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.
“Race” sponsored by work next month. Goal is to avoid being closer to first than last!!!
American Triple -T. 3 days of races with a half ironman as final race on Sunday this weekend. Hoping to do first half in 6 hrs!
In the Los Angeles, CA area.
Verdugo Mountain 10k Trail Run & Hike with my 7 year old son. Out and back with a 1735 ft elevation gain. We Hiked up and ran down in 90 minutes. It was farthest he had run and he was a trooper!!
Completed first Gran Fondo ride with 30+ mph winds. Goal to finish alive, guess what I’m alive so a great day.
Finish top 5 in my AG in next Olympic tri (25th May)… Qualifiers for world c’ship 2015
A 10k in two week with hope to go undert 45 minutes. It a local charity run with majority of the fees going to the cause.
Oceanside 70.3. Goal is to finish since this is the first attempt at this distance.
NJ Gran Fondo, Early Sept (106 miles, 9000 ft climbing). Just want to beat last year’s time of 6:30.
Miles of Smiles century on July 26. Hopefully no 25+ mph headwind on the way in like last year.
First of all I plan to reach the bottom of this page faster next time. My race this year will be the Amsterdam Rotterdam triathlon. No clue on an estimated time because I never tried before and I’m recovering from a herniated disk. I’ll give it all though, hernias suck, but not being able to compete sucks even more
Vineman 70.3 in July. Goal is to beat last year’s time of 5:21.
The amsterdam marathon in october is the only thing I have planned, sub 4 hopefully.
Rev 3 Quassy end of May. Podium would be nice
12 hours at night mtb race, Prescott , Az. Finish as many 9 mile laps as possible.
My next race will be my first triathlon. Jeff & Brede’s Sprint Triathlon at the end of July. My goal is to finish and learn how a triathlon works in preparation for longer triathlons later this year.
Chelan Man Long Course. July 19th. Goal – To Finish!
Still working a recovery from my back issue but hoping to get in shape for Bethany.
Will be my first ironman – Melbourne 2015 – and goal is to finish!
Kansas 70.3. Goal is 4:50
Kettle Moraine 100 mile trail run, Wisconsin. June 7, 2014. Goal: PR (17h34min). Thanks for a great we site!
Ironman Kansa 70.3 in 4:50:xx
Shamrock Duathlon, Glastonbury CT, USA
This Sunday 5/18
1:30 is goal
Local 5k – looking to start a chain of races working down towards a PR this fall!
I’m going to be doing Brazen Racing’s Dirty Dizen 12 hour race in Pinole, CA. My goal is to keep going for all 12 hours.
Ironman Arizona – under 11 hrs
Ironman Wisconsin, September 2014 (sub 13:00:00)
Race: Ragnar Trail WV. Goal: to not fall on my face during the night run.
TriRock Clearwater in November. Baby #2 on the way in July. Hopefully I can get back in it after a long hiatus.
Challenge Penticton. Sub-12:00.
Next race is the Doylestown 5k, on the 24th, in Doylestown PA. I’m not the fastest guy and I’m relatively new to running, so my goal is to beat my previous time. It would be nice to lock in a pace between 7:30 – 7:15 which I’m on track to accomplish given my race performance so far this year. But… hills! We’ll see :-)
Next race: Mach Tenn sprint on 6/7. Goal: to be faster than last year (this was my 3rd Tri ever, first last year, on a run up to Ironman Florida)
I’m doing my very first triathlon this summer. August 17th Ironman Lake Stevens 70.3! My goal is to go sub 7 hours! Let’s go!
Next race is Western States 100… only goal is to finish alive.
JFK 50!
This Saturday, May 17, I plan on racing the Tracks SPF 5k in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee. My goal is to break 19 minutes.
last race was Rock-n-Roll SF half. Fun race, but I was just there running with my buddy from college. Able to stop and enjoy the sights. Wish I had a better camera for that??
Race: Space Coast Half, Nov 30th
Goal: Survive
SMH Half this Sunday (18th May). Target will be sub 82.
Gold Coast Marathon in July. Would love to crack 3 hours!
Looking to run the Eastern Divide Ultra 50k on June 22 in SW VA. My goal is to finish! This will be my second ultra.
Next race is this coming Sunday! Kansas City Triathlon, Olympic distance. It’s a B race for me, so hoping for somewhere around 3hrs, nothing too drastic.
Next race — I love the Tavern Triathlon in VA (last weekend of June) hopefully — as soon as my injury heals. Crossing my fingers.
My last race was the Ragnar Relay from Miami to Key West. It went well but the heat got to me. The after party was great.
Brooklyn Half Marathon in New York, May 17th – hope to break 1:33!
My next race is GranFondo Mont Tremblant in Quebec, its happening May 31!
Chicago ITU. Mainly hoping to finish with enough energy to take down a beer in the spectator tent.
Just did the Kansas City Chiefs 5K this past Saturday pushing our 2 year old twins in the double jogging stroller. The race was untimed, but the finish was on the 50 yard line in Arrowhead Stadium!
Chicago Marathon (10/12/14), BQ
Grand Rapids Half Tri, June 7, 2014, 4:45:00
Potentially a 10k very soon
Just ran Bloomsday (12k in Spokane, WA) with my 13 year old Son (he beat me by a minute.) Looking to run the Kamloops, BC Half Marathon in July, or the BMO Half Marathon Kelowna, BC in Oct. The new gear would help me chase my goal of a sub 2 hr half.
Elkhart Lake Tri, Elkhart Lake, WI. Goal of top 3 age group finish.
mountains to beach marathon, May 25th, 3:08 and a BQ
No racing. Just did the Houston MS 150. Great event.
Beach to battleship. 6 hours!
Ironman Lake Placid July 27 2014
i’m running the 1/2 marathon in ottawa, Canada on may 25. Goal: 1h50
My next race is a 360° run around a volcano island this 24th of May. It will be here in the Philippines. My goal is to enjoy the race and the scenic surroundings.
Local sprint tri – Pittsford NY – with the goal being just to enjoy the race and the outdoors after a VERY long winter…
Next (and first race of the season) is IM KS 70.3 in Lawrence, KS. My only goals are to beat last year’s time and avoid melting down on the run in the heat again.
Next race is 6hr Mtb Night Race near Austin in June. Goal is 8+ laps and avoid cratering in the heat.
Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth is my next planned race, and my goal is to BQ!
Last race was the HK Triathlon last October where I did a sprint distance in 1:38. I’ll be doing the Olympic distance laster this year and aiming to go sub 3-hours
Borders Sprint tri, Scotland. First of the season, praying for a calm, sunny day!!
I plan on doing the Spartan Beast in New Hampshire in the fall, I have no idea what to expect, so my goal is just to finish.
Dallas Half Marathon Dec 14th.
Bluenose 10km this Sunday in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Pretty new to running so I am hoping to beat 1:10!
Hoping to do the Takaka Hill race this Sunday. 15k, 800m climb and about 90 minutes.
My next race is a 5k this Saturday. It is a hilly course so I wasn’t keyed in on the race, but after seeing me in a marathon a few weeks ago, my 5 year old son insists he wants to race with me. My goal? Have fun. Finishing with him wouldn’t be a record, but definitely a personal best.
Sundown marathon.. First marathon hopefully a sub 4
I’m racing in my first gravel century, the Almanzo 100 in Spring Valley, MN this Saturday, May 17th. 101 miles of gravel roads in the scenic Root River Valley with 7500 feet of climbing. I Hope to finish in under 8 hours.
Races? No races now that I’ve got 2 kids 2yrs and under. Perhaps the new IM 70.3 in Germany or Lake Tahoe in 2015.
Past: Running only since 6 months, I finished the half marathon in Enschede, Netherlands in less than 2h
Next: 6h-Race in Meppen, Germany, on 4Oct14, goal: >50km
Track & Field in porto alegre, brasil! 10k in 48:00! My personal best!
I plan to run the Woodrow Wilson Half-marathon on Oct 5, 2014. Goal time – 2:12
Just ran my second half marathon here in Paducah, KY. Hot and humid but finished strong. Hope to find another short race before summer temps hit.
I plan to run the twin cities marathon in early October, about a week after my wife gives birth to our second daughter. I hope to finish under 4 hours and have my wife run the last five miles with me.
Downers grove 5 miler. June 2014.
Update: MTB race was less fun than I expected. 2 flat tires – patch kit = DNF + 5 mile hike. (Does that mean that flat tire = (DNF + 5 mile hike + patch kit)/2 ?)
Last race: my first cycling road race, the Wente Vinyards RR. Goal was to not crash, and not be last. Both were accomplished. Next race I’m registered for: my first half-marathon, the SF half (the first half). Goal: finish, being able to run the whole time.
Next race is Storm the Fort sprint triathlon, near Lenoir City TN in June. Goal is simply to do a better job of not almost drowning during the swim! Bike and run should be a piece of cake after that!
Gatineau Grand Prix Medio Fondo, June 8, under 2 hours, let’s see…
Last race was at the Savannah Half-Marathon in November. Beat my goal time by 2 minutes!
DC lawyers have heart 10k
Will tackle the scenic Demi-marathon de Mont-Tremblant in Quebec in August — 10K to be exact and I’m aiming to finish under 60 minutes. This should be the last preparation race before (hopefully) running my first half-marathon in October.
May 20th, 1st race in a 16 part weekly series. Looking to survive and have fun. Top 3 would be nice as well.
Doing the Death Ride (129 miles 15,000ft) in July, hoping to get all 5 peaks!
My first race of the season will be Grand Prix St-Raymond on May 25, and a hope to get in a solid breakaway!
Rock Hall Tri. Basically a “C” race to learn from.
Next Race is the City to South 14 km – Brisbane Australia in June
Just did the Mount Diablo time trial….. I was terrible.
NYC full 11/2 in 3:45
San Diego International Triathlon June 29
Chattanooga in September. Hope to best my previous best while taking in the scenery.