The three gears that support Rui Ueda.
Mr. Ueda achieved brilliant results in 2019. Needless to say, his efforts brought about those results, but we must also mention that his selection of tools, which could be called aesthetic, was also a part of it. . The choice of gear has a great impact on performance, not only in sports, but also in outdoor activities. . especially if it is an activity that involves running in the mountains. . Here are three pieces of gear that will support him.
GEAR No.01
Train Running ShoesFirst of all, we would like to introduce shoes, which can be said to be the cornerstone of running. Mr. Ueda is a member of Columbia Sportswear Japan, and the shoes he wears are from "Columbia Montrail.
. lightness and grip are the criteria for selection. . Lightness is only necessary for short distances. For longer distances, I may wear all-around shoes because I want stability, but basically, I tend to wear light, elite-quality shoes. As for the outsole, skyrunning runs on steep slopes, so it is safer to have a good grip. When running, there is also a push up from the ground, so it is better to have a thicker and stiffer midsole to reduce the load to some extent. It is important to make the right selection depending on the race.
The shoes I wore when I won are the second-lightest item in the Columbia Montrail line (left). The sole pattern is unique, and the outsole has a wide sensation of protrusion to prevent clogging from mud and other debris. This reflects the advice I gave to the developers when I visited the head office in the U.S. in 2015. . There was one update to this model after it was released in 2015, but I think I was able to win this time because I had been wearing them for a long time and had gotten used to them.
GEAR No.02
VestpackThen there is the vest pack. Compact storage of tools is essential for dozens of kilometers on rugged roads. . However, if you don't add ease of use to that, you will fall behind in the race. This is another Columbia Montrail item.
As for the vest pack, it needs to be easy to store, and as for the Skyrace, it needs to be able to hold a certain amount of stuff in the front section. I want to minimize the number of times I have to put on and take off my pack, so I will put my most frequently used drinks and gels in the front section, and my jacket, lights, and other gear on my back. I also pack my jacket, shell, and other gear such as lights on my back. I supervised the development of this model, which took a couple of years to complete.
The drink holder is positioned near the shoulder so that the user can drink without putting strain on the neck. Also, the elastic material used gives it a very good fit. . So you can concentrate on running. The main compartment is also very well designed. We have separate upper and lower compartments. Shells and other items are stored in the large compartment, and small items such as aids are stored in the smaller compartment below. This way, there is less play, and the shaking is reduced when running.
GEAR No.03
RENAULT KangooAnd finally, the "Kangoo" from Renault. As mentioned above, Mr. Ueda is an ambassador of this car brand, and has driven a Kanger and then a Kangoo. Although not directly related to the competition itself, how does the "Kangoo" support Mr. Ueda's activities?
Before I became a Renault ambassador, I didn't have a car, so now I can go to the mountains more easily, and I can take my bicycle and a lot of large items with me to training camps. I also drove this car to the first game of the World Series in Sanjo, Niigata.
. When I'm driving, I listen to music and relax as I head toward my destination, especially when I'm going to a race. I like this because it allows me to relax and not think too much, especially when I am going to a race. I used to take the train to the race, but with this car, I don't get tired on the way there and back, so I'm happy about that. The car allows me to keep my own pace while traveling in a private space.
The Kangoo has a wide field of vision and is easy to drive. . I think that's why I don't get tired easily. It's easy to get a sense of distance, and the car's interior space is spacious, so it's also very comfortable. Even if I receive a lot of prizes, I don't have to worry because the Kangoo has a lot of carrying capacity (laughs), and I also like the fact that the double sliding back doors make it easy to get luggage in and out of the car.
. I think this car is the reason I was able to win the championship last season. The Kangoo has helped me to practice more efficiently, and it definitely supports my mobility. It's different from taking the train. I have more time to spare, and I do have to worry about traffic jams, but to some extent I can arrange my schedule as I like. If I hadn't ridden the Kangoo, I might not have won the competition (laughs).
