Parkour

So I've been interested in Parkour for a while now. Actually, for like 5 years but never really attempted it...
Then in September of 2009, I was searching the Tube (Youtube that is) and I came upon a video of this group of kids who practiced this amazing sport.


Parkour Double Feature - SecondaryArchive & TwentyTwentyTwo from Scott Bass on Vimeo.

Ya I know, pretty sick, huh? I never really thought I would be able to endure something like that, but after seeing the kid with the prosthetic arm, I immediately became inspired. I mean, even with a disability (such as only having one arm) couldn't stop the hopes and spirit of this traceur. I became inspired and thought heck, if he can do it, I can do it! Nothing was gonna stop me, I was going to be an amazing acrobat and nobody could say anything that would stop me...

Flash-forward to November, 2009. The snow started, and I stopped... So I went back to playing football, making videos, and trying to graduate highschool. I was in shape when I played football, but ever since I stopped, I noticed that I was not as strong as I use to be. Sure I remember the pain needed to endure a long, strenuous workout, but in reality I was now weak. With every day, the energy slowly slipped out of me. I made plans to start working out again, but procrastination snuck in and I never started...

Flash-forward to July 5th, 2010. I always enjoyed the videos that this group of kids, formerly known as TraceurElements on youtube, created, but that was it. I only enjoyed WATCHING it, not actually attempting to DO any of it... Then I saw their latest video... I was inspired again...




Now I'm on a personal quest to get back into the spirit and try to achieve this amazing lifestyle that these traceurs are blessed to have discovered...

I also realized that when I tried to get into it last time, I jumped too far into the hole not to get hurt. Meaning, that while my intentions were good and all, my experience was lacking. I was trying to learn how to run before I learned how to crawl. If there is one thing that Parkour has taught me so far, it is patience. I need to master the basics if I'm even going to attempt any of the other stunts performed by an average traceur. So that is what I am doing right now, mastering the basics. And because I'm not as fit as I use to be, I'm going to take my time and learn what I can before moving onto the next step...

The reason I'm writing in this blog is for 2 reasons:

1) Show you guys my progress as I undertake this journey of devotion and self-mastering
and
2) Because I don't exactly know what I'm supposed to do haha. There is nobody around me that does this amazing sport, and that may have been part of the reason that I lost my motivation in the first place... So if any of you are reading this, and are into parkour, please shoot me a comment or email, and let me know what I should focus on in order to improve.

Right now I am focusing on overall physical conditioning, balance, strengthening joints (knees, wrists, ankles, etc), perfecting rolls, and precision jumps.

So ya, if you could help out a new traceur, that would be awesome, thanks!

And as always, if you want to keep updated in my progress, please become a follower. The link is on the right side of the page and all you need is a google account :)
Thanks again!