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.
Swimming
500 Warmup (inluding swim, kick, pull)
100s, starting in the 2:30, take away 5 second on each rep until I cannot make the sendoff time. Once I cannot make the sendoff time, add 5 seconds to the sendoff and do 3 more.
500 Cool down, focusing on form
I’m hoping to make it down to the 1:00
Plan for tomorrow is 12 mile run at 60 second slower than goal marathon pace (which will be 9:43).
I have a swim planned for tonight, a bike ride tomorrow, and a brick on Saturday (swim and run). Thankfully, Sunday is my off day!
I’m currently injured so won’t be able to run Barcelona Marathon in March. Instead I hope I’ll be able to start running again in 2 weeks and I’ll run a local trail running race (15k) instead.
80k bike-ride from my dorm room to my hometown!
I plan on doing a group trail run tonight to test out some minimal trail runners for the first time. It will be nice and easy but exciting!
As Many Reps as Possible:
2′ rowing (no reps counted)
2′ box jumps – 24″
2′ wall sit russian twists – w/25lb plate
2′ burpee broad jumps
2′ inchworm
Rest 2′
2′ rowing (no reps counted)
2′ KB Swings (Russian style) – 50lb
2′ tuck jumps
2′ fire hydrant with extension
2′ hollow rocks
Rest 2′
5′ AMRAP rowing for cals
I am just trying to get over a flu… so no major work outs planned. However if I am feeling up to it, there should be a 50 mile ride on either saturday or sunday… and some Tabata intervals 7x ( 20 100%, 10 second rest) on Tuesday.
Saturday’s run: 13 miles at Planned Marathon Pace
Saturday and Sunday, bike, 1.5-2hr aerobic base build, outdoor (finally)
Tues.-Fri, 30-60 min indoor fluid trainer or rollers
Avoid the Zombies while doin my run using the Zombie Run! App for my iPhone. Awesome app if you haven’t checked it out yet!
This weekend is a 3 hour trainer ride, working on Muscular Endurance while staying in Z2
Thanks you again for holding these give aways
Saturday’s workout on the bike:
1.5 – 2 hrs. endurance pace ride, with 4 10 x 5 min. blocks of tempo: in the first and third blocks of tempo, give a hard 10 sec. jump every other minute.
Run Workout
1 mile easy WU
4 x 1 mile @ threshold pace w/ 4 minute recoveries
1 mile easy CD
During mile repeats focus on good form with arms relaxed
CF:
21, 15, 9 reps for time of:
Thrusters, 85lbs
Pull-ups
Swim:
400m warm up
3 x 6 minutes on, 6 minutes off
200m cool down
Long Run on Saturday…14 miles…on a treadmill do to all the snow covering all my trails… :(…I hate treadmills…
I’m getting ready for my first half-marathon in April but I’m not using any real training plan. In the comming days, I’m going to do these trainings:
* 45 minutes Easy run + 10 x 30s/1m intervals
* 5km contest
* Long Run – around 15km
Run: 2 mile warm-up, 10 x 2 minute – 1 minute hard effort and 1 minute moderate effort, 1 mile cool down.
Thursday 45min easy run followed by 45min swim laps.
Hey, since I’m having Rome Marathon on the 17th of March, on Sunday will be my last long run before Rome – 25k trying to hold a steady 4:45min/km
6 mile tempo run with 3 miles at 8:45, followed by some strength training.
6 mile run at lunch today, and 4000 yards in the pool tonight. Pool workout still TBD!
Interval run, followed up by buying a new bike!
1.5 hr endurance ride on the indoor trainer…it’s cold out!
Doing a brick on Sunday, 1000m swim followed by 30 miles on the trainer.
Tonights run. 5 miles with 6x2mins hard, 1 mins rest.
Today i´ll be doing a nigth street run. I´ll try to run at 7:30 PM for 1 hour 20 – 30 minutes in my neiborhood whitout pre establish route. Just running along 10 miles and get back home before 9 PM. Its fun!
2-3 hour Z2 ride
I’m in the midst of building my swimming up. Using a 0-1650yd plan. link to ruthkazez.com
Last day of week 4 tomorrow:
4 x 50 yards…rest for 4 breaths between 50s
600 yards…rest for 10 breaths
300 yards…rest for 8 breaths
4 x 100 yards…rest for 6 breaths between 100s
4 x 50 yards…rest for 4 breaths between 50s
Saturday morning workout: (A yoga sandwich)15 min Warm up yoga, a 2.5 hour bike ride followed by 20 min of flexibility yoga.
Because I am recovering from long injury then I don’t have anything specific. My aim is just to complete one hour running workout without any pain in my foot.
Its race day saturday – 24 miles, 12,000 feet climbing and descending ski mountaineering race.
Maybe a recovery skin/ski a day or two following.
Long 20 mile run in preparation for the Nashville Marathon.
WU: 1×200 RI: 15″ swim
WU: 1×150 RI: 15″ drill
WU: 1×100 RI: 15″ kick
WU: 1×50 RI: 15″ build
3×300 RI: 30″ strong (6:15 – 6:21) [2:05 – 2:07]
3×200 RI: 20″ strong (4:06 – 4:12) [2:03 – 2:06]
3×100 RI: 15″ strong (2:00 – 2:04)
Rest: 2′
1×800 paddles hard (16:56 – 17:12) [2:07 – 2:09]
SET2: 2×200 RI: 15″ drill of choice
WD: 1×100 easy
30 minute ride / Zone 3 followed by 30 minute run / zone 2
Tomorrow- pre-ride for Mellow Johnnies race this weekend out at Flat Creek Ranch here in Austin. 2 laps, 15 miles. Followed by race on Sunday.
I plan on downloading and getting my a$$ handed to me by the new Sufferfest video – “Blender”
After taking the week off following a half-marathon in the hot Florida February heat, I’ll be doing some strength training this coming Saturday, followed by a relaxing long run on Sunday.
3 hour trail run with hills… no distance in mind, just looking to build up time on the trail.
Try to go for a long run… I hate being slow and currently fat. Help!
New Sufferfest Video Blender will be conquered in next 7 days
training running today for 1hour because in the next sunday i will run a half- marathon in Portugal,.
Make it to and from work (Silver Spring to Bethesda) under 30 minutes (each way) for five days in a row on a loaded commuter bike!
Will be running Tuesday, moderate pace for about 45 minutes!! Just finished my 1st half marathon this past weekend and am taking a recovery break to give a minor injury rest, but will be back at it !! Can’t wait!
Tomorrow I have a 1 hour trainer ride followed by a 2 mile swim at the pool.
Saturday’s workout: 5.5 Mile Run at 8:00 pace with new Hoka’s, followed by 90 minute swim with two main sets 10 x 200 alternating free and IM and 3 x 700 swim, pull, paddles and fins.
Ride Alpe d’Huez two times in a row tonight on my Tacx Genius.
Two hard sessions of just under an hour at FTP.
Will be crying during the second
Saturday is a 10 mile long run, easy easy pace.
Interval and Long Runs for the Sao Paulo International Half Marathon on April!!!
I’m doing my first brick of the season tonight. Planning to bike on my trainer indoors (because the ground is still covered with snow) for 30-40 minutes and then throw on warm clothes and head out for a 3 mile run. Hoping I don’t die is covered in this workout.
I will use my shiny new garmin 910xt (that I hopefully win) to measure my SWOLF score to improve my swimming efficiency. I just took some tri-specific swim classes and want to complete a 140.6…and not die.
Easy Swimx2, Easy Runx2, Easy ridex2. You got it I’m in base 1.
Each workouts has both speed skills sets and aerobic endurance (Z1).
As I am currently experiencing some sort of being handicapped as my shoulder is messed up, I am wearing my left arm in a sling and can only do basic workouts in a bike stand. One-armed in that case. Sure looks funny and I will submit a picture if I get picked. ;)
I begin training for my first ever Half Marathon this Sunday.
Sunday my training will be to Run 5 MIles in the AM (also the longest distance I have ever run at once) and then a sufferfest guided trainer session for an hour at night.
Let my new journey begin!
Run 13 km at a steady pace, avg HR around 145 ish. Preparing for half marathon in two months.
My husband left yesterday for a year long deployment in Afghanistan. Instead of counting days, weeks, or months…we are counting the miles. 10644 to be exact. Together we hope to move forward, through biking, running, walking & swimming 10644 miles, representing the physical distance that separates us. That’s 30 miles a day, 207 a week or 877 a month. We will be doing our desperate trainings but combining our totals and hopefully reach this goal!
massive challenge! but great way to deal with the distance! good luck with it!
As a new runner, who’s coming off a very sore foot, I plan on running a 5k this Saturday in under 32 minutes.
Looking forward to a 12 mile long run with friends at an easy pace this coming Sunday. They are tapering for a marathon and finally running short enough distances that I can join them again!
Swim 2200m at a steady aerobic pace
+
Bike 75 miles at endurance pace
+
Run 4 mile cooldown
Brick set either…
Bike 55′ Run 50′ Bike 45′
OR
Run 40′ Bike 60′ Run 25′
Sunday long run, last long run of my base period in preparation for Scafell Pike Marathon. 20 miles off road, with 5000 feet of elevation gain. After that training just get uglier :S
My first 10 mile trail run on Sunday!
Swim 850 yards total. Main set: 4 x 100 yards race pace, RI = 15 seconds
4 mile run
Saturday 1K lake swim planned followed by a ride on the trainer
Sunday 2HR run
3 mile run and full-body cross-training. One set each of pull-ups, push-ups, sumo squats, calf raises, curls, triceps and shoulder presses.
I’m in a holding pattern until my 2 month old daughter gets into a regular sleep schedule.
I am training for an Ultramarathon in September
So my weekly training regime goes like this
Mon:Rest
Tuesday: Intervals
Wednesday:Rest
Thursday: 20km Run within 2hours
Friday:Rest
Sat: 20km run
Sun : Whack 30km+ walk/run
5km swim tomorrow and 10km race this coming Sunday
Insanity Pure Cardio – 20 minutes of Hell, non-stop HIIT.
Ride 40-50 miles Z2 and enjoy the sunshine
Swim 1500m tonight, a cycle 1 hour tomorrow, & a brick on Saturday (run & swim).
Looking forward to 25K in the Canadian snow this Sunday.
23 mile commute home from work – hopefully with a tailwind today!
2hrs bike, 1hr run w/intervals
Finishing up training for my first half marathon in two weeks…this Sunday will be my last long slow run of the whole 13 miles. Running through slush and snow in New England is starting to loose its appeal…I’m getting very anxious for spring to show up!
I lead a track workout every Monday, with core work afterwards. Here is next Monday’s workout:
Dynamic stretch – ankles, knees, and hips
Warm Up – 1 lap easy pace
Drills – High knees, butt kicks, side shuffle, grapevine, backwards, pickups.
Part A: Run 400 meters at a pace that is 10 seconds faster than your 5k pace. So, if you run a 5k at 8 min/mile pace, then your 400 target pace for this workout will be 2 minutes – 10 seconds = 1 min, 50 seconds. Recovery 400 meter jog in between. Goal is to run between 6 to 12 of the 400s depending on your current level of fitness.
Part B: Tabata core work (20 second work periods and 10 second recover periods), with 8 sets for each exercise:
Exercises:
Squats
Bicycles
Lunges
Superman variations
Pushups
Saturday’s workout: 1h bike (trainer) + 0,5h run (treadmil).
Power Flow Yoga tonight, then squeezing in 7 miles at some point during this weekend while on the road for business.
I am training for my first half-marathon. So this week I have to run 10 miles. This is the longest distance I have ever gone, so I’m excited to say the least.
My second tempo workout (ever) and of the season. 35 minutes, 10 minute warm up, 5 minute cool down and then 20 minutes of running about 7min/miles. Should be a very sweaty treadmill experience.
Nothing too exciting for me, Just simple running 5 miles at an 8 min pace for friday then running 10 mile at a 9:30 pace for sunday.
Sunday Indoor Tri Training:
Swim- 400 yd. warm up, 6*200 yd. (on the 2min), 200yd. cool down.
Bike- Spin Class (it’s tough)
Run- 10k (treadmill at 1% incline, boring)
1 hour core workout with 10 minute skip rope, 30 mins weights, 20 minus power hike.=
Sunday long run 180 min. This run should total between 18-22 miles, or 29-35 km. Paris Marathon training plan.
I am currently training for the worlds largest obstacle course. A 20mile Run with over 200 obstacles, split up into 20 Zones. One of those is the ‘World Records Zone’ which contains 150m of Monkey Bars! My training will be lots of hanging from bars for 45seconds, and then trying to do as many Wide Armed Pull Ups as possible after each 45second hang. It may also involve some cheeky trips to the local park, to play about on the Monkey Bars there.
after my recent shoulder luxation running is out of the question
but
training in the gym is
so
– 30 min warm up on the spinning bike, without using the arms
– some exercises for the abs
– together with the Fysio some isolated excercises or the shoulder
– 30 min brisk walking on the treadmill to cool down :-)
hopefully in a few weeks a can run en spin, and mtb and cycle again
Today’s workout;
10 minutes of stretching,
11 mile run z2
10 minutes steam
Doing my first Sprint Triathlon this year so looking to do a second 5km run this week, hopefully in under 30mins (31:42 on Tuesday). Then into the 50m pool at the weekend to do as many lengths as I possibly can. I never considered swimming ‘Fun’, more of a prevent drowning thing…and I never planned to ever fall too far out of a boat :) That’s changing for sure.
Starting some cross training for the (sprint) Tri season. Starting out by cycling for about 45 minutes in a loop. Then back home, change to running shoes and go out for a 5km run. Hopefully fairly fast…
Running speed work:
10 X 600M sprints
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Recovering from running injury, so the workout will be a light ‘brick’ session. Warmup on light resistance on bicycle trainer for an hour and explore a (new to me) local trail for a 10-15 mile trail run (depending on how the agitated leg feels).
Trainer ride, 2×20 tempo/ss ride!
I’m itching to get outside!
saturday: 2h hill run, in the second part 3×10 min uphill at AT, which is 150-155 hpm for me
Tonight’s run: Pyramid Hill Intervals.
Relatively easy:
2km warm-up then hard-intervals of 1min, 1:30, 2, 2:30, 3, 3:30, 4, 3:30, 3, 2:30, 2, 1:30, each with a 2 min easy in between. 2km cool-down. All hards uphill, all easys downhill.
These intervals I judge by form i.e. as hard as I can go while maintaining good running form.
I’m hoping to run 10 miles on Saturday to see if my hip injury is healed. Fingers crossed!
Run Workout
2.5k warm up
6 hill repeats. 400m long all out effort
2.5k cool down.
My workout this saturday will consist in a small warm-up of 3 * 400 meters followed by a 2 hour game of tennis. Hopefully I will win wich will make me even more happy and excited to the next step of the workout – 45 minutes of intense football game with my 4 year old son…:)…Believe me that this final part will be the most difficult to endure due to the numer of sprints, interval training and goals that I will suffer, because he always wins!!!!
Just trying to get my endurance back after having a broken collarbone. 5km run at morning while a 30minute ride at trainer during evening
I plan on running 12.5 miles with Greater Lowell Road Runners on the Boston marathon course.
Today’s swim workout will be warm up then 6-8 150’s on 2:30 interval followed by 4-6 50’s on 1:00 or less…depends on how the crew elects to swim them! We have structured flexibility! Thursday we do 150’s, Monday we do ladders and Friday is for lots of 50’s!
Running 30K on the weekend to prepare for a month of intense training