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.
12 miles with 6 x 1000 meter intervals at 5k pace.
I am planning a swim workout for tomorrow:
300 yd warmup pace
200 yd free, back, breast, free
300 yd free, quick pace
200 yd free, back, breast, free
300 yd free, quick pace
200 yd free, back, breast, free cool-down pace
1,500 yds Total
** You can tell I’m not a swimmer :) I need to learn how to put my workouts in proper swim workout lingo!
12 mile run this weekend. Getting ready for CB 10 miler in early April!
Oh let’s see… I have my FTP testing! Yikes! After a 3+ month vacation due to an injury I really don’t want to see how badly my power dropped!
Tuesday: last bit of speed work before my half.
Warm-up
3x half-mile @ 6.50min/mile / 90-second rest
Cool-down
Coming up this Sunday: 1:15 bike ride followed by 8×400 at 5k pace with 400 easy between each.
I’m doing an easy 7-8 mile run today (which is rather boring, yes), so here’s my tempo run for next Tuesday:
– warmup 1-2 miles
– 3 miles tempo (8 minute/mile for me)
– cooldown 1-2 miles
I’m training for the LA marathon and currently in taper mode; just 17 days to go!
Strength: Push-Pull Pairs
Chin-ups-Shoulder Press
Lat Pull down-Incline BB
Seated Row-Flat BB
Bent Row-Decline BB
Upright Row-Bench dips
Aerobic: Bike ride 25 miles
This evening after work I’ll be going out on my new Forme Axe Edge Sport … link to formebikes.co.uk … it will almost be too mjucbh like fun to call it a work out.
Saturday is the local rowing head race – so I’ll be out in a coxed 8 to do 16 minutes of hell on the river ;-)
Half-marathon on Sunday, goal is around 1:30:00
Tomorow morning. 6am
1h20 run
First 45 min easy then 2x10min at 90% max hr.
30 minute pool swim in the a.m.; deadlift, press, row, abs and a 20 min easy jog in the pm.
Track workout for the first week of marathon training:
1 mile warm up
4 x 800 progression by 15 seconds, 2 min jog in b/w
1 mile cool down
Bike AE Intervals:
:15 min W/U
:07 sec MAX effort (>900W) :53 sec recovery
X20
:10 C/D easy spin
Sounds easy doesn’t it? Just 7 second efforts, right?
Try it.
Sufferfest….”The Blender”……1 hour and 40 mins of pain.
Since I spent most of the winter caring for my pregnant wife, doing baby-prep, and working OT, I’m trying to rebuild my base. 1.5-2 hrs on the trainer while the wife naps/nests.
Two hours of Computrainer fun on Saturday!
WU
Easy 10 km Run.
Mostly flat, 1 small Hill
My favorite workout of the week is always my pyramid tempo run. I warm up at a slow comfortable recovery pace for 15 minutes and then perform the following:
mile 1 @ 7:00min pace
2min recovery jog
mile 2 @ 6:45 min pace
2min recovery jog
mile 3 @ 6:30min pace
2min recovery jog
mile 4 @ 6:15min pace
2min recovery jog
mile 5 @ 6:30min pace
2min recovery jog
mile 6 @ 6:45min pace
2min recovery jog
*End with a 15 minute recovery jog*
Just a simple long slow run for me on sunday as i’m coming back into running any sort of distance after a period of niggling injuries.
10 miles @ 9min/mile or less is the aim.
60 minute run at zone 1-3. 5 minute walk warmup. After 15 minute run warmup at zone 1, do the following intervals:
8 x 90 seconds at 5K race pace with 90 seconds easy jog recovery.
5 minutes easy jog recovery.
Then, 6 minutes at 5K race pace.
Run remainder at high zone 2. Focus on smooth form and high cadence and try to reduce heart rate through running efficiency and deep belly breathing.
Walk 5 minutes to cooldown.
50 crunches and one 60 second plank.
Coming from a lumbar spine syndrome, I’d like to do my first road bike ride this year in south Germany as the weather will get warmer and snow will disappear. Will be 2 hours with optimum (not too high) heart rate after the long winter.
Endurance Run
WU: 10min Easy Z1
MS: 30min Steady effort Z2/3
WD: 5min Easy to finish
Trying to work on my speed these weeks, so very simple: Once a week, 800meters at my 10kms race pace. Today was 7x800m, I will go up to 10x800m.
Cheers!
15 mile road bike ride, followed by a 2 mile run.
Tomorrow I will do a session of indoor cycling at the local gym, seeing how it is still cold outside. Looking forward to the spring!
il try to start by swimming 2 km after twisting my ankle really bad at trampoline training.
link to fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net
link to fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net
your blogfan from Estonia
Running workout (treadmill) for tonight includes a: 15min warm up, 30mins at a 90% HRM, then 15min warm down. Weekend plans may include XC skiing, but if it’s too warm in Calgary I may opt for a bike ride.
TrainerRoad.com starting back into training… next up is the 8-min test!
Saturday sparring sessions @ Tae Kwon Do followed by a 2.5 hour winter base ride. Since I’m getting older, it’s easier for me to receive my beatings first and to use the long ride to mentally and physically recover.
I have registered for a few 5k obstacle runs this summer. In an attempt to increase my speed and stamina I have began interval training. Here is my next session:
Warm up:
10 minute Jog @ 7.8 MPH
interval 1
1 minute Run @ 9.0 mph
2 minute jog @7.8mph
interval 2
1minute Run @ 9.0mph
2minute Jog @7.8mph
interval 3
1 minute run @9.0mph
2 minute jog @7.8 mph
interval 4
1 minute run @9.0mph
2 minute jog @7.8mph
I do this twice, skipping the warmup the second time. I started this 2 weeks ago and have already seen a difference in my speed and stamina on 3.5 mile runs. I am rather new to running, so if anyone has a suggestion on what to change I will happily take them.
Training in Miami Beach board walk route for a 5K Race this coming sunday and also Running a Half marathon in 10 days (State Farm 13.1 Miami beach half marathon) Besides my regular day job taking photographs.
Whenever you need a photographer here in Miami. Let me know I’m game!
Best,
Andres Hernandez
Just to get out and do 3 runs all 10K+
simples
rob
10km run on Saturday with 6km/min pace, 5.5km hike to 823m a.s.l on Sunday
warm up
5min @FTP on the trainer
openers
20 min all out FTP test
done
Saturday – 60 mile bike ride in the AM and an afternoon 30 min. pool sesh.
trainer road ride, a very dark place sunday
There is a gnarly dirt road Cat 4 climb by my house. The croad is filled ruts from water runoff and the times the gravel is almost like sand.
My training is to keep riding that hill until I can make it with out needing to rest.
link to app.strava.com
I plan on hitting the pool 3 times next week to bump up my new tri training. Hoping for 1000 meters a day.
Run for 4 straight days at 8 miles each with no knee pain.
15′ warm-up with dynamic stretching
10 mile run at HIM pace
15′ cool down with static stretching
My calf is a little tight, so an easy yet hilly 6.5 miler at lunch time followed by stretching.
Tonight’s speed workout … 8 x 800 (90 sec RI) at 7:41pace … or as fast as my legs will go!
I have my first race of the season (a winter half marathon) on Sunday, so I’m tapering for the week.
I’ll be heading out for an easy 12k run over my lunch break in about 45min :)
Run: warmup 20 minutes. 3×1600 @ 7:50. 10 minute cooldown.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Interval and hill session scheduled for saturday: Training for the Full Flying Pig Marathon on May 5, 2013
2 mile Warm up down belle meade blvd. to first light/intersection
back to park @ 7:40 pace
Run the 5.8 mile loop in Percy Warner Park (hills) at a comfortable pace
finish that loop and start down blvd again @ 7:40 pace to first light/intersection
Cool down is run the blvd back to park entrance.
10 min. warm-up /400 RI / *200 RI
*200@ 05:50
400@ 05:50
600@ 05:58
800@ 06:00
800@ 06:00
600@ 05:58
400@ 05:50
200@ 05:50
10 min. cool-down
0:57:08
Rome marathon in 2 weeks so I’m on my taper. This weekend I have a 7k race pace run at 4.10 per km then a 19k run at 4.30 per km. Nice and easy weekend!
Run the Bockfest 5k in under 26 minutes.
Stage 1: 40 miles out, 50 min crit, 40 miles home.
Stage 2: Empty the cupboards of all available food
Training for a marathon. 20km steady paced run @ half marathon goal pace on Sunday.
Long run (marathon distance) next saturday
I’m slowly working up to a marathon, so this weekend holds 15 miles for me.
Taekwondo 3x during the week as cross training for core strength, flexibility, and explosiveness.
Run 10k in one hour, without having my heart-rate go through the roof.
1 hr tempo run.
w.u 10min
15sec strides @1min x5 times
1600m @ 84% max HR
400m recovery
repeat 5 times
10min cool down
I’ve been sick, so I”m working back up to full workouts. I need to hit at least 3 miles (running) on Saturday. And then get back to my 2mi – 2mi – 3mi schedule next week.
I’m training for the Marathon of April in Antwerp.
This weekend I’m going to run 30K with a pace of 5min/km on a course that isn’t easy to run on..
I’ll do 2:
Today’s ride: 90min easy ’cause yesterday’s ride was 3hrs of hills between Warrenton, Rectortown, Marshall and back to Warrenton
Friday’s ride: 3hrs with CP Jumps:
Warm up 30min Zone 1-2
Then 3 sets of 5 CP Jumps (53×19 typically)
5ea: From about ‘walking pace’ or maybe a bit quicker, ‘jump’ for 10sec all out. The idea is to continually increase leg speed while keeping the pressure on the pedals till the end of the 10sec
Zone 1-2 between jumps (50sec)
Rest 5min and repeat 2x+ more depending on the week of the training schedule
Getting ready for ‘cross season I’ll typically do 2 seated and 2 standing. Once you get going, that 50sec is a very short time!
M
this saturday’s ride is courtesy of TrainerRoad:
90min done with 6*8min at 88-95 of FTP with 4min recovery in between. I will follow that by a short EZ paced run.
On Saturday, I’m looking to cycle the Richmond Loop (Richmond BC). It’s a 65km loop, mostly flat, but it’s a good tempo workout, with a stop for coffee in Steveston. Cheers.
Why, that sounds like a great plan, Tanasut! Maybe I will ride with you.
One hour interval on the trainer at 290 watts
Capitalizing on and maintaining the post-Canadian Ski Marathon fitness and the big load of fresh snow with a 3+ hour classic ski hitting the backcountry singletrack trails in Gatineau Park both Saturday and Sunday. Fun times!
Today I’m planning to do hill repeats on my bicycle in the rain for 30 minutes. But I will probably end up surfing for a few hours instead.
With 10 inches of fresh snow on the ground, I will be spending hours on my rollers wishing for spring to come.
Swim – 400 w/u, 8×50 (15s), 400, 2×200, 400, 8×100 (20s) 100 c/d.
Last night was a fun one, 20×400 on the track! It was 32 degrees and the track was partially covered in snow!
My goal is to finish my ten mile race with an average pace of 9 min per mile … I have slowed down quite a bit since taking a few months off and it’s hard to get speed back! Last year I ran that distsnce much faster. Then after the ten mile race I have to do four more to stay on track for marathon training.
Today I’m doing a 2 hour bike ride and making it a brick by running 30 minutes I should’ve done yesterday!
Monday night 10k run with my local running club. :)
Brick workout on Sunday
-2hr bike ride zone 2 and high Candance 95-105
-run. 10min wu
6×1’30” all out 30″ easy
10 cool down
My goal is to finish my ten mile race with an average pace of 9 min per mile … I have slowed down quite a bit since taking a few months off and it’s hard to get speed back! Then after the ten mile race I have to do four more to stay on track for marathon training.
Sundays workout is a 1.5 hour ride at my aerobic maximum (148bpm) then followed by a 30 minute tranisition run at the same heart rate. Yee Ha!
Cheers Ryan
Well, I’m getting ready for a marathon training run now…
3.22km in zone 2 HR
4.83km pace 4:30min per km
3 minutes rest
4.83km pace 4:30min per km
3 minutes rest
4.83km pace 4:30min per km
1.61km cooldown.
on wendsday – 29km easy run, then 6km marathon tempo :)
I plan to do my first running exercise for more than a month due to my worst flue ever!
Keuruu-Multia ski trip (40 or 50 km) on Saturday (link to keuruu.fi).
My goal is to finish my ten mile race with an average pace of 9 min per mile … Then after the ten mile race I have to do four more to stay on track for marathon training.
Today’s workout:
Swim 1 mile, resting at 1/2 mile point.
Stronglifts 5×5 weight program: Squat 5×5 @ 125; Bench 5×5 at 130; Barbell pull 5×5 @ 65.
Run 2 miles of intervals on the treadmill, with each run segment .2 faster than the one before.
20 minutes in the weight machine room
Run 2 miles of intervals on the treadmill with each run segment .1 slower than before (starting with the fastest pace.)
I like to run outside and find the treadmill boring, so figured breaking it up with weights is how I can make it feel like an ‘advantage’ to be in the gym.
Three hours early Saturday morning, running somewhere in the woods…
An hour of tennis with Dad and an hour in the pool. A great multi sport Saturday!
12x400s at the track, 30 second recovery
Complete a 10 mile bike + 4 mile run brick with out puking on my shoes or bonking. I can never avoid on or the other. There HAS to be some middle ground and I’m going to find it!
First open water swim this year when on vacation in the dominican.
I’m training for a half marathon. My next long run puts me at about half the mileage – 6.5 miles.
VO2 max testing on Sunday—–yeah, it’s a workout!
Cycling training for race season;
FTP 305
3x10min intervals just below threshold (95-99%FTP) + Endurance Mileage
6min Rest Between Intervals.
Total work out time will be 1 1/2 hours of enjoyment!
70k ride at a good pace and hard up the hills.
Give it all in a leg shredding, lung busting spin class from our completely sadistic instructor.
Nice long run on Saturday at Z3. Gotta love building that base!
Saturday: Biking 1h @33km/h
then: 8k run
20 mile Strave challenge opens up tomorrow, so I hope to knock that out this weekend. I would like to get a 2km swim work out in as well
Run 90 minutes easy effort, 30 second building acceleration every 15 minutes
My longest run of the year planned for Sunday…. 29k. For base building LSD I usually run 3k and then walk 100m while taking in fluids or fuel.
Cycling tomorrow. Two laps around Council Crest plus an out and back on Skyline. Shooting for 30 miles with 3000+ ft of climbing. Now if I just had a power meter to quantify it…
Weekend Toddler tromp: in Parent terminology
Grab the toddler after morning yogurt & waffle breakfast (for her)…
Strap said toddler in the Chariot jogger- clothing change from pajamas optional based on her ability to feed herself vs splattering, dog, table & myself….
“YEAH!” : 10:00 walk/warm up to green way
“Weeee”: 10:00 easy run to park
“Again”: 5x :05 fast/1:30 ri
“Weeee: 10:00 easy run
“Duck”: 5:00 ri feed/watch ducks
“Faster”: 5:00 mod run
“Weeee” 10:00 easy run
“All done” 10:00 walk/ c/d back home
An easy ride this weekend to dust off these lazy-achy muscles the commuting season. My commuting season is when I’m not freezing my cutey-patooty off!
TRX :30 full body workout with very short rest intervals (Lunchtime)
+1:00 Trainer ride Zone 1-2 (Evening)
My next work our will be relaxing jogging. I’m preparing for Halfmarathon and I’m in the end of my training plan. My last runs before the event will be just clean fun :)
After first spending four days in Paris and then another five days fighting off a cold I am slowly getting back to training.
My next workout will be the Antelope on TrainerRoad: after 15 minutes of warming up, the body of the workout consists of 5 x 10 minute sweetspot intervals, with 5 min RBI.
After recovering from the workout I suppose I am ready to continue with my unfinished TrainerRoad plan.