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.
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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 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.
I had a cold but was still able to run 7 k on sunday on which my FR 610 went on a pause without me noticing, so it only recorded 3k ( as i’m a little bit freakish about my running data I almost threw my watch out of the window…) . So yeah, I want a new watch (235/fenix3/epix + scosche), and a new girlfriend, which would be nice…
An indoor spin and a recovery weekend.
Hey it ws a 10 km race speed run for prep of a half marathon next sunday
Trainer intervals on Saturday and a long ride with some good climbs on Sunday!
Yi-ah. Thanks Ray.
Past w-e more or less the same as usual: twice running, little one on Saturday /in/ rivers instead of tracks and more longer on Sunday, w/ some marathon pace inside…
Lovely muddy run in the forest followed by strength session on Saturday morning and then coaching club swim session in the afternoon. Sunday was hard intervals on the turbo
I did 3.5 hours on the trainer while watching my Spartans beat the Hoosiers in basketball. Go Green!
Goat was a Metric Century, managed to do 105Km in 3:54.
I did 39 miles with 1900 ft of climbing. Several PR’s.
Swam 2.5 miles per day plus some crunches leg raises and headlights. Went jogging as well 2 miles/day.
Nice & warm indoor spinning on sat and a 10k run in the freezing rain on sun
Trying out Zwift for the first time!
First FTP test and a short ride around Watopia
i spent my weekend eating :-)
I did 45km cross country training on Saturday and 15km running on Sunday.
Last weekend the most active thing I did was go to the store to get cold medicine!
15K easy run on the goal to run my first halfmarathon.
Barefoot running technique and a sufferfest turbo session.
Looking up while belaying for daughter’s rock climbing birthday party. Quite a neck workout.
4 x 45min training commutes, and 1 x aggressively fast lawn mowing session, which needs to be done again to get the grass that was missed.
Cold and snowy outside so I did circuits of Zwift island!
Saturday: 6 miles, indoor track, half marathon pace.
Sunday: 7.5 miles, LSD, fasted, outdoors. Weight training skipped due to afternoon snow.
37 mile ride in sunny 70 degree San Diego weather.
7 km easy on Friday, then the first 10 km of the Juliet & Romeo half marathon in Verona on Sunday
Had a decent hike on Saturday but was travelling on Sunday so just did laps up and down the aisle of the plane.
15 mile walk
10k trail run on a hill near my home.
A 16km easy last Sat. The humidity soaked my shoes in perspiration and the heat was unbearable. On Sunday, it was a progressive 25km with friends along the beautiful park connector.
Still recovering from acute bronchitis. Had hoped to do my first fat bike race, but had to bag that. did get inot the gym for kettlebells:)
Saturday was a match refereeing (korfball) which was ok, also a load of push-ups and variations for strength work.
6 miles running easy pace on Saturday and 14 miles on Sunday, both on Treadmill due to cold temps in North East US. 14 miles on TM was a tough one :)
T 2 X 20mins. Rocking the threshold intervals all winter long!
Unfortunately for the first time in nearly a year, next to nothing, unless you count leg contortions for 36 hours in long haul cattle class, or the mad dash through AUH trying to catch a connection. Paying for it now with just 2 days until my first ever triathlon. :/
A long run, 13.5k as part of my program for an upcoming 10k. Where, hopefully, i will breach the 42 minutes border. It was quite a sunny day, so i had too fust off my sunglasses (first time thuis winter).
Saturday did a “business casual” Magnolia/Fremont Loop with a buddy from West Seattle, and Sunday did a quick 20 mile spin around Alki point.
Was on call and got no exercise :( even on the trainer.
2,5 hours mtb in the forest on Saturday and 1,5 hours run in the snow in the forest on Sunday, was great!!
Gym session, too hot for outside in Queensland
2.5km swimming drills on Saturday, and a weight workout in the gym on Sunday !
3.5 mile run with a 10K training group and the Austin Half Marathon
Tried something new Saturday morning, climbed the Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs, CO. (google it – great w/o! 2k+ calories burned). Sunday quiet day in the gym, hour spin on new spinning bikes at the local 24hr and some pullups/dips.
It was a busy week, but I had time for a long run around the park on Sunday
Saturday morning was an 8 mile run and then Sunday afternoon it was warm enough to get in a 32 mile bike ride.
3 sessions on the spin bike with some Yin Yoga and push-ups through out the week
I did a 2,000 yd swim followed by a 15 mile bike on Saturday. Sunday was a 15 mile bike followed by a 1.5 mile run.
Saturday 2.5 hr zone 2 ride followed by 20 minute brick
Sunday 1 hr progression run
Saturday I did a ladder workout:
2 mi warm-up
200 Sprint
200 recovery
400 Sprint
200 recovery
800 Sprint
200 recovery
1600 Sprint
400 recovery
1600 Sprint
Then work my way back down with a 1 mile cool down
Then Sunday I went on a long run 1.5hr easy run
Chilled on Monday with the family
I had to work.. but on monday, it was back to HIIT on the indoor bike.
Pilates and some yoga…
6 mile long run. First 2 miles easy and last 4 at race pace.
Saturday: 2 hour ride and 50 minute swim. Sunday: 1.5 hour run and some easy strength.
Saturday morning 42 mile spirited shop ride; Saturday afternoon 5 mile easy run
Sunday – Valentines day with the family so no workouts
Indoor training with Tacx Bushido. I used a Real Live Video of Passo del Gavia. Virtual distance was 21 km, while total ascent like 1300m.
Bike every day , 2 * 6Km run and a 1.2Km Swim!
Recovery: Eat, sleep, repeat.
10km hills training with friends
11 mile evening run, with hill work. Because my coach is always nagging me to run hills, and she knows I avoid them like I avoid cauliflower, which is a lot. And I love my coach. So i have to give into her demands on this one (but not the cauliflower).
85km club spin on Saturday, pushing hard. Easy short spin with one of the kids on Sunday trying out the new cross bike.
Good hard Saturday ride with a bunch of VO2Max Intervals. Sunday nice Tempo ride.
A 90-minute ride, a one-hour run, a full-body strength session, and some mid-afternoon Valentine’s Day action.
My training got sidelined with a broken ankle. I am at least 8 weeks away from being able to run again!
Friday- 5 mile run at 7:00min pace
Ice hockey skate, Sat, Sunday and Monday (2 hours)—-I need help tracking everything with two little boys skating and playing soccer. I could use some new gear for me to help keep up with them :)
Racing at the 24 hour MTB bike race in Tucson Arizona, with my friends and taking home the win in the corporate category.
Been working mostly on my run since that’s my weakest link right now. Did 2, 5 mile runs over the weekend.
Saturday 3 hour road bike and rest. Sunday 2 hour mtb training followed by a lovely Valentines fun mtb ride with my girls:)
Currently, my training log is empty because I’m waiting for my MRI results from an injury. Sure would like $600 in equipment and such for when I get back at it.
Short 3 mile run. Cold out and nose kept running. I feel like Peggy Phleming…
Still recovering so just a calm 10k
A quick run and a long(ish) bike. Trying to dust off the winter and injury cobwebs!
Cross-country skiing on Friday, just a short trip testing new skis, and a Foundation workout on Zwift, Saturday!
Continued on course with my marathon training plan, 5mile race in the Surrey Cross Country league on Saturday followed by a local 16mile LSR on Sunday. Both tracked with my trusty 910xt
Saturday: 13.1 Mile Aerobic Run
Sunday: 3/4 Mile Swim + Weight Room
Easy 45 Mile Bike ride from the Bay over the Mountains and to the Ocean and back.
Saturday, 30km run and Sunday a 12km run. Both on snowy trails!
I’ve had to switch to upper-body strength training since I suffered a blood clot in my calf last month. So, now I pick things up and put them down.
Public Service Announcement: deep vein thrombosis (which can kill you) feels a lot like a bad muscle tear.
Ran 7 miles on Saturday with my wife, played on the goofy park workout equipment, took Sunday off, and planned to run a 10k on Monday but came down with a nasty cold instead.
If it is not on Strava, then it’s not true! That being said, my strava feed shows I did 5.3km run on Saturday and a 34km ride on Sunday. Every last bit counts.
Not a whole lot was done over the past week. I ran about 3.5 miles yesterday and plan on picking things back up now that the weather is getting better. Could really use a trainer so I’m not constrained by the weather so much. :)
On Saturday I ran a group run with my local running club which could be entitled Mitch, the running director, presents fun with hills. It was a run to prepare for our next half marathon that consisted of 8 miles of hills from start to finish. It was a great training run.
Train with power; intervals on my home trainer on sunday!
My girlfriend and I celebrated Valentine’s Day by enjoying workouts separately. She did a long run, and I biked the LA marathon course before the race (LA roads were closed,) and then did some riding in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Actually, I was sick all weekend. So all it said was “sick” both days.
Previous weekend would be Sat: 12 mi / 2:10; Sun: 3 hr bike inside; swim 2200 yd / 48:30
A 10km run im the morning of east pace of 8 mins per mile and a 8km wih some hills intervals in the evening on weekdays for 4 days and a LSD of 28km at 8:10 mins per mile on saturday. Mon and sunday rest days.
3 hour base ride power zone 1-2 with random 30 second excursions into power zone 4 on rollers
Did Zwift Wringer on my bike and a 10k run
Snowboarding in the Japanese alps
Saturday did a slow easy pace of 8min of 8km to get my momentum going. Sunday did about 14km of slightly hill slope of pace 6.40min follow by warm down of 50 sit up n 2 min planks.
I did some resting most of the week, but on Thursday I went to a free TRX class. On friday I went to the gym for some general routine workout. On saturday I went for an hour long swim at the pool and on Sunday I ran a local 5k with some friends.
Not really that much training, but I am getting back into a more active lifestyle, so I expect that to change rather soon. If I win this giveaway I might just begin training with some new toys (of the garmin variety)
Eastern freeze led to 2 sessions on the trainer, 1 pool session, 1 strength session, and 10k in the snow as it warmed.
Just a one mile walk with my kids.
10k Ice skating and 50k indoor trainer with sufferfest
Spent the three-day weekend cross country skiing (back when we still had snow in the northeast – much unfortunately washed away in yesterday’s rainstorm, so a credit to CT would be an outstanding way to brighten the outlook!) Thanks!
Saturday:
– 2.5 hour custom workout on the trianer
– 2 mile brick run
– 60 minutes of laser tag (yes, I wore my 910xt, HR strap and foot pod on my shoes so it’s in my training log)
Sunday:
– 60 minute easy spin
– 6 Mile run
Saturday was a 1.5 hour sweetspot ride, Sunday a 2 endurance ride.
Went hiking with the family and was sweating my ass on the chair working on my thesis. No sports :(
I swam 1600, and did some PT for my calf.
This weekend was all about falling in love with my bike again. I had been so focused on running lately and neglected my bike. A quick spin on Saturday followed by a ride with a buddy on Sunday. Then sprained my knee playing ultimate frisbee shortly after. Now I want to do nothing more than be on my bike.
Bad weather storming Portugal last weekend. Did two days of cardio and strength on trainer.
Cranked out a 7 miler tempoish run on Friday. Transitioned to a fartlek of wine tasting on Saturday. And Sunday executed a my race plan of cooking 5 lbs of ribeye for valentine’s day. (of which I’m paying for with a high volume week currently).
Moving house (essentially grid sprints while lifting heavy boxes!!)
About 20 miles, mostly on the treadmill. That’s about all I can find time for these days, with work, school, kid activities.
Went to the gym for the first time in forever, warm-up on the treadmill, 4k rowing and some lifting and core exercises.