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.
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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 year, and thinking “that is what I’m going to do!”
3 or 4 years ago…my first season as a triathlete. I was glued to the website all day. That was the day I decided I would be an Ironman someday! These athletes are simply amazing!!
Wellingtons 2008 win after a flat and 2 misfired co2s.
Persevered and powered through!
Watching Craig Alexander 2011. That man is/was a machine.
Documentary about Marieke Vervoort, paralysed woman, who wanted to complete the Ironman. Unfortunately, she failed: she was too late to start the next sport, was taken out of the rqace and could not fulfill her dream. She never came back to Hawaii but won paralympic medals in London…
New to triathlons this year, so I’m a newbie to watching KONA, too. But looking forward to watching it!
*sighing*
I have no memories of watching Kona because I didn’t really get into tris until this year.
Oh well….
Macca’s 2nd win.
I remember Chris Lieto out running the TV helicopter on his bike.
no memories :(
abc sports in Sunday afternoon when I was about 15.
first memory is seeing a guy with one at an open water swim being able to say how far we had gone. I said dang gotta get me one
2008, with Crowie and Chrissy taking the gold
i stumbled upon Kona during a NBC broadcast special of the event. It was somewhere in the middle of an inspiring story about how an athlete (formerly an addict) had overcome the odds (having been inprisoned) and was now racing Kona. What a difference a year makes!
Team Hoyt!
Dave Scott and Marl Allen running side by side
Watching Crowie and Macca fuss back and forth about each other. I remember thinking… “Doesn’t seem like they like each other”.
YouTube videos!
My first was last year! My friend Luca was there!
Watching the wonderful start to the swim and all the courage in their eyes when they enter the water.
On TV – replay – in a hotel room before a gala event for a charity – the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) – stopped cold to watch it for 45 min – the MMRF became a charity partner at IMLP two years later
first discovering the whole crazy thing on youtube 3 years ago. now I’m determined to get there one day!
Mine as well was watching Julie Moss in the ’82 event. Then to see the return a few years ago…
About 6 years ago. TV. Amazed at the speed of the run after a blazing bike.
Watching Crowie passing Chris Lieto in the marathon of IM Hawaii 2009 and winning the world championship!
Seeing staedler run out of energy
Seeing starky ride up the ascent to hawi at 27mph…jaw…on…ground!
Having just gotten into tri in 2010 with a co-worker, watching Kona and the handshake between Macca and Raelert with a couple of miles to go. Hearing the commentator note Macca saying “it’s like the iron war”, going and buying the book and learning about where it all began…
Last year was the first time watching it on tv. Nothing but motivational.
New to tri last year. Watched several past dvds, then Kona SEVERAL times for the first time last year.
I started by going back to see what the iron wars were all about.
Watching my friend Joe kiss his wife just before crossing the finish line.
Watching as a boy in Australia you’d get these highlights of this event that just seemed so crazy
My first time watching Kona was last year. I did a small sprint last September and got hooked….right as the season came to a close. I watched Kona on the live feed and made myself hoarse hollering at Rinny to win during the marathon. Amazing.
Caught the triathlon bug in Jan of this year and have completed a sprint and an olympic race. I got very excited when I saw that a replay of highlights from last years Kona was playing on T.V. I have since watched that video 3 times. So amazed and impressed with anyone who can even finish that race let alone win it. Since watching that, one of my life goals now is to finish an Ironman (shooting for Ironman Louisville 2016). Racing at Kona would be a dream come true!
When Chrissie Wellington finished in 9:08:45 in 2007
Best memory the iron man championship was seeing one of the female finishers crossing the finish line on her hands and knees and then collapsing while the EMT’s rush to her aid. Wow.
Back in the 70’s or 80’s on the wide world of sports….I think.
My dad and I watching the packages of it in Australia on Wide World Of Sports, around 1985 was our first. Seeing the Hoyt’s, the ridiculous challenges. Then having to wait impatiently a whole year for the next one.
watching with friends during a computrainer ride of the kona course! followed by great snacks :)
The first time I remember watching Ironman Kona was with my dad. I had been outside playing and came into the house to find my dad watching it. I grabbed a spot on the couch and watched the rest of it as my dad described what the event was all about. I remember feeling a sense of awe at the athletes being able to swim, then bike, and then run all in the same day and to be able to cover those distances. What a great accomplishment for all those who participate.
1990 watching an extreme sports TV Shows. They showed as these crazy people who race for 10 hours or more. In 1994 I did my first triathlon because of this :)
I loved the images from Hawaii and the “weird” cycles.
i love watching it every year and go back do the hour recaps on YouTube. There was one pro a few years back who blew up on the race but walked it with a horrible time. He said he wouldn’t be honoring everyone else’s efforts if he just DNF’d. Awesome.
My first memory of Kona was indeed when Julie Moss crawled across the finish line.
Catching highlights on channel4 occasionally and wishing I had eurosport to get more highlights. Now I can watch loads of it. Love it!
2013 kona on nbc hoping someday inperson
Live in 2013- watching my friend Leslie dominate her age group and giving Heinz a high five!
Watching in amazement and thinking these people are pure machines!
2011 when Crowie won !
Last year (2013) watched it after getting into the sport myself.
Watched from Europe. Started at 8 pm local time, had been waiting till pro finish, went to sleep, woke up in the morning – people were still finishing.
First time watching a price of the race: video of Rick and Dick Hoyt doing the race. This inspired me to do the race.
First time watching the race: 2011 at the infamous go2Max squad Kona watching day. Watching our very ow. Team members racing. Best moment: our team mate Hillary Wicks winning the entire female age group race 2012
First time I was watching Kona on on internet- there was a few years ago when friend of mine takes challenge. He finish at 19th at his age group. I knew him for a long time. And that was a moment when he brings me hope that I can become trithleet. Next year I had finished my first olimpic distance tri. I believe in it, I love ❤ it , I can’t help stop do it.
Watching as a kid in 1983 thinking that’s an amazing event and some day I want to do that race. I’ve done 6 Ironmans but still working to punch my Kona ticket.
It was when I saw a +80 year old man finish it..I almost cried. He almost collapsed but he made it!
Would live to win! I am currently building up shape for THE Ironman in Barcelona ! THE garmin fenix of 920XT Will be from great help
The year that Macca finished will all the sponges in his jersey, he looked like a marshmallow man
seeing the vid of Julie Moss crawling towards the finish line!
Julie moss without a doubt. Fav moment
Watching a documentary on crowie I thinking I going to do that one year looks fun
I was excited to watch Hines Ward complete his first ironman at Kona!
A few stand out: Chrissie’s last win, Leanda’s win, but it really felt special when I visited Hawaii for the first time last Dec and instantly recognized the pier as the start of the race. Since we were cycle touring the Big Island, I also got to ride the Queen K from Hawi to Kailua-Kona
Too many. John Blain, Natasha Badmann wanting to continue with some cracked bones, Crissie running covered in bruises… epic race
just generally feeling inspired and totally pumped!
Best memory: watching it with friends last year over a potluck dinner, and having a fellow countryman win the Championships!
Macca mentally owning Raelert by passing off that sponge in the home stretch
Watching the videos of the finishing chute on YouTube – the best inspiration to train hard!
Watching Peter Reid crushing it! Great great athlete!
2011 I watched almost the whole race on livestream and saw a real masterclass from Craig Alexander. Great all-round victory.
yes!!!
First time was a highlight on youtube of the 2011 race, that’s what made me want to complete one.
watching Madonna Buder in 2011 (new record for age of 81). Quite impressive
My first memory is watching online a friend of mine doing and completing the Kona Ironman 2013
Watching in the 80’s on Wide World of Sports thinking to myself, “I could never ever do that.” And wishing I could ever since then.
Last year! Walking around the house all day with the iPad… Watching every minute!
Starky’s bike push last year…
I was following the first true Finnish triathlete Pauli Kiuru, mainly because of my swimming career. There were no broadcasts nor internet, so I got updates from my pal living in New York. Exciting as hell….
Watching Macca almost run down Stadler in the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship!
See all the amazing photos of the course, athletes, and crowds!
2012. My roommates were gone. I moved my favorite chair in front of the TV before spending the whole day watching the swim, bike, and run unfold.
Regular lass turned accidental Pro – Chrissie Wellington – Such an inspiration.
I was 10 and we were at a restaurant and it was on tv. I remember thinking what are these people doing. No I have a greate appreciation for what they do. Also my cousin is competing in it this year, so I am even more excited for it this year.
Watching Kona for the first time last year and seeing Frederik Van Lierde win :)
The year that Chrissy was scarred up from her bike crash earlier that week and still dominated. And smiling the entire way. Hooked from then!
watching the determination of Wendy Ingraham crawling across the finish line in 1997,
I have been following a friend set to run this year, he has been posting all his pre race activities and we are very excited to follow his participation. It should be one of the first, if not, the first time someone from our country (Costa Rica) runs this event. I hope I get the special edition Fenix 2!
Like many…a video of Kona was my intro to the sport. Watching the mass swim start followed by clips of athletes pushing through the pain somehow raised my adrenaline levels and hooked me from first sight!!
ABC Wide World of Sports. Watched with my dad….wish that show was still on.
I’ve been watching for about 3 years now, but the moment that still sticks out in my mind is Rinny passing Rachel Joyce on the run and giving her a little tap of encouragement on her way by. It was as if she was saying, “Great race, but I’ve got it from here.” To me, it showed competitiveness and sportsmanship all in one simple gesture. Two qualities in athletes I admire.
Any year!!! Just watching the athletes and the incredible determination it takes. Watched the 1st time as a young kid and remember seeing a woman literally fall down, get up, fall down, get up and then eventually crawl to the finish.
1982 Julie Moss crawl to the finish
Watching Julie Moss crawl across the finish line is my earliest memory (yes, I’m that old!). It took me another 20 years before I did my first triathlon, and during many races I have found strength in that memory.
Last year. Van lierde winning, then signing up for my first IM.
10 years ago, Normann Stadlers first win.
watching the last year’s swim start online! the ocean still scares me.
Sitting on the couch with my dad. I had to be about 7 years old and was amazed by these athletes.
Ehm. 3rd place of sebastian kienle last year :h)
One of my first nemory is watching the competition on tv on theABC Wide world of sport. Man, i was in awe watching Dave Scott.
I remember watching it on ABC’s Wide World of Sports and thinking I could never do a tri since I didn’t learn to bike as a kid. Now I’ve finished two Olympic length triathlons!
First thought – What a crazy start!
Greg Welch being the first non-American to win – on Wide World of Sports!