Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) 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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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.
The stories of what people overcome to do the race. Heart disease, MS, cancer whatever.
Growing up in Davis, CA, I loved hearing about the dominance of hometown hero and master’s swim coach Dave “The Man” Scott.
chrissy getting a flat and still destroying the field.
Mark Allen chasing some German.
has to be when the dophins we’re swimming with the elite leaders a year or 2 ago!!
watching Rinny run.
I think it was ’94 or ’95 when I first caught Kona on TV by accident. I was amazed at what those athletes could push themselves to do. 20 years later I still haven’t done an Ironman, but I’m continually inspired by their performance.
Kona 1995 – seeing mark allen pass hellriegel in the last few miles of the race, thomas’ visor was tilted to the side tryng to block the sun hitting his face
I don’t know any of the athletes by name, but my favorite thing to watch is the ladies… I love being motivated by watching how awesome and strong they are, thinking that maybe, I could be like that one day.
It took me a long time before I watched my first Kona, catching the truncated version on either Universal Sports or NBCsn. The images of the last stragglers trying to finish before the cutoff drive me to never give up in a race. If they can do it at Kona, I have no excuses!
I would like to be in Kona!
I’ve watched only highlights in youtube… Loved the scenery.
First time I saw it was in 2004 on a YouTube highlight compilation. Gave me chills then and still get them whenever I watch it now.
1990 – Honeymoon with my first wife.
She didn’t know it was Ironman week until we got there – of course I did, I then spent a week being a fanboy in Kona while she lay by the pool. Prised her of her sunbed for race day, but far play to her, we cheered all the athletes from start cannon to midnight finisher.
Her departure enabled me to devote the next two years to Ironman and Powerman Zofingen. Planning on going back in 2020 to race 55-59 ag. So I really need the Garmin to help me get there!
Can’t remember the first time I watched Kona, but the most rewarding time was 2 years ago when I had my triathlon “mentor” (John Fell) race and pick up TWO flat tires in the first 20 or so miles… It was his first time racing Kona, so naturally, he was bummed- But John being John soldiered on and finished… I remember him getting interviewed while he waited for a SAG vehicle and he was still in good spirits… That’s definitely been an inspiration to me, no matter what race you’re in, be in Kona or a spring, keep a good attitude…
As much as I enjoy watching the pros, I love watching the age groupers finish.
Thinking, “they swim HOW FAR!?!?!?!”
The girl colapsed at the finish
Last year I traveled to Kona with my best friend. We organized the trip to be able to see the World Championship. We did not know what to expect as spectators. We got to the pier on morning race 2 hours before the cannon. The restaurants at the waterfront were packed. We spent a while trying to find a spot in the crowded place so we could take a glance of the start. We were about to give up when a table in the first floor and looking straight to the beach opened up. We got a perfect view of the start while enjoying a delicious breakfast. Good times!
It’s got to be the Iron War that I remember most vividly and of course the jelly legs of P:aul Newby Fraser but more recently of course Chrissy Wellington has to be one to be most proud of being British!
I wanted to show my wife the inspiration that radiates from Kona I’M, so I’ve picked a random recap from YouTube…. First part of the video showed people fainting and throwing up… That was the first and last time she watched an IM with me….
My first memory of Kona was watching it on Wide World of Sports in Australia as a kid.
The image that sticks in my mind is of 3 guys running through the lava fields and me thinking these guys just aren’t human.
“How do they do that for so long?”
It wasn’t until 20 or so years later, fuelled by this long buried image, that I took on my 1st & 2nd Ironman just missing sub 10hrs by 31sec but even more fuelling my belief that I can get to the big island one day!
YouTube !!!
Every year watching the uber-bikers try to get away from the faster runners before T2…and then the runners trying to reel them back in.
First was on wide world of sports 25+ years ago, so long ago! After a couple year break I am just getting back to Triathlons, Kona however will never be within my reach :)
Always highlights on youtube and tracking on multiple sport sites at the same time.
Exhausted just watching, but inspired
Watching Christian Bustos compete at Kona, definitely!
Julie Moss dramatic finish in ’82
First memory is from 2010, blindfully supporting Eneko Llanos (now i know who Macca is! i didn’t know back then…) didn’t sleep all night to see him placing 7th.
Watching Dave Scott and Mark Allen battle one another & realizing I wanted to do that one day. I am not there yet, but I did sign up for my first Half Ironman for next year.
Matt Hover from the biggest loser. Pretty cool stuff
I loved the races around the Years 1998 – 2003 with the german athletes Zäck, Leder and Hellriegel.
Watching those Races gave me so much motivation for month’s.
My first memory is of an elderly man stumbling, falling, and even crawling to progress through the race. There was also a female that missed the cutoff by 30 seconds and got a DNF after such a long hard day. It was very upsetting to see both of those, but Kona is an extremely difficult event – kudos to anyone that is able to complete it.
Learning about the Kona Ironman by reading about a colleague who had a heart attack a day after finishing the kona ironman, making a full recovery from it, and then finishing the kona ironman in the year after. Inspired me to get fit.
Luc Van Lierde winning in record time :)
Best memory of Kona was 2 years ago, while watching the NBC broadcast I got to see my coach cross the finish line late into the night.
I remember seeing my best friends dad finish at the kona ironman and even as a young kid it made a huge impression on me. It showed me true dedication and balance. He always made time for his family something we all strive for.
Long time ago, remember them interviewing Dave 6x, about living in Davis CA. And eating figs on the bike. We had a fig tree in the back yard so I started eating figs.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Waiting for a dutch winner!
PNF falling down.
Watching a friend cross the finish line two years ago. He is back for another turn this year..
Last year a woman barely missed the 17 hour cutoff. The amazing part was that it was her first ironman back after having a below the knee amputation. Amazing show of determination.
2 years ago when I was just starting to look at my first road bike and it was playing in the background. I was too overwhelmed at the time about why a bike with no motor was going to cost me so much money to remember the details. Now we view old footage online for fun…
Seeing Scott Rigsby crossing the finishing line. Very inspirirational. Made me decide to take up triathlons.
What a nice looking watch! Good luck to all of those participating, and those of us striving to get there!
Coming home from a boozy night out at 1am to watch Craig Alexander the run his way to victory. I had to get up early the next day but just had to watch it until the 4am finish.
1995 – paula newby frazier hitting the wall just short before the finish
Watching the initial televised races on ABC Sports.
I’m new to the scene so everything I have seen has been in clips mostly of miranda carfrae passing everyone on the bike. Apparently she is my new role model…
Staying up way to late to watch Chrissie win.
As many have said. Julie Moss…..
Remember watching 1-minute summaries of the event in Norway, back when triathlons were just about to start to get popular. Thought the whole premise of the sport was crazy.
I actually started doing traithlon after watching Kona in 2012, I told myself that one day it will be me!
Seen a lot of old transmissions on youtube and loved them all. I especially liked that the transmission doesn’t simply focus on the pros but always for some story within the age groupers.
Years ago watching Wide World of Sports and their slogan ‘The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.’ They loved showing the ‘agony of defeat’ side of it.
The 2010 race when Chris McCormack and Andreas Raelert battled until the end. That was epic, and got me HOOKED!
My memories of IM KONA came from NBC Coverage, even before I’ve became triathlete. I was amazed by the determination of this individual to complete such a quest. Someday I will be there :)
When the Hoyt’s finished. Having seen them run in person is inspiring, but to finish Kona is so out of this world.
Watching last year’s NBC coverage with people who raced it. Being able to pick their brains was awesome.
Catching some snippets on YouTube as well as on Universal Sports.
Seeing a tv-report when i was 10 years old, just couldnt believe that people were really trying to bridge these distances…
Watching updates on instagram and Facebook of one my high school friends competing in her first Kona. She had worked so hard to get there and it was so exciting to be able to virtually cheer her on (along with so many other of our friends – all living in different places in the US). It was one of the things that motivated me to train for my first half marathon.
A number of years ago I saw a special on the Kona Ironman on swedish TV. I remember how amazed/impressed I was of the athletes (and wanting to be able to fo that myself).
Greg Welsh jumping across the line to win in his fluro pink trave gear
My first recollection of the Kona Ironman is watching Scott Tinley win his 2nd title in 1985. I missed the swim and most of the bike, but I watched the entire marathon part glued to the Television. Scott had one of the very first Oakley shades, which were unknown in Europe yet. I ordered a pair by mail and started running next day.
I love watching the elites giving it all the’ve got, especially when they’re running low and power through anyway.
First memory: my dad wrapping the rabbit ear antennae with aluminum foil on a visitation weekend so we could watch to see whether Dave Scott would repeat.
I remember watching as a kid and thinking they were all crazy and that it was impossible. I always love watching the video that is curated with all the inspirational stories and released a month or so after the event. Gets me every time! One of my favorite memories was watching some dude from Biggest Loser finish the race. That helped me believe I could go the distance.
Faris!
I haven’t seen Kona yet, but am real anxious to see it. Hoping to catch some of it this year.
Mark Allen winning in 1989. Got me going in tri
Having run marathons it was hard to get my head around swimming 2.4 miles and cycling 112 miles before running 26.2. Kona was my inspiration to compete in triathlons. Started late in life but enjoy the sport immensely. Much success to all of the pros and age groupers this weekend.
Best memory is seeing Michelle Vesterby from Denmark doping well in 2013. Nice to see someone from my home country doing well.
Dramatic finish of Paula Newby-Fraser in 1995. queen of Kona lost so close to the finish line.
Looking at the course overview online. Makes me cringe in fear every time.
My first thought was Norman Stadler in KONA 2005. His frustration because of his puncture and after suddenly burst into tears.
best Kona memory: Dick and Rick Hoyt. The Father-son duo. Team Hoyt. What an inspiring story.
Watching some footage on Youtube in 2011 while on my turbo trainer and ending up an emotional wreck, rather than inspired!
2011. Went to Kona to support a friend and enjoyed how Chrissie Wellington won that race . It was amazing how she did it, her leg still had clear signs of the bike accident she had weeks before. And the men’s race , how Crowie was in control of the race after the Natural Energy Lab.
As a spectator the race looks bloody hard, can’t imagine what it would be to race it.
The Dave Scott v. Mark Allen battles
Hi Ray,
My first memory is from watching winning in 94 and praising Dave Scott in the interview.
Br
Stefan
The crawling finish of Julie Moss is the first one I remember.
Throwing my first Kona party in my NYC apartment in 2011. Booze, food & fit athletes for 9 hours straight! It was awesome.
My favourite is movie about Dirk Bockel road to kona. Especially his ability to get everything together and finish after injuring his palm in training few days before the race.
Three years ago when my friend Dave was there!
Julie Moss!
The Dave Scott Mark Allen duel before I understood the awesomeness of that race.
-Guillermo
2012 – my first year as a triathlete
Seeing Chrissie Wellington cross the finish line of her final win. Awesome
First one I saw was on YouTube I’m afraid, last year as I had literally only just taken up Triathlons!
Just true inspiration to get out training :)
1996, Rookie Van Lierde takes the win
Van Lierdes win last year :)
The first I watched was the 2010 NBC coverage when Macca and Raelert ran it out at the end. Really good race that year.
Dick Hoyt
Reading “A Life Without Limits” at the start of my triathlon adventure and rushing off to YouTube every chapter to watch Julie Moss, Dave Scott vs Mark Allen, Jon Blais and Chrissie herself.
watching in 2008 while on the trainer prepping for my upcoming ironman
Never watched it but I will watch it this year.
To Enter: Your best or first memory of watching Kona (be it in person, or on TV/interwebs) down below. In the event that you haven’t watched any little snippet of it ever, then…well…I can’t help you there.