Cycling in Rural Miyag
Mountain Bike & Brick Run Training in Miyagi, Japan: 990m Climbing, Trail Running, and Real-World Lessons
Published: July 13, 2026
Location: Minami Aoso Mountain (Miyagi Prefecture, Japan)
Training Summary
Today’s session turned into one of my favorite adventure workouts of the season.
The original plan was a mountain cycling workout, but nature had different ideas. Rain moved into higher elevations around 1,000 meters, forcing me to change my route and adapt on the fly.
Instead of simply turning back, I combined cycling, hiking, and trail running into one long multisport training session.
Workout Statistics
- Bike Distance: 33.11 km
- Total Elevation Gain: 990 m
- Moving Time: 2:34:26
- Total Time: 2:42:09
- Average Heart Rate: 140 bpm
- Aerobic Training Effect: 4.3
- Anaerobic Training Effect: 2.8
- Estimated Calories Burned: 1,181 kcal
- Estimated Sweat Loss: 2.1 L
After cycling, I added a short trail run, bringing my total multisport distance to 34.28 km.
Simulating the Zao Triathlon Bike Course
One of the biggest goals of today’s session was preparing for the Zao Triathlon.
The first major climb closely matched the race course:
- Gradient: 7–8%
- Speed: 8–9 km/h
- Heart Rate: Around 150 bpm (Zone 3)
- Cadence: 49–60 rpm
Compared to previous months, the climb felt much smoother.
Instead of fighting the mountain, I was able to maintain a controlled rhythm while keeping my heart rate stable.
This is exactly the type of effort I want during race day—strong enough to make progress, but controlled enough to save energy for the run.
Unexpected Adventure
Mountain training rarely goes exactly as planned.
Today included several unexpected challenges.
Gravel Roads
Part of the cycling route suddenly became rough gravel and forest roads.
Instead of turning around, I changed into my Salomon S/LAB Trail Pro 2 trail running shoes and continued by pushing my bike through sections of the trail.
Surprisingly, those trail shoes were still comfortable enough to pedal on my road bike’s clipless pedals, even without clipping in.
That was a valuable discovery for future adventure rides.
Major Mechanical Problem
The biggest challenge came during a long downhill.
While coasting over rough pavement, my chain suddenly dropped and wrapped around the crank several times.
At first, I thought the ride was over.
After removing the rear wheel and carefully repositioning the chain, I managed to repair it well enough to ride the remaining 19 km back safely.
I’ll inspect the drivetrain carefully before my next mountain ride and may replace the chain if necessary.
A Funny Surprise
Not every surprise was mechanical.
While descending through an orchard, I suddenly heard a loud squealing sound from my brakes.
My first thought was:
“Flat tire?”
Instead, I discovered that a small plum had become stuck inside the brake system.
Definitely not something that happens on every ride.
Trail Running After Cycling
Near the end of the workout, I switched into trail running mode.
Although I only ran about 1 km, I noticed something encouraging:
I wanted to run farther.
That feeling tells me my cycling endurance is improving.
Earlier this year, after climbing nearly 1,000 meters on the bike, I would have been completely exhausted.
Today, I finished the ride feeling like I still had energy left.
That is exactly the adaptation I want before the Zao Triathlon.
Lessons Learned
Today’s training wasn’t perfect, but it was incredibly valuable.
Equipment
Before my next mountain ride, I plan to:
- Replace worn brake pads
- Inspect the chain for damage
- Check front derailleur alignment
- Clean and lubricate the drivetrain
Mountain descents demand reliable equipment.
Safety always comes first.
Training
When weather is good:
- Ride the Zao Echo Line
- Climb to Sumikawa Snow Park
- Continue with a trail run
When weather is poor:
- Train on Minami Aoso Mountain
- Combine cycling, hiking, and brick running
This flexibility allows consistent training regardless of mountain conditions.
Final Thoughts
Some workouts are memorable because of fast times.
Others are memorable because they teach you something.
Today’s ride taught me:
- How to adapt when conditions change.
- How to solve mechanical problems in the mountains.
- That my climbing fitness has improved significantly.
- That I still had enough energy to run afterward.
Those lessons are worth far more than a personal record.
The road to the Zao Triathlon and the OSJ Adatara 50K Trail Race continues.
One mountain at a time.
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