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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 bike on the roof of the car and the family drops me off at a resonable distance so i can bike there (with help of navigation) and then some interval running in the early morning.
I like to continue per schedule. I quite enjoy the day to day training sessions. Each session is like its own mini vacation…especially the longer ones!!! :)
i have to get my run, bike or swim in early so not to affect the vacation. LOL. I’m the bad guy if I do it during normal waking hours.
If I’m not traveling for a race, I’m usually going on a backpacking trip and go hiking and mountaineering. When I do travel to cities, I try to see as much of the city as I can by running.
Vacation is usually a time to try out different sports activities the country offer and that would be a great way to cross train apart from running. I also find it nice to try out the gym of the hotels (I usually do road running back at home). Lastly, if there is an opportunity I will always want to track up the trails there.
My training usially stops during vacations as I turn more to hiking into the mountains.
I’m not a big fan of laying around on the beach all day so I usually try to find a Strava segment or 2 that I can beat or place highly in for motivation. Next beach trip I found a half marathon nearby that I plan on running. I’ll be back to the hotel before the teenagers even roll out of bed!
trailrunning and cycling everytime i can :)
Add a lot of swimming to the routine plus some bricks…by the way vacations are almost here…-2 days!!!!
I usually ride bikes, so when I am on a vacation that doesn’t lend itself to taking my bike or renting one, I run or hike (which is why I need the Fenix3!).
Mark
Normally a holiday means a break from training and plenty of food, drink and relaxation. But I’ll always throw in a run for food credits
Still swim and ride but treat myself by leaving the running shoes at home
Vacation is Vacation.. Time to enjoy not having a scheduled workout.
I usually cut back on training quite a bit on vacation.
I normally try to do short runs and swims when on vacation with the family.
I normally use vacation workouts for two things, either 1) maintenance work, I.e. calorie burn or time on my feet; 2) sightseeing in new places, running in a new place is the best way to explore.
If training for an event then training continues. If I have no event plans then it’s great to explore new places and bike/run wherever possible.
If I’m going to the mountains, it’s hiking or trail running. If it’s to the beach then it’s swimming, cycling and running.
on vacations I finaly have time to train. So often i bring my mtb, road bike and join a gym :-)
Running every day!
on Holidays I usually can cope better with the training schedule because I have more spare time.
Essentially chocolate intense training with a bit of montain bike. I guess I should do a little more MTB ;-)
Bike a lot
Usually I just give up on fast training. It is time to take all the joy of slow run and discovering new routes and places. It is time just after spring races and before starting preparations for autumn ones. It is pure pleasure and leisure :-)
I try to still get in my running, just maybe not as early in the day.
I usually run lower miles so I can check out the surrounding area to know whats around the temp neighborhood :)
Running only. I always plan on doing a lot of running when on vacation, but always ends up being less than planned. Less running and more ice cream.
Early morning runs when I cant sleep with jetlag – usually around 4 in the morning. Try to get hotels a good distance from the office so I can run into work as long as they have showers. Makes a nice change to London commuting.
In any case I will try go for multiple runs, but I also go for holiday because there is a race (for example the alpe d’huez triathlon this year). Or the vacation is just training camp (that counts as a vacation right?)
Hiking and renting a bike was in the last vacation and will be in every future vacation as much as possible.
Though you miss your bike on rental bikes for sure.
i stay to My schedule Even on My vacation
I typically plan vacations around running so I probably do more running while on vacation.
I do my usual hour long runs in the morning. I don’t do any long runs while on vacation.
next to nothing, unless there’s a cool climb there.
I usually try to do a little running, and I usually fail :D
I always try to stay on my workout schedule for vacations. Sometimes it doesn’t go as planned though.
All my vacations are active ones so I train automatically while vacationing :)
I do what I do at home on vacations, slow running and hiking, with some core and other exercise that I can do in a hotel room.
A.
A lot of walking generally and not always to the nearest bar…
I usually cut back. If it’s a city vacation I’ll do some leisurely running if I can fit it into the family schedule; if it’s a more outside-focused trip then I might work in a trail run but will primarily rely on hiking for my exercise.
I take the time to recover from any nagging injuries and generally focus on stretching and relaxing.
We are planning our first real vacation to coincide with a marathon!
I always plan on doing some type of training, but it normally doesn’t work out. But I hardly ever take vacation, so it’s not a big deal! Last vacation I took was in 2012.
On vacation, I wake up early, put on on my SpeedCross’s and go trail running to check out the sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea.
And afterwards, off course, I go and eat some ice cream :-)
i try to hit the gym every other day or so if the hotel has one, otherwise it’s a few quick jogs, though I usually get enough distance walking just from all the sight seeing.
Depending on vacation. I try to at least to stick to original training plan, at least for running. Never been on vacation after I started training for triathlon – thus I don’t know how to manage it with biking.
My last few summers have been on a lake in Minnesota, so my typical vacation training has included nice long open water swims, biking, and running. This year’s summer vacation includes IM Mont Tremblant!
I follow my coaches instructions. My coach bases my workouts based off what I have available and can do for that week.
Morning sunrise runs!
bike and swim is usually tough, so I fall back on running…
Running and biking.
I plan to bike a lot, some HIIT and of course, lots of tennis!
I really just take a break, but if it is a longer vacation I bring my running shoes and do a few runs :)
Vacation is the best time for training! So much time, love it ;-)
I take the time off completely. I only go away for one week a year so it is a chance to take a break from the Spring race season and prepare for the Fall season and recover. I actually leave all my running gear at home so i am not tempted to go out for a run.
Trying to run in new places (or bike if I happen to bring it along).
Vacations are race destinations!
Vacation? I try to keep my runs on track the best I can.
Usually early Morning Run’s, or early Morning Rides. The Rest of the Day is just relaxing :)
Vacation is the perfect time to spend time with the family but I also find an extra hour everyday to train more then usual. Its win win time. God I need a vacation… or a new watch ;-)
Depends on the Vacation, many vacations are planned around races, so tapering for a race, then the race then a long run the next day to get the legs shook out a bit. If it is a fun vacation still run everyday, but usually cut my weekly mileage by 30-40%.
Thank you for the great opportunity, although chances of winning are small it is still killer to get the chance!
Thanks and enjoy VACA!
Keep on keepin on. Unless my kids are with us in which case time may be limited, I usually am always running.
Get up early and do whatever I can.
Just some light running and hiking.
I’ve had little luck with hotel pools, and my bike takes up a lot of cargo space in the family car, so I usually stick with my running shoes I tend to run harder than usual, as it helps offset the ice cream. Tourist destinations are fun to explore by foot before the crowds awake.
I usually bring my bike and explore the local roads.
I usually head out for some easy runs in the evening or morning to see some less touristy places.
Run according to scheduled run
I will usually continue with my run but will cut back on the distance and intensity because I have to factor in other activities done with my two actives girls!!!
If my holiday doesn’t revolve around a sportive event, I try to look for a hotel with a gym so I can do some crosstraining, just to keep the ol’ muscles supple.
Run according to scheduled run
I try to get some longer runs and rides in since I don’t have the issues of balancing training and work.
I always take running gear with me on holiday, but I always fail to do runs. Mainly hikes and stuff. No ice-cream…ever. Well, sometimes.
I run a bunch (or a bit if its urban and I’m stuck on a treadmill) and then go eat ice cream and bonbons until it’s time to run again.
Swimming after weeks of gym and biking, at least 100km on the flat to relax lega ;-)!!!!
Vacation = family, sport and fun! I love to travel to discover new courses for me and my son! :) … and reach new places where we can eat an icecrem after a good run
No training, just drinks with lime. And beer.
take it easy. Mostly running and some light body weight training.
Usually running and some weights but mostly lounging and beers
I always take my gear and plan to do some trainings during holidays, but mostly I end up doing nothing eating ice cream and drinking cocktails :o)
i love running new tracks. so sticking to the trainingsplan on vacation is just some sort of adventure i really like ;)
Lots of running! Tough to get a bike ir swim in!
A lot of BBQ and biking at the cottage
Outdoor running – best way to explore a city. And ice cream, lots of ice cream.
Rest, rest, swimming, rest, some core training, rest, a little run and some more rest.
I like to explore the new place with a few good runs. Plus, it helps burn off the hangover!
Running, coffee before and after.
I go on holiday with good intentions, but alcohol and overeating often get in the way
get on bike, eat, sleep, repeat
Most of my vacations are structured around races! My siblings and I are really into racing together for both marathons (plus some halves) and triathlons. We’ve somewhat dispersed across the country, so races are an excuse to get back together and have a little vacation. In just a week, I’m going on a vacation with my older brother to do a 70.3, and we have our first full Ironman planned for later this summer. It should be awesome.
The few trips I have that aren’t races, generally I just run (because it’s hard to haul a bike and not all hotels have pools). I don’t stress it or stick to a training plan. The run distances are just dependent on the time I have available. I have found running is a great way to explore new cities, especially if you can do a little research and find the best running trails nearby.
A vacation with the family means doing meaningful things together with loved ones. After the younglings sleep…. It is “me time” at the gym, pool or the hotel grounds for Swim/ bike/ run. They always wonder why daddy takes longer time to wake during vacations. (sniggle)
Cycle!!!
Run early in the day so I can focus on the real reason of a vacation the rest of the day… lots of R&R
Early morning runs…second cup of coffee…extra walks…and ice cream at sunset.
The more I train the more I can eat on vacation!
I push in with the plan as much as possible. I’d always take running kit, swim kit and resistance bands (but leave the bike at home).
Holidays means time for running and cycling in the hills.
I exercise on hols rather than feel like train. Usually head to South of France in July so early morning runs help avoid the heat. On days of from running I enjoy swimming in the Mediterranean
On vacation the swims, rides and runs are longer because there’s lots of time.
Light runs if I can. Otherwise eat, drink, and be happy.