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!
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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.
Couple of days of base training. All about the base.
Valentine’s Day being on a Saturday would normally be convenient to do a long run with my wife… but she is nearly 38 weeks along and not running as far or fast these days :)
Also… MN is getting some near 0F weather, and I am more wimpy these days. I will likely try to get a longer run in by myself (maybe just 10-13 miles) before the colder weather hits, and then spend Valentine’s Day itself with my wife recovering from the longer run.
Cheers.
12 mile run through the mountains…here’s to hoping it gets a little warmer!
LSR tomorrow morning between the piles of snow in Boston!
My Fiancee and I will be going for an hour swim followed by a bit of weight training.
First: a long and easy 15km run…and after a super diner with champagne :-)
One day I don’t get to head out and I take the day off…..
Cross country skiing with family in northern Wisconsin.
As I live in New England, our workout will be more shoveling to get ready for another 2 feet of snow!
The weather forecast says a high of -24 C for the 14th so the plan is looking like a stint on the statiionary bike. I need an active recovery day anyway. :)
Usually on Saturdays I would go for my long ride followed by a short run. But since it’s valentine’s, I’ll do that on Sunday and do a run tomorrow with my girl instead :-)
3 hours of krav maga training!
Crewing my friend’s solo ride at the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo Mountain Bike race!!
Will hit the elliptical for some low-impact training.
A ride alone, either on the trainer with Sufferfest or out in the weirdly warm weather.
Well seeing as thought i live in Massachusetts and we are getting yet another blizzard this weekend, I will be doing some more Interval work on the Concept 2 rowing machine.
20 minutes FTP test on trainer road. Hellish!
110k group ride followed by a 5k run
10K training run on the roads. Boring, but I’ll be done by 7am and have the rest of the day free! :)
My Valentine’s Day training is to do a little more daily to prepare for my April 11 race.
simple, eat as much Reese’s peanut butter/chocolate as humanly possible on a rare day I don’t count caloric intake!
Probably 2 hours on my road bike if it’s sunny… pool swimming with sauna if it rains! :D
20 mile ride on the Indoor trainer! 13 degree low that day!
It will be a swim and strength training day for me!
Thanks for asking ;-)
Doing an easy morning run before traveling to an evening wedding.
I shall run on Friday instead of Saturday, meaning i can donate my one rest day of the week to my wife!!
Will do a 10k. Very slow.
A nice RICE routine for the bone spur in my achilles…yup, that sounds fun.
Look at the snow then try and get on the Kickr!!
Long run in prep for NYC Half – my first
Marathon training taper long run in the morning then off to kids’ soccer game. Muy romantic!
An hour morning swim and 30 min core.
Boston is buried with snow, with more coming, so I have had to bring it inside. Step class in the early AM with weight training followed by a late morning Zumba class with some of the most beautiful (and fit) women in Boston: VDAY- GET YOUR BUTT TO ZUMBA!
Waking up bright and early and riding 21 miles on our local trails with my lovely wife…
Eat Dark Chocolate… Cycle leisure ride… then Eat more Dark Chocolate
Planned a secret trip for my girlfriend tonight. Tomorrow we’ll be sleeping in and driving home. I plan to do 2.5 hours on the bike and a 1 hour swim while she has some work to do, then we’ll spend the rest of the day cuddled up and relaxing.
A 3 mile neighborhood run and some 1/2 mile treadmill runs scattered through the day.
I will be going on a long walk with my wife and kids. Having had a biopsy today I feel too lousy to run very far.
A four mile warm up with my loved one, then an 8 mile tempo run! Afterwards a 1 mile cool down walk with our “roommate” of ten years – Frank the Dog! He is the worst roommate, never cleans, always leaves a mess, but he welcomes you home and is always a willing warm up or cool down partner!
I’ll be doing an easy recovery run from todays speed work
: )
I’m heading on a 60-mile ride around the area. Nice and flat. It’s still chilly here…
Just going to go out to get back into training again after breaking my back and gaining 80 pounds through the process. Need to get back into shape for my kids again.
My Valentines’ day plans:
1) I watch the baby at home while she does yoga in a nice warm studio;
2) I do a 20-mile training run in about 7 degree weather with a 15mph headwind while she watches the baby at home;
3) Delicious homemade dinner as a reward for a day well done — followed by much cuddling on the couch.
A couples 10K (combined time), brunch with friends, couples massage followed by a romantic dinner.
I have to get some work done this weekend, so it will probably be to the gym for quick strength workout.
Blender (sufferfest)
Amazing giveaways, Ray. My wife and me will celebrate Valentine’s on a big carnival party and the only sport will consist of hours of dancing (and maybe living some pints).
cheers!
12 mile run in the morning (hopefully outdoors, but you never know with Beijing pollution). Boarding a plane at 6:30pm with my son for two flights and a car ride from Beijing to Boulder.
Weather is going to be nice, so a 40 mile ride to a nice park in back is in the works for me any my lover.
My Valentine’s Day training plan includes a run in the hills with a big group of beer drinking friends.
It’s supposed to be about 85 degrees, so cold beer should feel good.
Recovery will include taking the wife out to our favorite sushi place.
I will be going on a long walk with the wife and kids. Having gas a biopsy today I won’t feel like a long run.
Running 5k -cycling 20k -running 2.5k – duathlon
Skipping my Saturday long run to walk with my pregnant wife!
A long bike ride along the west coast with my lovely. Ending with a home made pizza and a movie to relax.
5:30 AM Master’s Swim practice
Crosstraining, of sorts, as I’ll be doing historical fencing at a Society for Creative Anachronism event. I got in my miles early this week, including a 20 mile run to the office yesterday so I can do that event without harshing my medieval vibe by putting on trainers and a GPS watch.
I’ll be doing my long run around town while my car is in the shop. Thanks Ray!
Cupcake Curls
Backcountry Skiing… Amazing weather & snow right now!
I’ll be running 21km uphill with a backpack then home to cook for the family.
recovery from tigh bone fracture going on… now on bike again after 43 days, recovering endurance and strenght
Early morning Bike-Run brick
A good long morning run in the frigid cold followed by some yoga with my wife (and baby if he’ll cooperate) in the afternoon.
Traveling with my wife but hope to get in a quick 6 mile run on Sunday
17mi AM run (probably before sweetheart wakes up).
Simultaneously pushing the 1 year-old in the stroller and the 3-year old up hills on his bike while my wife sleeps in. Then letting her run by herself while the kids nap.
Brick session of 1hr at FTP and 10k run slightly slower than race pace. Gonna be a good day!
Knocked out my long run on Friday so I can spend Valentine’s ski mountaineering w/ Andrea. Nothing tests a relationship like climbing a steep slope of snow with ice axes! :-)
officiating 3 soccer games in the morning
20 mile training session
Bit of a trainer session then a nice hike to the top of the Steamboat gondola with the family before the skiers start down.
Thanks Ray!
A 5 mi. trail run with my dog followed by a dip in lake washington.
Early morning jog (10k), followed by a late afternoon short ride (15k) with 2 minute intervals.
A long hike up the canyon! :)
Just building some miles in prep for an April marathon.
A nice long run with my boy :)
My boyfriend and I will be running a 5k in the morning to raise money and awareness for Sex Trafficking in Texas. Then I will be spending the day handing out Clif Bars to marathon runners! Followed by a night ride. Should be an excellent valentine’s day.
Racing to the work office to get those US Financial Statements filed!
Going for a PR 5k before my daughter’s soccer practice.
3 hours on the bike with some long efforts around 80-90% FTP.
Working from 10am until 9pm. So lots of walking and watching other people run for me.
Will be part of the finish line timing crew at the Beat the Clock training TT.
5mi run and a 20mi ride to get ready for Tulsa Tough.
A 2 hour trailrun early in the morning, then go back home to tell my girlfriend she is the one.
Racing the ‘Love em or Leave em 5k’ in Seattle tomorrow with my training partner AND it’ll be my 34th birthday (no, it’s not cute, I do not like heart shaped things).
motocross 3 sessions * 30min
for the morning: 4km Easy + 2x (8km Hard (zone 5) + 1 km Cooldown)
im sure my gf will be deighted to see me dying the whole evening :D
It’s gonna be a recovery day spent walking the vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley CA with my lovely wife and our son, the 2 year old product of our love
Running 1.5hour
We going to hopefully work on our T3……
A nice run along Bournemouth beach.
A leisure family walk along the beach. Vancouver First Half the following day :-)
Just my local parkrun 5km :)
Planning on a 2 hour ride tomorrow. But unfortunately on the trainer due to the weather.
Recovery day + delayed Valentine’s day with my wife
Doing a running clinic in Amsterdam at 9 o’clock in the morning together with my wife (and my 12 year old daughter on her bike) in preparation of the Rotterdam Marathon. Location will be the most romantic park in the Amsterdam center: The Vondelpark! Will be great sunny weather finally here in Amsterdam tomorrow! Best way to spend our Valentine’s day! I’m so looking forward to it!!!!!!!
2hr Spin Session!
Plan is to do a track cycling taster session, should be fun :)
An hour plus swim early in the morning at the good old Y
I will be doing a brisk 3 mile run on the treadmill along with a spin class, while my wife one ups me and runs 6.5 miles out in the brutal single digit cold weather.