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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!
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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 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.
I’m new to the running part but my interval run last night was probably my coldets yet. It was 16 degres F, my hands and nose never warmed up, and wehen I got home I had ice in my beard.
In the north we always have it cold. Did a morning run today and it was -19 C. But it was nice and sunny so it wasent that bad
My coldest run ever was last week. I did 7 miles on the trails by my house while it was 5 degrees F. My wife said I looked like a popsicle when I got home.
After living in Singapore for 6 years, all my “winter” runs in TX seem cold … The other day I ran in 40F and felt like I would freeze to death. Does this count? :D
I live in San Diego so I won’t complain about my ‘cold’ runs here but at Christmas I was up in northern California and went for a run when it was about 35 and raining…. I know.. I know not that cold but since I don’t have any clothing for running in the cold (or the rain) it was cold for me. Although I did enjoy the run because I managed to see about a dozen deer scattered throughout my run.
Earlier this week actually. 17F with a wind chill around 0 made for some hard breathing on intervals around the track!
pic.twitter.com/kurdg9on
Well, the coldest in recent memory was the Houston Marathon. Houston weather is typically warm and very very humid. Which was the case on Saturday. A cold front was supposed to blow in that evening, and it did. We get to the start line, it’s 41 degrees with a 15-20mph north wind in our face. Then it rains. Really rains. Way to start a Marathon. Fortunately I was able to PR despite not being able to feel my right hand for most of the race!
I can’t stand the cold. My coldest run was probably last summer at about 70 F.
Got to admit, kinda spoiled living in SoCal. During an unusually cold week recently, I actually went running when it was 28F. Crazy, right? My car was frosted over too! Anyway, with layers, a beanie cap and gloves, I managed to survive.
The coldest I’ve ever run in was 10F. The wind was blowing 20mph and by the end I was covered in snow. It was a long 8 miles.
Visiting the Matterhorn in autumn, we drove up one of the near by mountains by train. Up there it was pretty cold at about -18°C. Getting down the mountain it got nicer again.
1 degree windchill in NYC this past week….brutal!!
Coldest run is probably a low of about 15F. It doens’t get too cold here in Arkansas, so those days become rest days.
I live in Tucson, AZ, so not too many cold runs here! Although, we just had a record low a week ago, and that morning I rode on my trainer outside. It was about 20°F. I could not feel my toes by the time I was done! I was still sweating when I got done which made it worse!
Coldest was probably -10F up in Maine
My coldest run was back when I was in college. During Christmas break I would go running at night after dinner. Usually around Midnight. This one night the temperature outside was sub zero F. I was not paying attention to the weather report so i decided to go on a 10 mile run. I wore my regular insulated running pants a nice insulated running jacket and a pair of mittens (note that I did not mention a hat). By mile one I realized that It was extremely cold but i was determined to get the run in. At about mile 3 one of my friends who was driving home from work happened to seem me. Jokingly she asked if I needed a ride and told me I was crazy (Crazy about her but that is a different story). At this time my legs and hands were numb, since i had neglected to put on the proper clothing before my run. It was so bad that I decided to cut my run short. I was fortunate with this particular route I was only 2 miles from home. One mile later my hands were so cold that I decided to stop running and pull them in side my jacket. At this point I contemplated going an knocking on someones door for help. It was around 12:30 am so I never got the courage to do it. I was also praying that my friend would realizes how crazy it was form me to be running outside and comeback looking for me. The only part of me that was warm was inside my jacket. I think their may have been some sweat from the early part of my run. I was able to get my hand sorta warm again and decided that I should just do a hard run home. When I put my arms back into my jacket sleeves they were frozen stiff. The sweat from the early part of the run must have froze. As I tried to run home my feet felt like blocks of ice. I finally did make it home and swore that I would never run in that type of weather again. The next night I changed my mind but I put on more appropriate gear.
-16 degree windchill trail run on a snow and icy trail this past wed for 10 miles!
I recently ran in NYC Central Park and it was 28F, that is cold for a Guatemalan!
Running in Madrid (Spain). Outside 0º C, with a strong wind. I went out only with a t-shirt and shorts. The hardests 10 kms ever!!!
My fault, I assume!
PE
I live in San Diego where it is never that cold but I went to my parents for Christmas when it was raining and about to snow. It reminded me of when I lived there growing up and would run in all kinds of weather. I am spoiled now I guess but it was kind of fun to run in something other than sunshine.
The Hot Chocolate run about 8 years ago in Central Park. It started cold and then it snowed about 1 ft during the run, which resulted in me falling a few times during the 15K run. Running in shorts that day was not a smart idea.
Coldest ride I ever had was last year with a friend. We were going to head out for a quick 17-20 mile ride around his town. It was cold but weather outlook was clear with little to no wind. Well, that changed in about 30-35 mins into our ride. The clouds rolled in, wind picked up to about steady 15-16mph, and it started to sleet. We had cold weather gear on, but it was not very helpful. Once the weather came in we decided to head back but were already 7 miles out. It took almost an hour to get home. We both fell numerous times hitting slick patches, potholes, etc. My gloves froze to my hoods and levers, and my shoes became blocks of ice. We had to let our feet thaw inside before the boa mechanism would loosen to get our shoes off. Moral of the story was to carry a cell phone and ride where other people will drive by. I’ve been riding on much colder and windier days, but nothing like that.
New website!
I got caught in the rain last spring on the bike. Barely made it home only to find all the hot water had been used up from my daughters bath. Luckily the bathwater was still in tub …
I’ve got nothing on some of these stories, but this week has been absolutely frigid in NYC. I’ve been training for a half marathon, so I had to get out there and run!
My coldest run was in Columbus Ohio, 2010. 5 degrees, snowing on snowy and icy park trails. Wearing my YakTrax and trying to get a little speed work in! Speedwork on the treadmill sucks!
2012 Was a great year with 2981 miles on the bike, 768 miles running, and 56 miles swimming. Lets see what this year will hold…
Escape from Alcatraz swim without a wetsuit was pretty cold :-) Thanks for the chance to win!
In bright sunshine, dazzling ice and snow covered trees and shrubs I ran my most memorable cold run. It was minus five degrees Fahrenheit. Our group was running hard and the sub-zero temperature and perspiration made both genders seem more so. Nothing like rime on the run!
Perhaps the most unusual observance was a sugar cube size chunk of ice hanging from the eyelid/lash of a running buddy. When asked how it happened and how could he allow it to occur, no intelligible reply was offered. Never the less, there was dangling an ice cube. 3 more miles to shelter and the melt; cold run….
Coldest run has to be a -5 degrees Celcius on snow but with wind…very cold. Today I had my coldest cycle day to work and back. -10 degrees Celcius. It’s specially nice when the sun comes up though.
These Chicago winters provide my coldest runs; layer up and go.
But I usually wimp out when it gets below 0F.
Being in Minnesota, I’ve mostly quit the outdoor runs in the cold. My coldest run though was when it probably hovered right around the 0° (F) mark. Instead of that though, I do get out in the cold to play broomball once a week for about 6 weeks between late December and early February. We’ve had some brutally cold nights with below zero temps and whistling winds. Lovely!
It’s been hovering around zero F for the past week here. A few nights ago I bundled up and took the dog out for a run. The only exposed skin was my eyes (under glasses), and within a few minutes my right eyelid briefly froze shut while I was trying to blink away the tears. Glove came off, and with a little rewarming all was well!
Training last January for my first marathon, running in Germany with 2 pairs of tights, 4 layers on top, and breath freezing outside the fleece neck gaiter.
Three years ago on the MN Ironman bike ride, it started off about 40 degrees, and I was dressed for it. What I wasn’t dressed for was the rain. The 60 mile ride with 45 miles of freezing rain, but we finished.
We had a mild winter last year in MN, but I did get out once when it was +5 Fahrenheit, this year might pose some interesting challenges as we just had a stretch of days below zero.
…mittens…need to find those mittens
Did a Tough Mudder run recently when it was about 45F outside and windy. That was a bit chilly, especially after wading through a giant ice bath right out of the starting gate. Did a 4 mile run the other day at around 8F ambient, to return a DVD. I finally got warm and into the groove just about the time I arrived back at the house. I’ll take sub-freezing temps over running in the summer heat any day of the week. It’s all about dressing for the conditions.
Keep sub3 training program in Hong Kong. Run in Happy Valley in 15-23c and Gym room in good condition.
I recently ran while it was 28 degrees. Not as cold as others, I know, but for my neck of the woods here in the East Bay, that is cold. I actually enjoyed it as it was very peaceful out, but I had a nice layer of frost on my gloves and jersey.
I travel with work all the time. Currently I’m in Tempe, AZ where it hits 120 in the Summer, but before that I was in Calgary, AB where it hits -40. I saw all these tough Canadians commuting by bike and thought I’d give it a try. I realized after that ride there is a reason they make indoor trainers….
from Florida and ran in Trenchin Slovakia in December. I definitely overdressed for the temperatures and was carrying most of my clothes by the time I got back.
Winter Cross Country practices many years ago in the foothills in CA. Rain, easily near freezing, and the occasional ice patches made the long runs sporting… More recently… Phoenix has been cold, like sub 20 at night… Those evenings were interesting since I have little warm running cloths now.
Grew up in upstate New York with plenty of lake affect snow so winter cold and snow does not bother me. Wind, however, is another story. Coldest run – with wind chill – was last winter, around -10 below factoring in wind, which was blowing hard. Didn’t stay out long. Waited until it was a balmy 20 – with no wind.
Coldest run temp wise was on vacation a few years ago in eastern Oregon 4deg F – but it was clear and dry, so I didn’t feel nearly as cold as my run two weeks ago in western Oregon 26deg F, foggy and damp. By the end of the 8 miler, I had Ice on my eyebrows, eyelashes and stocking cap and was in need of a long hot shower.
ok, so this run was fairly chilly link to twitter.com
My coldest run was a trail race, the temperature was 0 degrees F, with a -10 degree F wind chill, my mustache froze! Another cold run I had, it was about 5 degrees F, and the water froze in my Camelbak!
Why not use a 910XT for my all seasons swims in the Mediterranean Sea ?
Sometimes the coldest runs aren’t when it’s below freezing… they are when it’s just slightly above freezing and raining with a stiff crosswind coming off the ocean. I ran a half marathon in those conditions and set a PR.
Did a 5km run through Vienna city center in December a few years ago. This was before I really started exercising regularly. It was a race organized by a tech convention I went to, and I thought I’d give it a try.
I was in runners, shorts, and a windbreaker. There was a lot of slush and snow around, and I’m just glad I was running hard enough to keep overheated, but I couldn’t feel my legs by the end of the run, which was probably a good thing.
Coldest run so far this year was in single digits with several inches of snow on the ground and more falling. It was soooo serene!
Just ran the other night here in Nebraska. During the day it was SUPPOSED to be 35F, well it’s always windy here in Nebraska. I didn’t get out until 6ish and then the sun went down quickly. I went to the school track because (most) the snow melted and I wanted to do a ladder workout quickly. Warmed up 10 minutes on the run there. Nevermind the fact that I thought to myself well it’s not too cold, now, so I’ll just wear shorts and a wicking long sleeve shirt, gloves…meh, nah. Ran a 400, 800 and another 400 and decided to lick my wounds as my snot was freezing and the sun had gone down and temp dropped to around 15F. I ran home keeping my hands in the furnace LOL. Shoulda taken a boys scout approach and just prepared better. I’ve been smarter lately.
I like the mention of Clever Training, although I’m probably not the only person that mentioned you could give us more of a heads up. Love the site!
Living in San Diego, the closest I can come is a run I did with my family one rainy winter morning. Granted, it probably wasn’t below 45 degrees, but I’m still amazed that I convinced my wife to take a three year old and seven year old out early on a rainy day for a “fun” run. Getting started was a little rough but once we were out and thoroughly wet we had a great time.
Quantico Jan 2000….formation run….in the snow….in the woods and stanidng in formation for 30 mintues waiting to get started. MIS.ER.AB.LE
Went for a run in Vladivostok. -10F running across a frozen bay. I like to froze to death, because I’m from New Orleans. Really not used to that cold.
Back in highschool I would have to run outside in the winter with a bunch of layers on in order to try an cut weight for wrestling. I don’t miss those days.
Went for a run in Vladivostok. -10F running across a frozen bay. I’m from New Orleans. Really not used to that cold.
Up and down the Virginia Beach boardwalk in mid-Feb. Wind was in my face both ways at about a 10 degree wind chill.
Went for a run in Vladivostok Russia. -10F running across a frozen bay. I’m from New Orleans. Really not used to that cold.
My coldest run was probably a 10K New Years Eve run-for-fun a few years back. Think it was about -15°C. And by pure coincidence it was in Sweden (Norberg though, not Stockholm).
Coldest run was 11 degrees F with 15 mph winds. You know the kind that turns your face bright red and freezes your snot to your face. Good times. Funny thing is, I’m planning on doing it again! YES!
I’ve done a multitude of mid-winter runs here in Switzerland, through falling snow as well as over super-slippery ice. It is no big deal with the proper dress and running technique and the views are simply breathtaking, especially at the forest border overlooking lake Zürich with the Alps behind. Thus, instead, my coldest memory is of skiing last year in Engelberg with -24*C and quite some wind. Nostril hairs froze within minutes and toes felt like ice cubes! Despite 4 layers of thermal clothing, face mask etc I nearly froze to the chair lift and after a single run had to warm up with hot chocolate for over 3/4 hour…
This week in Michigan, 0F some days!
Coldest bike was last year going up a local mountain. (Cypress Mt. – Vancouver, Canada) It was winter but was feeling good so I kept going to the top. Going up was fine… going down was so cold I actually applied the brakes so I could pedal to try and keep warm!
Just this week. DC’s been quite cold. Temps were in the upper teen’s (F). But I layered up and it wasn’t too bad as I chose the non-windy day for my run.
My buddy and I were determined to bike every Wed. in central park b/f work through the winter a few years ago. We almost made it but missed a few weeks here and there.
I admit the Bay Area is not so cold, but it has been exceptionally cold for us of late (low 30s at morning run time). I’ve actually been bundling my kid up inside the stroller rain cover since he is too young to know how to wear gloves. Good thing about running with a jog stroller is being able to load it up with gear as I start shedding it.
My coldest run was at a cross country race in northern Ireland, -5C. It took me 30 mins to gather the sufficient heat in my hands to take my spikes off! It is at times like these when you really ask yourself why you run, but when you finally get home to your hot bath and steaming hot chocolate you realise it’s all worth it for that feeling of completion.
Ray,
My coldest run 15k, was last Sunday, -10gr, my waterbottle was frozen :-)
BRRRRRRRR
grt Geert for Weert Holland
Well…not a run, but back in college some buddies and I walked 2 miles each way in almost 2 feet of snow and -20 wind chill just to buy bourbon. It was a long, cold trudge, but worth it by the end.
Coldest for me was the commute into work on the bike last week, -6°C and foggy. Gloves and bike had a layer of ice over them by the time I got there.
I ran just last week near Lille in France. I ran 1h30 at 7am when it was -12°C.
I was well equipped but when I came back at home my cap and my eyelashes were frozen. Me too so I spent half and hour in a very hot bath.
Coldest run was a track workout this past Monday at a balmy 25 deg F. I was hoping that I didn’t have frozen snot like the guys in Dumb and Dumber.
Last run in Cesena, Italy: 1°C, rain and wind. Tomorrow a ride in romagna hill (-3°C at 7 am!)
The 2012 edition of the hell of hunterdon. 79 mile ride in north jersey with 5700 feet of climbing and average temps of 38 degrees with rain all day.
I did my first 1/2 marathon a couple of weeks ago just north of Seattle. It was 28 degrees when we started, my face was numb by mile 5. Nothing as bad as the Ukraine, but still quite cold for the normally mild Pacific Northwest.
Northern California, so work with me. Near freezing, probably about 34. Not terrible until unexpected rain/sleet started after mile 1. No rain gear lead to cold and waterlogged slog.
My coldest bike ride was just the other day in Chicago. Temps were ~7F!!
First bike training of the year: 2°C standing. Weak sun in the Italian sky. The memorable moment is the feeling of my face disappearing after 3 minutes of pedalling. Numbness. Touching my nose at 37kph to check if it is still there. Note to self: buy a bloody “thing” that covers your face! it may look a bit too “Black Ops”, but hey I like my nose…
Northern California, so work with me. Near freezing, probably about 34. Not terrible until unexpected rain/sleet started after mile 1. No rain gear led to cold and waterlogged slog. Couldn’t feel my pruny feet for an hour.
Lots of cold runs in Central Wisconsin. One memory that stands out was when the water bottle was not completely closed and my low back, rear end, and back of legs became water soaked a few miles from home. Clothing frozen for a few miles.
Mmmhhh… looked at other comments. Hey, DC, you should say that multiple posts is cheating!!!
My coldest marathon was in Florida. 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon as part of the Goofy Challenge. Cold (40 degrees) and rainy for the half marathon on Saturday. Colder (34 degrees) for the marathon on Sunday. The water spilled at the aid stations froze on contact with the streets. It was a good thing the logistical heft of Disney was able to martial teams of people to spread sand on the ice.
My long run today would have been colder if completed outside. Alas, 15 miles on the treadmill and 3 miles on the short track (11.5 laps / mile).
Well, it was last week, running down the rhine. It was snowy, really windy just at the river side and soo cold. But wrapped up in multiple layers of clothes, it was a refreshing run :)
I hate being cold! I tend to beeline for the hot tub after a cold run or ride. Yes… I am spoiled…
not the coldest but really enjoyed running in Chicago’s (lincoln park-lakefront) winter when snow on the ground, 30 degrees, no clouds and lots of sun … and the ability to run with no shirt on because it was too hot!
Coldest run … as i live in the south of the France, “cold” is not what you can expect.. Last year, one run, with a few snow around and an incredible temperature of -2° ;)
After a gym workout I missed the bus and had to wait for another 45 minutes for the next bus. It was -40°C!
Coldest ever for me is the first few springtime workouts on the lake while rowing in college. I’ve never missed the erg so much.
Running from Idyllwild (Calif) up Tahquitz Peak in snow with shorts, but wearing a speedo underneath to keep the boys from completely disappearing.
It was cycling in -8 C°with one of my kids. We both had a tough forehead-ache even if we limited our speed and never rode above 25 km/h.
Never again.
Had some brutal winters in Nebraska.
Running in the cold and snow was actually a nice break from the treadmill.
Today cycling 4h30min @ -8°, not the coldest ride and not even cold.
Running in -10 degree weather, my beanie froze to my hair….had to break out the hair dryer when I got home!
A run, recently when that paths were covered with snow, temperature was about 2 degrees Celsius and the sun was shining well. Luckily not too much wind. The protective wearing did its job well, when feeling the body temperature was little bit to warm. A enjoyable run through neighboorhood en nearby forest for burning calories.
coldest swim-run-bike ever 3 years ago, -2 celsius and 20cm snow in olympic triathlon ,mid January in Athens!water temperature 11celsius!
Freezing here in NY, but would love to use a 910XT for indoor swims and on the treadmill right now
My coldest run this year was two weeks ago in Henderson, NV. 25 F trail run., That is cold for around here.
Thanks for the contest.
Tom
This past spring I did five triathlons in five weekends culminating in our conference championships. At the beginning of the race it was somewhere around 45 degrees F, which is considerably colder then the water was. If that wasn’t enough I came out of the swim first and it began to rain as soon as I started biking, the temperature also decided to drop. Of course this was a long bike course for an olympic, and my weakest leg, so by the end on every down hill i was shivering uncontrollably, unable to shift hands stuck in a lobster claw, and every up hill I couldn’t feel how tired my legs were. When I dismounted my bike I all but collapsed into the fence and felt as if I was running with only my ankles, feet gone long ago. Certainly not my coldest run but I still asked for hot coco at every aid station.
I moved to Wisconsin two years ago. Since I moved I have done a lot of running in the cold, I think the coldest I have been running in is 5F.
coldest swim-bike-run ever three years ago , olympic distance triathlon mid January in Athens Greece. -2 celsius, 11 deg. celsius water temp!
Running in Alaska in the winter at -15 stareing up at the Northern Lights.