Topic: Feeling too late

[andrew le]

Sometimes I feel like I had gotten into parlor a bit late compared to the other traceurs I'm meeting and that are around me.

Going into my 3rd season now, and i'm begginig to really wakeup and become much more aware of who I am and how my body works. But I can't help but notice being (and starting parkour) at 22 I feel a bit shaken when I meet others who had been training for 2-3 years and are 18.

Not saying that i'm beginning to become jaded. Just a little urked, and more or less driven to advance at a comfortable and safe but relatively quick pace.

[Alec Furtado]

Don't really worry about it... nothing you can do. If you're happy with what you're doing, then just keep going, that's all that matters.

Maybe you should even start encouraging the younger people you know to get into parkour.

[andrew le]

lol, i dont really know that many 15 year olds 

but im certianly going to encourage it with the younger generation of traceurs

[Hopefulpilot]

I understand that feeling. I'm 23 and just starting, and I can't help feeling upset that if I had only known about it earlier, it would have been so much easier to learn, you know? Up until the age of 13 I lived in an ideal environment to train, and I was extremely active. Now, it's hard to find good spots, I'm overweight and out of shape, and it's just irksome.

[Jake Chess]

There is always room for improvement. While others may be 'better' than you, you shouldn't be discouraged.
It is YOUR journey. But, one thing you must ask yourself is, "Are you enjoying what you do?". If it is yes, than keep doing it. And at a pace you feel comfortable.

[andrew le]

There is always room for improvement. While others may be 'better' than you, you shouldn't be discouraged.
It is YOUR journey. But, one thing you must ask yourself is, "Are you enjoying what you do?". If it is yes, than keep doing it. And at a pace you feel comfortable.

evidently i try extremely hard not to say "that traceur is "better" than me", because i feel when i start doing that i will start comparing myself too much and unconsciously compete. instead i do my best to see someone else do some more advanced movement that i may not know and i ask if they can possibly teach me. this i think is the way to grow and connect to the community around me more, rather than being prideful and thinking that if a 17 year old can do a double kong than i can do it too and eventually getting hurt.

[Jake Chess]

Of course, that is why I used quotations to stress the point that Parkour isn't about being 'better' than someone else. It is personal growth 'better'.
After all what is 'better'. A person that can Kong perfectly but misses the philosophical growth of Parkour or one who takes the movements and makes it something deep and personal? Personally, I think it is that latter.

The philosophical side and personal growth is just as important as the technique itself if not more.

Your mindset should be what you just said.

[NikAs]

i started at 14, but ive been doing things like parkour for a long time just never new what it was. your definitively not to late, at the last jam i attended there were a few people who where around 27 to 35 years old. (forgot exact ages)

[Leon Mederos]

I don't have much room to speak here seeing as how early I got into parkour, but I really enjoy training with people who are around or above my skill level because of how much I learn from them. It's a difficult process but you're going to have to come to terms that some people are REALLY quick at learning and they will surpass your skill level. I wish I could do some of the things that others can, but I know that I'm working harder everyday to make myself better. And with that attitude I can easily connect with those and learn so much from them 

[turtlekarma]

I get what you're talking about man, it's weird that your maturity level might be higher then some kid who's physical "parkour skills" might be more advanced then your own.  And while you might be in college, have a job paying taxes, married with kids, paying off a mortgage ... these "kids" who are "better traceurs then you" might still be wet behind the ears...so there is that disconnect.  I find that most of the older guys doing parkour are really kids at heart anyway, so that's definitely not a huge issue, but yes older guys have a different frame of reference then younger guys simply due to difference in life experience. 

Like you said I doubt that this is a negative thing, it's probably better that our community intermingles and isn't just made up of one age range.  It's a good experience overall in my opinion having to constantly shift between teacher and student role... cause I honestly believe that everyone's got something to share and that it's all relevant... that we only grow from interacting and learning from each other.

check out the +30 board, they've got good opinions on this subject.

[andrew le]

I get what you're talking about man, it's weird that your maturity level might be higher then some kid who's physical "parkour skills" might be more advanced then your own.  And while you might be in college, have a job paying taxes, married with kids, paying off a mortgage ... these "kids" who are "better traceurs then you" might still be wet behind the ears...so there is that disconnect.  I find that most of the older guys doing parkour are really kids at heart anyway, so that's definitely not a huge issue, but yes older guys have a different frame of reference then younger guys simply due to difference in life experience. 

Like you said I doubt that this is a negative thing, it's probably better that our community intermingles and isn't just made up of one age range.  It's a good experience overall in my opinion having to constantly shift between teacher and student role... cause I honestly believe that everyone's got something to share and that it's all relevant... that we only grow from interacting and learning from each other.

check out the +30 board, they've got good opinions on this subject.

lol, woah woah woah man!

im not that old lol

just kidding, ill def check out that section of the forums

[David M.]

I'm 14 and enjoy training with older people a lot more than people my age. Most people my age are pro-competition and seem to have to be better at everything. Fortunately, I know two people that I train with that are not like that.

[Jeremy Osborn]

I feel like i came on to the scene too late and im 14!! A lot of the names you see have been doing this for years! I know they have a better skill level than i, but i feel that its good for us, and that we are able to learn from people that have been doing this for a long time, and they can give us tips, and then we pass on those tips, and ones weve acquired, and help out the generations to come. Being a little late has its advantages

[Rowe]

Don't worry about time and age. I hate to sound like a Hallmark movie, but everyone has the potential to bring something to the table. I am 29. One of my attributes is body-awareness. I understand the physics of movements and know where my body is throughout them. There are tons of teenagers who can outflip me (all it takes is one) and leap higher, but I've met many who don't understand how or why their movements work, or when to use them. I can help the younger set comprehend movement more deeply, and they can inspire me with their advancements and bravery.

[Christian Greene]

Probably doesnt help that I'm 16 and I've been training for 2 years  No worries man, the point is that you're out there doing it now and that's what counts!

[NikAs]

I feel like i came on to the scene too late and im 14!! A lot of the names you see have been doing this for years! I know they have a better skill level than i, but i feel that its good for us, and that we are able to learn from people that have been doing this for a long time, and they can give us tips, and then we pass on those tips, and ones weve acquired, and help out the generations to come. Being a little late has its advantages

you definitely didn't come to late, one of the people at the freerunning championship was doing freerunning for 2 years.

[andrew le]

wow! that gives me a lot of hope lol

thanks guys, older and younger alike 

[Sezon]

One advantage you have over "younger" traceurs is that you're wiser, so you'll progress quicker. And, you'll likely have more body awareness, which is like the best attribute a traceur could have.

[Adam McC]

Hey Andrew.

First of all, keep in mind that when Ozzi started his training he was.. 27 I think. Maybe 28. He's an ooldd man.

It's really simple. Like anything, theres advantages and disadvantages, as seen earlier in this topic. Younger kids learn quicker and are more flexible and have more mental plasticity, making learning easier for them. However, they (generally) have less life experience. They haven't had the time to participate in other skills that help build on Parkour. For example, Ozzi did some tumbling, breakdance, martial arts, and all that allowed him to get where he is now in what, two years, barely. Naturally, you've got some additional wisdom.

Overall, it comes back to being individual and seeing it as your path. Its hard to look around, for sure. I mean, it happens to me too. I'm a young 18 year old doing double kongs to you, but I look at my class, see 12 year old McKenzie doing perfect frontflips and vaults and rolls with no previous training and 3 months of Parkour training, and I'm now in the same spot as you. Just gotta find a way to rejoice it, and defeat that natural competitive nature we have, especially as guys. Like Leon said, some people just learn naturally fast. Gotta find a way to love that. Not easy.

But keep it up. If it makes you feel better, you guys really surprised me. As I said before, you guys were really fast learners, I was sincerely impressed, and really hope to get the chance to work with you all some more.

[andrew le]

thanks adam 

it really means a lot to me and my guys to hear that 

and i had no idea ozzi was that old! lol

on another note while we were training today a 35 year old man came running up to us and wanted to learn, he had that same fire in his eyes im sure we all had when we started vaulting small rails and fences! lol

and more over he actually started sharing with us some rock climbing maneuvers (which, if you ask me, would be an incredible addition to the repertoire of movements we can learn). so in that small instance it really lightened my heart and took this whole age thing out the window lol