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.
Running a 5K next weekend. My goal is to beat the 11 year old girl who beat me in December.
Triathlon Schifferstadt (Sprint) in Germany on May 18th. My first tri ever!
Winter time down under so time for some trail running in cooler conditions, I’ll be doing the Salomon Series starting in June.
Queenstown Marathon on 22 November. Goal: 3:45
Going for a sub 60 minute 10KM at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on the 24th May – my first ever road race
My next race is the Trident Olympic distance triathlon on the 15th June at Newby Hall (Ripon, UK) the goal is to make it round as it’s my first Olympic race!
My next event is a sprint tri in Omagh, Co Tyrone Ireland and I am aiming for a PB of 1hr 15 min :)
Tossing up between 10k and Half at end of August, Lake Macquarie Australia.
Thanks again for doing this Ray and hope you have recovered from that stingray incident. No races planned this year. The last one was actually the Melbourne marathon I did a couple of years ago! Didn’t pace myself very well for that one and was flat out by the time I hit 32k. Walked for the next 5-6kms but thanks to all the roadside supporters, managed to run the last 4-5kms to the finish line! 4:30. Not too bad for my first marathon I reckon.
4th of July Celebration 5k. It would be nice to run sub 17.
Next event is the “Triathlon des lacs” (size L) on 8 june
located near Troyes, France
Next race is a 10k road race but the goal race is a half-iron man in September in Ireland
My next race is also my first running race, half marathon in October. I did bicycle racing for years, but after racing in Belgium and learning to love fries with mayo, I quit racing and have been getting out of shape for the last 4 years. But, I’ve gotten back on the horse and will be ready for October! Thanks for the motivation!
Next goal race is Nation’s Tri in September – will be my first Olympic!
Olympic distance Tri at Mt-Tremblant Qc/Can… my goals is to finish ;p!!
Philly Sprint Tri in a few weeks. In probably my worst early training season ever, I’ve only ridden a handful of times and haven’t swum yet this spring, so I’m just looking to finish – no time goals.
Hi!, My next race will be on june 28th , the 80k version of Gran Trail de Peñalara (link to grantrailgtp.com), and I expect almost finish it in better time than last year. Thank you for your fantastic blog!
Sunshine Coast 70.3 in Sept, in sunny Queensland, Australia. Goal, sub 5:30. Was to be first ironman (at Ironman Cairns) but injured :(
Tejas sprint triathlon june 1 1:10
2 weeks ago i ran a marathon in Antwerp and my next goal is the marathon des alpes maritimes hoping for a PB :)
Hi Ray, thank you for your wonderful blog, I am training for my first Triathlon on September 13 at Herzliya, Israel. Enjoy Paris :@)
I’ll race the 20 km de Bruxelles next Sunday – with 40k participants expected, it will be fun :) My goal: last year’s time, minus one second.
Last “race” was the Seagull Century.
If you are specifically asking about triathlons, I have no race planned and the last (and first) tri I did was last year’s Rocketman tri.
But I do race sailboats 2-4 times a month. I had a women’s only race on Saturday and will race again May 31st with the coed team.
Coldspring Road Race – first time to bike race; 35+ 4/5 and 4/5
5ks and 10ks coming up in June
5K coming up this weekend, transitioning over to the bike for the summer. Always looking to beat my last time. Thanks for the great site!
This weekend I went to student track championships (cycling) hoping to do well in the Kilometer TT, unfortunately I got a bad cold leading up to it so my time was considerably slower than I hoped it would be. But nevermind, can have another try another day
Olympic Distance Triathlon in June, under 2:45.
First sprint triathlon in mid June in Killaloe, Ireland. Goal is to complete it in less than 1hr 30 minutes
Espirit de she duathlon. May 18. Sub 7 min mile average on the first run. Sub 7:30 on the second run.
My next race will be in Hamburg on June, 15th. A sprint triathlon with 500m/20k/5k
First race of they year is going to be Pat Griskus Olympic Triathlon in Middlebury, CT.
I’m coming back from a hamstring injury, so just looking for a solid race.
Escape the Cape- Onset, MA, May 31. The goal is to show improvement from last year’s race!
Nations Tri in September. Hoping to PR.
My last race before Baby Deux is born went amazingly awful. Just a sprint…but I swear the buoy’s kept moving away. 750m advertised, per the Garmin about 1000m. It was all downhill from there. Next race officially signed up for is the Disney Marathon. The goal is just to have a 3 in front on my time. 3:59:59 would be lovely.
Next race is this Sunday, the NCRC Classic Half Marathon. No goal at all other than to have fun.
70.3 Ironman in Aarhus, Denmark. Goal is under 5:30.
The brand new Princeton 70.3 in September 2014. Goal is a bit abstract; I want to race feeling strong. I’ll be happy with any time.
My next race is the Showdown Half in Fairview on Oct 11, for right now my goal is to finish! It will be my first half!!
Ironman Texas this Saturday which will be my first Iron distance race. Overall goal is sub 12. Have individual goals for each leg, one of the goals for the run leg is “actually run the whole thing”
No racing this year. Last race was the Philly TRI. Cramped up on the bike. Not sure whether it was because of the colder temperature or some sort of hydration problem.
I did something crazy this weekend and registered for my first marathon this fall!
Sept: London Duathlon.
(Classic distance. nothing too strenious)
First race in UK for 12 years!!
Expectations are low: the exact opposite of my current body weight
Next race at 5/6, a long Hilly race. Goal is to take top 10 spot.
Nothing planned yet – thinking about signing up for one later in the year. I’m sure some new gear from Clever Training would help!
IRONMAN Texas, this Saturday! My first goal, as always, is to finish, after that I’d like to go sub 12.
Last race was 9 years ago (IM UK, 11:20)! Coming out of retirement for a 5Km swim in Lake Windemere in the English Lake district, just finishing will make me happy. That is to be followed by a September Tri in Anglesea Wales where a specific goal is yet to be determined
I’ll be racing the “les trois ballons” cyclo on june 14th. 217 km, 4.100 m elevation. Hope to beat my 2013 time by 30 minutes, which should be easy since I was sick for 30 minutes on the top of le grand ballon last year :-)
Missoula Marathon in July, sub 4:00.
Last race was the Boston BAA Half Marathon in 2013. My goal was 2:00:00 and I finished in a heartbreaking 2:00:10. My next planned race is to re-run the BAA Half in 2014, with a goal time of 1:45:00.
Next confirmed race May 31st ride sally ride crit, goal top 5 in 15-18.
Raleigh 70.3 on 6/1. Goal time of 6:30.
Ottawa Marathon on May 25th. This is my first marathon so my goal is under 4h !
Deadwood half marathon on June 1st. It a weird course that meanders slightly downhill. My time should be around an hour and forty minutes, but it doesn’t really count due to the drop in elevation.
Although I’m not signed up yet my next planned race is Tri-Tech Olympic in Columbus, Oh on June 15th. No real goals in this race just a tune up race for my first half iron.
Next race will be a half-marathon. My goal is to finish within 1:45.
Buffalo Springs 70.3 in Lubbock, Tx on June 29. I am hoping to get revenge on the course and break 5hrs.
Next race will be a small local duathlon to restart the “multi-sport” season. But the real next objectives is a marathon mountain bike race.
Memphis in May Olympic Tri this coming weekend, shooting for sub 2:45
10k in Philly in June – goal is to beat my friends :)
Next race (and first of the season) is Batavia Sprint Triathlon in Batavia, IL (about 30 miles west of Chicago). Goal is top 5 in my age group. Only a 400m swim but the water will be cold… this year’s Chicago weather hasn’t been very open-water swim friendly.
Next race is July 20, Tiny Texan Sprint Triathlon. Hopefully go faster than last year…
Next race is 70.3 Kansas. Looking for top 10 AG and time under 4:50…we’ll see.
Maybe my next race would be Achziv Tri
Jamestown International Tri: June 4 – Shooting for under 2:20
Nepean Half Ironman (Australia) – Sub 5 1/2 Hours and I will be super impressed!
Next race June 29th. Allatoona Sprint in Acworth, GA. No real goals… Bigger fish to fry later in the season.
Finished top 50 in a short course tri in April.
My second sprint tri is coming up in a few weeks!
Next race is June 7, Riverbend 10K in Chattanooga. This is a yearly one for my wife and I. The course has changed this year, so I’m just expecting to have a good time.
Jun 8th Blue lake tri. Goal is to hammer on the bike this year, nothing held back.
Summer Muddin’ 5k mud run in June
LA marathon crash race. Race was canceled. Turned into a ride through LA at 4 AM.
Top of Zion Relay Race, Zion’s national park Utah
Hi, will run a 10K in hopefuly 46 min. My first 10K ever. Running for a 45 min race so i can lose 1 minute.
The Philadelphia Love Run half marathon was on 3/30/14. It rained the entire time with the average temp in the mid-40s. It was by far the coldest event ever participated in. As for the run, finished with a frozen smile and had as much fun as one could have in those conditions. So looking forward to doing it again next year. I will be doing my first TRI this year.
18th of May – my first half-marathon is in Leiden, Netherlands…..hope to go under 1:55 but as long as I beat my brother I’ll have the traditional beer at the end to look forward to!
My next race is the Syracuse 70.3. My goal is to finish healthy and under 6 hours. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the give away.
My next and 1st (!!) triathlon is next Sunday at Enghein. I just aim to finish & enjoy the race and get as much experience as I can for the next tris of the year.
Trying to regain my fitness for the Tour of Austin in late August.
Next planned race is the Turkey Trot in Tallahassee in November Having a twelve month-old has cut down on my time and ability to commit to many races.
Eilat triathlon is on the roadmap
The North Face Endurance challenge 10k on June 8th outside DC. Goal is to avg 10 min mile. Just recently took up trail and distance running.
First, thank you for what you do. It has definitely helped. Second, September 7th I will be running the Sioux Falls Half Marathon and hope to PR around 1:40:00.
I just did the Pittsburgh Marathon last Sunday (May 4). That was great. Perfect weather and great fans throughout. I was just coming back from an injury, so I took all of Dec and January off, before starting training again. I finished in my goal time of 4:30, and was smiling afterward. I am happy with that. I am now considering whether to sign up for the Philadelphia Marathon in November as my fall race, but I am moving this summer so my plans are up in the air.
Miami Man; sub 5:00.
Light the night walk L&LS
My next race is White Mountains Triathlon in New Hampshire. I hope to come in under 5:30, actually I just rode the course this weekend, under 6:00. Lots of climbing…
21.1K trail friday. Goal – keep up with my son
I’m planning to run a late season half marathon as a PR race. HOping to finially break the 2 hour mark….officially i’ve ran 2:00:00 but the goal is to break that. :)
My next race is a 10k road race on june 11th in my hometown, I’m hoping to break 42:30 (4:15/km), which might be a tall order, since I ran 44:03 last week, but I’m gonna try. ;) My first (and possibly only) triathlon this season is a sprint in early july.(2 months to get back into swimming, didn’t swim for 5 months…)
Memphis in May Sprint Triathlon – May 17 (Top 10 Finish – Under an Hour)
The North Face Endurance Challenge 10K on 6/8 in DC. I’m new to trail and distance so want to improve time.
My wife and I are just starting Triathlon training. Our next “Planned” Race is the Racine 70.3 in 2015. My goal is to complete this as my first Ironman 70.3.
Our last race was the Muddy Trails 10K in April. My goal was to beat last years time by 10 minutes. I did not achieve this, but did beat last years time by 8 minutes. It is a great run through the woods which culminates with the eating of Crawfish.
On sunday I will run Deejay Ten, in Firenze (you haven’t a good memory about this city, I think)
My next event will be the Real Ale Ride in Blanco, TX – a bit west of Austin. I will be doing 65 hilly miles in the Texas Hill Country. There will be beer at the end of the ride, so that will be my goal!
Rock n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon!
Not a “race” per se – but the Lucas Valley Populaire (112km) on 6/12, courtesy of the SF Randonneurs. Finishing within the time limit is the goal.
Ocean Shores Half Iron in mid-July. 4:55.
Ron
Hi there! Long time listener (reader), first time caller (replier)! My first race of this year is also my first triathlon ever: June 22 in Wisconsin, Olympic distance. The goal is to finish, and finish strong! Best of luck to everyone else with their races and goals.