Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple AirTag 4-Pack for just $69, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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 2024 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.
25 miles on the scenic C&O towpath. Couple lazy miles on the other day just to get out.
Saturday hike to the top of the nearby mountain then run down to work on leg turnover speed.
Sunday upper body strength session after work
Sat 6 mi run/30 min swim/1 hr bike
Sun 16-18 mi run
Saturday: 6 reps of 200m and 2 reps of 400m, both at max. speed!!
Sunday: 13K at 5:20 pace.
I’m near to Santiago Running 10K!!!
Greeting
Friday 5k sprint (9pm)
Saturday rest
Sunday 21.1k (NYC Half)
I’m doing a long run (10 miles) on Saturday and a spin class on Sunday
I have 12 miles this weekend gearing up for my half marathon.
14 mile steady paced run with a few hills on Saturday, then a 3 hour (indoor) bike ride on Sunday. Pushing that endurance up!
Pilates and T25!
Saturday
800m race
Sunday
1hr run
dust off the bike and get out for some slow, easy miles
riding the loop a few times on sunday after the half marathon is over
5k Shamrock shuffle tomorrow and 8 miles on Sunday.
100km ride on Saturday (including 60km with a ‘spirited’ bunch) and an hour in the gym on Sunday with a legs session.
Building up endurance for my first sprint triathlon. Hopefully bike outside (finally) this Sat and try out my new tri shorts. Then swim/run Sun.
Recently moved from Denver to LA and plan to join a couple of groups for road rides. Looking for that Goldilocks group like I had in Denver: not too fast, not too slow, but just right. Been fighting an ankle injury for several weeks that has kept me from running, so I’ve gotten a lot of good use out of my way cool BKool trainer, which I picked up from Clever Training.
Erin go bragh, bra!
sat 20km
sun 30km
Training for my first half marathon in May so I’ve got a 7 mile run on Saturday and another 3 on Sunday.
been nursing an ankle sprain. gonna try to do 5K Sunday.
sat: power cycling class in the morning followed by weight training in the afternoon
Sun: 2.5 hour mountain hike with the dog in the morning followed by an hour+ base on the trainer in the afternoon
5 mile race Sat morning
8 mile training run Sunday
4 mile run Saturday. Lilith league coaches clinics 8-1200, baseball practice 100-300, in between take one kid to gymnastics and another to swim
Started the weekend off with a 6 mile run that didn’t leave me freezing, it’s been a rough winter here in New Hampshire
Long spin class Saturday and a 5 mile st Patrick’s day race on Sunday then pizza, lots of pizza
A ride in the hills.
A Run/Bike/Run Brick in preparation for the Guthrie Super Sprint Duathlon. Just need Garmin Support to fix my Garmin Connect upload issues.
Rest day on Saturday and then an 18km run or so on Sunday morning. Still working my way back from a knee injury.
No training this weekend, it’s race weekend. Running the Rock n Roll Half Marathon in DC this weekend.
Taxes and rain this weekend – ugh. Likely an indoor deal both days. Probably a long day on the trainer and a fast run. Or maybe Sufferfest. Yes. Sufferfest.
30 min run followed by 30 min swim while at YMCA Saturday morning where my kids will have swim lessons. Then 60min bike trainer at night and 90min track run on Sunday with another 60min bike trainer Sunday night watching F1 tape delayed.
This weekend I have a long 2.5 hour run with 30 minute spinning prior on saturday and a 4 hour bike on sunday. Long but low intensity.
Saturday:
– 45min run EZ, for the recovery of a though week
– 2hours skiing (for the fun of it)
Sunday, its swim day
– 1hour dry-land training + 1hour crawl technique
– 1hour Endurance Swim (Sets of 100 and 200meters)
Going for saturday interval work out 3×2 miles with 800 m recovery and going for long run on Sunday 10 miles.
Wow so many entries!
Saturday: 5km moderate run
Sunday: 5km tempo if the calf muscles are up to speed
I’m kicking off the triathlon season with a sprint distance race, Parris Island Triathlon, SC. It’s always a favorite of mine since I started my military service there some 28 years ago…Semper Fi.
What I will be doing this weekend for my workout…..Saturday going on a long bike ride…Sunday a short run 4 miles.
One swim, one short run and possibly first ride of year.
10k run
It’s the easy week for me, so all I have planned is a hard one mile tempo time trial run. Nothing difficult at all.
Injured coach so I will just go for a swim and bike in our Club Championships. No running for this little black duck.
Saturday.
Gentle 3 mile run
10 pints of export strength lager
Sunday.
Head clearing 8 mile hilly run
Saturday: 40 min indoor spinning.
Sunday: 12 miles hill running.
I’ll be spending January 74th and 75th, 2014 snowshoeing again.
60m cycle
In the high wind of the UK :(
Thanks for the chance!
It’s spring break for the rest of the house, so hopefully the entire family peloton will make it to the farmer’s market — and dad might sneak in a couple sweatier hour rides Sat-Sun also.
My weekend plans (for the foreseeable future) are to try to continue recovery from serious injury. Was doing great, but slipped back a bit due to over exertion in physical therapy :-/
20 mile run Saturday followed by a nice relaxed run sunday, two weeks to the marathon.
Skiing 2 feet of fresh snow!
Sat: 14.5km easy
Sun: 28km with last 8 at marathon pace.
Saturday 90 minute ride with one x 20 min at FTP
Sunday 1 Hour ride with 40 minute run off bike
6 miler Saturday, 9 miler Sunday. Training for Mayor’s Marathon in Alaska
Enjoying the outdoors of sunny San Diego! Swim, Bike, Run!!!
A trail run on Saturday. Then follow that with a trail run on Sunday.
Sat: road ride at tempo
Sun: soccer and mtb ride
Sat – 15min W/U, 45min Tempo, 15min C/D
Sun – 4mi. Easy, 45min Bike Ride
10k easy run and 1 hour bike
Saturday: 2.5hr ride with 4x20min Sweetspot intervals
Sunday: 1.5hr easy aerobic run
Saturday: 1.5hs easy run
Sunday: 3hs easy ride
Sat: 90 minutes trainer
Sun: 100 minute treadmill
Saturday, 3.77 mile course near the Capital Dome nicknamed “Modified Horse’s Head.” Sunday, 10-mile trail race in Wakefield, VA, attempting to improve on the most recent third-to-last effort. Train to NY, brisk walk around the L.E.S.
2 hour ride then kid soccer games on Saturday, repeat Sunday.
Saturday: 90 min computrainer
Sunday: 60 swim followed by 50 min run @10k pace.
I’ll be riding next to my wife while she runs 14 miles, then it’s trainer rides on Sunday with a friend or two.
Sat: 1-2hrs hills train run
Sun: 15miles LSD run
3 hours of racquetball Saturday. 4 mile run Sunday
My weekend is Friday and Saturday. After being holed up 75% of the time on a trainer for the last 4 months, I am going to thoroughly enjoy riding my CX bike through as much muddy thawing gravel I can possibly ride to celebrate not having to bundle up to go for a ride. That started today with 41 miles of 20+ mph wind and loops of gravel and mud riding, which was pure joy. For Saturday I am planning on either a longer road ride (50-80 miles or another go at some new gravel roads on the cx which would be another 40+ mile day. The goal more than physical fitness this weekend is to strengthen mental fitness with fun in the mud and sun!
Just got off a 6 hour flight myself…after I have breakfast with my kids, I am off on a 15 miles run. I plan on running 2 or 3 x3 mile race pace tempo sessions and stay easy on the rest. Should be a great time!
Complete the 17 mile harbour 2 harbour walk on Saturday 15th to support charity in Dublin. Then pop in to the parade in Dublin on St Patrick’s day to celebrate my countries big day
9 mi run on Saturday and two hour ride on Sunday
Sat – 4 mile easy
Sun – 10×100, then 4×800, 4×400, 1 mile cool down.
Swim and bike!
Saturday: indoor swim then give the kids a ride in the burley. Sunday: solo ride
Testing some new routes to run in vicinity of our new home.
Recently reinjured my back (herniated discs). So, what was going to be training for a century next month is now reduced to traction and watching other people cycling and running in this gorgeous Las Vegas weather.
Sunday: 21K run preparation for my very 1st 80Km Ultramarathon.
Tuesday: Recovery run of 5-8K
Strength training today. Circuit tomorrow. Rowing Monday.
bootcamp class … burns as many calories as a 4 mile run
doing my usual run at the public park, a minimum of 10km (and more pending the race ahead)
Nice long run on Sunday followed by some corned beef and cabbage
Rest day on Saturday, Long Run on Sunday.
Torn groin has me limited. 20 minutes on the treadmill both Saturday and Sunday. Sad.
Awesome giveaway! I’m running 10 miles on the treadmill on Saturday and then I’m supposed to run 2-4 miles on Sunday. I’m training for my 4th half-marathon in April. I’m slow, but I’m proud of how well my training is going so far.
10 mile run tomorrow. 40 miles on the bike Sunday
a 30K run on Sunday
climbing up corcovado on sunday
22 mile group ride, a swim, and 5 mile trail race.
Ski. Ski. Ski. Lunch+beer. Ski. Ski. Ski. Beer. Beer. Beer.
Rest Saturday
20km Hard Run Sunday
5/10km Recovery Run
Sat – long slow ride
Sun – local sprint triathlon
I’m doing an easy 6 miles Saturday morning at 8:15 pace then Sunday I am planning 22-23 miles on a lot of hills. It will be my peak long run for Boston. Last time I did 23 I gained 1,500+ feet and plan on doing the same route.
2000m Open Water Swim on Saturday, 60 mile bike and a 6 mile run on Sunday
26k long run, last one before Around the Bay 30k
Saturday – hit the pool for some technique drills and some easy intervals. Up Sunday is (hopefully) a long run, weather permitting.
I am planning for a 15km cross country ride on saturday and a 10km run on sunday!
This is a recovery week for me. 12 miles tomorrow (Sat.), then 4 or 5 on Sunday.
An easy day. Then a longer treadmill run on Sunday.
40min run Sat, 2h run Sun. Squeezing my runs in around my sons’s hockey tournament.
Mountain biking loops at the local bike park
Hey all,
Saturday
Parkrun curl curl, in sydney, then run home (11-12km)
Tennis match
Swim in the ocean
Sunday
Bronze medallion training (life guard course)
10km run in the afternoon
8 mile run on Saturday, trainer run on Sunday.
Simple: Saturday 2xCinnamon buns
60min nap
Sunday French crepes repeat
Does it show much that I am off training?
Thanks for all that you do