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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.
The first coverage I ever saw of an IM competition was footage for people crossig the finish line staggering, some not even making it, collapsing just yards from the finish. I couldn’t believe that people would do this to themselves, but now watch in amazement as I realize what it must take mentally/physically/emotionally to bring oneself to this point. I am inspired by those that finish strong, the pros; but am annually touched by those that BARELY finish and leave ever once of energy and soul they possess on that island.
Aside from highlights SportsCenter, watching the woman collapse and crawl to the finish in the Gatorade commercial. Ironman finishers are really, really fit, and more than a bit crazy.
I was there last year, and I witnessed how rinny took off on the run, and as soon as I saw her stride at mile 6, I knew she would win!
I’ve never watched the kona ironman. I just got back from the big island from my vacation and wedding. I really enjoyed watching and really respect all the athletes in training. For days I saw them swim bike and run in the humid weather and salty water. Kudos goes out to anyone in this event.
I watched a few from a few years ago on the tinternet after chatting to a guy on holiday in the Alps about the EmbrumMan. Crazy stuff and very impressive can’t wait to watch this years!
The Norminator 2006 Kona win, what a ride!!!
Watching Dick and Rick Hoyt. Amazing.
Streaming it last year on my phone only to realise I’d downloaded over 4 gig!!! Well worth it though,
IM Kona 2011 wathching a friend of mine crossing the finish line. So proud to see her competing with the best of the best.
Watching for the first time, live, this weekend!
Julie Moss. Need I say more.
After watching it in the early years on Wide World of Sports seeing it in person last year was awesome.
First memory of watching Kona would have been a YouTube clip of the race. Part of the overproduced NBC show, but still wicked cool.
Last year Kona was a fantastic, I remember tue dolphin swimming close to the leaders, then I couldn’t believe Mirinda pace, it was fantastic to see how she was passing the others as if they were just jogging
Watching the 2010 race and wondering if I would ever be able to just finish a race like that. I remember being inspired to give triathlon a ‘tri’ and fell in love.
2 things I’ll never forget: the Dolphins leading the swim and a couple finishing the run short of the cut off and missing it for the second year in a row. So powerful!
Watching people blow up on the run. I hate the heat!!@
I think it might have been in the 90’s. In Colombia where it was probably a very poor translation. Don’t remember much though.
i remember when I was in high school flipping through the channels and I came across the telecast of Kona. I was in complete awe of those athletes!
Watched it at YouTube. Chrissie Wellington got a flat tire but still managed to get the championship. It was a source of inspiration to train for me.
Watching Rinny destroy the run course. Totally awesome
Watching the 2011 race coverage with my wife while on vacation in Mexico. I had completed my first half iron distance race a month before. We had been discussing me signing up for a full, watching Crowie hold off Pete Jacobs on the run for the win and seeing Chrissie dominate the field was such an inspiration we agreed I’d sign up for IMAZ later that fall. Been racing since changing the Kona dream.
This will be my first year to watch it.
I first watched Kona in 2011 when I first started training to do my very first Triathalon event!! I had quit smoking cigarettes the year before and wanted to see just how much I could accomplish! I watched the event and dreamed of one day finishing an ironman event! In July of 2012 I finally completed a 70.3 event! I still dream of soon completing a full event!! Thank you for your consideration!!
Hoping that the 84 yr old lady would finish and put us all to shame!
Julie Moss and her epic finish during 1982 Ironman
I started watching Kona as a few friends started doing IM. It’s now on my bucket list. One day. I like every moment. Especially the crawls and the last ones over the finish line. That takes guts.
2005 when Kiwi Cameron Brown finished 2nd. However, watching every Kona race is a highlight.
A few years ago(maybe 2-3) I was starting in triathlon. During lunch break I started watching IMWC… I was hooked! I watched maybe three of them in line… That was like a day off but at the office…..
watching ironman world champs in person is the greatest place on the earth to be. I followed most of the race around on an old beat up steel bike take photos videos and cheering on my friends and partner. Still one of the greatest days/weeks of my life!
The year Chrissy won despite a flat. They showed a post interview with Miranda carfrae (?) and her quote was fantastic “The only thing worse than getting passed by Chrissy wellington is getting passed by Chrissy wellington twice.” Classic.
Best memory watching Kona were flashbacks of contestants trying to qualify and the pure excitement of making it.
2011 I raced my first Ironman. Ironman France was awesome. So in the October I sat in front of my computer to watch the worlds best show me how it was done. I was mesmerised for with the speed and sheer unbelievable human determination to push on and race. One person stood out that day and it was Chrissie Wellington. It was the first race I watched her compete in and I feel privileged to have watched her win. Those memories are what motivated me to race Ironman & Ultra’s. To push my body and see what I can achieve. Thank you Kona! Thank you Chrissie.
The 2010 battle between Andreas Raelert and Chris McCormack.
A few minutes ago on youtube, this will be a great start of time “lost” on the web.
Macca winning is first one!
The first time I watched Kina was the Macca Raelert run battle. Instantly hooked and now I do triathlons myself
The first I heard of Ironman or Kona was a show about Rick and Dick Hoyt, where it showed Dick Hoyt pulling his son Rick behind him in the ocean swim and then lifting him out and putting him on a carrier on his bike and similarly for the run. And they finished in a great time. Incredible and inspiring stuff. That stoked my interest in Triathlon and the Kona Ironman
First time just casually watching in the 80’s thinking it was tough but really not grasping the level of insanity until much later.
Last years win by Marinda was pretty spectacular. Watching Starky go after the bike course record morivated me to ride way more than normal the next week.
I was on vacation with my wife and kids in Maui (just one island over from the race). I turned on the TV before heading out to the beach and the race was on! Spent most of the day watching the race in the hotel room
How the race tactics change from year to year.
My brother and I use to watch the Ironman race on t.v. and see the rivalry between Dave Scott and Mark Allen. It was so memorizing as a kid but never thought that I would be a triathlete. In 2012 I became an Ironman, just like those two who I looked up to.
I was 10 years old and I was watching Paula Newbie hit the wall. Terrified. “I’d never do an Ironman”, I said to myself. Just short of 20 years later and I’m now in the thick of my last training block for my first Ironman taking place in just a few short weeks :) Paula went from being someone I viewed as crazy to a total inspiration.
Hi Ray,
The first time I saw an Ironman, I fainted (Litterly). The second time I became 6th in my age category. The thirth time I will have your FR920XT on my wrist and win one of the European Tour Ironmans.
This is what I dreamt after falling a sleep (again)whilst endlessly browsing your blog and the Ironman website.
Keep the dream alive.
With friendly but competitive greetings,
Loek
My first memory was when I was 8 years old seeing Julie Moss cross the finish line crawling with her bra strap falling off her shoulder. I just remember thinking to myself “what in the world did she go through to crawl and have a bra strap falling off”. Almost 30 years later I did my first Ironman, and I will be back for more!
Last year my wife and I streamed it over our computers all day.
I had watched the race over the years and known that it was something special, something for real athletes. Over the years something happened, I was inspired. Last years race was for me the most special because it was the last time I would be able to watch the race as a non-Ironman. I had signed up for Ironman Lake Placid. This year as I watch the race it will be different. I am an Ironman.
Watching Chrissie smiles, she’s such an inspiring woman; watching the Ironwars and of course the crawls to the finish line. Wish I could be there in person!
Erin Baker can’t remember what year but was a while ago
Watching one of the finalists completely bonk at the final leg of the race after leading the majority of the way. Valiant fight at the end despite the outcome. A true display of heart and resilience to make it to the finish.
Watching Chrissie win just weeks after crashing her bike
The underwater videoclip of the swimmers scrambling their way thru the sea.
watching fellow kiwi Cam Brown podium. He’s still beating all the young guns at 42
Watching Starky dominate the bike leg last year
The thing that got me started in triathlon was a tv report about IM Hawaii around 1989ish…
Norman Stadler’s Record Bike split for the win in 2006.
Watched the 2011 IM Kona this year in Febuary on youtube. That time, I didn’t even know what’s triathlon. As I watched Crowie ride through the lava field and running in the energy lab, I was so motivated, I went to sign up for a triathlon immediatly without knowing anything. Now, I’m proud to call myself a triathlete and I aim to complete an IM by 2016.
I remember seeing the people who have pushed beyond their limits and crawl across the finish line with tears of joy/relief. It’s so amazing to watch, even if it’s only on TV and not in person. Someday…
Watching Julie Moss dramatic finish made me wanted to get to Kona one day, and I am still working on that ;)
To be frank, I’ve never been a fan of Ironman event. To me, they were simply ultra men & women whom I salute, due to their unbelievable strength and unwaving determination.
However, to have a shot at the 920, I youtubed Kona Ironman 2013. I was glued to the video, supporting Luke as he was overtaken by Federrick in the running leg. I was urging him, hoping he can find the inner strength to regain the lead (even though I knew the race happened last year). Though he couldn’t find the strength to do that in the end, I hope he will be there to have another go at winning the championship this year. This time, I won’t be watching the video a year later. :)
never watched Kona, never will, not a tri person, would rather run a hundred miles
For me, it’s the Blazeman. The power of the human spirit and the beauty of sport both illustrated through the story of a man living his dream against all odds. Seeing him at Kona the next year, in his chair and unable to move, was heart breaking. Every time i see a pro do the Blazeman roll I get chills.
My best Kona memory was watching Crowie win his third championship. Simply amazing
Last year. I was in awe when I actually got a glimpse of how far it actually is for the swim. And even more in awe when I seen how fast their posted times were. Additionally watching how Heinz Ward trained for a year to prep for the race. Definetly inspiring!
I watched it for the first time last year on the interwebs.
I never fully understood what Kona was until a few years ago when I saw these champs crushing it in the heat! You gotta be kidding me! I can only hope to be on that level some day. Amazing.
Watching the LAST people cross the finish line! So inspiring!
Watching Alexander and Lieto duel it out in 2009.
Old Ironman footage on YouTube trying to psyche myself up for my own first 140.6. The pros are amazing!
First memory is watching about 2,000 triathletes start their swim in Kailua-Kona Bay around the late 1980s. There is a certain level of obsession with watches and you can see some of the triathletes checking theirs.
rerun on universal sports of mark Allen winning
Best memory was watching Chrissie Wellington win her first Ironman World Championship in 2007. Several other pro women had either dropped or were out and along comes Chrissie, essentially an unknown contender, with no hat in the Kona sun. Everyone including myself were thinking, “Who is this woman?”. Fantastic to see her win then and in the years to come!
Not much into triathlon, but we’ve all seen footage of a completely wrecked Julie Moss flailing about near the finish.
I cant remember what year it was, I saw it on tv, om how they cross the finish line, like zombies. Its amazing how willfull the mind is that even the body cannot percieve it anymore.
watching last year’s event (my first one). Such commitment from everyone- from the pros all the way to the last finishers
Watching Rick and Dick Hoyt and thinking, well I have no excuse not to get out there and train to do this!
This year (or it will be)! Started tris myself so always nice to see the best of the best perform.
Wow – probably with Wide World of Sports way back when. I took notice because I was a swimmer and running track in HS. Didn’t take up triathlon until post grad work was done – been hooked since!
When a friend last year sent me some YouTube links.
Watching the 2013 Kona women’s last minutes of the race. Simply amazing how Miranda Carfrae took it home on the run course, so strong and amazing!! ;)
Miranda Carfrae killing it last year was my favorite Kona memory.
Last year watching Luke McKenzie and Starky on the bike and the woman’s race on the run, both on the internet, whilst following friends on ironmobile.
when I was 10 watching NBC coverage, decided I wanted to race it ever since.
My first exposure to Ironman was that puzzling Wide World of Sports intro footage!
About 4 years ago I watched a youtube compilation, Crowie won that race and motivate me. I have been watching videos and live since that… It’s because of that this year I started my TRI dream with Sprint distance, looking forward Olympic next year and 70.3 by 2016… I need that FR920XT please :)
Dave vs Mark. I’m here watching my son racing his first Hawaii ironMan.
I watch the first video on YouTube while I was preparing for my first triathlon race. In my mind,I was visualising all the stages of the race. To me is not about winning but the ability of each participant that had endured n complete and becomes a true iron man/women.
I’m inspired and definitely is slowly training and preparing myself for at least 1 iron man race in my time on earth.
On TV in the early 90s. I thought it was the craziest thing.
First saw the Ironman in 2007 about a year after beginning running for health. Fast forward to 2014 I completed my first triathlon event. DCR has been my gadget advisor throughout my upgrade path, thanks. (920XT please!)
Chris McCormick vs. Andreas Raelert
Watching the kona recap from 2010 got me motivated to enter the world of multi sport. Fast forward a few years and I just finished my first 140.6. I would love to have the 920 for Wisconsin 2015.
Macca’s 2010 win!
In 2007 we were vacationing in Kona and discovered that Ironman was taking place while we were there. I wasn’t able to do much walking due to a strained muscle in my back so we decided to go and watch the race at Havi for a few minutes. That few minutes turned into 3 hours and a life changing moment for me. I met several triathletes who encouraged me to start training. After a year of “thinking” about it, I signed up with Team in Training to raise funds for cancer research and compete in my first sprint triathlon. Since then, I have completed numerous sprint and Oly triathlons and completed Augusta HIM last year. Next year I am signed up to compete in IMChattanooga. I have made so many wonderful friends and training partners in the past 5 years and my health is so improved. this was truly a life changing experience for me
Earliest memory is Paula Fraser at the finish line.
Like a lot of people, my first exposure/memory of Kona is Julie Moss. The moments and inspiration just continue from there.
My first time watching Kona was in 2013. My buddy wanted me to start training for Tri’s and build up to a full Ironman, but I was hesitant. He said let’s watch it after I said no a few times. After watching it I was simply amazed by the athletes and am now hooked. I did my first Tri 3 weeks ago and am planning on doing a Half Iron next year. In 2016 pending no issues, my buddy and I will be completing our first Full Ironman.
When Chris Legh broke down and couldn’t run to the finish line with 50 metres to go
Have been watching some compilations on youtube. Would like to participate myself one day :)
Nothing like Chrissy out run down everybody after her injury.
Watching Kona back in 2010…at that time I wasn’t even training for triathlon…that was my inspiration..
Best bike effort: 4:18:23 Normann Stadler …so impressed !!
Watching Chrissie Wellington do it and then reading her book…totally blew me away with her humility and awesomeness.