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.
Just finish the Marathon de Paris and have registered for 2015. My next race is the Rock and Roll Las Vegas half marathon.
My next race is the hotter than hell dusk to dawn in New Orleans. 9 hr race on a 2mi loop course. Goal will be to finish 22 to 23 laps.
Planning to do Assault on Mt. Mitchell on Monday, May 19th…highest point East of the Mississippi…100+miles from Spartanburg, SC to Marion, North Carolina. The last 27 miles involve 5500 feet of climbing…I can’t wait!
Twin Cities this fall, hoping for 3:02!
Did the Texas 70.3 in April and next race will be Towne lake Triathlon on Sep 1st. With a couple of smaller ones before then. Just starting so no podium finishes for me just looking to set a starting point for next time round
The Super Hero Run 5K, June 7th in Frankenmuth, Michigan. I hope to finish in under 21 minutes
Odyssey Trail Marathon
September 9
Goal to finish
Cotton row 10k on Memorial Day weekend in Huntsville,AL. Goal is under 55 min.
Next up is Run to Home Base 9k at Fenway. I just started running again (bought a Fenix 2 for hiking, it turns out it’s good for running too). I’ve only raced 5k and sprint triathlons before this.
Gateway OImpic Triathlon
Carlyle, IL
Goal of 2:20 or faster
Chattanooga Riverfront Tri – olymip distance. My goal is to not cramp up during the run and finish strong. (It’s probably my only race of the year.)
Next up is Challenge St. Andrews 70.3 in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada. It’s my first HIM and I’m pretty excited about the location looks like it should be a great race. Hoping to go sub 5:30, which should be doable as long as the weather is cooperative.
North Shore Marathon in September, 3:45 goal!
Running a half marathon on Sep 7th. Goal 2:15
Eagleman 70.3 – have a successful run despite an evil neuroma in my foot and qualify for 70.3 worlds
Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon, Id like to go under 2 hrs. It will be awesome you should come.
Next race is ‘the Iron Viking’ obstacle running marathon in 2 weeks, I guess it will take me 5~6 hours to complete!
My next race was supposed to be the Ottawa marathon in two weeks, but I’ve developed an injury. Instead, I hope to be recovered in time to complete the local tri in July and finish in under 2:50 (terrible swimmer)
Next race is the Great Ocean Road half (Australia) this Sunday 18th May. Its 23km so will just aim to sub 1:40.
hnl marathon. sub 3 hours
Next race will be Subaru Vancouver Triathlon on July 13th… I have nerve issues affecting my elbows and neck so the goal is to get through it as best as possible!
Portugal Day 5 mi race, NYC, 34 minutes
Next sunday – the 18th May. My first half marathon. Optimistically, but realistically, i could do it in 1:45:00, but i’ll be happy with 1:50:00. anything close to 2hrs will be a disaster!
Barranquilla, December. 10k
My first IM, Melbourne, Australia March 2015
Mid June I’m doing a 270km (~170miles) fondo in Victoria, BC. I’m hoping to finish in less than 9 hours.
Barranquilla, December, 10k
10K Mothers Day Race…. goal: sub 50, actual 47:00 :)
6/15/14 – Long Island Triathlon – Doing it for fun but I’d be happy with anything under two hours
I’m scheduled for the Tower of Terror 10-Miler in October, and my goal is under 2:00 and recovered from injury. If all goes well, I may run a half in September.
America’s Finest City half in August, 1:33 or faster.
I’m scheduled for the Portland Century inn Sept.
Sydney Half Marathon on the 18th of May 2014
I hope to race a sprint at the end of the summer, after all my youth and jr athletes start school and I will have time to train!
Last race was the 2013 San Diego Rock’n’Roll half marathon (my first half). My target was to finish in 2:10. Unfortunately, I injured my calf 4 miles in but I was still able to finish in 2:30. It was the funnest race I’ve ever run. Nothing planned till next year.
LaMars Sprint Triathlon in LeMars, IA last September. Went pretty rough. Struggled on the run with severe cramping…left calf, right calf, left hammy, right hammy. Good news was I finished and was determined to upright or crawling.
Next up is Escape From Alcatraz in San Francisco, CA on June 1st. Goal time under 3:30. Strong currents, hills and sand ladders, here I come!!!
Bintan Triathlon, Bintan Indonesia May 17th. I should be doing the Olympic Distance but I opted for the sprint because I’m also working at the event as a sponsor so can’t be in 2 places at once.
Last race we Taitung Triathlon in Taiwan in Oct 2013. Great race, swimming in a natural lake, then off to bike along the coast, and finish in/around a park in Town. Made it just below my target 3H, and was very happy with that.
Next scheduled race is the Chicago Marathon and I am aiming to finish in under 3:30.
Doing the TrainerRoad 8 Days in California right now, Copper Triangle in Aug, and El Tour de Tucson in Nov.
Next race is just a running one – BolderBoulder 10K out here in Colorado, USA. I’m really looking to make it under 38 minutes this year!
Look at the DC rainmaker..making it rain!
(I’m sure this is as unoriginal as this site as ever seen)
A 5k this summer after being a first full time mom for the last 15 months. My goal is to get back to running!
Next race… some marathon in Seattle in October…
Hopefully somewhere around 3:30 to 4:00
Hong Kong ITU race in October, hope my bike leg can improve before the race!!! Target finish time under 2:25
Hi Ray,
Next race, will Be Full IM Japan Hokkaido, 2014 August.
that will be my first Full IM distance, so i m only looking at fully enjoying this challenge : Injuree free and if possible stomach cramps free… that’ d be awesome.
Cheers,
Mat
Midnight 5k, may 23rd, St George UT. Goal is sub 20.
Last weekend, May 3rd. Corporate Triathlon, Gold Coast Queensland Australia. First day of “cold” snap, about 15 deg C (60 F) air temp on arrival, plenty of competitors including me, standing in the water for warmth, a balmy 24degC (75 F)!!!
400m/10k/4k: 52min and change, close to my PB, timed by tomtom multisport ( thanks for the review)
Brad
Lochness Marathon. Shooting for 3:20
Göteborgsvarvet, halfmarathon on the 17:th of may. Enjoying the surrondings and hopefully finishing sub 2H.
Always reading your blog, good job.
I’ll go for a 4.5k open water swim from Hiddensee to Rügen, Germany in July. No wetsuit allowed. Goal: Survive :D
Goals:
Olympic in 2.30h
Next Sunday, Bommelasloop 11.2 km’s, just easy… still recovering from a marathon 2 weeks ago.
K2 cycle in October.. plan is not blow up like last year.
My next race is the Jim McDonnell Lake Swim (Reston, VA). I’m doing the 2 mile swim without a wetsuit. It will be the first time I’ve ever swam continuously for 2 miles but I’m hoping to go about 45 min.
My next ‘A’ race is the Paris Marathon in April 2015, I aim for sub 4h.
No races scheduled for me this year – I’ve not been well for the last 18 months or so but my surgeon just cleared me to start swimming and cycling again! So a nice shiny new gadget would be the icing on the cake to my return to working out!
My next race will be Lidingöloppet in September. It’s the biggest trail race in Sweden, held on a nearby island close to Stockholm. It’s a 30km race known for its difficulty and hilly course. I’m a beginner (the longest distance I have run so far is a half marathon), so this race is a step up for me, and my goal is to finish it in 3.5 hours. I have already started training, and plan to keep it up even during my 5-week honeymoon in the summer!
Leaving aside regattas with rowing, next race is Lucton sprint tri. My first tri, aiming to go sub 1hour for a top thirty finish.
1:50 in the Berlin half marathon last year. Maybe a few shorter distances later in summer/fall this year.
After a long period of various colds I have cancelled or missed all of my races this spring so my next race with a goal is the Tällberg, Sweden, half marathon in August which I hope I can do a sub 1h 25min.
NYC Marathon. Sub 4.
My next race is coming weekend, 90 km Grand Trail des Lacs et Chateaux, in Belgium. My goal is to finish in less than 12 hours.
My next race will be in Thessaloniki, Greece a night Half marathon. Though I am not a fast runner, I am aiming at 2h 15 mins.
My first Comrades Marathon [89km] on 1 June 2014 in 10 Hours or less.
Trencacol 24K, 17/05/2014. Finish it.
my next race is a half ironman in 3 weeks in linz, austria! my first one! hope to be sub 5:15!
My last marathon was the Paris Marathon this April. It was the best I’ve ever ran (in, oh, all the three I’ve done)! The weather was superb (I constantly run in 32ºC weather here in Singapore), the crowds were excellent, I had on a pair of shoes I didn’t realise was flat until I started running, then decided it was a bad excuse to wing it in early, so I ran full out… and got a 35 minute PR. So yeah, it was so enjoyable I felt I could run another 10km at the finish line ;)
1/4 iron-distance on June 1st in Haderslev, Denmark. First triathlon competion of the year… Looking forward to it!
Hi,
My next race will be the IRONMAN 70.3 Luxembourg on june 21st. It will be my first 70.3 race and I’d just like to finish it. I think to finish it about 5:15
Olivier
My first marathon next month, my goal to finish it :)
Hi Ray- my next race is the ‘King of the Downs’ Sportive in Surrey, England on the 1st June. 110mi with 2000ft+ of climbs should be a bit of a wake up call..training going well though.
Next Race Triattló Lloret, its the beginning of the season and because I was injured from February to the end of April, my goal is try to make a good training session to achieve the required level to participate in the ETU Championship that will take place in Banyoles on the end of July.
My last event was the Bobbin Head Cycling Classic. My first 100k event. I thought I was prepared but that wasn’t the case – I cramped 4 times on the ride but thanks to my riding buddies managed to fight my way thru and finish. It was a great experience and I will be much better prepared for the next one ,
My next race will be my main goal of 2014… In may, 25 ; first triathlon in Saint Laurent du Var, near Nice, M format … the goal is quite clear, finish :)
My next race will be my club championships begin june and my goal is to beat my team-mates. Will be very though but you never know ;-)
I just did the Scottsdale Night Run 10k on Saturday night and scored a cool glow-in-the-dark finishers medal. Not sure what the next race will be, time to hit the internet and find a good one!
No races for me yet, sorry. My dream is to run a tri sooner or later.
Two day ago I completed my first IM 70.3 in Mallorca. Awesome experience!
In late April my son and I ran the kids marathon in Nashville, TN. It was an awesome experience we enjoyed together.
Triathlon short distance to open the season, target 1h15
Run 10k at night in Bled, Slovenia under the 40:00 in July
My next race is the Maxi-Race trail marathon in Annecy France, we are doing it as a duo with my wife. We are planning for a 10h day.
Run 10K “Notturna di San Giovanni” on 21 june in less than 42 minutes.
This is one of the oldest italian run, this is year it will be the 75° edition
I´m going to take part in “lasamu” a cyclotourist race on Spain, honouring Samu Sanchez pro cycler from BMC.
L’Etape du Tour 2014 in July with Tourmalet and Hautacam…
A short time trial next week. Goal – survive, not look like an idiot.
Nordea Marathon in Riga on 18th of May,
planning to do half-marathon, looking to improve PB, but given the lack of effort in the training process it is highly questionable…
Raleigh half ironman in under 6 hours, but mainly finish without dying.
Borrowdale Trail Half Marathon in the Lake District, UK on 15 June. Aiming for sub 2 hours.
Athens Classic Marathon, Nov.9
Did it last year. This year I’m aiming for under 4h
I’m planning to race in the next Sprint Tri in the local Sprint Triathlon Series run by the Thames Turbo Tri club near Hampton Court in London. My aim is to beat my previous PB of 1 hr 15 mins!
September 10k at Einstein Marathon in Ulm, Germany!
90K Road Race in Subic, Philippines on May 18. Target is 3:15.
I hope to run the 10k at the gold coast marathon under 55 minutes. This is my mountain this year…
My first Ironman 70.3 in Budapest, Aug 23, aiming for 5:30
Next up? Probably the Bearcat 10k in Twickenham. Given how I am feeling at the moment anything under 50 mins would be good, but the goal is sub 44:30.
3 days , first week in September, Alp d’Huez, Galibier and some other challenge – nothing officially organised – Deffo no Sportives this year.
Edinburgh half marathon in 2 weeks time.
Main aim is to avoid a PW (personal worst) – and run a sub 1h45m, but unlikely – training has been poor due to inflamed bursa in knee, and have only managed to get any decent distance in last 2 weeks.
Zermatt marathon on July 5th – goal is 5h15. Looking forward to run again this beautiful course, with a hefty 1944m climb.