Hello to everyone, it's a pleasure to meet you. My 'name' is Mikalhvi - I found this forum and website when googling 'parkour training'.
Ever since I played the first Assassin's Creed, I've been sold on the idea of urban 'free-running' and dreamed of it beforehand. Surely, there had to be a way to get above the crowd? To use those buildings to my advantage? Then I saw the discussions of Parkour. I thought it was just a myth, urban legend at first.
But then I saw a video of real people, doing real parkour, and I set a goal.
I'm 21 now, my 22nd birthday is in October; my goal is to be fit enough for and proficient enough to safely 'do' parkour by my 25th birthday. I'm not in good shape at the moment but I have some genetics working in my favor; I have thick, sturdy bones due do my dutch heritage on my fathers' side and a good amount of flexibility. I have never suffered joint displacement or torn muscles and there is no history of brittle bones or osteoporosis in my family. I can lift 40+ pounds of solid weight and carry it, closer to 80 or 100 if it is a two-person job and I have assistance. When trained up, I will have pretty decent stamina I imagine; I can walk for several hours without being tired in my current condition. And all of this is naturally-existing for me - I have a rather lazy (in terms of physical activity) lifestyle where more often than not meal choices are 'what is available' and not what is healthy.
Compared to most people as 'out of shape' as me, I think I've got a pretty good starting point. Particularly for a female.
I will start by just exercising in the recently improved park, maybe attempt to train on the jungle gym when there's not kids playing on it. Aside from the obvious, like not pigging out on junk food or drinking a 2-liter of soda to myself, any other suggestions? I will keep a 'fitness diary' here if anyone is interested!
And I've gotten a bit long-winded so I will end it here. Again, nice to meet everyone! ^_^
