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
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
Tag Archives: Running
Monday Race Registration Reminder
Just a quick reminder about a few upcoming race registration times/dates: The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler here in DC opens tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8AM sharp! It sold out last year in two days (or so they say, I thought it … Read More Here
You think you can run fast? Think again.
This Friday’s most excellent TGIF running/tri related video is probably one of my all time favorites. I think the music and announcers voice really makes it even better, but even by itself it’s just so darn impressive. Especially towards the … Read More Here
Mini-Marathons
Ok – I don’t get it. Why do people call things a “Mini-Marathon”? Why does someone go around and say “I ran a mini-marathon, have you run a mini-marathon?”. I don’t know, what the heck is a mini-marathon? Is it … Read More Here
Nutrition on the run
So if you read the title of this post, you probably thought you were going to get some long-winded technical explanation regarding nutrition during the run segment of a tri or a running race. But not today! Because it’s Friday, … Read More Here
Upcoming local DC running races (plus one in Cali)
I got an e-mail from Pacers a few days ago with a list of a few major/minor upcoming running races in the DC area. These are the ‘official’ dates, now that the event dates are confirmed. So mark your calendars! … Read More Here
Philly Half Marathon – Top 10 in AG – Woot!
For future athletic reference – 13.1 miles is a long way to run at a 6:20 pace. Which is why my body made the decision this morning it was going to run it at a more ‘gentlemanly’ 6:36 pace. My … Read More Here
T minus 24 hours until Philly
We’re in the home stretch now. Down to just a few hours before the last meaningful race of my season (actually, that might be a lie, we’ll see). This is the one I signed up for a month ago after … Read More Here
Photographic Proof – iWon
Per Jeanne’s request, I present you with photograph ‘proof’ of the iWon race. Well, proof as far as someone taking a few photos of me. I also have a pre-race group shot, but I don’t feel comfy publishing other people’s … Read More Here
How far would you go?
A few weeks ago when I resumed my interval training I was reminded that I hate running in circles around the track. It’s about as enjoyable as running out of TP at a gas station restroom in the middle of … Read More Here
iWon
Ok, never mind the fact that it was a tiny little 5K ‘race’. There was no special timing chips or start waves or even web page. Never mind that it only had 20-25 people in it. That’s all besides da … Read More Here
Army 10 Miler Discussion/Survey Group
I got called out of the blue a few days back and asked to participate in a two hour discussion group being conducted by a 3rd party survey company on behalf of the Army 10 Miler race organization. In exchange … Read More Here
Brickervals
I’m tired. I started off the day with a 22 mile ride down to a river/park south of DC to watch some friends in a rowing (crew?) competition. It’s a bit of an interesting sport in theory. Very similar I … Read More Here
Sorry Mr. Pigeon
You know how when you were a kid you’d chase the birds around in the park – but of course you’d never catch them. I always assumed it was an impossibility to catch a bird – kinda like a cat … Read More Here
Forced Vacation
“You need to take your vacation” So I was told today I need to find a way to take 120 hours of vacation time before the end of the calendar year. Further, that doesn’t include 48 hours of holidays that … Read More Here
Nearly Arrested!
The good news here is that I can outrun a police officer. For about three miles anyway’s. The bad news is that when you want to find one – they’re nearly impossible to find. Last night was costume night at … Read More Here
Ouch! The pain train has arrived!
Ok, it’s not fair. I haven’t even begun my 16 day hard push prior to the Philly Half – and I’m already sore. Well actually, still sore. Still feeling Sunday’s 26.2 miles of fun. Although it’s not bad at all … Read More Here
The 2008 Marine Corps Marathon Race Report
7:56AM – Sitting in the port-a-potty losing a pound or so. The race starts in 4 minutes, about a quarter of a mile away. Uhh…yeah. But, we manage to make it to our spot near the 3:30ish marker just as … Read More Here
Ready to rumble..or tumble and bumble…
Boy has this been a fun 12 hours. Took the redeye from Seattle last night and landed around 7:15AM into Dulles this morning. That picture is on arrival. it looks like crap outside, and I felt like crap after landing. … Read More Here
Half-Mary here I come
In my random driving around today I decided on which half I’m going to do. After looking at my options (all two of them: Philly and Outer Banks), I’m going with Philly’s Half. It will be a shorter drive, and … Read More Here
Wanted: Half Marathon Race in next 60 days
I’ve been contemplating for a while now to try and qualify for the New York Marathon next year based on a half-marathon time (the whole lottery thing this year didn’t work out too well for me). For my age group, … Read More Here
Concrete: 1, Me: 0
It happens about once a year it seems. Usually about this time of year in fact. The leaves change color, the temperature starts to decline(ok, not here but somewhere else apparently), and I face plant it into the ground during … Read More Here
Army 10 Miler Race Report
Dang it’s hot today. To illustrate my point – here’s a screen shot of the the weather.com page for the area: Now mind you – it was actually far more humid earlier in the day (albeit slightly cooler). I wasn’t … Read More Here
Twofer: New Aerobars & New Running Group
Tonight was a good night in training land. I had decided last spring when I first got my road bike that I would just get ‘decent’ at handling a road bike before I put on aerobars. I reasoned that if … Read More Here