Parkour and Freerunning > Age 30+

Welcome Quatrogenarians!

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Mark Toorock:
We get a reasonable amount of email form people past the 4-0 mark who are looking to keep active and find that Parkour / Freerunning are a perfect fit. After all, who really wants to let go of their natrual playfulness and adventurous spirit?

Personally I had to use my fake id to get in this forum, another 4 years before I rightfully belong, but hopefully you'll allow me to participate as I am a pretty active member here :)

For anyone who is not 40, please feel free to read, but not participate in the discussions, as that would be against the point of giving the older folks a home of their own. Of course if they ask for other people's opinions then feel free. I'll be keeping an eye out in here just to see how this goes.

dwellens:
If AARP-league mid-50's guys fall into this category I guess this is where I belong.

M2 asked me to make a contribution (because of my "old & advanced years").

My first exposure to PK came on an episode of CSI-NY.  When I saw those guys "effortlessly" turn running into an "art-form" I was hooked.  I've been able to stay physically active all my life by eating pretty good, not overdoing it, and finding activities that I LOVE to do--that's the key.  If you love it--you'll do it.  If you think you SH0ULD be doing something--and actually hate it--you won't do it.  It's that simple.  I bodysurf & play basketball just about everyday.  I love them both, they're EASY (convenient) for me to do, and I manage to work them into my schedule.

With regards to PK, I practice "injury-avoidance" at all costs--'cause when you're hurt, you can't play--major bummer.  I simply try to incorporate about 5-6 basic moves whenever I am "out-and-about".  A good example.  Two weekends ago I had to take a late-night flight to Reno, and then drive 4 hours the next day to my sisters wedding.  Waking up at the CircusCircus Casino (where we spent the night) I could not get out of that place FAST enough.  I hit the streets about 6:00am, soon found a nearby public park that had the most outrageous jungle-gym setup I have ever seen.  It had a least six different slides from six different towers, a rockclimbing wall and a huge assortment of ascending and descending apparatus surrounding it.  I was all over that thing like a monkey for about 20 minutes, breaking a quick sweat in the 40 degree morning air.  A park lady showed up to pick up trash, clean the bathrooms, etc. and probably thought to herself "aren't you a little old for that?"

I "fled" the scene only to discover a large empty parking lot next to a construction site that had a huge pile of monster boulders dumped into it (probably for a future landscaping project).  I started by "rock-hopping" from one leg to the other--then as I got my "sea legs", started doing cat leaps from one boulder to another.  Totally awesome!!--Different elevations, different distances, different landing configurations--a great workout and great fun!  The construction workers who were just showing up for the day probably thought I was on CRACK!!...Nope, just having fun...

On my way back to the casino, I passed through the adjacent parking garage which was mostly empty.  I discovered a great railing setup (with a sloping ramp), where I practiced various-height monkey-vaults, speed vaults, and turn vaults.  I also did some simple "balance walks" on some car barriers that were about 3' off the ground.  It was a great PK creative workout--the reason I LOVE it.
Us "senior citizens" need to take special heed with regards to the more "extreme" moves displayed on most PK videos.  You don't need to backflip off a building to have a great time.  Remember, you want to live to "see another day".

Mahalo,
dwellens
"Wild Hare"

Jumpin Jiminy:
Ok, I admit it, I'm 40, but I feel 25; in better shape than when I was 25 cycling 30 miles daily.  I hope to feel 24 next year.  :) 
I have been crossfiting for 2.5 months and just happened upon this site a couple weeks ago.  I started working out at the parks more than the gym lately and have been attempting to parkour on the beams and odd obstacles.  Today part of the crossfit WOD was 24" box jumps and instead I tried precisions on the sharp edge of a ramp.  Well, I forgot to jump off once and fell on my tail bone.  The rest of the workout slowed to a crawl. 

This remined me of when I fell off my 5' giraffe unicycle right onto the asphalt a couple years ago.  Also it reminded me of the spill I had in the mountains unicycling after some hikers and mountain bikes - this is called MUNI - an actual sport involving somewhat hazardous tricks with a unicycle in whatever surroundings; quite like parkour. 

So I have been unicycling for 25 years or so off and on, have a nice collection of them now but not riding much lately.  The idea of being able to to fantastic tricks amongst my surroundings with just my body was intriguing and thus here I am. 

I have been working on my muscle-up with a gravitron and just pulled off a 40# assist the other day.  Also working on pullups and handstand pushups as well as sprinting along with the standard crossift WOD.  I have been looking at trying to incorporate APK WOD as well, but I'm not quite in that great shape yet. 

I want everyone to know that turning 40 doesn't have to be like most couch potatoes.  I am sure that I am in better condition than 99% of those at my age, and my intention is to feel and look younger for the next 300 to 500  years.  You think I'm kidding?   Well, as long as I stay active and keep a good diet - paleo by the way and incorporating intermittent fasting, my health is going up as evidenced by improved strength, endurance, flexibility, accuracy and occasional blood tests to check cholesterol and blood sugars.

I look forward to this ever encouraging community and way of life.  Now go jump!

dwellens:
Well, just when you thought you've seen it all--MUNI?--mountain unicycling?

One piece of important advice us "older guys" can certainly pass on to the younger crew is injury avoidance.  Lack of it catches up to you BIG TIME when you get older (if you are lucky to live that long).  All of the bumps, scrapes, bruises, strains, tears, and need I say BROKEN things all come back to haunt you in a BIG way later--do not be fooled!!!  Youth is unfortunately "wasted" on the young.  IF you gain a little bit of wisdom down the road, you WILL look back and be somewhat embarrassed at some of the ridiculous shit you pulled (or tried to pull) "in the days of your youth".  It would be interesting to follow up on (if anybody does) all those who are (& have been) participating in "X-Games" activities of any sort over the last decade and see how they are "doing" when they reach 40.  Are they moving about in a "walker" or on crutches from all of the trauma they subjected themselves to? 

I once followed basketball great Bill Walton through the metal detector at the airport about 5 years ago and he could barely walk!  I also got to know Walt Sweeney, an ex-San Diego Charger from the 60's era, who, in his late 40's could also barely walk.  I know an early 20-something who has been participating in BMX-style X-games who has had 12 major bone breaks!  He is NOT going to be a happy camper IF he reaches 40.  LISTEN!!!  YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LIVE FOREVER AND YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE FROM INJURY AND YOU CANNOT LEAP TALL BUILDINGS IN A SINGLE BOUND EVEN IF YOU STICK THE LANDING!!!  There are residual consequences for overdoing EVERYTHING!

Being a bodysurfer, I have had the extreme pleasure of meeting and getting to know Bobby Beathard who was the general manager of 7 different Super Bowl teams throughout his illustrious career with the Chiefs, Redskins, Dolphins & Chargers.  This last weekend he won the 65+ and older division of the World Bodysurfing Championships held in Oceanside, CA. at the ripe old age of 69!!!, and he is in GREAT shape.  All of his extra-curricular "fun" activities over the years have been low-impact, relatively "safe" endeavours that have NOT beat him to death. Traceurs take note.  PK taken to the EXTREME WILL beat you to death and leave you hobbling around by the time you are 40 if you are not careful. 

One important approach to PK that you may or may not already incorporate is don't segregate in your head your designated daily "workout" separate from your regular daily life.  Whenever I am "out & about" running errands of ANY sort, I am always thinking PK.  Whether it be going to the store, school, church, dentist appointment--whatever--I always RUN from my truck looking for PK opportunities even if my destination is only 25 yards from where I parked.  I'll run along a curb, ALWAYS run up or down any stairs by 2's, leap over ANY railing opportunity, vault over anything on the way, tictac off of whatever--it doesn't matter!!  Remember--this is what makes PK fun.  Your "workouts develop your skills" so you can incorporate them into the REST of your life.  Have FUN out there, and BE CAREFUL!  YOU want to also be able to contribute to this forum when YOU are 40+--and not from a wheelchair!

Mahalo,
Wild Hare (a mid 50's something)
It's all about FUN.

totalsuper:
WOW!!! I am really stoked reading your stories! I'm only 37, so like M2 I'm not quite there either, but it is SO encouraging to read your stories and see that as a thirtysomething, I'm not too old for PK, and that in fact, with continued practice, it only gets BETTER! Thank you so much for your participation!  ;D

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