Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple AirTag 4-Pack for just $69, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals 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 2024 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.
If I’m training for something specific I try and keep going with my program; if not probably light running / swimming etc. but depending on where!
What I like to do on vacation is swim half mile (if possible), run 5k and 10k, but only one time. After that hiking as much as possible, just to see the area take some pictures and simply enjoy the off time.
I typically try to structure vacation around riding. Great opportunity to see the country and get some good miles in.
On vacations I try to take my Brompton with me in the cities I visit, so a lot of cycling.
Other than that, hiking, swimming and perhaps some running.
Thank!
Cristian.
going for the ice cream (and beer) bucket :S but hollidays are usually spent on mountain bikes with the kids.
Taking a run is the best training on vacation, can be done everywhere.
Some say they have a problem combining travelling and vacation with their training schedule. They tell us it’s so hard to find time to do your running intervals or worse – long bike rides having your family at your hand, willing to go to another museum or amusement park and so on and so forth.
There is no such thing. The vacation is built around your stars through the season – early spring marathon or late autumn full distance it is. All the family members are eager to get on plane and give you their best support, because they know and respect the things you do.
And if you find yourself in the middle of foreign country in your build-base-phase, don’t hesitate to put on your favourite shoes you brought with you and show all these people how do they do proper training in your place. If it’s mid-season, it’s not a vacation. It’s training camp.
2-3 days for acclimating… then try to adapt my training to my destination… moutains, beach, cities… but every time, holidays are holidays and I am satisfied even if I run only once per week.
Honestly I do nothing On holiday. Just enjoy my family.
If I’m training for a specific event then I stick to the program, otherwise I try to get at least a session or two of some sort of exercise in each week.
Depends on the Type of vacation. But normally a run before breakfast always fits in and then in the afternoon bike ride if i finden some time. If there is a pool around or a possibility for a open water some this is also welcome. But everything not very structured in family vacation.
My next “vacation” will be in Prague where I look forward to traversing all the trails in the Czech Republic. Also, just want to mention that your reviews are very, very helpful to me because I work at a running specialty store and I don’t have the means to test each device. I often send my customers to your blog before they purchase a watch. Thanks!
hit the gym, cut back the cardio, then the beach for suns out guns out
i usually do a short run.
Vacation -“extra time for running/riding”. Starts with morning ride late evening run and ends with swimming.
I strap on the running shoes and walk everywhere! Who needs a taxi when you can head everywhere on foot! Berlin, Vegas, Victoria BC, they all put many many miles on my trusty old Fitbit!
Vacation are dedicated to family, no training.
The old ‘Dash and Splash’ every time.
A good quick run those 2 inch race shorts you can’t getaway with wearing anywhere where someone may recognise you. Followed by a good old fashioned tucked bomb into a cool pool to ease and reduce muscle fatigue.
Lovely stuff.
When possible I run in the baech.
My wife and I are trying to get the marathons in all 50 states, so our trips generally involve a marathon. We even did one in Hawaii on our honeymoon.
Running and hiking. Swim if near the open.
Walk everywhere from the time we wake up until dinner, then sleep rinse and repeat.
I usually find more time to run while on vacation than I do otherwise, as a result many of my longest runs have been while away.
Holiday is holiday and time to go steady. Normally this involves at a minimum 25 miles of biking each day, followed by beer or wine training.
Running continues through vacation to matter where I am and actually increases.
relaxed runs and cycles
First bike ride, then ice cream. Or the other way around.
Depends on the destination but generally take my bike and run / cycle every day and if the sea is inviting I may also get some swimming in. You have to earn the evening excesses after all!
Swim, bike and run:)
I typically swim so long as I can get a hotel with a pool or a gym nearby. I stay on track if I am currently training no matter how difficult it can get. Gotta keep in mind vacation is for relaxing so have to fit it in early to not interfere!
Chocolate, ice cream and rum punch. Maybe some kayaking. :-).
Holiday what’s that? :-)
Crossfit 2 times a week and running 3 times a week.
My husband and I travel for races so our racing schedule determines where we go on vacation! This year it’s Colorado for the Leadville 100 MTB race and Eugene, Or for a marathon. So we get there, do our event and then eat ice cream! We have had some wonderful weekends picking marathons and going someplace new.
gets extra time for long run in morning…
Exploring whatever place I happen to be by running all around it!
Normally, I try to do shorter runs. Depends on length and location of vacation though.
Vacations this year involve racing tris In different states and enjoying local cuisine
Long street walk…
City exploration running (in the morning) to burn that last nights ice cream off ;)
Intervals of eat…sleep…eat…sleep
Repeat each day of vacation
Morning runs before everybody else is up, then family time!
I love how running on vacation leads to an exploration of a new part of the world. It’s all about the joy of discovery!
Bike and rest
Vacation means training camp.
While planning a vacation my wife and I choose locals that have scenic areas to run, swim and/or cycle. The training becomes more leisurely, but always adds something special to the vacation.
I generally prefer ice cream to running, but when I’m on vacation, I embrace the ice cream more than I normally would.
Rest, play with kids and usually swim
Training on holiday luckily involves cross training with tandem surfing with 6 year old daughter and a bit of sup’ing. Rides are sedate and to French markets…
I typically run on vacation. You can get a run in anywhere with limited gear.
Run & swim
usually able to fit in longer runs, esp. if on a beach vacation
Vacation means hiking, backpacking, mountain biking or kayaking. Maybe not full training but enjoying the outdoors.
I tailor my training to my vacation. Depending on where I’m going I use my workouts as another way to get to experience the location/sights. So I run, hike, or bike depending on which is the best way to enjoy the trip.
I typically scale back my training but still get in some running on the beach and riding in the gym before I begin enjoying frosty beverages for the rest of the day.
Cut back a little with just a little running
Vacation is drinking beer in massive quantities …
It depends on where I go. I usually at least run. If I can get a swim or hike in that is bonus. I only ride on vacation if I’m going for a race like IMFL.
Running usually. If I’m going for a race like IMFL, I will bike and swim too.
Run the World!
A chance to get up early and get lost in a completly different place.
Start with big plans to bike on the trainer, run the beach roads and do some ocean swims in OBX, North Carolina and usually end on the Duck Donut line. :-)
Thanks for all you do for us gadget geeks.
Cycling after playing with kids.
I typically run
Hiking om the mountains
Typically, I try to cut back when on vacation because those I travel with don’t want to get out and I want to spend time with them. I figure the added walking counts for something.
I’ll usually change my training plan while on vacation to better suit the facilities I’d have access to while abroad. For shorter trips I continue to follow my regimen.
I try and find local trails to explore wherever I go.
Really depends on where the vacation goes. There’s always activity, but it fits the location more than the schedule.
Running early morning and walking(sometimes driving) rest of the day.
some runs, depends on vacation
Big run week!
training on vacation continues as much as possible – which usually means no biking but I can run or swim anywhere!
I press more during the holidays because I have more time than during the working weeks! This would make the training more focused!
Only fishing on vacation!
It’s my highest mileage week(s) every year… Running one day, biking the other…
I try to keep running as-is since I do enjoy it and plus it’s a great way to see where I’m vacationing. I also try to get in open water swims as much as I can too. Biking, usually takes a hit while I’m on vacation.
i like to relax while on vaction. i usually do a 5 to 7 mile run every other day and that’s good enough for me!
I usually do a run – because it’s easy and you can run *almost* anywhere.
On top of that, I try to add something that the specific location offers – swimming in the sea, hiking on the trails, or skiing – depending on where I am.
Early morning runs are always a great way to start the day even on Vacations!
On vacation I only do 12oz curls (beer drinking!).
My training ceases and donuts reign supreme.
Vacation is reading running and eating good food:)
I try to stay on schedule with runs. I try to find trails near where I’m staying.
I love vacation runs! Great way to mix it up and break out of a rut.
On vacations we try to log a couple of runs but only if we feel like it. Not because we have to. On vacations there are no “must do’s”.
Hit the trails!
I usually just run on vacation unless I can find a bike somewhere and then I’ll do that too.
Best scenarions is to bring bike along to continue my training plans as normal. If I can’t do that pack up the shoes and goggles to cross train.
Love tour site!
I usually put off training while on vacation but I did once run a half marathon around a 1/9 mile track on a cruise ship.
Running is the best way to see a new city. Almost every city has a park or a cool district to explore on foot. Way better than being stuck in traffic.
Plus, exercise is great for helping with jet lag!
I like to try to get in a few runs someplace new…
I eat ice cream on vacation
lots of climbing by bike. Giro this year. Tuscany!
I usually just vegetate during vacations
Usually early morning runs followed by vegging out at the beach. We don’t do cold places!
Just running, as I am with my family and no room for the Bike :)
Also some swimming if we are to the sea
I love booking a race during a vacation. Gives you an excuse to take a detour and possibly see something cool and different. No too mention alleviates the guilt of vacation eating!
Always try to manage at least a few quick jogs!
I try to keep my training going while travelling. I like finding new routes, and find the change of scenery to be refreshing!
If possible, I bring my bike and ride before breakfast. Otherwise, I run or have a TRX with me.
I usually cut back a bit, but not totally! When abroad it’s fun to go to a local gym, where few to no tourists ever visit :)