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!
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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.
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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 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.
Wow, another FR910XT giveaway. I want one of these watches so bad, even though I have such a small chance of winning one. Already 700 comments on this post, whereas other non-giveaway posts would probably only have 10 comments.
Anyways, I don’t have very many cold run experiences. I live in the Dallas, TX area and the temperatures usually aren’t too bad. It was 77 degrees F yesterday, and it was just way too hot for January. I did travel to Cleveland, Ohio where it was pretty cold. Only around 20 degrees F though, still nothing compared to some temperatures that some people run in. However, one day while running in Ohio, there was a thin layer of snow (about an inch or 2) that piled up before the snow plows could come through. I took a corner a bit too sharp and slipped on the ice that was hidden underneath. I fell down, and ended up ripping my shirt sleve. It’s definitely a different experience running in snow/ice. I was commuting once on my bike here in Texas while there was ice on the ground, but it was half melted, and acted more like water. I forgot my biking gloves, and my hands did get very cold on that 3 mile bike though.
Anyways, I know my stories probably aren’t the best cold weather stories out there. I guess I’m pretty lucky to live in warn weather, mostly year round. However, I would still love to win the FR910XT. Thanks for having this giveaway, Ray, and thanks to Clever Training for sponsoring it.
While perhaps not the coldest, but the wettest: LA marathon, 2011. It rained non stop. They had to have buses ready at the finish line for those suffering from hypothermia.
Coldest run was definitely when I went out in ~30 deg. F in shorts and a tech T. My forearms were entirely numb after that.
I don’t live in a cold place, I’m just dumb.
Ummmm………………………….. I just want a 910XT and since this is a random draw, well ……………….. that’s it.
Just this week…..I was in Chicago and went out for 10 miles along the lakeshore on Monday. Temperature was in the low single digits and wind chill was -17 Farenheit. I onlly saw about a dozen other cold souls and when I got back to my hotel my facemask was coated in a sheet of ice from my condensing breath freezing.
Mtn biking in the Idaho mtns. Staring raining but as we kept climbing it turned over to snow. Wearing shorts and a long sleeve jersey. Hands went numb coming down the mtn I could barely hold onto the bar. Never so glad that a ride was over.
I went out for a bike ride the other day and it was cold! So cold in fact that the hairs in my nose would freeze with ever inhale! But as I am training for my first icebreaker triathlon I had to do it. It is not the first time I have been cold and definitely won’t be my last!
Train on and…..roggen….out!
Definitely had to be the 2011 Hot Chocolate 5K “Epic Fail” run, where the race ran late and we stood 45 minutes in the freezing cold!!! Terrible race! I know you were there!!!! :)
My coldest run was in Porto Alegre Brazil, around 8º C. Well, we don’t have days too cold by here, but in south of Brazil, we have somedays. I have run 8km.
Last winter up in Maine….5 F with a nice wind that seemed to be in my face no mater which way I was headed?? I don’t mind the cold too much…but that wind can be a killer! Thanks for another great giveaway!
Polar Bear swim when i was younger. It was 6am and you could see your breathe outside. It was an outdoor pool too.
Fortunately I’ve been living in the Middle East, so it doesn’t get too cold. But the worst were when I was in the army – changing into t-shirts and shorts at dawn in the middle of December and going for runs
My coldest run was actually yesterday morning. It was 14 degrees with a wind chill that made it feel like 3 degrees. At least that what the weather channel app read. I think it was right. I’m glad it was a Tempo Run.
Today’s run was the coldest ever, but at -12 Celsius the only running I did was from the bus stop and back to my house.
link to instagram.com
It is never really too cold here in so cal, but it was in the 30s last week. We had some rain too.
I’m thinking the frosty knuckles race. 3.5 miles along a beach on the north shore of Massachusetts. In February. Dang cold!
Two years ago, riding my way home in the single digits without the correct gloves. Never again!
Last february long run before Rome marathon, I think it was -15.
December 29, 2012. It was about 15ºF and I went on a ride through the snow on a super cheap MTB that was sitting in my Parent’s Garage. The shifter wouldn’t stay in gear so I had to hold it for the whole ride. I only made it .5 miles before my hands were too cold to continute!
-10 Wind chill out side of Chicago, Frozen eyelashes and snot. Suprised the rest of my body was fine thanks to layering
1997 Houston Marathon – 32 degrees F and sleet/rain the whole time
-25 for a month or so was a bit chilly in Serbia a few years back. Did more snowboarding than running then, but when it’s that cold and very windy, and you’re sat on a broken-down chairlift, if feels pretty chilly!
Based in India now, cold runs are pretty infrequent :)
New to running so was walking back in winter 2010 here in Ireland. temp was -10C, coldest temperature I’ve ever experienced in my life. Walking around a lake the air was so cold that exposed skin was painfull, I think running in that would damage lungs if you were breathing hard for more than a couple of minutes. Still at least ity was dry and beats the hell out of the rain we seem to get so much of here most winters ( and summers spring and autumn too come to think of it..!!!!!!)
King Street Mile, sub freezing with 20+ mph winds, run right into the wind. High schoolers were out there in just shorts! I didn’t feel guilty that day about drafting behind anyone I could!
Doing my first ever Randonneuring ride in 2011 (125 miles in winter). It was in the low teens outside in Ohio. By the time we hit the first checkpoint, my water bottles had frozen. It required getting off the bike and thawing them under a hand drier at a BP station. At the end of the day, I thought this was the most awful experience I’ve had and that these riders are my type of people.
Been doing the rides ever since and gained many friends along the way.
Last year went on a ride at about 25 degrees F with leg warmers instead of proper tights, and lightweight shoe covers and gloves. Never again, stocked up on proper gear after that!
2010 Walt Disney World Marathon during the first week of January. It was 19 degrees when the race started and 25 when finished. There was even a shortage of cold running gear all over Orlando pre-race.
Maybe not the coldest, but the best cold run was during DC Snowpacolypse a few years ago. Most fun I’ve ever had on a long run.
Swimming in a glacier lake. Almost lost my ability to have children.
Running (sat jan 26th) 50 miles in Buffalo, NY in temps in teens with a few inches on the ground.
My coldest run was -11 degrees F. My coldest race was a 5 miler at -8 degrees F. My beard was a cake of ice by the finish of the race.
coldest I’ve ever been was a bike ride in -9degrees C early one morning in 2009 in the north of England. I lived at the top of a c.2km 12% hill and set off after forgetting my cycling gloves. My hands were numb within 2min going down the hill, but I couldn’t be bothered to climb the hill back to home to get the gloves. So after suffering like a dog for 20miles when I couldn’t work the gears or brakes any more I had to cave in. Only problem was that when I did get home I didn’t have enough dexterity in my frozen hands to let myself in. I had to beg a passer by to retrieve the key from my rear pocket and let me into my own home to warm up. Never again!
Just earlier this week. Was 15F in Maryland with wind gusts 15-20 mph. Not terrible till the wind gusts would kick in. Will definintely runin that temp, especially if no wind…
Northeast Georgia does get a little cool on occasion. Nothing like some of our northern neighbors. However, running in mid 20’s, layered and enjoying the invigorating air oh, while I am dodging traffic. That will keep you warmed up.
My run the other day was in 3 degrees. There are really no other details other than being frozen!
Well, not really a long run but a run followed by a plunge into the icy abyss of Lake Erie! Froze me straight to my core but I felt alive!
-8 degrees 2 days ago in Aberdeenshire Scotland. link to fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net
Coldest run…at Mooseman Olympic tri 2012 was 46 degrees anf torrential downpours nonstop. By mile 10 of the bike I had no more feeling in my feet and hands so had to try to shift with my wrist. Couldn’t get my helmet off or get my running shoes on for the life of me. Finally looked over at a guy having the same issues and we just sat there and laughed out load for a minute. It was a good moment.
Head of the Charles 2009 – rowing in snow in October! That wasn’t supposed to happen!!
Sooooo I ran two nights ago and left my jacket in the car because I didn’t want to carry it after I warmed up during my run. I ended up setting my PR for a 5K!! Woot woot!! Into the BWW’s my boyfriend and I went to celebrate and it was soooooooo cold in that restaurant!!!! Sadly I had no jacket and my muscles were getting super tight. Coldest post run celebration EVERRRR!!!!!!
<3 Haley Moon
My coldest bike ride was about two years ago. I had just started riding and was in training for my very first triathlon. My plan called for a bike ride and I did not want to skip a workout… It was 23F and sleeting (just a little)!! I don’t remember the windchill. …but I wasn’t alone! Out of about 25 people in my training group-3 of us were dedicated (crazy) enough to get it done!! (So thankful for my trainer-I never want to ride in that weather again!!) :D
I was visiting my family north of Montreal over the holidays. I went running with two handheld water bottles. After a few minutes I noticed the water in the bottles had frozen solid. I decided I would keep the run short that day!
I don’t have too many cold running memories but I have had plenty of cold moments sitting on chairlifts.
All this week, upstate, NY. High of 8F, with a wind chill of -12F. It doesn’t get much colder than that. I made a few treks out in the cold, but then decided that the treadmill would have to work, at least until it get back up to 15F.
I live in HK. It’s usually 10 – 15 c in winter, in some rare occasion, the temperature would drop below 10c. It’s already very cold for people who live near tropical area. So this one time I was running a long run on the mountain. It’s a sunny day around 15c. I was only wearing a pair of shorts and short sleeves T shirt and of course I felt warm enough at 15c. But when I was half way done for the long run, it started raining and the chilly wind kept blowing. The temperature drop significantly and I was all wet. I felt really cold and whenever I breathe in the cold air, it felt like cutting open my nose and throat. I got headache for few hours after the run.
After that experience, I always wear a long sleeve when I run a long run in winter unless it’s above 20c.
Most definitely the 10th day of the Slowtwitch 100/100. I had a final to take that afternoon so I ran right after a nice long pool workout which to my dismay was in a wind/snow/rain mix. Being a previously fair-weather runner I was miserably unprepared and got a case of frozen hair, numb hands and itchy thighs!
As a new years resolution I decided to start triathlon with the goal of finishing the 2013 Zurich Ironman. Having little to know experience with swimming or biking I went on my virgin outdoor ride just last Sunday. I did 80km through the Irish country side around Dublin with a temperature of -2 degrees, heavy winds and sleet. It was cold! I bought proper gloves and toe warmers directly after my ride.
Plenty of bike rides in the low teens, but running yesterday actually felt the coldest. Only in the upper 20’s but the wind was wicked. Must be getting old.
Not the coldest but certainly the coolest (really and figuratively) was one at around 3 celsius in Sao Paulo, Brazil, when I noticed that the sweat and drizzle were forming ice crystals on the outside of my jacket – that would be cool to watch if only I hadn’t forgotten my gloves!
Polar bear swim, every year in Long Beach, NY. Thousands of people attend, and every year, they get antsy, and dive in early. Then everybody else joins in. It’s only after that, that the announcers tell you it hasn’t started yet, so everyone has to do it again. Usually wind up going in a third time too, just to get pictures. It gets colder with each trip into the water.
My coldest ski day trumps any cold run or bike ride. -18F, -72F windchill. My plastic glasses frame cracked when they were hit by a blast of cold air as I opened the door from the cozy and warm confines of my car.
I dont let cold weather stop me! I just layer up and sometimes with a facemask if i need to. Im from chicago so weather can dip pretty low, not to mention with the wind. Coldest long run i remember was one where after it took me over an hour to regain feeling in my toes. Still a good 14 miler though!
About four years ago I went to NY City in November to care for my sister for ten days. Nine of days I went for a short, two mile runs. The weather hovered about 20 degrees or so the entire time. It also snowed over the course of a few of those days, so my runs became me doing my best impression of a figure skater each time I ran on a piece of “black” ice that lurked under the snow. Thankfully, I never took a spill, but I swore one of those times, a cab driver held up a points card and gave me a 8.0…..and there I swore I was a 10.
My coldest run had to be any run between November-May while i was living in Alaska last year.
The Chicago lake shore, in early Spring. I remember it was unseasonably warm. My buddies and I were working up a sweat running. The sun was out and shirts were off. A few blocks from Lake Michigan a robust North wind began to really sway the tree tops. Within a couple of miles the bottom fell out as a cold front raced down the shoreline. And we were miles from the warmth of campus. If I remember the temperature dropped some 20+ degrees in about 20 minutes. It was much more the drastic drop than the final temp that made it seem so cold.
Oregon Winter morning… Lungs freezes over…
An early season bike race in Western Michigan, it started to snow, got slushy to the point where the derailleur froze in gear and I couldn’t change up or down. Good times.
I live in the South (Alabama) and we don’t get too cold, but my coldest was my first 10K in November a few years ago. It was around 2 degrees below freezing and I had only been running for 1 month. I was cold as all hell, but had a blast.
My coldest run was in Calgary in the late fall.
My coldest run was the 2011 Dallas White Rock Marathon. Really wasn’t that cold temperature-wise, only 34 degrees, but the wind and the rain had me shivering for hours after the race.
I live in Calgary, Canada. There were a few cold days here this winter. I had to go through my Runkeeper log for this. My coldest ride was a commute back from work. Temperature with wind chill was -20C. Wind was from North and blowing hard in to my face.
I ran wednesday during lunch hour. With windshield it was -38celsius(-36Farheneit). I’m suffering from hyperhydrosis (I sweat a lot, I mean a lot REALLY!) Because of that, and I had a few layers on, I sweat inside my jacket which made condensation and turn me into an icycle! But hey, I ran!
Being in Alberta, Canada I run year-round. I look forward to those days when the temperature drops below -30c. I recall on day a few years ago that we were ranked the 2nd coldest place on earth – I had to do a 5k run.
-11 yesterday morning in Lincoln Nebraska. Yummy!
Coldest run was this winter in Kansas, with the wind blowing around 30 mph. Wind chill was -10degrees. Hoping for a win! My trusty 305 is dying on me….
My coldest run was in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. My ears hurt when I think of that run. Believe it or not, there are places that snow in southern Brazil.
My coldest ride was a few months back I met a group for a morning ride. Temps were in the mid 30s but it was cloudy and humid. I was wearing my thin running gloves. Quickly after we started my finger tips started to hurt… bad. I wanted to stop, but since I went through all the trouble to go with the group, I didn’t want to turn back for something as lame as cold fingers (the rest of me was bundled well and fine). Well, I must have gotten frost nip on that ride because now i can’t stand to be outside for very long at all before my finger tips hurt! :(
Disney Marathon a few years back it was in the 20’s, water stops had frozen water
Completed my first marathon 2 weeks ago in Disney. During training, my “20 miler” landed on the coldest day of the past 365 day at 20 degrees F. The right gear makes all the difference and I had plenty!
Sweatshirt needed on my run in Austin, TX.
My coldest run was around the same time of the year last year. On a freezing cold day I went out for a somewhat longer run. And looking at my face in the mirror after my return, there were indeed icicles hanging from underneath my chin – pretty much the Ole-Einar Bjorndalen look…
My first time running in 20F degrees, I had tights, long underwear, down jacket, balaclava, mittens… I was pouring sweat by the end of my 1st mile. Ended up having to run 1 mile home and strip off a few layers before heading out again!
Living in Minnesota, we have plenty of cold days to pick from; coldest day was probably 3 or 4 miles around 0F. Watery eyes, running nose, no warm up or cool down, just RUN.
Ran yesterday in Montreal, it was very cold, about -25C!
Hard on the lungs
I feel a little wussy writing about my coldest run after reading a few of the comments, but here goes. I can only remember the last few weeks because I have 3 small children and my memory is shot due to lack of sleep. I’m in Portland, Oregon and its been in the low 20s. Without the wind its fine but once the wind kicks up its like its blowing right through me. I ran with some friends in the early morning and it was dark and cold and windy. We all agreed that day that we can handle the cold but the wind is a killer.
My coldest run ever was this past Wed morning (the weather said it was 14 degrees and felt like 5 degrees) at 6am in the dark on the National Mall. It turned out to be a great run because I ran with a group of people. It sure made the run “warmer” with the company I was with. I hope I win
MTB ing is sub zero weather at night. The light reflecting off the white snow at night made it an almost spiritual moment. Made it all the more memorable sharing the experience with several friends.
Coldest run for me was in the 20’s
The inaugural Jingle Bell 5k Run in Winchester, VA last month. I was wearing shorts and the windchill was in the single digits. Huge gusts of wind, snow flurries; my legs and butt were completely numb afterwards.
I usually have a nothing below 20F rule, but this year a friend convinced me we needed to do our first Mountan Bike ride of the year in 12F weather with 6 inches of snow on the ground. At least the snow breaks your fall when you hit a soft patch and endo.
Craig
Living in Wisconsin I run and bike in a lot of cold weather. This past week the highs were below zero. On those days I tend to hit the treadmill or run on the track at the YMCA.
My coldest run/ride? Probably a ride I did with my uncle on the back of a tandem when I was a wee lad, but the one I remember best was Christmas Day about 4-5 years ago. I got a Garmin forerunner 305, and I decided that even though I was sick, and it was freezing…and windy…basically super freezing… Lost my place, anyway, it was cold, but I decided I needed to start racking up the miles anyway. 5 miles that day…it was awful. The point of the story, I had a forerunner, used it a lot, went to college, it lost it’s purpose, and I just recently gave it to my older brother who in turn got my same biking/running amazing super hero uncle one too…well now I see the Strava rides and runs and I have been trying to get back in on the action. Winter is the best time to start I think. Cold weather be damned.
Great blog by the way. My older brother pointed me in this direction, and it’s probably contributed a great deal in my desire to get back on the bike. Thank you.
Coldest run was in high school. We had a 6 am captain’s run during wrestling season. Snow on the ground probably about 20 degrees. When we finished everyone’s hair was frozen.
I ran yesterday when it was 15 degrees. Last week I ran in T-shirt and shorts when it was 30 degrees.
My coldest run ever was actually yesterday. 4 easy miles in 9 degree weather with 15-20mph wind. But hey, it’s always colder and windier somewhere else right?
Ran this past Tuesday morning in Chicago (8f). Aside from the watery eyes and runny nose, it was not bad after the 25 minute warmup!
Tried to do a 22 mile training at 10 degrees on Saturday. It did not go well.
Coldest run was yesterday. Temperature was approximately -5 degrees celcius and i was doing part of it barefoot (the parts where the roads wasn’t filled with salt).
I live on Nantucket – we don’t typically get a lot of cold or snow here – but last year I was training for a winter marathon and had a long run during a rare snowstorm, bundled up and went out with friends – all was well and toasty warm – but the snow covered all the icy puddles. Went right through over my ankles just a few miles into the run and had to complete the run with no feeling in my feet.
i hate running when it’s really cold, but heading out for a 30 mile trail run in the North Georgia mountains – hope nothing freezes
My coldest run ever was in College at Washington State University (Go Cougs!). It was a easy 5 miler around campus in 22 degree weather with a 10 mph wind…it was awful. I think I had snot frozen to my face when it was over.
If you hear about a guy in Indianapolis that rescued his dog from a Retention pond via the news let me know. First of all, my morning run sucked. It’s just too darn cold out. Secondly, I would like to thank the guy in the Ford Explorer for saving us. I honestly can say that had he not shown up both my dog and I were toast. Special thanks to Westfield EMS, and Channel 6 news, how they got there so quickly still amazes me. Apologies to my Dog. “Bandit”, Ducks are not friends. The poor puppy gets so cra cra over them. His super puppy powers pulled us right into the lake about three miles from home. When the Ice broke and we went in; all I could think of was ” damn I going to miss my kids, wow this lake is deep and heck why do they call these clothes dry fit, more like dry soak”. Some how adrenaline took over and we manged to get out of the lake but that’s when the real horror began. It took about 30 seconds for me to recover my shock/ breath as my clothes froze to my body. Think human Popsicle. The whole time I held Bandit in my arms because he wasn’t moving and his coat was turning to ice. But like in a dream, out of nowhere this random guy pulled both Bandit and I up and into his SUV then called 911. When the EMS guy cut off my frozen running pants in back of the truck, I was glad my mother was right about wearing clean underwear. My legs were a combo color of blue/red. I believe my Triathlon conditioning might have saved me as well. My heart beat was a lowly 217 forever it seemed. It took me close to 40 minutes to recover normal feeling again. Before I could say thanks to the stranger who saved us, the guy just disappeared. If I ever doubted the possibility of a miracle in my past, today changed my mind. God bless all involved, Bandit and I are alive, safe at home, drinking coffee in bed and moving to Florida ASAP.
Last January when for a run before school, it was about -2 at the time, ended up sliding over infront a few other early birds, in my tri suit – incredibly embarrassing!
I’m just back from a 21.1 km run in -8°C in the snowy landscape north of Copenhagen, Denmark.
My coldest run was at a Hypodermic Half Marathon a couple years ago. The temperature was -20 C and with the wind around -30 C.
2 day, 50 mile hike in the Smokies at about 0-5, about -10ish at night. Brutally cold.
It’s freezing in DC right now, might go to the gym :D
-30 degC (-22degF) and -34 degC (-29degF) (with wind chill) this week in Montreal, QC. With wind in the face and at 6:00 min / km, it’s very cold.
My 610 doesn’t resist and the baterry died after 20 minutes !!
But training is training and weather is rarely a good reason to don’t go out for a run
A run in northern Germany along the shorelines of the Baltic Sea. The Wind Chill brought the temp down to almost 10F. Toughed it out to complete my 10k
I’m just a biker but this one time I was out riding in about a foot of snow and my bike froze solid as I was moving so slowly into a 40 mph wind. Well not really as my low temp threshold is about 30 with light wind but that watch is so cool I had to write.
Coldest run? Last week in the Bois de Vincennes (Paris)
Me and you both.
-16 in Northern Utah when I took off for my long run this past Monday. I had to do the last 5.5 miles on the treadmill since my water bottles froze at the valve and I couldn’t continue without hydration (I had already done 4.5 miles after they froze completely).
Finished the outdoor portion with ice covering my beard, eyelashes and eyebrows…fun.