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.
Seems like there’s a always an incredible story of someone having to carry their bike because of some massive mechanical… Unstoppable.
I like the pictures of the Underpants run!
Watching Ironman with disabilities. Some couldn’t make the cut-off times (heartbreaking), while some did (inspiring).
Watching Ironman athletes with disabilities. Some didn’t make the cut-off times (heartbreaking), some did (inspiring).
Crowie 2011
I love the sappy stories that NBC Sports puts in the coverage every year. I always tear up watching these everyday athletes who have overcome so much to do Kona!
Kona – Ironman Hawaii. What an extraordinary place to do an ironman!
Chrissie Wellington!
I’ve never been there. But I hope that in the future I will be a part of this great challenge!
The first thing that pops in my head, oddly, is how obsessed my mom used to be with Kona coffee when I was younger.
But after that, Chrissie Wellington!
Hoping to make it out to the Coffee Boat in Kona one of these days.
Year 1993 when Pauli Kiuru was 2nd :)
Jamik
Julie Moss crawling to the finish.
Waking up early, trying to catch some footage from the race and then going for a nice fast run.
The 2010´s final kms between Macca and Raelert… epic
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The coffee is as close as I’ve gotten to Kona but I enjoy watching it on tv when it’s snowing outside.
Always love watching the last competitors come in.. Hope to visit there someday!
instead of the underpants run they should do a hula hula dance ;-) also, a friend of mine was 5 minutes away from qualifying there…:(
I used to own a Kona Kula MTB. Hard tail. She was a beauty.
Something related to Hawaii…mmmm… Lilo&Stich!
Damm, I want this FR910 flying to Austria. I want it sooo bad!
Julie Moss’ finish way back when
Hello,world!
Watching all the available documentaries during my marathon taper. I cried watching every single one of them… I tend to get emotional when the big race is approaching. Heading to Amstdam next weekend, time to watch Kona again!!!
Wellington and Macca…….amazing what the human body is capable of.
I love watching the Kona tri. Maybe some day I’ll have a chance to see it in person.
I was not into triathlon at the time but spent my honeymoon on the big island and never even occurred to me and my wife at the time. We plan on going back soon to catch what we missed…
I’ve always thought it was incredidibly impressive the way these guys can find another gear 130 miles into a race.
Wish I could be there watching today.
Andreas Raelert or Timo Bracht…keep my fingers crossed for both.
Watching Macca and Raelert duel it out two years ago. Absolutely epic!
1983 – Kona, first time a lot of us did the distance. Just after the run turn around, after sunset, noticed a person wandering from the center line to lava field as he walked to the finish. Turned out to be my best friend and training partner. Long story short, we walked and ran together, pushing fluids and nutrition into him. Just before the finish line my GF gave me a camera and we had another competitor take a photo just before line, with the banner, etc in the background, then we ran across the line (you can see the camera & strap in my hand in the official photo). His first and last IM. My first of several, but that is my BEST of several memories.
The volcanic rocks at Kona
racing there myself
Well I guess it’s never to late to start with Tri.
Lilo and Stitch live there with volcanoes all over the place…
(Hope I get to go one day :)
1985 Kona moved to Kona for 2 months to train.
– 3 weeks before the race was near the swim turnaround and noticed a shadow below me. stopped and tread water an caught a glimpse. 10-12′ tiger shark. Turned out the locals knew “she” was there and never bothered anyone.
– Wa putting in mega miles on the bike (300+/week) and running (went from 30 to 65+ in a month – yeah dumb, I know). 10 days prior to the race was diagnosed with a stress fracture of two metatarsals. Did the swim, did the bike with a PR (avged 20+), had the medical staff at T2 (my ortho doc) tape up my foot and did the run, very slow!! but finished. Probably a dumb decision as it still causes problems for me.
– passed Scott Tinley at the top of Pay & Save Hill, just before the finish. Of course, I was going out on the run and he was finishing. Such a great athlete!!
Rob
Ukuleles!
Macadamia nuts?
Best Kona memory: Da Poke Shack!!!
Best IMWC memory: Chrissy being in the condition she was in last year and winning!!
The odds are against me, but still I will try!
Hoping to race in Kona one day.
Never been to Kona, but I hope to earn my way there someday.
Would like to see the beautiful island in real …
Dreaming of one day qualifying for Kona!
Watching Crowie briefly reduced to walking last year before toughing it out to win.
Watching the race on TV and using that as motivation!
Rutger Beke walking the marathon
Watching Macca and Andreas shake hands with 2 miles to go……epic
Volcanoes, that’s my lasting Hawaii memory!
2010 Macca vs Raelert – what an incredible duel!
Julie moss
Listening to Kapa Radio is part of my daily routine.
Tracking my friend Gen online in her first Ironman Kona appearance last year.
Julie moss
Macca is going to grab third championship.
The first ironman I watched was the Hawaiian triathlon! Someday I’ll get there!
Love watching the kona reruns in Dec, Jan Feb and the rest of the year.
motivation to start running again…
Meeting rick and dick hoyte at the shamrock marathon and talking about kona!
Love this watch, hope to have one in future
Lucky day to win a new GPS!
Mahalo. Honeymooned in Kona, actually.
Jon Blais rolling across the finish line.
The beautiful sea on Hawaii.
Same emotions every year!
My favourite memory every year is staying up late in the UK and trying to follow the coverage. I hope to make it across one day!
Have watched Kona as long as I can remember and it still motivates me as I aspire to compete in Triathlons.
I’ve never competed in the Ironman in Kona, never actually done an ironman but have competed against some who have. Thats as close as it gets for me, and when I say close I mean otherwise.
On a side note, I’m over in Aus and recently used CleverTraining (before you paired up with them) and the service was great. Good choice!
Thanks for the great blog!
Underpants
The first ironman I watched was the Hawaiian triathlon! Someday I’ll get there!
Sharks. Lots and lots of sharks.
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I’m just entering the world of triathlons, so my first “memory” of Kona is learning about it from your blog. Thanks for an amazing site, and for doing these giveaways!
Will never forget the year I was blessed to live in Hawaii…
Peahi
Watching the few come in just under the cut off, then then the inevitable heartbreak for those who just miss it.
Watching and planning for some day.
Warm humid air-perfect nights.
Watched Kona on TV many times as a kid growing up… never thought that nearly 20 years later I’d be trying to go there.
Watching Chrissy Wellington win in 2011. Inspirational.
I have to admit I’m a sucker for the feel good stories in the tv show.
Waking up to a glorious Kauai morning, nothing like it!
Seeing Christie track down all those ladies on the run year after year. As if the flat tire a few years back didnt level the playing field. Last year she had serve injuries and still won. Wish she was there this year.
Watching the NBC replay twice because you can’t deny how inspiring it is.
Hawaii would probably be an amazing place to run! (Never been there)
Just gave my old ForeRunner to a niece who’s training for her first marathon so I need a replacement.
Two come to mind, Macca’s last win & when I was attacked by this creature in Puako link to youtube.com
Watching the race repeats while on the trainer
Watching the race repeats on my trainer
Hearing all the inspirational stories of the “average” person.
macca raelert. awesome
every blaze man roll
A year ago I looked up Kona on You Tube to get inspiration for my first marathon. Everything I saw just scared the bejeezers out of me though!!
Watching Kona live from Finland! 13 hour difference makes for a very late sleeping time over here!
Watching year after year and still being in awe from start to finish!
Go Sweden!!!
Cool giveaway – I spent the day on the beach Kona earlier this year on my birthday with our 2 kids!, unfortunately no bike with me though ;-)
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