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.
Ice cream is delicious.
Long run in the mountains
Early morning runs and some random evening bodywheight sessions. Vacation is vacation, I focus on maintaining my fitness.
I typically stick to running because finding swimming and biking resources can be a big hassle and or costly. I’ll usually hit up the hotel spin bike if they have one though! Thanks for another great giveaway, Ray!
I always try to push it on vacation since its a different place to run. Getting new scenery is always good.
Normally we try the outmost to adhere with our current training plan. Often I choose the hotel with the facilities to help on that
The goal is to go to walk around the volcanoes or mountains in the world. The training of the year allows me to enjoy the landscape. And breathe the pure air.
exploration run, exploration bike (if there are rental bikes available), beer / wine to end the day.
Running.. meditating.. but mostly eating :)
I don’t pack any gear other than running shoes, shorts, and shirt, then tour-by-run. Found a lot of cool stuff that way.
What is a vacation? The days just blend into one long blur of suffering.
What training?? OK, maybe some stretching and a bit of strength work.
Vacation means more training rathen than less.
I alternate 3 kilometer swims in the sea with the equivalent in a pool 3 times a week.
I run a program of 3 runs a week, including a long run and two sessions of high intensity intervals: cardio/strength/cardio with a lot of jump rope.
Sometimes the runs come after a swim, some times they land on swimless days.
oh..and there is the random hike in the countryside, some steep hills, about 2 hours up and half as much coming down. Just walking and sometimes light jogging when I get bored.
Usually a morning run followed by massive quantities of beer!
Running & swimming in the morning, having fun with my son afterwards and a short cicle turn in afternoon with and a bit of icecream in a small village or at a lake :-)
Vacations are for cross training: skiing, hiking and drinking!
I do light morning runs on vacation before a late breakfast. I also like occasional camp holidays which includes long hikes.
Vacations are for exercise filled activities but no ‘workouts’
Slow or minimal running.
I just try to do a lot of walking around town and hopefully it’ll counter the calories I put on during vacationing :)
When going on a holiday, I usually plan to let my run-training catch up with my cycling. (At this time of the year, I can’t resist the urge to go for a ride). As we usually stay near the hills, it will allow for some good fartlek trainings. However, as I always manage to get injured or ill the days before departure, reality draws another plan. So most of the time, I end up riding a hired bike regretting it’s got no power meter.
This year I intend to take my bike with me. I’m sure with Murphy’s help, it will allow me to do some serious running.
Just some easy running a couple of times a week by the sea
Cyclist:I increase resistance training when on vacation if it’s a week or less..if more I bring my bike use hotel bike and run a little..along with resistance
running
excessive eating and drinking, followed by bouts of guilt ridden poorly performed super short runs.
I just plan my vacations around my training schedule.
No schedule here: Any early morning swim in the mediterranean sea, a long run in the warm setting sun or
maybe a big loop through the majorcan tramuntana will do the trick! ;-)
A lot of running and swimming, when thinking on races, I often thought about having a short half-marathon but there where no possibilities in the area..
I run after my kids!
On vacations, I switch to short, gym-based full-body workouts rather than my normal regimen of outdoor runs or rides.
Usually I combine my vacations with the races, so it is more about tapering before and recovering after racing.
I stop runing tarde Montes ago, so im restar pting yo run tiene vacations
Just running and hiking. That’s it!
I haven’t actually taken a vacation ever since I started running…but if I were to now, I’d probably tone it back for the sake of the people who came on vacation with me for reasons besides running.
I just do long Distance runs and build the base :)
Chasing the kids on the beach is usually about all I do.
I try to keep up the training, but it usually just ends up with relaxation time.
Typically I go with the intention of training as rigorously as at home. And then I never take my shoes out of my bag. :/
How funny you asked that. My vacations involve mountain biking, hiking/trail running, and/or climbing. So, unstructured fun that requires R&R after!
I try to take my race bike to Tuscany and seriously avoid the beach, but try some nice climbs and distance. I love how nice Italian car drivers respect cyclists there!!!
I continue my training schedule as much as possible, even on holiday. I just make sure I fit it in around the demands of my family time which usually can be done…most of the time! :-)
“No sport!”
I usually cut back on training, just maintain fitness and focus more on portion control while vacationing. Vacationing shouldn’t be stressful trying to continue training.
Long run at low speed to enjoy the view.
Run whenever and wherever I can
Usually cut back on training, with some running. When its not too hot :)
I always bring my running shoes no matter where I go. Usually that’s it, but if I’m heading somewhere local I’ll consider bringing a bike. Running requires practically no extra “stuff” and I can do it anywhere.
Definitely more ice cream, but also more running… nothing better than hill training in North Africa ;-)
No any kind of training, it is a vacation after all. Maybe, depending of location, i would include some kind of trekking, but mostly it is drinking, eating and reading.
Definitely a cutback, but not a completely layoff. If there’s interesting terrain / trails, I like to do a trail run or hike. Leisurely biking around, not paying attention to speed.
Less training to share max time with the family, although I like running at dawn to discover new places. Typically 1-2 dawn patrol per week when on vacation, back for breakfast.
Running gear is always with me, so I’ll run where I can, good way to explore for later. If I can fit a race in, all the better.
On holidays, early morning training is always the perfect excuse for a long night out the previous day…
I run and swim, so long as the vacationing doesn’t get in the way.
Vacation for me= mainly for fun
1.Mountain bike on amelia earth park,
2.road bike in key biscayne,
3.runs are in any place and
4.beers on all night To be ready for next day.
Usually hiking or some swimming!
Depends on where I am. Last few vacations it has either been late evening runs or orienteering competitions. Other than that it has mostly long walks when abroad
Trail runs as much as possible, if no trails then roads it is. Either way I’m sure to be in for a solid workout as I nearly always get lost…
On vacation I typically don’t work out much at all, its a vacation so I let things slack.
I usually spend my vacations backpacking or canoe tripping, no additional training!
As long as there is a piece of water not far I will try to swim once a day, but gently. Just to enjoy swimming without trying to pace myself.
We try to do something we wouldn’t normally get to incorporate into our training at home – In Kentucky we get plenty of time to run through the forest and past farm fields, so we took advantage of a San Diego trip last fall to run on the beach!
My training usually consists of lifting free weights, between 375 and 600ml, for as long as i can, usually in the evenings.
This is hopefully followed with rigorous pelvic thrusting for sometimes up to 2 minutes.
Then a nap.
Do wave pools and waterslides count as swimming?
Modify the training to suit the environment and increase recovery with food and beverages!
If I go on vacation and I’m able to take my bike with me, then nothing changes. Otherwise, I’m left to running, hopefully outside, but may be inside on a treadmill. Yuck.
I tend to slack off on vacations. Maybe a scenic run, but thats about it.
Great website. A friend directed me here a few months ago.
We typically vacation in warmer climates during the Canadian winter and I definitely try to maintain or increase my running and swimming. I have lots of time, running outside is a pleasure verses a chore and its a great way to explore new places. It also helps counteract the significant and inevitable calorie spike from ice cream etc.
It depends on the racing schedule, but I try to mix an early morning run with some ice cream throughout the day ;-)
i just try to get something in. usually three miles does it, then off to vacation!
indoor bike trainer. VH1 on repeat. Pop music in my head for months.
On vacation; running! Either on treadmill or outside, depending on the location
I’ll run a few times, but I usually take it very easy.
I prepare the holidays as the main trail running objetive of the year.
Family first. Enjoying the running and cycling diet surpressed by the eat- and beerfest.
I usually run about an hour in vacation before my girlfriend wakes up!!
Just a little weight training……picking up the grandbabies
hotel gym early in the morning if available
Appreciating the little episodes within the knowledge that time goes by too fast.
My workouts on vacation consist of a little bit of running + some body weight exercises, unless where I am vacationing has some sort of free fitness center
I go running outside. Or swimming, if the place is by the sea/lake.
With the best of intentions, I carry my workout plans and triathlon bits with me – and then I instantly succumb to vacation time and come back altogether too well-rested.
Although I must say: if I had a chance to swim around that island, I might be more inclined to stay on track.
typically try to get in some hiking and biking
Cycling, running or taking a nice walk in the park :-)
Try and stick to the programme as much as possible. Usually fail and drink instead.
I usually end up just sticking worth running, but I try to get in all the hills I can, because there aren’t any at home.
Running is definitely easiest but I like trying to drop in a masters swim.
Change from late afternoon runs to morning runs. sometimes I’ll switch to treadmill running dependent on the holiday location. Holiday’s are my chance to mix it up a little.
Typically my vacations are scheduled to where I have a race in the city I’m heading to. This year that will include Washington (state), Pennsylvania, and Maine.
Love running and exploring new places!
I pack work out clothes and then let them taunt me for most of the trip. If I can’t sleep or want to explore a particular area exclusively on foot – on come the running shoes and the 620
If I have a race in the near future I will seek out a treadmill, or better yet a trail run or bike. Sessions are kept shorter so I don’t have to pack as much, and keep time for play with the little one.
Vacation time is relaxation time for me. I don’t usually find training relaxing, so I tend to cut back on vacations.
Usually run more than swim and bike unless the vacation is a bike tour!
Running shoes which stay in the suitcase.
I love to hop on my bike once or twice while on vacation. I don’t do anything hard, or even really planned out. I just find a local route or trail and start riding. If I’m near the ocean I might get in an open water swim. Although, the last time I tried that I got stung by Jellyfish. That stopped my training on that trip.
I look forward to vacations as a way to mix it up…longer runs, mountain biking instead of road biking and even some paddling, if I get a chance.
vacation time = just chill time, unless it´s an awesome location then I might throw in a few runs.
I like to run in the beach and feel the sand and water trough my feet
I usually get lazy and completely stop exercising.