Went to Sydney yesterday, took a while on the train. And my mp3 battery is on the blink, lasted about an hour =[
Met most people at Town Hall, where we warmed up, and just did some general movements, arm jumps, underbars etc.
Then headed over to Darling Harbour, where we met a few more people, and drilled precisions, catpass precisions, dive rolls and the like. I got a dive roll through this small gap between a wall and rail, and did some nice runs over and through these concrete cubes. I filmed a few of these things, to show the folks back home. I got about 30 seconds worth of footage, so when I next go, and train in the local town I'll film some more, for a proper video.
My Feiyues finally got a small hole in the bottom of them, had them since February, and I have been careful not too kill them. I have a small hole underneath the left big toe. Its pretty small though. My Asics had died in the City2Surf, so dad had promised me some new shoes. I leave you with some pictures of my Saucony Grid Omni 5's:
Well, a lot has happened since my last post. I am now in Australia, the land down under.
Before I left, I had a farewell jam and party, which was immensely fun. We had a hog roast and bouncy castle at my house, which provided an awesome tricking session. By the end of the night though, it was a quite upsetting. Some people came and visited later in the week, which was nice, but then I had to say farewell again. Needless to say, I miss everyone very, very much. It's weird making new friends, but still keeping in touch with old ones. Training with different people in different locations takes a bit of getting used to, but it's all about adaption.
I have been to Sydney for training twice since arriving. It is about 1.5 hours on the train, so not too bad. There is a local town near me which is pretty good too. I am going to Sydney on Saturday, then the local town on Sunday. Will be my first full training weekend for a while. I injured my knee, I think doing an arm jump involving me turning in the air. It's better now though, took a few weeks to heal.
I ran 14 kilometres last weekend, in the City2Surf race. It was great fun, hot, tiring and exhilirating. I ran with my dad and our friend Tony. We finished it in 1hour30mins, so a good time, but with lots of room to improve next year. Asics are pretty much dead now.
Its late over here now, still need to change the times around on this thing. When I move into my new house I'll take some pictures of it, and the training area nearby. It is pretty good, and so near to my house. Cant wait.
Anyways, off to bed, still aching from Sunday's run.
I have tried to make the most of this week, so I have been in Lincoln training on Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday morning and all of today.
I recently started doing barefoot training, and I must say it is really fun. It makes you think about every little movement, every landing, and every step. I did most of the Library challenge barefooted today, and doing different circuits around the church in Lincoln, balancing, running, small precisions. Also, underneath City Hall I have been doing some arm jumps and vaults barefooted.
There wern't many people training today, just me, Jak, Gainey and Adam and Leanne. Leanne helped film a little chase scene/run, involving me and Jak running away from the other 2 lads, afetr nicking their mobile phone. It is pretty fun, the footage so far is nice, and the movements seem really efficient and natural.
We are filming more on Saturday, which should be good. I'll post something else then.
I got up early on Saturday to get the early train into Lincoln. With only a few weeks remaining in the country, I am making all the time I can to train.
I arrived at 8:20, and we trained for a few hours, then met up with people getting off the train at about 10.
After doing the Library challenge, we met the Cleethorpes lot, who are good trickers, which put most people in a tricking mood. Myself, Jack and Shaun decided that after training with them for a bit at City Hall, we would split off after getting lunch at Boots.
Jack, Shaun and I headed up to the top end of town, on some scaffolding and things. We were in a great mood, and we decided we wouldnt take any conventional routes. We picked directions to go in, and then headed there, over and under in a straight line.
After this, and visiting Stu at work, we headed home, me and Shaun on the train, and Jack on his bus. We had a pretty full day of training, and we all felt really good by the end of it.
I cant wait till Wednesday, where I can get about half a days training in Lincoln.
Today in Ruskington was good. I feel much better for it, after my recent confidence lack. I would feel very "tight" in my body, so going for things was not as easy. After today, realising what I need to do to make myself do something, I have been feeling more "loose". So come Saturday, I should be back to my old self.
I am starting to venture slightly in to tricking, and so far, the only move I am interested in learning is the wallflip.
My target is to get them down confidently on grass by March 20th, then on concrete by the end of the month.
Also, little update on my parkour progression:
I can feel myself adapting without hesitation, like when practising runs and such, my foot positioning stays normal, so I can go into a "speed-pass" with either right foot first or left foot first (still vaulting over left side though). My climbups are improving lots, I can nearly get them with both hands at the same time, but at the moment it is very fast and fluid one arm slightly after the other. Finally, I am really enjoying "movement training", after watching Brad Moss' video it has inspired me to think of new ways of moving. This has helped a lot with my underbars and overall control.
My feiyues came today, so I did some training in them this evening. They take a bit of getting used to, but after a few balancing techniques they feel great. I think I will wear them for the Saturday jam, but I have a choice now.
I did some balance work, and a few vaults, my main one was a catpass to roll that I really liked. I did some strength work on some pillars, my climbups are getting much better. I did quite a few precisions, and the grip is definetly evident, they feel very secure.
Training went pretty well on Saturday, my catpass technique has improved a bit. I nearly got the catpass2precision near the estate, I think I'll get it next week. My arm strength has improved lots since keeping up my conditioning routine, and doing regular pressup challenges, as I noticed when doing reverse muscle ups, I got them a lot more consistent, so hopefully by next week I should have them sorted. TKD on Monday was good, though on the way there I discovered anticlimb paint on a wall that I like to use for arm jumps and climb ups. I ordered my Feiyue's a few days ago, and they tried to deliver today, but my mom wasnt in, so my dad is picking them up tomorrow from the Post Office. So I'll be out training in them tomorrow!
We found some scaffolding that I had seen on my way to work exp. each morning, so we spent a while on there in the morning, doing lachés, underbars and reverse muscle ups, amongst other bar work. Then, the Echo, where I did some dive rolls through the gap, and then working into into something flowful (hopefully it looks good on camera) We hit City Hall for some parkour tag, and then the Green Rails, where we preceded to train topless (in the middle of January!), then we headed to M&S (still topless)and trained until we got kicked. Then, through town to the college, and the new black rails there, where I did some bare back rolls on concrete after jumping down a few steps (it was good practise for landings and rolls). Afterwards, we headed up to Magistrates Court, and did some general movement and precision training. I tried the upwards precision a few times, nearly stuck it, and the last time I went all out, got my feet on the top and slipped, and landed on my elbow and back after a few foot drop. My elbow got a bit cut and my back got a bit scraped, but just normal wear and tear. We headed back up to the scaffolding after stopping off to watch Stu and Jack do some huge precisions near the river. I filmed Jonny doing a run through the scaffolding whilst being carryed by Stu and Jack, which was a laugh! When the day was through, I headed back home with Jonny and Stu Pembery, whilst Luke stayed tll 5:30. All in all, it was a good day, except for some annoying tag alongs, who did a bit of training, but were complete knobs, even after we tried to educate them. I wont include any of their stupid comments, about how they train and what parkour is, but lets just say it was misguided to say the least.
Acheivements:
Nearly sticking the upwards precision at Magistrates. Dive rolls at the Echo. Rolling technique is a lot smoother, didnt hurt at all bareback on concrete. Nearly acheiving reverse muscle ups, I did one though. Lachés are a bit better, as is arm strength.
PS: Me and Jack did a pressup challenge yesterday via MSN, we did 10 sets of 15 reps, with 3 minute breaks in between each one. A grand total of 150 was completed by each of us, and I did 100 the day before, so I am very pleased.
Check out the training video of today, featuring various people.
In the adults session me and Jammie practised dive rolling over high things, and then long things. Jammie did neck height high and 10 1/2 of his feet on length. I wasw pleased with the ones I did, but I did better at diving through gaps. Twas a great session, and we had a bit of an audience, and then got chatting about parkour to them.
Hey, I've been away for a while, holidaying in Oz. Did a bit of training too. The day after I got back I went to Lincoln to train! Last week was Lincoln, and this week was Sleaford. I wont bore you with details, so I'll write a list of the things I have acheived recently, that I am proud of.
-Catpass to Precision in Sleaford: Huge and on video! -Catpass to Precision in Lincoln: Aiming to clear the wall and roll, still pretty pleased. -Improved precision distance: A lot of people noticed when I got back. -Can now do pistol squats! -Better handstands -Improved confidence
I couldnt go to Lincoln, so I had a good training session in Ruskington with Tumo and Snap for the day. I did a few new precisions which I was proud of, one out of a tree. I focused mainly on these precisions, and we had a bit of an explore aswell. Our main training spot was the Churchyard, as there was a lot to do there. The Co-Op also has a new set of rails, where you can practise catpass to armjumps and 180 armjumps from rail to wall with rail. This will become one of my heavily sessioned places soon.
Acheivements:
Noticable improvement in confidence Greater agility More powerful movements 2 new precisions New catpass to armjump and 180 armjump
I had a good training session today, did some treework, arm jumps and precisions mainly. Luke trained with me, and we filmed a few things that we both had found before. I was particularly proud of an arm jump I hadnt been able to do before, yet Luke has already done it. I got a cool running precision on film, and it looks very nice. Youtube screwed up the ending:
It was wet training in Lincoln today, as we had expected. When I arrived at Ruskington station, I preceded with my usualy warm-up and precision practise, and then tried a running precision to a kerb, diagonally from a slightly raised platform. It was pouring it down in Lincoln, so we decided to sprint all the way to Lucy Towers carpark for a warm-up and training. All 14 of us arrived soaking wet but in high spirits, and put the second to top level of the carpark to good use, jogging, quadrupedal walking, basic vaults etc. Despite our best efforts to avoid CCTV, some people went in full view on the tope open level, so we got kicked after about 20 minutes. Luckily by then it had stopped raining and we were dry. We stocked up on lunch at the Spar, then headed to the only other undercover training spot, which is underneath City Hall. I did some arm jumps from rocks to a slippy wall, with no overgrip, which I was very pleased with:
I also did some very far (for my height)arm jumps from ledge to wall and rail, which was at ground level. We all practised vaults and had silent landing competitions in our socks. Throughout this, the weather eased off, and by 1:00 it was dry enough to go out. We headed over to Usher Gallery, training on the steps and doing the Usher Challenge (where we got kicked not even half way round). After this, we split off, and my group consisted of me, Jammie, Jack, Stu and Tumo, and we headed up to the Castle. A policewoman always appeared wherever we went, obviously interested. When we explained what we were doing, she left us alone. We made our way back down, and ended up near City Hall. We trained on the slanted walls, drilling tic-tacs and vaults. Then the brown rails, where we couldnt do a lot, and then we headed back underneath City Hall, for a warm down and more training, less people meant we could do more things, and we mainly focused on flow work. Then, we headed back into town, and went to watch Casino Royale, which was amazing. I met up with my parents there, and afterwards we went to Nando's for a pig out.
All in all, it was a very good day, despite the rain, we all stayed positive and had a great focused training session. I managed to film some video clips and get some photo's, which I will make into a training video.
Acheivements:
3 large arm jumps Increased confidence Improved quadrupedal walking Improved flow and vaults
Well, yesterday's jam provided plenty of opportunity to test out my new bag. I didnt use the water pack with it, but everything else impressed me. The mp3 pocket is genius, and I was listening to music fom my house to Lincoln, jogging and sitting on the train. It stays on my back very well when running, and there is no restriction of arm movemement. The only thing you cant do is roll on it, but it isnt designed for that. Here are some pictures of me testing it out:
My dad bought me a new bag that I am going to use when training. My other bag was an over the shoulder on ya back type one, which was annoying. This one is a brandnew 2006 Camelback M.U.L.E, and I love it. I will be testing it out training tomorrow in Lincoln, but Im debating whether to have the water pack in it...
Tang Soo Do this evening was good, my fitness has definetly improved, I remember struggling with pressups and this week I have them really good and easy. We did some basic drills, and then kicking and stick practise. One of my favourite parts was having to constantly pop vault over a big set of mats to get to equipment, then turn over the other side and land.
Cant wait for Lincoln tomorrow, Im seeing Casino Royale after too!
At school yesterday I was in my PE kit, and whilst I was waiting for my friend I did a bit of quadrupedal walking, up and down a concrete slope. I thought I would get called a freak, but I attracted a bit of an audience, a lot of people were impressed, more so than if I did a vault. So, I am loving my quadrupedal walking, and I am going to practise it lots.
Also, I had TKD yesterday, I managed to break the easiest board, but couldnt quite break the brown board. Jammie did though...could be because he weighs twice as much as me. Oh well, it was still pretty good, we dida fun knee-slapping exercise to get us in the mood for sparring. I beat Jammie at that, but he beat me at the head slapping one.
Hopefully I can fit in a training session before the weekend, after school, but it's not likely, seeing as I get back at 5:30 and Im not allowed out.
Well, my knee is virtually fine from yesterday now, so I went out from 4:00 till 4:30, because the rest of the day has been filled up with coursework and chores. In some ways I'm glad it was quite short, because it made me appreciate my session and I managed to cram some good stuff in.
I headed off next door to the trees, to warm my knee up and try and not do too much impact on it while it was a bit stiff. I did a few lachés (across and down ones) and did some swinging and endurance stuff, seeing how long I could hold my self up for in various positions. After my knee was warmed up I did a few rolls, I have improved them a lot since the workshop. Then I headed off down to the church, originally to do some more treework. I did a few more different lachés (one handed and downwards), and then I spotted a new challenge. There was a gravestone lying down, slightly angled, and another thing shaped like this: /\ but less slanted, and I thought I could running precision from the first gravestone onto the slanted bit facing me. I had a few attempts but couldn't do it. Then I tryed precisioning from the /\ thing to the lower part of the gravestone. The gap was about 8 foot, and after a few attempts I managed to stick it. Did it 3 times then moved to the other church bit to do some quadrupedal walking on the floor, balancing, silent walking (where you swing your hips and sink onto your legs, then back up again) and snake pressups. As I headed back through the church, I tryed the big running precision again, and after a few attempts I stuck it. It was a good feeling to get it, gave me a much needed boost after yesterday. I did it a few more times, with impressed looks from old people and chavs alike. The funny thing was because I was landing under a tree and it was already dark, so I had to use instinct and good night vision to get it. I moved to the alleyway, it was nearly time to go in so I didnt have time to go and do the level arm jump, but I did a few 180 arm jumps at the alleyway instead. Then I jogged back home, and Im about to shower.
Achievements:
8 foot precision (slightly downward) 8 foot running precision (upward and diagonal) Noticeable endurance improvement (running and strength) Various new lachés (more controlled) Better quadrupedal walking
My blog is about showing my progression in Parkour since I moved Down Under, from Lincoln. Detailing my experiences and plans, as well as showing pictures and videos to keep people back home updated on life here.
