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.
MACCA win 2010
I just started my fitness journey, and saw one of those promotional videos of someone finishing.
I must say, it was a very good video because I was inspired and the next thing I know, I was in the water for a 70.3!
Love the special interest stories and the people that come in at the cut-off.
The special needs athletes
1989 The IronWar .
Last year watching Kona was the best. It was a rough time for me personally and it re-sparked my interest in the sport and set my sights on, a year from then, and three weeks from now, a goal I’ve been working towards of Miami 70.3.
Picked my reply? Great!
2 years ago and now I’m hooked…watch it every year. Such an amazing feat and hope to do one as well.
Norman Stadler blowin the field away on the bike in 2006!
Watching the event on Wide World of Sports (I think) in early 80s with Julie Moss crawling towards finish line.
Julie miss but not live – later on the internet.
The NBC produced pieces about the common folk always get me teary eyed and make me want to train harder.
I vaguely remember seeing it on tv as a kid and thinking there was no way I could ever do that.
Watching Tim DeBoom win for the USA in 2001 and 2002
remember watching it on NBC thinking those guys are crazy
The Hoyts – 1989.
I remember the one guy staggering over the finish line… or staggering anyway. I think he finished!
Watching Julie Moss on the Wide World of Sports…incredible.
Age grouper swim start in 2009! First time i ever watched an Ironman race.
Dick and Rick Hoyt, inspiring.
Watching a documentary about Craig Alexandra on you tube and his rivalry with crowie. Awesome and inspiring.
1994 watched as a collage freshman with some friends going one day one day
Watched some of it last year for the first time at a friends house – inspired me to sign up for IMLP 2015!
Watching my friend Chantal this year !!!
I remember watching Mirinda Carfrae run like a mad woman, picking off person, after person. I’m not sure she won, but it was awesome watching someone run so fast, after swimming and biking, at such a fast pace.
I just finished a half marathon and was in a week long recovery process… I turned on the TV to witnesses tons of people in Kona, competing against each other through grueling miles of pain. I thought, that is completely insane… 4 years later I started planning one for 2018!
Watching Mirinda carve up the course last year!
Watching Dave Scott on (I think) Wide World of Sports in the 80’s… I was doing cross-country in high school and was in awe…
It’s been noted before, but the Julie Moss crawl to the finish. Also, not being much of a swimmer or cyclist, I have much respect for anyone who can complete an Ironman.
Trying to live stream from Nigeria with the worst internet connection ever!
The cannon fire at the swim start!
Peter Reid
Watching my friend compete. Although he missed the swim cutoff by seconds, he motivated so many people with his story of beating cancer and having a heart transplant.
I watched it for the first time last year and seeing the heart break of competitors not making the cut off times.
Ironwar part 2, between Macca and Andreas Raelert
Kona 2010. Started planning for 2018!
2013 was my first time watching the event. Since then I’ve signed up for my first Ironman….Wisconsin in 2015!!
Watch thousand of people supporting ironman athletes… This was my greatest memory!
We don’t have much support back here in Brasil…
My best moment was watching the first ones on Tv. Though these guys were crazy.
I saw Kona once. I sat there and just thought to myself, “Whoa!” à la Keanu Reeves.
Last year watching Mirinda Carfrae set the women’s record!
watching on the wide world of sports as a child at my grandparents, while my Grandpa was pissed that they interrupted the race
Watching the stories of the amateurs who make it to Kona and finish against all the odds, and after making the commitment required after a life changing event – truly moving and inspirational, a lesson to those just sitting on their asses all day.
My best memory of Kona is not necessarily watching the event itself but rather following a very excited friend of mine in the build up to the event
i watched once on youtube, it was awesome…
Best memory, most vivid at least, the Paula Newby Fraser meltdown
First memory was I think one of Erin Baker’s wins. Go kiwi!
Macca vs Norman battling it out. You gotta admire macca’s trash talking abilities!
I love watching the swim start. The athletes create a wave. It’s amazing!
I loved watching Dave Scott, Mark Allen, Scott Tinley and Greg Welch during the 80’s and 90’s. So many memories from these races. Got me hooked on triathlon, even though I didn’t complete my first until many years later.
Watched on wide world of sports many years ago and thought it would be cool but at the time I didnt bike or run but I intuitively knew the effort level that an ironman requires.
Watching Chrissie Wellington destroy the field while smiling ear to ear, getting a flat, and then coming back to win it all
watching J.Moss. I can not forget it…
I remember randonly finding the NBC special Ironman Kona World Championship video on YouTube my sophomore year of college. I’d always been interested in triathlons due to my love for running and swimming (why not add a bike?) I soon found the Ironman nbc specials on YouTube and watched all of the available specials from start to finish. That’s all it took. I joined the world of triathlon and haven’t looked back since! Love triathlons and making my way to an Ironman distance race in a few years!
There is a tie in my book for greatest Kona moment. The Hoyts and Blazeman, amazing accomplishments that made everyone else seem like they were just competing in a 5K and not one of the most grueling one day races.
I’m going to have to go with Julie Moss
every time I watch the race I get inspired to compete the following year. I start training for about a month and then I stop. Oh well here’s another opportunity to get inspired and start the training. Best of luck to all the athletes.
I love watching all of the amazing athletes – just in awe of their determination – especially those who are suffering through cramping issues.
watching Julie Moss struggle to keep moving forward.
I can recall watching the Scott Tinley win the Ironman from my North County San Diego home in the 80’s. The drama on the television as Scott road across the lava flats was intense followed by his running that seemed effortless on his way to the win – were the rush of emotions could be seen on his face. At the time I was engrossed in chasing the dream of becoming a motocross professional that never came to be. My training was intense, running, weights, hours in the saddle, but lacked enough education and nutritional focus. To my amazement one afternoon Scott walked in to Alba Honda where I was working as the service manager at the time. It was difficult to contain my excitement . . . but managed to book his scoter for service.
I’m new to the sport, so last year was my first year watching.
My first memory of watching kona was online and seeing some of the biking segment, and all the specialized equipment that they wore/had/rode while the athletes were just pushing it…hard…what determination!
Watching “the crawl.” I remember thinking – who the heck would do something like that?!
Watched Kona for the first time last year on the livestream, I was glued all day and waiting how the race would unfold during the marathon. It was just crazy to me to see Van Lierde, McKenzie and Kienle going such crazy pace after more than 5h intense effort already
Watching Julie moss crawl for sure!
I watched Julie Moss and knew someday I had to be an Ironman!
Last year, recovering from degenerating discs. I resolved to complete a triathlon as soon as I was well. This year I completed four sprints and one olympic. Next year I’ll be doing my darndest to complete the Ironman KS 70.3, hopefully with one of these gems on my wrist.
Never fully appreciated Kona — thank goodness for youtube! Wellington 2008 is currently my pick, but all the clips are amazing!
2008 NBC coverage – Watching Chrissie have a puncture.. having trouble with her co2.. losing the lead.. and then regaining back the lead after changing her tires.. and then not letting off until crossing the finish line!!
Only watching summaries of it.
watching kona top meltdowns..the crawl rocks! very inspiring!
Julie Moss crawling to second place on ABC sports. I’ve raced IM70.3 Kona and “perhaps” I’ll race IM Kona World Championship one day. #powertotheshe
The crawl.
I don’t remember her name, I wish I did, but I recall a woman crawling to the finish line. It was really amazing.
julie moss 1982!
This is my first season doing tri.
I’ve been checking up on previous Kona years on YouTube and I’m super excited to watch the pros do their thing.
The combination of the rough landscape and the sheer power of the athletes is awe-inspiring.
My coach is doing Kona this year; It’ll be cool to see her do her best there as well.
Watching Pete Jacobs win in 2012. So inspiring. Loved his speech afterwards as well.
So much love!! We don’t get the race on telly here in Oz so we were crowded around iPads waiting for the streaming to download so we could see the race live. Motivated me to enter my first IM this year – but having 3 kids I’m just hoping to enjoy the race and finish!
My first memory of watching the kona ironman I was about 12yrs old and I remember being amazed at what the competitors were able to do. Of course as a young boy I wanted and ironman watch from that point on as I figured if it was good enough for them it was good enough for me.
Who could forget watching Julie Moss crawl? I was 7 years old at the time and I remember wondering what what happening and why weren’t they helping her?
I watch my first Kona last year, and have been obsessed with the sport ever since.
The first time I saw Kona is when I was inspired to do an ironman. I was a little overweight and just graduated from college. I saw it on tv and thought “I’m gonna do that one day.” Hasn’t happened yet simply because I don’t have the money to do it yet, but I’ve been working toward it since then! I can’t wait until I get to do one!
Watching a live stream of kona at 3 am local time.
Watching a friend cross the finish line. Also watching the last athletes trying to make it before the cuttoff.
Last year: Mirinda Carfrae killin’ it…and breaking the record…and smokin’ that run!
Kona 1989 Dave Scott vs Mark Allen
I remember the sound of Al Trautwig’s voiceover way back when I watched as a little kid. How long has he been doing the commentary for Kona?!?
I enjoy watching the older contestants and thinking that there is hope for me yet.
Watching Chrissie Wellington win her fourth and apparently final Kona Ironman win after having fallen on the bike in days prior. It was incredibly intense to watch.
Seeing Mark Allen compete with Dave Scott. Even had a Centurion signature bike. Oh yeah – seeing the lava fields all around the competitors.
Streaming with daughters five days after heart surgery.
I remember watching Kona with my uncle. Didn’t really understand the struggle. I have since started doing tris myself and I’m learning about the sacrifice.
Me please. I would love the FR920. Great device.
I watched the NBC coverage and was amazed with these athletes abilities years before I ever thought I would become a triathlete myself.
watching Mirinda kick butt with the run portion last year.
Love the finish line recaps. The looks of pain, sure determination and joy. Amazing
I’ve spent hours watching Kona-videos on Youtube. I often return to videos of the 2005 bike-leg, where Torbjorn Sindballe brakes the bike-record, and Faris Al Sultan crosses the finishline in what seems to be relaxed style.
Newbie in Tri sports first time i watched Kona was last year over internet.
Cant wait to compete there :-)
I was watching live stream but because of slow internet connection video was freazing after each 10-15 seconds. Had to put on pause to load some more and watch for minute or two without lags :)
first memory would have to be Julie Moss crawling across the line. iconic moment in the sport.
Julie Moss – 1982!
I don’t remember the first time bit I do remember Jon Blais in 2005. He continues to inspire me to face my fears and live my dream.
First time I really paid attention to Ironman Kona was last year when Hines Ward joined the Become One team to train for Kona. Was really exciting to watch as Carfrae set a new course record for fastest marathon in 2:50.