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.
Nice little 4 mile run in the morning. Is there Valentine’s Day in France?
A few Tabata intervals followed by chasing the kids around the rest of the day.
8 mile run out followed by 8 mile return in HATM Mask then some spinning then some P909Xin – Satuday Boot Camp
setting up for my Tri teams time trial and dodging snowflakes!
A mountain bike ride with my kids.
Buried in snow and work in Boston. Sent the wife to California to avoid the upcoming storm. 5 mile run-commute to work while she is gone.
Rowing session on Pandan Reservoir in the heat of a Singapore afternoon! Sandwiched by an aerobic ride there and back with the one! :))
Swim, far!
Rest day tomorrow. Did 90 minutes of bike trainer today. Hopefully, this will allow me to grab a few fitness bracelet or something. Thanks Ray.
While my husband JamesC is rowing his socks off in the heat here, I will be biking along the old railway tracks known as the green corridor here with lush tropical vegetation and swimming in the local pool to cool down!
Going skiing
Pacing Brazen Bay Breeze Half Marathon, 2:30 time slot.
I will warm up for 20mn then run 20mn at marathon pace, then recover 2mn then d’un 10mn at half-marathon pace for 10mn then rest 2mn then run 6mn at Vma pace and finaly cool down for 20mn
A spin class with the boyfriend followed by the world’s best (and probably highest calorie) cinnamon bun. Just to keep a little balance in the world.
Backpacking in pt. Reyes with some hottie!
Body pump in the morning and then a 8 mile hike in the afternoon.
Well today is leg day followed by a 2 mile swim. Will probably finish the day off with pint curls at the pub you know trying to find that special someone.
Easy recovery run.
Some “mountain biking”: steep road climb and trail descent, followed by a quick and easy transition run!
Trainerroad sweat spot on my kickr after work.
13.1 miles run to burn all the calories from the beautiful dinner night
Rock climbing with my hon in the local gym.
Hopefully a nice morning swim at the pool followed by a leisurely walk later in the day with my wife.
My day was an early morning run along the river followed by a bike ride.
Ride Matanuska on trainer road then take son to his swim meet and time.
tempo run then going to watch professional wrestling with girlfriend
spartan race training in the morning and a bike ride with the wife and kids in the afternoon.
Cold weather will most likely keep me indoors on Saturday. Come on Spring!!
Regular Saturday morning long run.
Going to be a day of moving with a trainer ride. Also going to race a 100yd dash with one of the kids for fun.
Resting my stress fracture from running and looking forward to the day it heals (or at least good enough I can bike again)
Mtb biking and a little run. Weather should be great in Houston.
7AM swim, followed by a Pacific Northwest drizzle ride!
14 mile trail run!
…giving a mock timed GMAT test and then Zwift’ing on an island to forget the pain from the exam!
We’re running a half marathon!
An easy 5 miles before I have to go to work.
Did an intense brick workout yesterday. Traveling today. Training for the goa triathlon next week. Could really use a tri watch. Cheers
Just a light 4-mile run as I’m getting back from an injury.
I’ll be heading to the pool for a workout on my own, with a training plan in hand
Tomorrow morning I wake up with my daughter. We’ll have breakfast and then when her mummy wakes up, I got for an easy 10K run. Nothing fancy!
It’s time to seriously prepare for the triathlon season. My Valentine’s Day training therefor starts with a 45 minute swim training, followed by an hour strength training. The bike needs maintenance but I’m out of chain wax. So I’ll run 7km to the local bike shop to buy new wax and run 7km back. Training is both exercise and rest, so I’ll enjoy the rest of the day with my wife and kids and close off with a cosy dinner at home..
Swim workout and then hike up a ski mountain to watch a race and because the weather is warm enough for it.
Swim + bike workout
45 min spin!
Doing the parkrun at 7am
Then taking my girl for some coffee and eggs
It would indeed make my day so unreal
As I have no watch I am the real deal.
After light breakfast, I will do intro run with my wife. This is her firsttime.
Since I will be in the hospital working for part of the day tomorrow, I plan on getting up early to get a quick 5 miler in first thing. I am in cardiology so appropriately on Valentine’s Day I will be caring for others hearts before coming back to spend the day with baby and husband
Prepping for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler
lots of basement suffering in preparation for a late winter/early spring Knight of Sufferlandria attempt – not very romantic
20mile ride along the beach with wife and kids. Then laze in the sun to get a great tan while everyone has a picnic.
I’m traveling to Anapa now, to celebrate it with my girlfriend
Easy 8 mile run to work off those binges of valentines treats that my wife makes.
A long xc ski trip!
Playing a squash match in the morning followed by yoga in the afternoon to stretch out.
10k run with my wife! :)
rode with the local amateur racing team. it was a slow recovery ride but i started hammering myself when i was on the way home. perfect, time for a nap. #TeamForeverAlone
Leisurely bike ride through the city with the misses with a picnic afterward.
early morning run for 1 hour for me
hopefully treadmill session for my wife
I’m on injury time at the moment so a steady core workout and a quick bout of deep water running, and coached my O/H through a set of intervals.
Just a quick hour run in the a.m.!
10k race !!!
Just a trainer HIT session for V day
Rest day 2/14…5k on Sunday for me, C25K for the wife
A refreshing morning run in the snow..
A 20km ride up Yangmingshan with 1000m of climbing… Regular training ground!
A 12k run in the morning and then taking care of my pregnant wife! The baby seems to be training as well with some treadmill running or boxing!
Xc-skiing for 42km :)
my first 14.2k race. Strange distance I know. ;)
Easy 2 hour ride, hopefully the weather holds out.
80 minute run prepping for a HM, plus a longish swim & bike.
20km trail run!
42k cross-country skiing race! link to jami147.fi
In the morning going for 2hour swim. Later that day going for 10k run.
Installing our 2 new pull up bars in the man cave for our daily P90X3 workouts in the morning. Either 5 miles up and back to Pilchuck lookout, or bike ride up the Centennial trail. 25 years married, and getting better every day! My girl , and I playing while the kids are away. :)
Rowing on the river and a simple hour run with the wife and kids
Building a staircase with my dad and Then beef with my wife. And Then some core excersice.
Intervals on the treadmill followed by some weights.
I hope it’s a nice day here, and I will take a 5-6 mile brisk walk. If not, indoor cycling 10+ miles and treadmill for at least a 5K.
Quick 3 mile run before work.
A winter trail run in the mountains…unseasonably warm February weather where I’m at!
Brick practice for indoor tri.
For Valentine’s Day dash for me!
Run the “RUN 5.30” in Venice
http://www.run530.it
Long Jog along the river…
We’re doing a trifecta challenge – a beach/ocean activity, a mountain/snow activity, and a desert activity, all in 24 hours. Gotta love Southern California!
A slow recovery run. Friday is my long run day.
Pre-race shakeout 3k run!!
Off day for me. Might try to run a little but I’m attending my nephew’s soccer game and a wedding as well. Busy day!
30 k cross country ski-race today.
My sweet Valentine (who also happens to be my wife) is getting into the swing of working out 5 days a week. She’s been going strong for a month and a half, and we’re playing with the idea of running a half in June. Really proud of her!
A few rounds in the stadium with my running buddies before we return to our loved one.
5k interval training session today.
Quick run of 5~6km to stadium followed by recovery jog around the stadium for 5 rounds with a friend and finally coffee with the running group!
I’ll be doing a shortish recovery ride on my indoor bike, all part of my plan to get the legs ready for when the snow stops flying.
my “training” started already around 5am as our little son woke up, so I prepared something for breakfast and my wife can sleep couple more hours. As we can’t train together, I run my part first around 8am. Today is really cold, but the sun is already shining and sky is without clouds. What a great beginning of the day! About 3-4km warm-up, then I do 5x1km intervals and back home. My wife will be already prepared for run too, she is only maintaining her current body/health status, so she will slowly jog to enjoy her “ride”. But the most fun part is, when we are again together and we talk about our runs, because…happiness real only when shared :) .
Ride out to Castle Point, Wairarapa, NZ.
Run 10km indoor (because it’s -34 Celsius outside!) before Valentine’s dinner with wifey!
Going on a 6 mile run this morning, then shooting for an hour in the pool this afternoon.
10 miles regular pace @ 7 min/mile