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FYI SOUTH Magazine, December 2002. VOL.2 ISSUE 12

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National Geographic Action Asia Challenge by Leon VanderPol

       The cramping started in my elbow of all places, around the three-quarter point in the race, a little twitch that would not go away. Eventually, in the sweltering heat, my legs cramped, then my toes. I had no idea what the problem was. I couldn't be dehydrated, as I had consumed water constantly from the go. So why the cramps? At the finish line, as I massaged my muscles trying to get them to unlock, I asked a member of the formidable Team Gatorade why I was cramping so badly. Answer: a lack of salt. Painful lesson learned.

National Geographic Action Asia Challenge (NGAAC) adventure races are tough, but with the right preparation they can be done even by average athletes. Last March Taiwan hosted its second NGAAC at Sun Moon Lake. More than 70 teams from around Asia converged at the lake for an epic event that was so well organized, and in such a superb mountainous location, that the adventure race series returns to Taiwan March 23.

       My team, Action Directe, a hodgepodge group that formed a month before the race and trained together just once, managed to overcome two flat tires and other difficulties for an 18th-place finish in about six hours.

Exact locations are not announced until a month or so before the race, and specific race details are kept hush-hush until the a briefing the night before. All participants are told in advance is what disciplines to expect, and what gear you need to bring. Usually the disciplines include jungle trekking or running, kayaking, abseiling, rock scrambling and mountain biking, but the organizers tend to throw in some twists to keep it interesting.

       Don't let this concern you, though ¡V just focus on getting into condition one day at a time. Fortunately Kaohsiung has one of the finest training grounds in Taiwan ¡V Shoushan (Longevity Mountain, which expats call Monkey Mountain), truly an all-in-one locale for adventure race training. The mountain is riddled with trails for running and steep hill climbing. In addition, the east face has a network of wide, open trails for mountain biking that are accessible from the parking lot of a huge temple on Gushan Road. You can easily spend hours on the mountain, getting lost and running in circles until at last you emerge, fit and strong.

The NGAAC is open to all athletes who participate in teams of three across four categories: open men's, open women's, mixed and seniors (combined age over 120). The organization of these races is world-class, and the entire event is fantastic fun. You will experience Taiwan in a whole new way, and from a vantage point that few others ever will. The NGAAC is the most difficult athletic feat I have ever done, and also the most rewarding; it is challenge, spirit, nature, achievement and friendship all rolled into one.

       For more information, check out the NGAAC website at www.ng-aachallenge.com. The Internet is also loaded with adventure racing websites, many with good tips on how to train and condition yourself. If finding teammates proves difficult, or if you want to train with others, e-mail me at climbing98@hotmail.com. See you at the start line!