American Parkour

Regardless of what info you've given us (or haven't given us), anyone can start Parkour.  Can everyone become Danny Illabaca in a year?  No.  Just do your research and cross check any advice you get, because people say a lot of things here.  Heck, you don't even need to trust me, but in my opinion, anyone can do Parkour, but at what level depends on you.  Start SLOWLY and progress steadily.  Learn how to roll first and foremost, learn about how your body moves, work on building strength, balance, flexibility, agility, and power.  Check out the article "Skill Guidelines for Building Strong, Useful, Adaptable Athletes" on www.eatmoveimprove.com and use that as a basis for training.  Check out youtube tutorials and ASK QUESTIONS (but don't necessarily take the first piece of advice you get).  If you can, find an experienced traceur in your community to learn from, but know that you can only learn so much from someone else until you get to know yourself better - how you function, your strengths and weaknesses, etc.  You can try out Mark Rippetoe's Starting Strength if you want as FastGuppy recommended, but I personally don't believe you need a hardcore weight program if you're just starting.  I wouldn't go out of my way to join a gym or anything if you haven't started any Parkour skill work and don't know where you're at athletically, but that's totally your call. 

There is a wealth of resources out there.  Use them, but also do your research to make sure they're legit.  Most importantly, HAVE FUN!  If you're not enjoying it, find something else you like, but definitely make it a priority to work out at something you like that will also get you fit, be it biking, hiking, climbing, etc.

Good luck!

Because SS is the topic for this post, I'll pose my questions here, as I don't want to start another of the same.  I will admit first that I do not have the book yet, but am definitely interested, even though I have always hated the notion of weight training.  I'm slowly becoming convinced, and have a desire to get stronger, but more importantly more powerful as an end result.  Here are my questions:

1.  Does Rippetoe mention anything in scheduling a program about cross-training and/or allowing training for other sports (or just doing the sports themselves)?  In one of the links posted for the strength training for women post (see below), the article regarding lifting programs mentioned that rest days are rest days (no other training), with 3 days of lifting a week. 

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ:The_Program#Three_Flavors_of_Starting_Strength

2.  If that's the case, when are we supposed to do Parkour, the passion for which we are lifting in the first place?  For me to commit to getting a gym membership and start following this program (or one that will be highly efficient and beneficial), I need to know that I can still rock climb, do Parkour, run, and generally enjoy the outdoor activities I love.  Any thoughts?

Ickiss, I just sent you a pm with my info.  I'd be glad to participate.

Let me know ahead of time what you're looking for, questions you want me to consider, etc.  I'm a man who likes to be prepared.

One detail to consider is landing.  If you're konging over something to a surface that is below your starting point aka a drop, it's always safer and easier on the body to land on two feet, thereby distributing the load more evenly.  It does kill your stride, but puts you in a better position to roll out.  Otherwise, keep the stride by all means, because a two-foot landing from a kong is just plain awkward. 

Although totally off-topic from the original post, the simplest exercise for eye-strengthening that was recommended to me by my ophthalmologist is the pencil test.  Hold a pencil out as far as you can and focus on the eraser.  Then move it closer to you until it's right between your eyes.  It will help strengthen the muscles that cause your eye to focus.  I'm sure there are others, but that's the simplest one I was informed of when I asked about it, because I've started losing the ability to focus as quickly as I used to (that's what old age will do to you).

 

I'm gonna do my best to be there, although still injured. 

I will stress creativity, creativity, creativity!  You may not have an excellent training area, but you can find little things along the way.  Plan a walking/running route around a few small spots where you can work on a few movements.  Precision jumps are everywhere!  Playgrounds are a great place to start.  Just stop and look around for a long while and let your mind consider all the different movements one can do with Parkour, and then apply them to your area.  The single greatest thing you should train constantly is your mind.  Unless you're in an open field, there will always be things you can do (although you could still do QM in a field), such as running jumps or precisions from or onto curbs, tic tacs on any stable wall, wall runs, QM everywhere!

From my own personal experience, I would say find a place that's quiet, where you can be alone, at least while you're training.  It helps with focus, and you won't feel weird about doing something that might look stupid at first.  I trained completely alone for at least 4 months before joining anyone else, or really doing it in front of anyone else if I could avoid it.

The important thing is just to train!  Even if it's just the APK warm-up at home.  Make a point then to join the group at weekly jams, once you're ready.

Hope that helps.

A few thoughts from a lifelong winter outdoorsman:

Two of the greatest inventions on earth for feet:

1. Smartwool socks - they're a little spendy, but totally worth it.  I wear them almost exclusively.  They make every variety from heavy trekking socks to low-cut running socks.  Experiment to see what you like.  Midwest Mountaineering will be having it's Fall Expo in November, and they always have a deal on them, usually buy one get one half off.

2.  Nikwax brand waterproofing for shoes - This is by far the most reliable product for waterproofing shoes.  There are several different varieties depending on what your shoes are made of.  Of course, if your shoes have a lot of mesh, nothing will work well, because there's too much air space between it.  That's why I recommend shoes that are mostly leather or at least solid fabric of some kind.  It needs to be re-applied usually once a year, but one container has lasted me for the last 10 years.

In regard to staying warm in the winter, it doesn't need to be too complicated or high tech.  I would say don't waste your time with Gore Tex jackets and such for PK.  A good windbreaker (old or from Goodwill) to keep wind out is fine, and if you're doing serious PK, you don't want anything too nice because it might get ripped.  I've used my Pearlizumi brand windbreaker and it's held up just fine.  Gore Tex tends to be less breathable and will get really hot quickly. 

Personally, I think face masks are useless, because the moisture in your breath freezes and then have a big ice chunk over your mouth.  And Chad, that bit about moisture crystalizing in your lungs is BS.  I've been a Nordic skier since I was 5 and have trained in up to -40 weather without covering my mouth (cheeks, chin and the rest of my face were, however).  My lungs are just fine.  If your lungs are cold enough for moisture to crystalize, you'd be dead already.  The easiest way to dealing with the cold is by getting outside regularly now as it starts to get colder.  Acclimatize yourself gradually with cardio work where you're forced to breath a little heavier and your body will adjust.  Also focus on breathing through your nose, as Vexar said.  For the face, try some Vaseline or Dermatone.  They keep in heat and moisture, even in biting winds.

As for a few other things:
Gloves: find lightweight Windstopper gloves (my Nordic ski gloves are Windstopper and they rule) and use synthetic liners.  In terms of grip, there's not a lot you can do, but I've found that a little duct tape will help for durability, although not great for grip.

Pants: Try polypropelene long underwear.  It's not annoying like lycra-based layers like Underarmour, but it's still warm, moisture-wicking, and feels more like cotton against the skin.  A decent pair of windpants will work too.  Most good brands will all be decently water-resistant, meaning they'll be fine in snow.  Not so great if you're on wet ground from rain or melting snow though. 

Chad is right about wearing layers.  I usually go as light as possible as not to restrict movement, but I'll always keep an extra layer on hand (fleece vest, extra socks, etc.).  The most important thing about winter clothing though is NO COTTON!  It soaks up moisture and stays cold.  If you have to wear it, make sure you have a couple of synthetic layers against your skin.  Cotton can be quite dangerous in wet, cold conditions.

If you can, carry a warm drink with you.  That will help a lot too.  Save the hot toddies for afterward though. 

By the way, I'm in Midway now too and would love to explore.  I've been out running and on the bike a bit to check stuff out, but I haven't found any huge havens yet, only individual objects that are spread out or highly visible areas on major roads, mostly retail (=boo).  Keep the ideas coming, and I'll be back in touch when I find something I like in the area.

I'll work on finding at least a few areas within a close distance and will set up a jam at some point (I hope).

Uh, Skinny...River Falls is only half an hour away, or are you riding a scooter with a top speed of 30?