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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!
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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.
Depends on the type of vacation. Some are for exercise and some are for sitting around.
I usually cut back on vacation but I’ll still go for the odd run. It’s nice and refreshing to run in new places, plus I always get a much better feel for the area when running, compared to driving. It also looks great on Garmin’s map when I have activities all over the place!
Vacation time is training time! Open water swiming, long sunny bike rides and running in the forrest!
An easy run just to make sure the engine is breathing fine!
I definitely take it down a notch on vacation. But I love to explore urban areas by running or riding. If at the beach then my favorite is a nice morning swim.
Running and biking with openrunner tracks
Run where ever, try and find a local YMCA, look for places that rent road bikes.
Some running, and if I brought my bike, I ride. My favorite though is walking on the beach!
Shorter run or swimming if possible
We usually run and swim but forgo bike workouts.
vacation is time for new roads to ride, new trails to run, and new beaches to swim……
Hi, training during vacation is nearly the double of normal, so nearly every day running or cycling or swimming or hiking or a combination of these
vacation or travel i just try to keep active – right now that means quick runs and lots of walks with a heavy ol stroller!
Vacation finally provides time for these longer rides and walks. So frequency of working out usually lower, but time spent higher!
Vacations are a good time to give your body the rest it needs. But I usually end up over training my liver and stomach…
I just try to run at least once.
A lot of running!!!
casual Running to keep in training…
Vacations sometimes involve some sort of cross training like hiking/backpacking, so I don’t do much else. Otherwise I’ll bring running shoes or a bike to keep somewhat active. But usually my most serious training while on vacation involves beer :)
Vacation??? Hang on, let me look that up cause I am not sure what it means. Saddle time, saddle time-
Early morning runs, because I actually wake up on time for them on vacation.
running and swimming depending on the mood :)
Take advantage of whatever the local surroundings are. Usually just a run or swim (it gets complicated to bring a bike on holiday) and up early in the morning to not ‘spoil’ the holiday. Only occasionally do I get to choose destinations based on races (like Honolulu last year for first outdoor swim triathlon).
thanks for all the great work.
Vacation means more running less riding/swimming
Schedule a race while traveling on holidays!!!
Just keep on going…
I stay the course but ends up being a bit more enjoyable since now I’m not time crunched
I’m training as per schedule
I usually start strong with a couple runs, then I just eat and eat until I get back home
This weekend is back to back runs, swim and cycling!!
I need a multisport watch :)
Training stops and beer drinking commences
I go on the vacation workout/diet. Then it takes me 2 months to recover and get back to my starting point. When will i ever learn?
I still run, go to the resort gym and bring a few workout DVD. I do cut it back a bit when on vacation!!! But got to keep up the routine!!!
Typically I go the bonbons route, however I have been planning my vacations around tough mudder locales for the last couple of years. So I still get to eat terribly and drink a lot, but I have to get muddy first.
keep it fun and interesting, make it feel like part of the vacation. Runs on the beach or early morning rides that end at a new breakfast spot each day.
Early morning runs so that the rest of the time can be spent with family.
Eat a lot. Enjoy. Try new beers. If exercise happens, great.
BAU
I typically try to stay as on schedule as possible with training. Currently looking at possible race vacations but traveling with a bike gets pretty expensive.
I started off the year with 3 1/2 marathons in my hometown. And I live 3 hrs away. So, see family and do a race. I think it worked out great. It was a good balance. Why change things up. But it is important to be flexible. In my future, I see that 50K.
What holidays? The only holidays we take are for races. So with that in mind I’ll taper, maybe a shakeout and then race. Then a sore drive home and start saving up to do it again. :)
I go with the best intentions and a plan… and then resort to beer and ice-cream!
I do enjoy the different destinations and running in them though :)
Mostly hiking but I also use my faithful jump rope in the mornings to freshen up.
There is 2 type of vacation, specially for training. Cycling, running and then real vacations, where sport is just to make sure your digestion system keep running…up to next meal…
crosstraining ;)
early morning running to shake off the hangover and wake up for another day of ‘networking’
The best thing about running is that you can do it almost anywhere. So on holiday it just means I have a change of scenery :-) Cycling takes more planning, but swimming in the sea is often an option.
I plan to run two to three times during our vacation. The key is to make plans for a special dinner so that the wife doesn’t mind me leaving her with the kids for an hour or so.
I generaly cut back, but try to run one or two workouts a week while on vacations.
I typically try to run and swim on vacation. Hotel bikes are the worst. During my most recent vacation I completed IM70.3 In Oceanside and then walked about 40 miles in various amusement parks with my kids!
I take advantage of my holiday to get an hour of early morning swimming or running in. I feel energized for the rest of the day! Then it’s quality family time after that.
Beach running
I take a break from cycling, but try to get out on some hikes.
Road cycling and a little hiking
Just keep aiming for that cold drink at the top of the climb
I usually stick with my training schedule. I simply wake up much earlier and do my run before my wife wakes up ready to sight see. I dont go as hard on my run so I am not so tired during the day.
Just running on 4 beers :)
riding around with tent and cooker.
Use to run in the morning before family wake up
Running on the beach and swimming in the ocean!
Cutting back a little bit, keeping the quality in, lowering the volume !
Whatever the wife lets me get away with….normally thats a bit of swim and run but have taken bike away to Mallorca a few times.
I liked to do a short, morning run. It’s low overhead so you can do it almost everywhere without packing much, and it helps me atone for the sins of the day and night before!
Thanks Ray!
A lot of swimming
I’d stick with the plan
I still train but scale back the amount. Typically try and get my workouts in early, so my training doesn’t interfere with the day’s planned activities.
Usually treadmill while my family is asleep.
Vacations usually give me a chance to run and explore someplace new.
cut back a bit. But still try to get my running in.
My wife and I almost always “vacation” travel with plans to do a marathon during the trip (or maybe I should say we plan our travel around marathons we would like to do). :)
In the few cases we have taken more typical vacations, we still try to get in training and makes sense. i.e. when in Maui we found a road bike rental shop and used Strava’s Heat Map to plan a really fun ride. It ended up being one of the excursions we both enjoyed most while there.
Cheers,
Tim
Running, biking and sometimes hiking
Running sightseeing combo.
All of the above! Definitely do some running, and pick it up a bit if possible. And try and get in a parkrun too.
But ice creams, good food and good old fashioned r and r are key components of any vacation training regimen!
swimming and running. Sometimes playing golf!!
We like Tri-cations. Race and family vacay in one. However, when on vacation I try to run and swim per schedule. I’ll throw in some beach yoga. Usually no biking.
I usually go to the mountains and that means less running and more hiking.
cut back, rest and relaxation maybe open water swim…
Depends on where we are, but if possible some running
Run at every opportunity, but stop all structured training, and don’t beat myself up if it doesn’t happen.
I took a vacation once. Didn’t like it. Gave it back. Now I train 28 hours a day. The time travel makes it possible. The bacon makes it glorious.
I never bring my bike on vacation but I try to get done runs in.
I like to do easy runs early, but try to do them somewhere scenic, or if there is a riverwalk or lakefront trail, do them there.
I only schedule my vacations during my 4th week cutback for a reason…..
It depends on the vacation. I try to get semi-normal training in, but life happens, and sometimes there isn’t time. Still, walking 10 miles at Universal Studios Orlando counts for something, right?
Cut back, but if the mood suits me I run or swim. Usually biking is more difficult to do, but I have done a few recreational bike tours which although aren’t much for training, they’re good to move the legs.
Here is my vacation plan: ice cream, mtb, mtb, mtb, mtb, ice cream, ice cream. Repeat every day if possible.
I continue with training. Weights and running. For example I went to CO Springs for Spring Break. Plenty of places to run. I chose the Manito Falls Incline for a good work out.
Holidaying here in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, in an area listed between “Reconsider your need to travel” and “Do not travel”, basically till the money runs out, I do exercise – running, swimming and abs workouts – but the environment and people create a special challenge with the rarity of foreigners here and generally it’s like I’m a blinding beacon of light attracting huge attention. After a bit of searching, I run on a hill where there are security guys guarding a government property, and I do laps at a hotel pool, again with paid security guards. I have yet to experience one of the frequent magnitude 5 earthquakes while doing pool laps yet. Cycling would be just too dangerous here with the roads and traffic so I’ll have to wait to get home for that. On other holidays the everyday activities I’d do would leave me totally physically exhausted by the end of the day anyway so ordinarily on holidays I’d do nothing :)
all training stops for holidays
Vacation means more running, easy to take running shoes.
I try to keep consistent with my training while on vacation. It usually helps to have a nice change of scenery for my runs/rides :)
I like to mix it up. A vacation is a good time to take a break but still find it enjoyable to head out on a run and see new things.
Try to get a run or two in.
Easy road cycling and lots of rest
I like swimming on vacation.
If it’s the whole family, my wife and I usually alternate days of running, while the other watches the kids. If I’m solo, the trip is probably to do some heavy bike riding!
Completely depends on the vacation – sometimes more hiking and biking are involved, other times we are just walking around seeing sites and trying out all the local food.
Vacation = Racing
I generally plan my vacation with a race. Usually at the beginning of the it & continue on with post race indulgence till the end of my vacation
Generally wouldn’t holiday in the run up to a race but pack runners, goggles & tri shorts get a feel of wherever I land.
Always make time for a few runs…if the location and duration are right… there’s no better way to explore a new place than by bike.