Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, 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.
Ride and ride, the list goes on
Run and keep running, don’t stop !
Keep riding on and never give up !
Gonna run and never let the bed pulls you !
High cadence for the coming week, gonna pump up those pistons !
Gonna go with Big chainring and smallest cog, leg strengthening !
Run and run, never stop till you bonk !
Training with sheer strength and power, goes on and on. Never give up whether running, cycling or swimming.
Tomorrow’s swim:
W/U: 200, 2×200 – 50, 100K, 50 (:20)
M: 3x {2×200 Pull (:20)
4×50 Pull Fast (1:00SI)
(1:00)}
8×50 Swim w/ Paddles Best AVG (1:00SI)
C: 100
Doing a 100 minute cycle trainer session with a new training video today
18 mile run on Sunday… LA Marathon coming up in a few weeks!
Today I’ll be skiing in Hafjell. Expect to do another ~5500-6000 vertical meters and arround 30-35km according to http://skiline.cc tracking of using the lifts (my garmin watch tells a longer story, but it is with the kids so mostly long easy slopes). Get the ~6 hours will count as a workout. For the next week the schedule says an 1 hour swim. Basically jumping in the pool ant take it easy in the beginning and then end up arround 3600meters of freestyle.
I’m trying to get back in shape using C5K app on my phone. Just six 1.5 min intervals next time, hope I don’t die!
1 x 10 min warm up
5 x 5min all out
1 x 2hr enduro
1 x 15 min warm down
I will be working on hurdle drills for track. Hip mobility, and speed to hopefully be able to race in the steeple chase. With this and other training, I hope to win a local high school decathlon, then go to my first tri, and my first half marathon this summer.
I’m just hoping to get in a swim tomorrow. I say hoping because I’m currently travelling and can’t seem to find a pair of goggles anywhere in this town … Burning red eyes here I come!
Today I’m going to start my mtb season. I plan 15k ride with lot of mud :)
15 burpees
15 jumping lunges
30 crunches
15 bicycle kicks each leg
Run 1/4 mile (Alternate run with 500 yd swim)
(6 sets)
Hill repeats at Mt Faber, Singapore. Perform 4x climb at Z3. Recover during descent.
28km long run in 2:07.
5km easy + 20km @ 4:18 min/km + 3km easy.
40K ride on saturday + 6K @ 5:00 on sunday … If it doesn’t snow here in Turin :)
It’s all going to depend how my pounding headache goes, but it will either be an easy 3.5 kms on the local beach just to keep me moving, or a moderate paced 45 minutes up and down that same beach again and again until my timer goes off. The trick will be keeping my heart rate under 75%.
Tuesday core stability, Thursday a10k run and finally on Sunday also a 10k run! Can’t wait until the snow is gone and I can ride again on Sunday.
1h long time trial (usually take exactly that long) on a rolling course. Gonna hurt!
recovery exit on my bike: only 40km
After a month of riding to collect power data.
sunday: a 5min/20min FTP test for the first time
Ciao Ray,
Run 21 km for the first time: Shall see….
The toughest of the week for me :
Standard warm-up
15k: 6k @ Tempo + 5×1′ @
5k race pace, 2′ jog rest
3 x 1′ Standard Core
Hi,
work up for this afternoon:
about 8km with 5x100m speeding up to prepare my competition tomorrow! Cross swiss championship!
Hi,
60 to 70 minutes, pace 5’20”/km with 2x10minutes at 4’30”/km.
next Sunday I have a 80km and 2500m mtb race
Warm up 5min
5xIntervals 1km
90seconds recovery
Cool down 5min
Gym today and 1 hr swim on monday.
A half marathon on sunday!
Travelling in Saudi on biz so outdoor running in the city not possible so over the next week will be treadmill and bike sessions only. Tomorrow will be 2 hours fast (4.30min/km) on the treadmill followed by easy 1 hour cycle.
10min warm up
12x25m crawl
12x25m backstroke
10x25m backstroke (legs only)
10x25m backstroke (2 arms up together)
10x25m crawl (legs only)
10x25m crawl (arms only)
10min warm down
200m crawl (easy)
1600m crawl (medium)
200m crawl (easy)
in the evening various exercises for core stability (about 30min)
Trail running 15-20 km on a sunny but cold Saturday along the local small river and around the lake. Plenty of snow on the ground and -8 C, so should be a lot of fun.
Im planning to ride a hard mountain track tomorrow with some friends. We are testing ourselves out before the trail triatlon next week. Hope we are in a good condition ;)
14k long run leading up to half marathon in 12 weeks
thanks for give away!
This week I plan to try getting back to running after an injury, probably using C25k to take it really slowly (and not make things worse again)…
Running a sub 40min 10km.
I’ll be running my second half-marathon on Sunday with a plan towards a PR (2:07; yeah, I’m a slow newb) based on “slightly slower on the uphills, slightly faster on flats and downhills.” 13 miles, paced at 9:46, 9:40, 9:37, 4@9:31 (flat stretch), 9:37, 9:40, 9:47, 9:51, 9:56, 10:01, and a .1 mile sprint (technically 1:02). Then a cooldown walk of at least 10 minutes. Then wings and beer (the half is sponsored by Hooters).
10km run TT
9 mile run total
3×800 (2 min running rest)
3×400 (2 min running rest)
3×200 (2 min running rest)
Half marry in 2 weeks!!
I’m flying back to DC, where I lived for 8 years, for a run in Rock Creek with old friends!
2 h Bike ride outside at 70% – winter ends!
Everyone’s old faithful speed workout: 8 x 400m. I’m doing mine with a half mile warm up and cool down and 200m recovery intervals. To mix it up I’m going to drive up to Bangkok (living in Pattaya these days) and do my workout in Lumpini park!
‘dry’ sprint indoor triathlon:
5km Row on a Concept 2
40 minutes on the spin bike
5km Run on the treadmill
On the spin bike alternate between 2 minutes sprinting or climbing out of the saddle and 3 minutes normal pace. Finish off with plank, crunches, press-ups, stretches.
I’m getting ready for the NYC HALF Marathon. I’m hoping to crack 1:30, so my main workout this week? A 10 mile long run @ 7:00min mile. Thanks Ray!
Today’s Workout (Rest Day) Rock Climbing and twilight snowboarding
Tomorrow: Race pace effort 10k
Last long run (11 miles) before my upcoming half marathon (by 2nd one).
2 hour endurance road ride on what feels like the first sunny weekend of the year in England!
To go on a 12 mile hike.
Side note: Long hikes are great training when you know you are going to have to walk in your race. Have you done a workout your walking muscles.
Sunday: 10 km. Easy run, starting at a comfortable speed and will pick up the pace if it feels good.
1000 pushups done threw the day
I just run a easy 10k, just relax.
Just run with my husband one hour in the park.
Thursdays are “Hill repeat Thursdays.”
On Thursday, we will run 2 miles slowly out to “Fertilizer Road,” a long, narrow, winding, hilly, wildlife infested, backwoods road and make three excursions up and down it.
This gives us the benefits of hill repeats and doing them on Fertilizer Road helps take the drudgery out of it.
11 Mile Run, on the scenic River Road, Cook Forest, PA. 30 to 60 Secs. per Mile under Race Pace. Training Run for link to cookforest.com on 03/30/13.
I’ll be doing 5x 4min running with 2min breaks as I am coming back from shinsplints injury. Hopefully I can run my 3rd half marathon later this year!
Planned to ride about 4h on the ice roads monday or tuesday.
5k training (10min warmup + 20min on the beach – 4min hard + 1min easy) + 10 min recovery run. Training for my first half on July!
Final taper this week. Biggest workout will be my triathlon next week!
I should do 80Km bike ride with 8k run after on saturday and 90k bike and 10k run on sunday. all with progressive zones alternations
In the winter days my trainings with the bike are entirely indoors on the tacx trainer. Currently – buildup with some endurance rides on tacx videos.
Just a nice easy run this weekend on the mall. Just running by feel.
I’m dealing with a stress fracture in my foot, so no running for me for a while. I’m planning to walk and swim instead. I don’t have a specific plan, but all of my workouts include “and don’t die.” :)
Thanks for the contest!
Trying to get back into spinning after being cleared by my doctor after giving birth. So an hour spin class for me
Coming back from an Achilles injury, so will be happy to get through a flat 45 min ride tomorrow without pain!
swim – 400 WU, 10 x (200 free, 100PB) leaving at 5:00, 300 CD. that’s tomorrow AM.
Working on controlling my breathing in the water, so I’m doing 25m breathing every 2 strokes, 25m breathing every 3, and so on until I breathe every 5 strokes (beginner). Then repeat as much as my body will let me
Indoor tri: 10 min. swim in 25 meter pool + 30 min. on stationary bike + 20 min. run on treadmill
Hi,
The next run I sheduled is next week, I’m going for a far trailrun of about 25km in Germany. It’s my first time I do a trailrun so it will be heavy.
Choose your own adventure! I like this type of giveaway. This week will be my first week back from an injury, so I’ll be doing a couple easy 2-3 mile runs with some biking sprinkled in there.
warm up: 1×100 @1:55, 2 x 75 @ 1:20, 3 x 50 @ :55, 4 x 25 @:25
main: 4 x 500 (9:00, 8:45, 8:30, 8:15); 1 x 200 drills
cool down: 2 x 150 (100 easy, 50 kick) @:15 rest
“Power Ladder”
Warm up for 10 minutes on a bike with a power meter.
Start with 125 watts, hold for 1 minute while maintaining cadence at 90 RPM. Rest 1 minute back at 100 watts/90 RPM. Increase watts by 25 on each cycle. Go until you pop!
Bike Workout indoors
Warm-up 15 minutes.
3 x 1 minute hard1 minute rest between
5 minutes easy
5 minutes ALL OUT
10 minutes easy
20 minutes ALL OUT
15 cool down
Running
15min warm-up
15x30s, 1min break
10min cool down
WU
120FS/120K/120D
MS
10X100FS Concentrate on Technique+Form
1X500FS PULL :30
1X500FS PULL+PADDLE :30
CD
200D
Swimming and swimming. 1.5km everyday. Shouldn’t do less…
…and stretches.
5 hours easy on the bike, with a few inclines thrown in. Straight off and into a 40 minute easy run.
Side note: was in Paris on Tuesday and swung by the cupcakery but no cake for me. Next time I will have to get there a bit earlier!
My workout plan is quite simple: run, run and run every day! :)
Starting the first week of Base 3 training;
Swim: speed skills and aerobic endurance
WU
500m drils
4x500m at zone 2 pace w/ 30sec recovery
CD
Run: force and muscle endurance
WU
4x 5min hills at zone 4 – 5a w/ recovery on the descent
CD
Spinning classes, hill climbs on the road bike, and golf to cool down!
On Sunday 30km run in 2:50 for my marathon target 3:15 in april!
wednesday, running speed session.
15 min. warm up
15 x (1min hard ;1 min easy)
25 min cool down
Have a nice week, everybody, and don’t forget to train hard, race easy!:)
Been sick with grunge /flu for two weeks. Hope to get three weight workouts of increasing intensity over the next week and get back on the bike trainer for rides as I get well.
Planning a 2 hour ride!
3×10′ Z3(fc) 75rpm recovery 10′
6×5′ z4 80rpm recovery 10′
2x 5x(3’z3 +1′ burst) from 70rpm to 85rpm recovery 10′
Workout type: Swim
WARM UP:
400m EASY F/C – focus on smooth exhalation + bilateral breathing + 30sec
300m PULL – focus on good hip rotation + 20sec
200m ↑6-3-6 Drill ↓Swim + 15sec
100m EASY F/C – Nice & smooth
BUILD SET:
6x 50m + 15sec. All done as 25m FAST holding good form + 25m easy
MAIN SET:
Can you hold back the pace on the 100’s ready for the 300?
2x [3x 100m, 2x 200m, 1x 300m all at sustainable threshold pace +20sec]
COOLDOWN:
200m as 2x[50m EASY F/C + 50m LEISURE STROKE]
Leisure stroke = Double Arm Backstroke with Breaststroke Legs
Planned Time: 1:15
Distance Planned: 3500 meters
Workout type: Swim
WARM UP:
400m EASY F/C – focus on smooth exhalation + bilateral breathing + 30sec
300m PULL – focus on good hip rotation + 20sec
200m ↑6-3-6 Drill ↓Swim + 15sec
100m EASY F/C – Nice & smooth
BUILD SET:
6x 50m + 15sec. All done as 25m FAST holding good form + 25m easy
MAIN SET:
Can you hold back the pace on the 100’s ready for the 300?
2x [3x 100m, 2x 200m, 1x 300m all at sustainable threshold pace +20sec]
COOLDOWN:
200m as 2x[50m EASY F/C + 50m LEISURE STROKE].
Leisure stroke = Double Arm Backstroke with Breaststroke Legs
Planned Time: 1:15
Distance Planned: 3500 meters
Bike: Base Builder
warm up 5-10 minutes
All reps done at 10-15 beats below threshold
4x5min, 45 sec rest
1 minute rest
4x4min, 30 sec rest
1 miniute rest
4×2 minute, 15 sec rest
1 minute rest
Been sick with a viral decease for more than one week on Sunday I can only run at easy pace for 30 – 40 minutes and see how the reactions of my organism are.
On Tuesday, as one of the final steps for my marathon, I should run 3 series of 4000 meters at my expected marathon time (5:40 min/km). Hope I’ll survive it!
Bike:
3 Hour ride on road (@ zone 2 – heart rate).
Swim:
Warm Up:
4x75m Free Fins
100m Free Fins
500m, 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m pull (desending rests)
5 sets of 5 x 50m (15s rest)
150 kick
300 cool down
Just had a flu and try to ease back into it very slowly.
Did a short 5k run today at conversational pace and will ride my bike for two hours tomorrow at Z2.
Currently my heart rate is still higher than usual when working out, hope this goes down again soon.
No specific workout, but I’ve moved back to western PA from southeast VA, so I’ll be learning to run the hills again! (And learning to deal with the cold weather)
Hoping to do a proper long run sometime during this week.