The previous day is “here』
Start (6:00) ~ Aikawa AS (6:40)
This time I will be participating in the A course 210km.
The race started around 6:00 and the long journey began.
Immediately after the start, the weather was sunny and the temperature was around 15℃.
I wanted to wear long-sleeved underwear, a short-sleeved cycling jersey, and bib shorts (short pants).
It was quite cold at the beginning of the run, so it might have been a good idea to wear a windbreaker or gilet only in the early morning.
Also, “last year' had strong winds, but this year the weather has been quite calm with wind speeds of 1 to 2 km/h.
Even in the afternoon, the wind speed was calm and the temperature was around 25 degrees Celsius, making the weather quite comfortable for running.
The section from the start to Aikawa AS is mostly flat and approximately 20km long.
Things went smoothly and we arrived at Aikawa AS (aid station: a resting point where food and drinks are handed out) around 6:40.
The restrooms and the food/drink provision were extremely crowded, so I took just one bottle of gel and left immediately.
By the way, the gel isAmino Vital Perfect Energy” is drinking.
I love using this product because it has a cap so it doesn't get sticky even if I put it in my cycling jersey after drinking.
Aikawa AS - Irisaki SS (7:40)
Halfway through, I realized that I hadn't loaded the course into the computer. .
When I stopped for a bathroom break on the way, I let it load.
By loading the course, you can see the ups and downs, which helps you stay mentally stable.
The section from Aikawa AS to Irisaki SS (SS: Sweets Station) was also mostly flat and approximately 20km long, so we made good progress and arrived at around 7:40.
『Manju” and “Mochi”, but I forgot to take a photo. .
We refilled our water and set out.
Irisaki SS - Washizaki AS (9:20)
The section from Irisaki SS to Washizaki AS is the section where the famous Z slope is located.
I was worried about what would happen since I hadn't had much practice on the slopes, but my heart rate didn't get too high and I was able to climb the climb with relative ease.
As soon as you cross the Z slope, you will come to Onogame no Slope.
Personally, I feel that Onogame no Slope is more difficult than Z Slope, but my heart rate didn't get too high here either, and I was able to climb it with ease.
I don't have a lot of time, so this year I will prioritize finishing the race, so I will aim for Washizaki AS without eating ice cream at Onogame, although I ate it last year.
Things went smoothly and we arrived at Washizaki AS around 9:20.
I ate here last year.Chikuwa bread” was shockingly delicious, so I was looking forward to the bread being offered again this year.
Although bread was provided, there was no chikuwa bread. .
『Anpan” and “Takuanpan” I chose taku anpan.
This had a taste that made me think it would have been better to choose regular anpan. .
I don't have enough calories, so I drink a bottle of gel and leave.
Washizaki AS - Ryotsu BS (10:45)
Washizaki AS to Ryotsu BS is almost flat and 28km long.
Last year, there was a strong headwind from this section, which broke my heart. .
This year there was almost no wind, so we enjoyed cycling while enjoying the scenery.
Our goal was to arrive at Ryotsu BS around 11:00, but we ended up arriving a little earlier at around 10:45.
There is a time limit set from Ryotsu BS, and if you do not pass by the time limit, you will receive a DNF.
The time limit for Ryotsu BS is 12:00, so I think there's plenty of time.
This time's lunch is ``Turban shell curry” and “Pork soup'It was.
The crunchy texture of the turban shells is great, and the pork soup is also perfect for replenishing salt.
The stay was about 30 minutes long due to waiting for the toilet etc.
Ryotsu BS - Tada AS (12:50)
The section from Ryotsu BS to Tada AS is almost flat and is 35km long.
Last year, I mistook the distance and time limit here and got a DNF, so I made the distance and time limit clear.
It was flat and there was no wind, so we made good progress and arrived at Tada AS around 12:50.
The time limit for Tada AS is 13:45, so you have about an hour to spare.
Niigata's specialty ``Bamboo dumplings” and we are off.
From here on, it's an unknown section that I've never ridden before.
Tada AS ~ Ogi AS (14:00)
Accidents suddenly occur on unknown sections.
Immediately after the start of Tada AS, I tried to avoid the person in front of me, but my car crashed to the right side and I fell.
Since I wasn't going very fast, I only had minor scratches, and although there were some scratches on the car body, it didn't affect my gear shifting, so I think I'll be able to drive.
The section between Tada AS and Ogi AS was also mostly flat and was 25km long, so we progressed smoothly and arrived at Ogi AS around 14:00.
Ogi AS's time limit is 15:00, so I have about an hour of time.
『Shinko mochiAfter receiving a traditional sweet from Sado, we departed.
Ogi AS - Sohama AS (15:20)
Ogi AS - Sohama AS is a 21km climbing section.
In the morning, we had climbed Z-slope (about 130m above sea level) and Onogame-no-slope (about 100m above sea level), but we were faced with a much tougher slope, the highest on the course, about 170m above sea level.
I keep climbing, thinking that I shouldn't take the slope towards the end.
I have no choice but to climb up. .
It felt like we were constantly climbing, which was pretty tough.
My heart rate was over 180, my thighs were muscular after reaching the top, and I felt like my calves were going to cramp up.
I didn't take any photos because I felt like I would have cramps if I stopped, but there was a taiko drum cheering crowd waiting for me when I reached the summit.
When you hear the sound of drums approaching, you're close to reaching the summit, so let's do our best. .
After climbing the summit, we had to descend to Sohama AS, so I managed to arrive at Sohama AS at around 15:20, hoping to make it without cramps.
The time limit for Sohama AS is 16:30, so I have about an hour of leeway here as well.
I think once you get this far, you don't have to worry about the time limit.
Sohama AS is the last AS, and the next is the goal.
As a final replenishment, I will do some doping.
First of all, “Onigiri” and “Wakame miso soup” I received it.
Next, to prevent cramps,2RUN” and although I don't have any pain in my joints, I took some painkillers just in case.
Finally, the caffeinated gelmedalist energy gel coffee” and leave.
I've been cutting out caffeine for a week to increase my sensitivity to caffeine.
Within a few minutes of drinking it, you will feel your concentration improve.
Sohama AS ~ Goal (16:40)
There are 26km left to reach the goal.
I just climbed the biggest hill on the course, but there are still two more hills left. .
There are quite a few hills with an altitude of about 140m and about 90m, so I started even though I was feeling depressed.
The first slope, approximately 140m above sea level, will be reached immediately after leaving Sohama AS.
The slope is gentle, and it's like a staircase, which alternates between being flat and climbing, so I was able to rest on the flat parts, so it wasn't too difficult.
The second slope, about 90m above sea level, was a series of flat and gentle climbs, so it wasn't that difficult.
Once the second hill is over, there is only downhill and flat ground.
There's no wind, and as long as there's no equipment trouble, I think we'll be able to cross the finish line without any problems.
We made good progress and safely reached the goal at around 16:40.
Last year I had a DNF, so I was able to recover safely.
After the goal
After finishing the race, I collected my luggage and took my time to change my clothes.
The beer and beef skewers sold at the stall looked delicious, but I felt like I'd get pretty drunk if I added some sake, so I'll stop there.
Stowing it away in my travel bag, I boarded the shuttle bus I had reserved for 6:20pm and headed for Ryotsu Port.
Ryotsu Port - Ferry - Hotel
After arriving at Ryotsu Port, the boarding of the last ferry to Niigata Port that I had booked at 19:30 had already started, so I boarded the boat without having time to eat anything or look at souvenirs at Ryotsu Port.
After dropping off my bicycle bag, I immediately head to the snack corner.
First of all, I had stopped drinking for a week, so I bought a beer.
It was my first time drinking alcohol in a week and it tasted great.
If you run 210km, it will consume 6,000kcal on Apple Watch, soRamen set mini currySatisfy your hunger with this naughty set of ramen and mini curry.
The quality of the ramen was surprisingly high and it was a great dinner.
After that, I fell asleep in the first class seat I had booked, and before I knew it, I had arrived at Niigata Port.
From Niigata Port, we took a bus to Niigata Station and checked into the hotel we had booked.
After taking a shower, I headed out to the streets of Niigata at night.
『Niigata sightseeing edition” followed by
