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.
last race was kemah tri – i beat my buddy but overall was demoralized by the high seas!
Half marathonløb. June 14th. Storebælt Denmark
Ran the unplugged half marathon in VT in two hours flat.
400km Brevet on Saturday
Esprit de She women’s tri in Naperville, Illinois on June 8th. My goal is to have fun. And a top 10% age group finish would be nice too!
My second 70.3 Event: Susz, Poland, 5 May 2014! I wish I beat my PB: 5h20min
run to end MS. 39:20 10K
I run one of the 5km parkruns in southwest London most weekends. Ok, technically it’s a timed run rather than a race. But you’re racing against yourself… and those around you …
Marine Corp Marathon 2014….aiming to break my 3:57 PR
Abersoch, Wales, UK. One of my wife’s favourite places in the world. 3 weeks time. It’s a 10k race we are both training for and I hope to beat 50mins or my previous 51:37. It’s not a flat course, with the final stretch along the beach.
Local sprint in 1:20 in July. Gonna be a hot one.
Cincinnati Triathlon in June. Goal is sub two hours.
Calgary Marathon, 1/2 Marathon Goal Time – 1:55 – First attempt at a half marathon.
Calgary, AB Canada
My first 70.3 event: Herbalife Triathlon Gdynia 10th of August – I wish to complete in at least 5:20h.
First race of the year is a Sprint distance in two weeks. Goal is to beat last year’s time!!
Going for an aquathlon in Hong Kong during June. A short race, target to finish by 50mins.
To celebrate my 50th birthday, my next race will be the Walt Disney World Marathon. My goal is to complete it in less than 4 hours.
my last race was 2 years ago. i ran 7 km for a marathon.
Next race will be a half marathon in Rhode Island on June 12. My goal is to come in under 2 hours.
My next race is a sprint in Pflugerville Texas on June 15. No particular goals for this.
Vätternrundan, 300 km, July 13th/14th. Road ride around a big lake in southern Sweden (with drafting). Starting in the dark!
Goal? Survive? Sub 10 if my Swedish is good enough to make pack friends. :)
Luleå, Sweden (waaaaay north)
Triathlon scheduled for August! Goal is to get a new PR on the bike!
Monday Night race series, would like to finish in the top half.
My next planned race is the color run in Dortmund (Germany) on June 22nd. Yes, I know that it’s not a very competitive event, but it is actually my first race ever so I’m very excited about it! My plan is simply to have a nice and funny day :)
My next race is Covered Bridges Half Marathon in VT and my goal is to not start too fast.
El Tour de Tucson. 104 miles ride this year. Want sub 6.
I’m doing my first tri (partially inspired by you!) in four weeks, the Hyannis Sprint 1 on Cape Cod.
My goal? Survive!
Ughhh… I have the Garrett county grand fondo which has more vertical than anything I have ever imagined. My goal here is to finish kinda alive at least. We shall see how that goes.
-Guillermo
Later this year I hope to attempt my second ever triathlon; the half Iron distance event at the Hyderabad Triathlon, on the 12th of October.
I’m a pretty confident swimmer and cyclist but am completely new to running (The 10k run in the Goa Triathlon this year was my longest ever run by far) so, the goal will be to run the entire 21k leg and finish within 5h30m.
If I’m way off I will come back to this comment and laugh at myself :(
My next race is my first race! Niles (Michigan) Pregnancy Care Center Super Hero 5k on June 14. Running with my pastor. Goal is to finish! I did “Couch-to-5k” starting in February and I’m on track for a roughly 35 minute 5k.
Next officially planned is Princeton Half Iron in September. Goal: 5.5 hours. Though I’m sure I’ll do a warm up or two earlier in the summer.
Looking forward to the Franklin Half Marathon – this is only my second half after the Nashville half a couple weeks ago. I did that in 1:55:10, so my goal is to beat that, despite the inevitable increase in temperature and humidity. BTW, you’re the reason I have a Garmin FR620 to keep me company on my runs… ;-)
Demi Marathon des Pompiers de Shawinigan (Firefighters Half Marathon), 2014-06-08
My goal : 1:48:00
Sunrise 8k, South Carolina, 14 June with 6:16AM start. Assuming I’m awake at the gun, the goal is 35 min or better!
5k run in Warsaw, Poland on 15.06.2014. We’ll see what time I Can achieve after some serious injury. Hoping to get at least 23.5
Next race is Rev3 Oly in Williamsburg, VA on June 15th.
I’ve lost almost 40 pounds this year and am hoping the loss, along with a more aggressive training program will net me my first top 10 age group finish.
Escape from Alcatraz on June 1st. I am recovering from a back injury so my goal is to finish it!
The Harpoon 5 Miler this Sunday. Hopefully under 36 minutes.
The Appleman sprint tri in July. Getting back in the open water after a couple of years.
Calgary 50k. Try for 4:30.
Sound To Narrows Tacoma, WA. Under 60 minutes.
Jungle Run 10k, less than 45min.
Susan G Komen 5k 6/14. Training with Fleet Feet’s No boundaries program. My goal is to try for a sub 40 5k.
my big event for this year is the Tour Transalp and really looking forward to it.
Next race is a big one – Ironman Canada – goal finish sub 12hrs – will be my first Ironman starting late in life @ 56
Next race is Liberty HIM June 7th. As it’ll be my first event of that length, my goal will be just to finish.
august 24th 5k in less than 30 at the quebec city marathon weekend
Last sunday I run my first race (4km)!
My next race is the Army 10-miler in early October. My goal is to run the entire time.
My first race is ITU Sprint on June 29th in Chi-Town … goal time: 1:45
Chester Marathon in October hoping for 3hr35!
Next race is a little charity 5k with a good portion of my family and my uncle will be pushing my cousin who we are running the race for (he has epilepsy). I’m hoping to have fun and hopefully get a PR at the same time!
I’m coming back from over a year off due to a misdiagnosed stress fracture, so my first goal is to run pain free! My next goal is London marathon 2015, no time goals yet.
Door County, WI 70.3 in late July! Goal is sub 6hrs and no flat tire.
Nothing planned for the near future but most recent race was Mississauga 1/2 Marathon – came in about 2 minutes under my goal time.
Next race will be my first. Leon’s Olympic in Hammond, Indiana. I’ll be trying to break 2:30, but happy if I just make it out of the water without being frozen.
My next race is the 14th of June, Birkebeinerløpet in Norway. It will be my second half marathon and I’m training hard towards finishing in sub 2 hours.
Grossglockner Mountain Race in Austria in July, 12.7k and an ascent of 1494m
River Citiea Tri Aug in Shreveport. Always a great time.
Next planned race isn’t until a 10 miler in October, but looking for additional races between now and then. Goal is to take at least 10 minutes off my PR for the distance.
Wine Country Sprint Triathalon in Oliver BC, Canada in 1:14
Quassy half ironman June 2015.
Just did Tough Mudder Chicago this weekend. 10.4 miles. had trouble with glory blades & berlin walls (need boosts on both to make it over), skipped ‘walk the plank’ — did not feel confident with my swimming ability at that point of the course. finished in something less than 3 hours, ran most of it, walked some, waiting in lines for obstacles, and hung around & helped other people on some of obstacles (especially human pyramid).
Brooklyn half marathon on Saturday, May 17. Goal is to get my wife and sister-in-law to the finish around 2:30.
Double race… Off-road tri on the saturday, standard road one on the sunday, starting from the same location, and organised by the same friendly peeps, in the Scottish Borders area…
2013 NYC Triathlon – Went great until the run. I love swims with a current. And who knew Central Park had so many hills.
I’ll be doing the Waterford Hills Summer Race Series on June 4, aiming to test my race fitness after a busy month with no races.
My next race is the Zoo Run (5K) at the Birmingham Zoo in Alabama on 5/17. Shooting for a time of 25:00
Next race is Ironman Texas this Saturday! Goal is 11 hrs.
Finishing the Brooklyn Half marathon May 17 without having a stitch.
Poland – Kołobrzeg, 20.06.2014 – triathlon on distance 1/4 IM – first tri-race. All I want is to finish in limit.
I am training with my buddy John C and my next race will also be my first race! We are planning on running a half marathon in October. Thanks for all the useful reviews, they have really helped with buying a Running watch. Take Care.
Next race is Raleigh 70.3 in June 1. I hope to not die, I heard the run was brutal.
Nothing planned for this year. Last years’ 10k went well, did it in 56 minutes, under my planned hour for it.
I have double race weekend May 17th/18th. My goals for these races is to complete them and go for the win, even if it knocks me off the podium, so I have to find my spot in each race and make an attack to go for the win.
Meadow Farms Circuit Race May 17th
Richmond Road Race May 18th
Both races are in just north of Richmond Virginia. These will also be my last two Cat 5 races I need for my upgrade to Cat 4.
Will run 5 km New Balance Moscow run at 24th of May for Down syndrome kids support. Will not run even that event if doctor will admit I have viral myocarditis.
Horrible Hilly Hundred – June 14th
– Finish with style!!!
My next run is from home to work!!! :)
13.1 this fall, and I hope to finish 1:45 or less.
My last race was two weeks ago, called neusiedlersee radmarathon in Austria! I did pretty well for the first race this year! Let’s see how the season is going to be!
Wilmington Whiteface 100K, on June 22nd in Wilmington, NY. My first time at that distance, just want to see the finish line!
Last race was just a 10k run ruining my foot. :(
Copenhagen marathon 18th of May 2014
I would love a sub 3.20 :)
Raleigh 70.3!
I have my first tri since I had my daughter in January on July 13th in Clarklake, Michigan. My goal is just to finish is a respectable time for having a baby recently.
Starting this season with the Crystal River Tri in Crystal River, FL. Goal is 1:15
My next race will be “Vätternrundan” in Motala, Sweden, on june the 13th. It’s a 300km bicycle race around Lake Vättern with approximately 15000 riders. This year my goal is to finish under 10hrs. Not superfast, I know, but it’s challenging enough for me :-)
Last race was a 1/2 marathon. Need to sign up for a new one but moving across country first.
Next race is this weekend, the Capitola Half Marathon in beautiful Santa Cruz, CA!
(… which is to be followed by three marathons — San Francisco in July, NYC in November, and the CIM in December. I’m turning 30 this year, and these are my goals –and presents!– to myself!)
Last race has been a while ago 10K running. Need to start running again!
Racing Memphis in May Olympic on 5/18. It will be my first race this season, as well as my first Olympic distance (only completed a sprint race last year / 1st season). Hoping to finish it in a reasonable time, but my run is still super slow, so I’ll be happy just to run the entirety of it with no walking breaks after doing the bike and swim.
My next race is May 18, 2014. I’m doing my very first Olympic distance triathlon. My goal is to finish in less than 3 hours!
I’m racing TriRock Philadelphia on June 22nd – I’d love to break 2:45 in the Olympic.
My next race is in two weeks for our cycling clubs Tuesday Night Time Trial. Its a 7 mile TT. I hope to break 17 minutes.
Just completed the Keswick to Barrow 42 miles race through the Lake district. 9hrs 57mins so beat my goal of 10hrs
As some others have already mentioned, next Sunday, Brussels 20km.
Realistic target time: 1.35; hoping to get under 1.30 though ;-)
I’m racing Indian Creek Triathlon June 8th in Alexandria Louisiana. It’s a sprint so I’m hoping to finish in 2 hours!
Next race is the Cascade Lakes Relay in OR. It’s a team relay race so my goal is to average 7:00/mile or under for my legs.
22/06/14 Run Hackney half marathon
next race will be the 20th annual Pigeon Lake Road Race based out of Mulhurst Bay, Alberta, Canada.
goal/plan is to a) not do a pointless suicide attack wherein I burn all my matches, b) not cramp up, c) push the pace to cause a split, d) finish
Going to TripleT again in ohio this year (3rd time!)… hoping to break 12:30 total.