to start a run I noticed that my dog spotted a rabbit in the far far distance. Changing the path from track to trail she spots another rabbit far far away. And then she spots yet another rabbit far far far away. This trail run turned out to be one of the longest and fastest ones I ever managed to do and I just noticed this after arriving back home.
carlosgomez_v@yahoo.it
Hi Ray; I live in Holland, so, unfortunately we didn’t have much of a summer this year in this part of the world. All I remember is entering my home soaking wet and covered in mud after my run or bike training, and my girlfriend laughing like crazy since according to her I looked like a Dalmatian from all the mud spots on my face and clothes.
hey, thanks for the give away. I have been enjoying reading your blog very much.
Enjoyed watching the draw bridge get bigger and bigger as the finish of Grandma’s approached.
Does bicycle touring count as training? I had a blast cycling the Mississippi River Trail this summer.
Qualifying for Kona at IM St. George!
taking the age group win at eagleman this year, thus qualifying me for kona.
Running 19 miles with my brother but we got lost on some trails and it turned out to be 23 miles. We were tired but it made the ice cold coke at the car taste even better.
I did my first ever tri this summer. It was an informal sprint put together by a co-worker in and around his neighborhood. I was last out of the pool (as I really can’t swim, but I did it!) and it put me completely behind everyone else. I hadn’t really done any biking in forever (but at least my bike functioned, which wasn’t the case a month prior). And I just took up running a couple of months prior. But I finished!
And now I’m up to running over 6 miles. And I’m about to do a MS Bike ride. (I could really use that watch).
My best memory of this summer race was when I got off the bike and my legs were fresh and ready to run!
This summer will be remembered for the incredible heat we’ve had in North Texas. 65 days of 100+ degree temps and still counting…
Racing/training wise, I did break 21 minutes in a 5k 3 times, including a sprint triathlon, which is something I hadn’t done previously.
Helping my cousin finish his first century.
Trail marathon on Memorial Day. Absolutely brutal and totally fun!
Thanks for the giveaway! My best summer training memory is finally feeling 100% healthy after and Achilles rupture and hitting the pavement every day again.
8th overall and 1st in AG at my July race.
This summer I made my first AG podium (2nd place). It was a very small local race, but a podium nonetheless.
My best race memory this year (does April count?) is crossing the marathon finish line in Vienna under 3 hours – after years of trying!
The best training memory is last week’s mountain run. Up on the ridge, the lake to the left, Dingle Bay on the right – magic!
I want it !
Finsihing my first Sprint Tri, looking at a half IronMan in the near future.
My first adventure race: 4 days * 60 km per day and we finished third with absolutely no equipment. That was so great!
Favorite memory this summer for me was getting STARTED.
My twin sister lost 83 lbs in 2 years and is now doing marathons and tris and she has motivated me to get out there and lose this weight and become again the athlete I once was in high school and college.
This summer was my summer to get back into it, with my third child turning 1, but then I broke my toe June 10th..no exercising for 6 weeks.. I was devastated, but determined not to let it get to me.
As soon as I was released from Dr. I started. I went from doing maybe 2-3 miles a month to just logging 118 miles in the month of Aug. I am sure not as much as 99% of your followers, but this is the start of the rest of my life to be healthy and fit. So exciting.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Having my 7 year old boy join me for the run across the finish line at PhillyTri.
Thanks for yet another great give-away!!
LUV RUNNing
doron from tel aviv
Finally running my wife’s favourite trail together and having vietnamese pho afterwards.
When Hurricane Irene cancelled my race last weekend.
Thanks for the generous giveaways!
Finishing my first triathlon, first 10K, started a blog, and signing up for my first half marathon! I am hooked!
Best training this summer has been purely recreational; Riding a borrowed tandem bike with my wife. Neither of us are cyclists, but we now will be by next spring.
The best races are those which my wife started with me.
Cheers
Christian
Best moment of the summer has been completing my first tri (sprint) and then building distance while training for my first Ironman, IM Cozumel this fall. Seeing my fitness level and confidence grow as a new triathlete has meant a lot to me.
X-Country running race @ 16 years old. Came in 4th at the regional level. It felt like my shoes were barely touching the ground. I remember it to this day, 25 years later.
Pick me! Pick me!
Well it’s winter time in south hemisphere… But not that cold, so I’ve raced two Night Run events. Big crowd, rock’n roll, very nice.
1st day of spring in Australia tomorrow! Lots of fun runs and training sessions to achieve a PB for my 2nd half marathon in 6mtns. Sooo need a Garmin Forerunner to make sense of it all??
Best summer memory for me was doing my long run (20m) in my marathon plan at night instead of the customary early morning (due to the heat/humidity here in SC). Pretty neat running around town at that hour and you see a totally different crowd.
Running my first olympic distance tri and seeing my friends face at mile 5 of the run when I just shook my head at him. He was standing there holding up beer and beef jerky shouting “Beer? Beef jerky? Cold beer? Beef jerky?” … he looked so disappointed. I had the worst ever stomach cramps but I had great fun finishing.
My best racing story from this year is the fact that I did. I completed my first triathlon!
Watching the runners go by in wings and glowing bracelets during the midsummer night’s run.
At the finish line of my first half ironman, when I saw my girlfriend and my friends waiting for me, after more than 5 hours but more important 5 months of hard training I needed to cry, at the end it was just one tear of happiness but it was one of the sweetest tears I’ve ever had.
Three days of beach running in Jamaica on family vacation.
Rocked Ironman Louisville with a 1.5 hr PR. 10:13:19.
Finishing my first ultra, the Jemez 50k. Thanks for the giveaway!
Finishing my first triathlon (olympic distance). What a kick!
Running in the Cascades 10k in Sterling Va it was so hot that the local fire dept had one of there trucks spraying water in the air so it felt like 1 part of the race we were running thru a rain storm. Never knew it could feel so good, and then at the end of the run getting a chicken sandwich from Chick Fil-A! Nothing like summer
Camping at Lake Anna two weekends in a row in April to swim, bike, and run before my first tri. Concurrently, I was also testing the shrinkage factor of the water temperature. Conclusion: High.
Ran 3 ultra marathons this summer, the watch would be great for the shorter ones!
Running on the Vegas strip while on summer vacation is probably my favorite summer training memory.
I broke my big toe in the Swim – to – Bike transition at Timberman in 2009. I sucked it up and finished because I was going to propose to my GF at the finish. The run was pretty awful but I finished and got a ‘Yes’ and then had Chrissie Wellington put on my finishers medal and said a nice word. That was a pretty good memory.
My best memory is placing in my first race this summer at a 5K
Finishing my first half in pouring rain in Immenstadt.
link to youtube.com
link to youtube.com
finishing half race in pouring rain;)
In the middle of ultra training last July I was getting really down about the endless, solitary miles. Did a short relay race through the mountains with friends. It was a great pick-me-up!
Seeing a tarantula on a ride along the turquoise trail from Albuquerque to Santa Fe!
Running along the coastline in Split, Croatia early in the morning.
First sunny century (metric) of the year completed without sunscreen. I looked like a burn victim for the next two weeks. Not cool, not cool at all.
Best memory this year was doing and finishing the NYC Triathlon and then the next day when everyone asked me how it went, all I said was “today starts Philly Marathon training”. Every one thinks Im crazy, but I guess why thats why we do all this
Out for a run when I came across this couple walking their dog and…CAT – no leash on either one. I came upon the cat first because it was lagging behind them. They called to the cat and it ran to catch up and then practically walked to heel.
That was a new one to me, can’t say as I’ve ever seen anybody walking a cat before!
My brother-in-law and two nephews came up for a weekend. We ran a 5 miler in my town on Saturday, the into NH for a 6K on Sunday. Throw in some Boston sight seeing and it was a special weekend. Keep up the good work.
My first trail 10k was a blast!
Best training memory during the summer? Living in the South means being up before 5am to run, but every now and then we get a 75 degree morning that is perfect and I’ll sneak in an extra mile or two.
While on vacation this summer in Jackson Hole, WY, I proposed (she said yes!) and went on one of the best group rides I had ever done. With a group of total strangers we attacked the Grand Tetons and butes around Jackson. It was an amazing trip that I will never forget.
Every favorite summer run begins with miserable heat but as the gray clouds loom there is hope. When the sky opens up as the run gets hard it becomes my favorite time to be a runner.
50+ new to running this year so not many memories to share. I did just complete my first weekly 5K running series during the summer and had a ball. Have an FR60 that I just go so the 610 would be a mighty sweet upgrade. Thanks Ray!
– George
I really enjoy your site and the reviews. I hope I win!
I’m currently using the Nike+ GPS watch. I like it a lot but wish it captured more data points.
My best summer racing memory was during my first half ironman (Vineman) and I had to pee badly. I didn’t want to lose sight of an AG rider who had passed me earlier so I tried to pee while riding. Took me several tries and FINALLY success. In fact, I ended up peeing 3 times on that ride and once on the run. Amazing what one has to do to save time.
Team CBC rides!
I did Fatty’s 100 miles to nowhere on Memorial Day. That was probably my best summer racing/training memory this year, because it turned out I did it on a broken foot and have been non-weight bearing for most of the summer and haven’t biked or run since!
Hmm – has to be a local mid summer 5 miler in 100 degree heat and nasty humidity. Still only about 1:20 off target pace.
I would say a great training ride in the Shennandoah mountains through Massanutten and Skyline Drive. 80 miles and 8,000 feet of climbimg. So much fun!
Was still new to cycling, done a round-island of Singapore for the first time!
The depot at Hjallerup City marathon. It was just like a candy store. It didn’t anything
My fave memory from this summer is definitely crossing the line at the London Tri and taking a while to register why the clock looked wrong as I’d knocked *20mins of my PB* Awesome.
Nailing every gravel descent in last weekends metric century monster cross ride. Carving sketchy turns perfectly, bunny hopping the ruts and oh yeah grinning the whole time!
Having the intention to run 8 miles and ended up running 13.10. not realizing until I was talking to my co worker the following day, that i actually ran more than a 1/2 marathon. I was excited since im actually training for a marathon, feel like im accomplished a milestone.
Finishing my first Half-Iron race…took a lot longer than expected, but finished. And now really looking forward to my first marathon in Oct, MCM!
Lately, definitely a great six mile trail run. hard to beat
Would be cool to have this little thing next year at Challenge Cape Town. Actually – off season – no swim, no bike, no run – just work…
Ah great (just bought a FR210, but maybe I should have gone for the 610 instead ;)?!
First thing that comes into mind is actually last Saturday, when visiting a friend in Evanston, IL:
Ran from his place down to the beach, then a few k more, took a swim in the Lake Michigan, then tagging along with a group of young runners (just half a mile or so, but still nice to get the pace up :) and finally back again.
Thanks for the giveaway. Best moment of the summer was during the bike leg of the Timberman hlaf-iron, lost my trusty old Forerunner cycling down the last hill…i was going 42 mph at the time and it was awesome.
I’d like to win this Garmin Forerunner 610! I will look good on my wrist and I don’t have to use my Edge 500 while running.
My biggest race this year was the Adidas Sundown Marathon. Wasn’t a great timing. But it was my PB yet.
Gonna train up for Standard Chartered this year end!!
Riding up Whiteface (Lake Placid) while training for IM Arizona in 2008. Epic ride in the rain and fog.
for me it’s not a specific moment but it is the fact that before I started training this summer for RnR Philly I had never ran more than 5 miles.
thanks for the giveaway Ray
My first 4 mile run and only my second race on July 4th in which I placed second in my age group! That along with the excellent post-race food they supplied made for an Epic 4th of July!
Competing in my first triathlon. An olympic distance event, superhigh humidity, forgot to hydrate on the bike, had to walk a good part of the run, but was elated at the finish, much more than after setting a new marathon PR by 15 min earlier this year. Triathlon is a really special event.
My best memory is about to be created when I take part in the Ironman Galway 70.3 this Sunday.
All of the seasons training has been towards attaining this goal of participating in the first Ironman event to be held in Ireland.
Now. . . just to finish it :)
A contractions during transition from Bike to Run during my first Half Ironman are unforgetable.
Finishing my first Olympic distance Triathlon on the London Olympics Course! What a brilliant day!
Personal best for 5k and was racing with a lady in my AG off my shoulder the whole time. I held on really strong and the end.
starting a workout regiment back in september of 2010 in honor of my brother in law who died of a heartattack at the age of 35. I never stuck with any kind of workout/running in the past. My goal run this year is a 25k trail run. Wild Hare, Warda, Tx. Its coming up on september 2011 and i am still going and have lost 50lbs and dont see myself stopping.
I finished Challenge Aarhus in a respectable sub-5 time, after a 14-year hiatus from triathlon. That felt *so* good! (It also hurt very good, like racing should).
Next up is Challenge Copenhagen 2012.
i did a sprint in the pouring rain on the north shore this summer – the swim was cut short (hurray!) and it was a crappy day. but the best part of it was drinking afterwards for 8 hours at the bar. now THAT is a good day.
For me it was my first 100km+ cycling day trip in the alps. Beautiful scenery, great routes and lots of hills! Fantastic!
Best memory? The epic suffering during Helsingborg Triathlon (Sweden, olympic distance). Cold, near-storm winds, constant rain. The only thing missing was a hailstorm.
A close encounter with a porcupine while ascending the Loyalsock Trail (in the PA wilds) to the top of Smith’s Knob.
Doug
Doing the Sunrise to Sunset Relay Race in Florida a couple of years ago and watching the sunset as I was running on top of a levy on Lake Okeechobee. Pretty awesome!
best memory was my first time placing 1st in my AG in a sweltering hot July evening 10K.
Thanks for the great contests!
K. Keeler
My first race ever – 10k @ Nordea Riga marathon.
All of my best trrainings ends up swimming at beach. With bikini girls around, much better!
Let the flood begin… My favorite summer race was first sprint tri. I entered as a Clydesdale, and beat the smart mouth seasoned friend by three minutes. I’m down to 171lbs now.
Hallo!
I completed my second half marathon this year in Riga. I set personal reccord – 17min better than last year.
Thanks
Got lost while running in a huge vineyard region. Found a worker to ask for directions and he started to laugh! How the hell did you end up here running??? Eventually found the way back… super fun
Finishing Timberman 70.3, and then my wife and good buddy both finishing too! Trifecta.
Highlight of my training this summer has been my Sunday long runs as I prepare for my fall marathon. Last weekend was my first 20 miler and although the weather left something to be desired it was a great run! I would have never thought 9 months ago when 4 miles seemed like it was a “super” long run that I would be capable of 20!
Running sundown marathon for the first time was awesome for a fat lady like me. Best achievement ever! Going to join more marathons and shed more fats!!!
I’m trying to establish a regular running schedule and I forced a run in the night before I wrote my PMP exam (project management professional) with the hopes that it would give me an additional energy boost on the day of the test.
It had the needed effect – my energy level was up for the day of the test and it reinforced my need to make running a regular habit.
My 50 mile ride early one morning this summer on the Outer Banks was my best training ride this summer. The headwind going out was not much fun, but the tailwind in was great.
I wish I could say completing my first Ironman, but that is scheduled for a week from Sunday.
This summer my favorite racing memory was racing a half iron with a bruised rib. I took some prescribed pain killers before the race and PR’d by 9 minutes with no pain. Probably a stupid decision, but I guess I was lucky.
This spring i finished my first marathon at Zürich after a half year of training only. It worked well: I was just under 4 hours :-)
A perfect cycling on a bright Sunday morning in a nice scenery
link to connect.garmin.com
Last summer I did a 16 mile training run in the POURING rain. It was a bit of a slog, but for some reason it stands out as a highlight of the season.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Running outside before the record streak of days in a row and overall over 100 degrees in Texas.
Best summer memory: Running a trail race on Saturday, then a half marathon on Sunday where I placed 3rd in my age group. I haven’t been that exhausted in a very long time.
Definitely the day I realized how much easier bike maintenance was with a bike work stand. Or sadly that my A race of the year was cancelled due to weather. Still a great summer of training.
This summer we ran our first run as a family, complete with wife, daughter and mother in law. My daughter also ran a kiddie dash…there is a video on YouTube of her race (link to youtu.be) if you want to check it out. It was a wonderful experience to run as a family and it wont be out last. Thank you!
At the NJ State Sprint Tri this year, it was ridiculously hot, and the run felt awful. At the turnaround, they had a fire hose spraying a geyser across the entire road. It pretty much saved my run, even though my shoes were completely filled with water.
Si_brim
56 mile London to Brighton bike ride last Sunday followed by fish & chips on Brighton beach, it doesn’t get better than that.
I entered the aquabike division of the Greater Gator Triathlon. I have had an ongoing hamstring injury that has kept me from running. Ironically, I won a pair of Newtons in a general raffle! I also won first place in the woman’s aquabike division! It was my first time to win an award at any race!
had tons of good times this summer both in endurance sport and with general relaxation with love ones, but the end all has to be going back to the scene of my first tri, 3 years back and paying back that course it had become my Moby Dick.
getting cramps on my first century at 58 miles …. Crashing at 72 miles and having to quit at 90 miles when my legs cramped going straight out. Less than a fun day but I have learned a lot about nutrition and hydration since
peter H
Making it out of my last triathlon swim without drowning! There were 20+ mph winds, and Lake Michigan had white caps and a riptide warning. It was the worst swim ever, and it felt SO good to be done with it!
A training ride to Fredrick that had BACON at the rest stop.
High point? Cycling across japan for endurance. Low point….. Rupturing my ACL 3 days ago…. Boo! Still epic summer
Completed my first triathlon in July (Pewaukee, WI sprint) and my second two weeks later (Show Me State games). Highlight at Pewaukee was managing the entire 16 mi bike (furthest I’ve ever ridden) without having to get off to go up any of the hills. Show Me games was brutal (crazy heat index – I sweated on the swim!). But I got to rock body marking for a few days! :) I’ve been drooling over the Garmin reviews on your site, but unemployment has hit our household pretty hard so definitely not something I can justify right now. Would LOVE to win this!
I ran my first half-marathon and completed my first triathlon this summer. Love the half, hated the swim in the tri. The high I felt after the half lasted a LONG time. Geeked up to do another one, but my mileage is down after training for the tri, so I have to build it up again!
I started Couch to 5K in the summer of 2004. Had no idea it would eventually lead to me becoming a marathoner.
My best racing memory was rounding the corner before the finish of the bike leg on my first tri. I was almost hyperventilating I was so happy that I had completed that leg!
stunning 150k ride along the beatiful blue danube.
Hi Ray, count one entry for me! My favorite summer training memory was running around central park loop on sunny Saturday mornings before it would heat up and before it would be crowded while training for the ING New York marathon. Central park is really a fantastic place!
Best training of the summer? Riding the Savageman half course – what a beast!
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Finishing a half marathon and being surprised by my wife and daughter being at the finish!
My best training memory of this summer was running in the hills in Korea with some Korean ultra runners, who were training for the Busan 100k. Their club provided me with fresh water melon at the highest point in the training course, which was a welcome refreshment in the heat and humidity.
Finishing a 70.3 that allowed me the opportunity of running when it was 100+ !
My favorite part of this triathlon season has been every bike leg. Last year, it was my weakness and it was painful. A new bike some training has turned it into my strongest split.
Getting my new PB on my most recent 10 km race. In hometown Trondheim, Norway :)
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Well, two great training rides this summer. I did a hilly 171km ride with two guys across the tip of Taiwan and then turned around and return home. The other ride was a two day ride across the center of Taiwan. Elevation topped out at 3275 meters above sea level. Plenty of fun.
Completing my first Olympic Tri. Been doing Sprints for a while, but stepping it up.
Might have been in the spring, now that I think about it, but my second-ever race was a 5k through Philly that ended with a lap at Franklin Field during the Penn Relays. It was sort of awesome.
My favorite race memory from this summer was participating in a triathlon with my 10 year old daughter. She swam 1/8 mile, biked 12 and ran 2. The last 2 miles were tough for her, but seeing the smile on her face as the crowd cheered us in at the finish made it all worth it. She was so happy and proud of her accomplishment and it made me one proud mom!
I’m in. Took my bike out of NYC up into Westchester county, got lost in the hills and as it started to rain my phone died, with the gps, ended up riding straight into a metro north train station by a random act of god – took the train home.
Nothing like being lost, tired, 70 miles of repeating hills and rain!
Finished my first 70.3 on July 10th at Providence – highlight of my tri life
Falling at a run aid station during a half-ironman because I was clumsy and having the volunteers think I had just passed out. the finishing photo with blood running down my leg is priceless.
Meeting up with some old high school buddies for a weekend run. Good times.
Earlier this year when I nailed the secret recipe for my recovery smoothie for the first time…mmmmm….
My most memorable summer training bit has got to be the completion of my last practice triathlon at Hain’s Point this past August. I completed the exact same course just a month earlier but with a significant difference.
Twelve minutes to be exact.
That’s how much time my hard training paid me off. Twelve minutes faster in one month.
What a great feeling.
For me it was completing the “Lord of the Flies” competition at the Black Fly tri. 3 races in 3 days.
Losing my lunch in Rock Creek Park, and finishing the loop strong anyway — as several folks looked on in shock that anyone could boot and rally on a 100 degree day!
Thanks, as always, for the awesome giveaway.
Lots of great summer memories to choose from, but I still can’t beat the feeling of running my first 10k at age 14 with no training. Amazing what you can do when you don’t know any better.
Running/walking my first +35km run in preparation for marathon in september! Trails in mountains, beautiful views and good feelings all the time.
Going for a long Bike ride I made sure to put sunscreen on my arms/legs/face/neck. After the ride though my head was very tender, having short hard I wound up with sunburn through the helmet openings. Ever since then I have to make sure to put sunscreen all over, including the top of my head.
Finishing my first “long” run without stopping before my first marathon. A meager 6 miles.
Finishing the Mountains of Misery on Memorial Day weekend with my kids running alongside me as I finished the final climb!
My best run of the summer was my second trail race – Blue Crab Bolt up in Little Bennett. It started to rain, there was no one around me, and I just felt so present. My brain wasn’t thinking about anything, not my pace, not the rocks ahead, not what to eat when I was done. I was just there in the moment, in nature. It was fabulous.
Please pick me. My garmin 405 just died this morning. Thanks!
An annual hike up one of the Colorado 14ers. I never know which I am training for, running races or this hiking trip with my buddies!
All my runs during my vacation in upstate New York – loved the cooler weather. A welcome break from running in Houston during the hottest summer I can remember!
My most memorable training run this summer would have to be running up the Philly Art Museum steps early in the morning a la Rocky…My wife and I did the arms in the air pose and everything! Highly recommended!
Haven’t got anything much but since I am currently hunting for a running watch. Wouldn’t hurt to try =)
Currently getting myself ready for Mount Kinabalu climb in November, running monday-saturday weekly to condition myself. Being a beginner means that i’ve got alot to do and ofcourse space for improvement!
Cheers!
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Running in the dark of night during Ragnar Great River, realizing that hills aren’t so bad if you can’t see them coming!
The best memory I have from this year is returning home after a really hard run in the rain to the happy faces of my two drooling mastiffs, Atticus and Aslan. The memory of two knuckleheads (in the best sense of the word) greeting me with such enthusiasm and love is emblazed on my brain.
–Richard
Ray, thanks for the opportunity! The highlight of my summer was running the Two Rivers Heritage Half Marathon at Harpers Ferry, WV (http://www.harpersferryhalf.org). This run is only 60 miles from DC and it is AMAZING! Although it is an extremely challenging course, it takes you through some of the most scenic and historical terrain this country has to offer. The race is very small, around 150 runners, and it has great local support. Additionally, it was sponsored by Mountain State Brewing Co. who provided four kegs for the after party. That was icing on the cake!
Thanks again,
Justin
Running Stockholm Marathon. My first marathon. I did not train nearly enough because of snow (rather snowboarding) but when I got to the finish I had tears in my eyes. I was so happy. I had finally made it! Took 4.49 and I couldn’t walk for weeks after but I made it!