SafeNSure's Posts - Bay Area Parkour2024-03-28T17:54:28ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSurehttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/62511037?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://baparkour.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=1qunrwq84hwu1&xn_auth=noParkour Generations' Stephane Vigroux "awakening"tag:baparkour.ning.com,2013-12-15:2070047:BlogPost:1127042013-12-15T18:00:00.000ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSure
<p>[<em>Note for readers new to Parkour, or who are just recently getting familiar with the </em><em>discipline</em>:]<br></br> <strong>Stephane Vigroux</strong> was born and raised in France, learnt Parkour in Lisses with <strong>David Belle</strong> [arguably the initiator of the discipline as such], beginning in 1998, and has been part of the early growth of the discipline.</p>
<p><span>He then relocated to London, UK where he co-founded Pakour Generations [arguably the most successful Pakour…</span></p>
<p>[<em>Note for readers new to Parkour, or who are just recently getting familiar with the </em><em>discipline</em>:]<br/> <strong>Stephane Vigroux</strong> was born and raised in France, learnt Parkour in Lisses with <strong>David Belle</strong> [arguably the initiator of the discipline as such], beginning in 1998, and has been part of the early growth of the discipline.</p>
<p><span>He then relocated to London, UK where he co-founded Pakour Generations [arguably the most successful Pakour coaching -and performing- enterprise worldwide].</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span>"<em>...Let me explain what parkour really is: <strong>parkour is a movement-based practice aiming to help make individuals physically and mentally stronger, becoming balanced and rounded human beings who then help the community and others with those strong foundations</strong>. </em></span></p>
<p><em>It's a pretty broad definition and am sure many think; “yeah, that's me, I'm doing this”. But think again. Details make the difference. Parkour is a MENTALITY. A state of mind, a culture of hard work and effort, which is what made it possible to exist in the first place. Without this mentality, if it was only based on the terribly hollow and superficial events and message represented by the Redbull mentality, it would have never been created.</em></p>
<p><em>Again, it visually looks the same, but what is happening behind the jump in each practitioner's mind is for me what defines whether you are doing parkour or not. It is a mentality that you could find in many different activities or persons, and this is the essence of parkour. Not the damn jump!</em></p>
<p><em>Parkour should be more personal, focusing on the inner work everyone has to do to be a stronger being in a wide range of ways. This is a mentality. And you could find this mentality in painting, writing, boxing...etc. Pretty much in everything we do, in fact.</em></p>
<p><em>Having a conversation with my friend Ido Portal recently confirmed it to me. It is really not about what you do, but HOW you do things. With what intention and state of mind. I feel closer and relate more to any person who practices any activity with this similar mindset than to any Redbullion type I could meet.</em></p>
<p><em>When I look at Youtube and when I type parkour or freerunning, I can not relate or feel close to what shows up 99.99% of the time. Why? What we do is completely different from the inside.<br/> While in parkour we are trying to understand more about ourselves, get more confidence, be a happier person, stronger on many levels of our life, the other sort are feeding their egos with short term performances that will only lead to more suffering and eventually the end of their movement and of their good health.</em></p>
<p><span><em>There is an obvious SPLIT between what we do now. The word parkour has been overused and misused. It has lost strength and meaning. The identity of parkour has been stolen and exploited.</em><br/> <em>These misportrayals are today actually representing everything we were fighting against at the early stage of the creation of parkour. Those big brands selling our own culture back to us, trapping us in the consumption of their products, trying to own and abuse the image of parkour to seel energy drinks, gambling casinos, indoor gyms... The more you follow this mentality, the less you are free and strong...</em>"</span></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.parkourgenerations.com/node/9371" target="_blank">Read whole post >></a></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>If interested, read the almost contemporary letter to the Frerunning community by <strong>Sebastien Foucan</strong>, regarded in the community as the initiator of Frerunning, about the recent evolution of Parkour/Freerunning at the expense <span>of their original values. </span></p>
<p><span><strong><a href="http://www.parkourtrain.net/1791/sebastien-foucan-letter.html" target="_blank">Read letter >></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span>(<a href="http://www.fedeparkour.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146:sebfoucan&catid=36:newssite&Itemid=61" target="_blank">here in French >></a>)</span></p>Enjoy your Parkour spots until you can...tag:baparkour.ning.com,2013-07-08:2070047:BlogPost:1110112013-07-08T05:00:00.000ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSure
<p>...and I'm not referring to <a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/forum/topics/st-happens-be-prepared" target="_self">other mayhem</a> I have addressed previously, or to the fact that you may not be living around the same area (including the Bay's) forever, or you may even -God forbid!- quit Parkour (GASP!). :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I just noticed that our urban surroundings change as much as our natural ones.<br></br> If you wait enough, urban planners, speculations, or road and facilities improvements…</p>
<p>...and I'm not referring to <a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/forum/topics/st-happens-be-prepared" target="_self">other mayhem</a> I have addressed previously, or to the fact that you may not be living around the same area (including the Bay's) forever, or you may even -God forbid!- quit Parkour (GASP!). :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I just noticed that our urban surroundings change as much as our natural ones.<br/> If you wait enough, urban planners, speculations, or road and facilities improvements will take away that familiar spot that you really used to like.<br/>
And I know that "the world is our playground", but some of us happen to love some corners of that playground better than others (that came out a bit creepy... lol!).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So it goes with our next week training location <a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/events/basic-training-7-14" target="_self">Lower Presidio</a><span style="font-size: 13px;">: we have been training here forever, and discovered a pretty unique semi-covered area for training in rainy days, when the old freeway ramp to the GG bridge was still standing. That is gone by quite some time, and other two close-by areas that we liked are getting a complete makeover.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">See for yourself:</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72166944?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72166944?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">This is what is left from the road that used to bring from the Presidio to Crissy Field center (closed, but still visible on the left).</span></p>
<p><font size="2">The orange portapotty is where we used to train wallruns, at </font>various<font size="2"> heights, with or without that in-between lift.</font></p>
<p><font size="2">The area was nicely portrayed in Just Steve's video some (good) time ago: <a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/video/presidio-parkour-just-steve" target="_self">http://baparkour.ning.com/video/presidio-parkour-just-steve</a><br/></font> <object width="456" height="260" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param><param name="src" value="http://static.ning.com/socialnetworkmain/widgets/video/flvplayer/flvplayer.swf?xn_version=3704000907"></param><param name="flashvars" value="config=http%3A%2F%2Fbaparkour.ning.com%2Fvideo%2Fvideo%2FshowPlayerConfig%3Fid%3D2070047%253AVideo%253A43267%26ck%3D-&video_smoothing=on&autoplay=off&hideShareLink=1&isEmbedCode=1"></param><param name="scale" value="noscale"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="false"></param><param name="pluginspage" value="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></param><embed wmode="opaque" width="456" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://static.ning.com/socialnetworkmain/widgets/video/flvplayer/flvplayer.swf?xn_version=3704000907" flashvars="config=http%3A%2F%2Fbaparkour.ning.com%2Fvideo%2Fvideo%2FshowPlayerConfig%3Fid%3D2070047%253AVideo%253A43267%26ck%3D-&video_smoothing=on&autoplay=off&hideShareLink=1&isEmbedCode=1" scale="noscale" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"></embed> </object>
</p>
<p>And where did the building visible in the video go? Demolished?!?<br/> (Yeah, the one with the never-ending handrail, which we discovered later, but had learned to work with so well...)<br/>
Nope, only <em>relocated</em> 200 yards South (AT A 90 DEGREES ANGLE), prodigal preservation engineering feat for sure.<br/>
But I'm afraid the rail is gone.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72166949?profile=original" target="_self"><font size="2"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72166949?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></font></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72167102?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72167102?profile=original" class="align-left"/></a></p>
<p><font size="2">Of the 7 "stations" dotted in red in our location thumbnail, 3 are gone, and one we didn't even get it in there before it was gone.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p>O<span style="font-size: small;">h well, enjoy your Parkour spots until you can...</span></p>
<p><font size="2">;)</font></p>Right, wrong and avoiding confrontationstag:baparkour.ning.com,2011-08-22:2070047:BlogPost:874562011-08-22T18:00:00.000ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSure
<p><a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/xn/detail/2070047:Event:86306" target="_self">Yesterday</a>, after 4+ years training and volunteering in coordinating parkour sessions, I finally ended up in a verbal altercation with an annoying onlooker, who wouldn't quit complaining about the presumably "inconsiderate" behavior of our group.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the past (and maybe also thanks to my older age and relative experience with life, work and differently opinionated individuals), I did manage…</p>
<p><a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/xn/detail/2070047:Event:86306" target="_self">Yesterday</a>, after 4+ years training and volunteering in coordinating parkour sessions, I finally ended up in a verbal altercation with an annoying onlooker, who wouldn't quit complaining about the presumably "inconsiderate" behavior of our group.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the past (and maybe also thanks to my older age and relative experience with life, work and differently opinionated individuals), I did manage very well, not only not getting involved in long and heartfelt discussion (often starting right in the middle of a good training session), but also dissuading others to get involved themselves.</p>
<p>Not yesterday.</p>
<p>And not because I was more edgy than always, unhappy or maybe bringing in some personal "baggage" from home, just because I was unprepared.</p>
<p>[for other types of lack of preparation, <a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/forum/topics/st-happens-be-prepared" target="_self">see here</a>]</p>
<p>I had forgotten that <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">the best way to approach a confrontation, and ultimately the only 100% sure way to win it, is avoiding it</span></strong>. (<- <em>this is the essence of this post, no need to read further, aside out of curiosity, and for some insight about the matter of content</em>).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What happened:</p>
<p>After a quick, but thorough warm-up, we started working with a small group of beginners (and a couple absolute novices), initiating them to the challenge of "climbing trees as adults".</p>
<p>Running up to their most solid branches, cautiously using our forward/upward momentum, carefully yet rapidly evaluating our feet placement, using at least three limbs to (a.) distribute weight, (b.) lower our center of gravity, (c.) increase balance. Then progressing to poorly imitating our genetic ancestors (apes) and traversing the low (5ft. high max.) flexible, but solid branches in a variety of quadrupedal movements.</p>
<p>[for examples of trees-work at the same location, <a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/video/more-trees" target="_self">see here</a>; for a different type, <a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/video/campanile-tree" target="_self">see here</a>]</p>
<p>That's when we got approached by an elderly, apparently interested, dog-walker and clearly nature-lover (who is carrying a tiny dog in his pouch and other two on a leash), who inquired about "<em>who is the person in charge</em>". Now, BApk gatherings are clearly autonomous and spontaneous ad hoc meet-ups of anyone interested in Parkour. Even if somebody volunteers setting them up and steering them, everybody is responsible for their own acts. Nevertheless the most experienced practitioners try to set an example and offer their time and limited knowledge to guide the practice and support everybody's progression. Unfortunately that may look to an outsider as if those few volunteers would be "in charge", while they are not.</p>
<p>Anyway, after overhearing three or four attempts of starting a conversation with others about how "<em>unnatural</em>" would be running/climbing/jumping on trees, I got directly confronted buy this individual, who gets in my way and approaches me saying "<em>you seem to be in charge</em>". At that point I should have applied the golden rule above and moved along, or moved to some other type of exercise, in order to pacify him or maybe even having him leave for good, which would have allowed to go back to the same activities (or not, based on the mood and circumstances of the moment).</p>
<p>Instead, I made the capital mistake of asking him if "<em>he was seriously telling us that we shouldn't climb on trees, even if it obviously didn't constitute a danger to anybody, not even to ourselves, given the low level of the practice</em>?".</p>
<p>Why was this a mistake?</p>
<p>Because if somebody had enough nerve to confront a group of energetic young(er) individuals, interrupting their obviously playful yet orderly activity with an issue, ANY issue that he or she thought valuable, their only real goal is imposing that issue on you: passively, having us stop and move, or actively, getting us in a never-ending argument.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I was tricked by the logic that "<em>if trees are a part of nature, so am I, and if I like to climb them and play on them, without tools of sort and making any effort of not damaging them, I don't see why I couldn't</em>". The logic seemed so strong that I even induced that there might not be a single line forbidding trees climbing in any (and especially not in San Francisco's) municipal code, which eventually escalated even more the altercation with threats of involving authorities (cops or park rangers), if we wouldn't desist. Adding as a nice closing that he "<em>hadn't see that done in 25 years of park walking</em>" (like if that would prove anything).</p>
<p>So after more arguing and insults (I had never been told to "<em>eff off</em>" by a 70+ years old man, but I guess that happens getting closer to that age...), and attempts on my side to understand why this bitter and upset individual was so hard trying to ruin everybody's Sunday, we left, or better I did, since I was so aggravated and angry with myself for having been sucked in the confrontation that I had do go on my own somewhere else (I ended up training a good one and half hour by myself, before being re-joined by my fellow practitioners, saving eventually the day...).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In conclusion, I not only behaved illogically, because of the above mentioned reasons, but I was also wrong: <a href="http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/California/park/parkcode?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:sanfrancisco_ca$sync=1" target="_blank">San Francisco Municipal Code does prohibit trees climbing</a> (SEC. 4.01.(f) among many other types of "<em>disorderly conduct</em>", daily seen in parks or around the city); it might be because of the usual limited liability acceptance by institutions in the US; or because of the connected fear of lawsuits; maybe to prevent people climbing trees while intoxicated during concerts or festivals for their own safety; or to avoid having spectators climbing them to watch paid events (some Californian trees <em>are</em> very high). It doesn't matter...</p>
<p>Arguing differently was not only an illogical waste of time and energy, but in this case I was also wrong (which is not to say that one can't do it, but one has to be accountable for it).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Note to self: when hearing complains about one's practice, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">always</span> politely excuse yourself, and move on to the next set of obstacles.</p>
<p>There's no shortage of those.</p>FREE - Adidas Basketball Shoes, size 10.5tag:baparkour.ning.com,2010-05-12:2070047:BlogPost:619862010-05-12T23:30:00.000ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSure
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Adidas Floater OG, Black, US size 10.5</span> ("<span style="font-style: italic;">true to size</span>", apparently...)<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br></br><br></br></span>Value $65, bought them too big a couple of months ago.<br></br>:(<br></br><br></br>Never worn as kicks, just for playing ball indoor.<br></br>Used maybe 10 times.<br></br><br></br><a href="http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/men-adidas-floater-og-basketball-shoe-reviews">Reviews>></a><br></br><br></br>FREE!<br></br>Reply here…
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Adidas Floater OG, Black, US size 10.5</span> ("<span style="font-style: italic;">true to size</span>", apparently...)<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br/><br/></span>Value $65, bought them too big a couple of months ago.<br/>:(<br/><br/>Never worn as kicks, just for playing ball indoor.<br/>Used maybe 10 times.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/men-adidas-floater-og-basketball-shoe-reviews">Reviews>></a><br/><br/>FREE!<br/>Reply here or per direct message.<br/>(First come, first serve; pick up at Sunday session)<br/><br/><p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72166942?profile=original" alt=""/></p>
<br/>2 Tips on How to Enhance your Jumptag:baparkour.ning.com,2010-04-22:2070047:BlogPost:611102010-04-22T15:00:00.000ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSure
...directly from my SPAM folder (<i>go figure!</i>)<br></br>
<br></br>
Are you a<span style="font-style: italic;">n</span> <s>competitive</s> athlete who wants to jump higher? You can increase your vertical/<span style="font-style: italic;">horizontal</span> leap a lot faster than you may think and I will show you 2 exercises that help you do just that.<br></br>
Some people can naturally jump higher than others but both natural jumpers and non-jumpers alike can benefit from a plyometric exercise routine.…
...directly from my SPAM folder (<i>go figure!</i>)<br/>
<br/>
Are you a<span style="font-style: italic;">n</span> <s>competitive</s> athlete who wants to jump higher? You can increase your vertical/<span style="font-style: italic;">horizontal</span> leap a lot faster than you may think and I will show you 2 exercises that help you do just that.<br/>
Some people can naturally jump higher than others but both natural jumpers and non-jumpers alike can benefit from a plyometric exercise routine. Let's look at the first exercise that will help you increase your vert.<br/>
<br/>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Squats</span><br/>
- These aren't normal squats of 3 sets of 10. These are designed to produce more power in your legs to make you jump higher not to get big legs. So to produce speed and strength you have to train them differently. This means you will be [<span style="font-style: italic;">using the same weight you would 'regularly', but</span>] <span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">lowering the reps</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">to 6 and</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">increasing the speed</span> with which you do them. You will notice that they become much harder to do but they are teaching your legs speed and you need <span style="font-weight: bold;">fast muscles</span> to jump higher.<br/>
<br style="text-decoration: underline;"/><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Box Jumps</span><br/> - These are very important for training you legs to have powerful reflexes. When it boils down to it, jumping is all about reflexology. When you bend you knees before you jump your reflexes react and cause you legs to strengthen. You want this to occur as quickly as possible and with as much power as possible. What causes it to react with more power? Having all your muscles fire at the exact same time will produce more power. Jumping onto boxes will train the muscle fibers to fire in unison. These will also be done in sets of <span style="font-weight: bold;">low reps</span> from 6 to 8. You want to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">jump higher not longer, so stay away from the high rep exercises</span>.<br/><br/><link to "jump-enhancing" dietetic product -<span style="font-style: italic;">omitted</span>> <br/>:)<br/>Little Women (grow up)tag:baparkour.ning.com,2010-02-24:2070047:BlogPost:589742010-02-24T20:30:00.000ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSure
On a recent, brief family vacation I watched some ESPN boxing on TV, which I like doing, but I rarely do.<br></br><br></br>Randomly, I ended up following a whole 10 rounds match that kept my attention, for a combination of reasons:<br></br>- it was competitive female boxing (didn't watch that since the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405159/" style="font-style: italic;">Million Dollar Baby</a>)<br></br>- it was for the World Title (albeit juvenile)<br></br>- the defending champion was Mexican (and I was in…
On a recent, brief family vacation I watched some ESPN boxing on TV, which I like doing, but I rarely do.<br/><br/>Randomly, I ended up following a whole 10 rounds match that kept my attention, for a combination of reasons:<br/>- it was competitive female boxing (didn't watch that since the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405159/">Million Dollar Baby</a>)<br/>- it was for the World Title (albeit juvenile)<br/>- the defending champion was Mexican (and I was in Mexico at the time)<br/>- 'flyweights' are very technical and fast, and don't get tired or heavy/slow easily<br/><br/>Over the course of the match I was impressed by the technical skills and the confidence of the runner-up, a young Thai girl (19), 110¼ pounds, with a limited professional experience (less than one year, 5 matches, 4 wins /one loss, no KO), <a href="http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=491501&cat=boxer">Kanittha Tungsongtaksin</a>.<br/><br/>Kanittha eventually lost to defending world champion Irma Sanchez (professional since 2006, 21 matches, 17 won, 5 KO, who dropped three categories through the years) at the points.<br/>In my opinion Kanittha lost because she was playing 'guest', and -yes- because her right punch still doesn't have the bite that it takes, but she boxed substantially better and very bravely...<br/>(see for yourself... whole 10 rounds available on YT, this was my favourite)<br/><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UwQDpcugmWM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UwQDpcugmWM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
<br/>Anyway... you must understand my surprise the following day, when I see a tiny Thai lady walk around our resort's dining room! <br/>:O <br/><br/>Not only she was staying there, but she had been preparing the match from the hotel facilities, without being minimally noticeable. That night we approached her and her entourage at the lounge, and complimented her for the good match, finding her very humble (yet proud), and -as you can see- hardly "beaten up", after less than 24 hours from the match.<br/><p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72167019?profile=original" alt=""/></p>
(yet, please note her knuckles...)<br/><br/>Finally, aside the pleasant and entertaining coincidence, as a father of a young girl, it's difficult not to think about how would it be like -<span style="font-style: italic;">not if your daughter would wanna do that, but</span>- if <i style="font-weight: bold;">she</i> would be "your girl": going through the surely gruesome trainings, dealing with the ups-and-downs, putting up with the -not exactly sophisticated- environment, etc.<br/><br/>Anyway, an interesting reality check; way better than most (<i>99.9%</i>?) of my fewer-and-fewer ESPN nights.<br/>Calluses or (worse) "Rips" anybody? (re-run)tag:baparkour.ning.com,2009-03-31:2070047:BlogPost:437302009-03-31T20:25:20.000ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSure
<i>...this has been published ages ago on 'another forum' but the content is all mine, and I hear the topic is still interesting, thus I've gladly 'recycled' it.</i><br />
[advice: gross, but useful content follows...] :)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Calluses and 'Rips'</u></b>:<br />
...so: you finally had your first Parkour-related torn (hand-)callus yesterday?<br />
Hurts like hell, it's more or less bloody/messy as your average torn toe-blister from running, or hand-blister from tennis/golfing/you-name-it, and you feel like…
<i>...this has been published ages ago on 'another forum' but the content is all mine, and I hear the topic is still interesting, thus I've gladly 'recycled' it.</i><br />
[advice: gross, but useful content follows...] :)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Calluses and 'Rips'</u></b>:<br />
...so: you finally had your first Parkour-related torn (hand-)callus yesterday?<br />
Hurts like hell, it's more or less bloody/messy as your average torn toe-blister from running, or hand-blister from tennis/golfing/you-name-it, and you feel like you're never going to be able to hold your weight onto anything anymore???<br />
<br />
Good: you just experienced a "<i>rip</i>"...<br />
And well, welcome to the family!<br />
<br />
The difference from the blister you may have met before, is that this needs only to be cleaned, dried, and -one way or the other- 'taped', 'glued', or otherwise protected to allow you to (<i>somehow</i>) get going again;<br />
<u>a torn callus can stop you from several days, to a couple of weeks</u> (<i>or more if you treat it wrong, developing an infection</i>).<br />
<br />
Also, one has to make sure he knows what to do to prevent future "rips".<br />
<br />
So, after running a search on the forum for callus/rip (<i>w/o much result</i>), I thought I'd post the two best sources I found on the Net.<br />
Needless to say, I have my own way, which is a blending of what you can read here, ref.<br />
- treatment (of rips):<br />
<a href="http://www.i-needtoknow.com/gym/article/rips.html">http://www.i-needtoknow.com/gym/article/rips.html</a><br />
<br />
and<br />
- maintenance (of calluses):<br />
<a href="http://www.t-nation.com/tmagnum/readTopic.do?id=776083">http://www.t-nation.com/tmagnum/readTopic.do?id=776083</a><br />
<br />
Have fun reading! My favorite line is: "...<i>this may seem odd and maybe dangerous to some but I regularly slice my calluses of with a single edge razor blade and then go over those areas with a pumice stone to remove high spots. Have not had a tear since 1981</i>." (1-9-8-1!)<br />
I was relieved that I wasn't the only one doing it...<br />
:)<br />
<br />
So what happens when you're growing a callus is, dead skin layering up on 'alive' skin.<br />
When you exercise pressure it hurts a bit, but the worst is when you add sudden friction, because the two skin areas have different flexibility and strength. If your lucky it just hurts more, and it's the sign you should do something about it (<i>trim, scrape, moisturize them..</i>.).<br />
<br />
If you don't <u>the hard callus will rip where it connects to the more tender skin</u> and it will look like this:<br />
[advisory: the following link contains graphic content ] <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/1996712903_b7826a54a7_o.jpg">"ripped flap resting on torn callus"</a><br />
(the redness comes from an ancient antiseptic -that actually works-: Mercuro-Chrome, ref: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merbromin">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merbromin</a>)<br />
<br />
Anyway, when this happens you want to: (1) save your dead skin flap (if possible) and use it to protect the wound (<i>'cause nothing is bio-compatible as your own tissue.</i>..), (2) clean (<i>w/water and mild soap</i>) the wound w/o detaching the flap further, (3) apply an antiseptic, (4) cover it with a sterile bandage, (5) follow all the recommendations in the links above, which come from much more respected source than me...<br />
<br />
But, bottom line: prevention is better than treatment!<br />
<br />
to #3.: pls. note that the source specifies: "<i>please, use a non-perfumed hand lotion since the perfume is alcohol based and will STING</i>."<br />
Also, alcohol dehydrates the wound, causing a too quick of a dry, which... will crack again!!!<br />
Mild soap, warm water (<i>especially on traceurs hands</i>) and a medicated lotion...<br />
<br />
FINALLY, "for the sake of Science", I thought I'd update you with the healing of the exampled wound [graphic content follows, but you should be used to it, by now...]; 5 days after the rip my hand is ready to (<i>gently</i>) roll again!!! (<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2139/2038116924_ddbeb54c9e_o.jpg">see it here</a>)<br />
<br />
As you can see the fresh flesh healed all right.<br />
As all sources said, I had to keep a balance of drying during the day, and moisturizing at night to speed up process, while prevent cracking.<br />
The night before the shot was taken, I cut with a flat blade the bit of corn (or hardened skin) still attached, VERY gently removing the by-then useless flap (<i>that's the white area uncolored by the ointment</i>).<br />
<br />
If I would have to train that night I'd put some moisturizer, a thin band-aid vertically and two rounds of medical tape horizontally around the palm to protect the new healed skin.<br />
That would have made it...<br />
<br />
For any doubts: the existence of a wonderful 'apparatus' (<i>with interchangeable blade</i>) can shed some light on the problem of 'shaving or not-shaving'...<br />
<p style="text-align:left"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2219/2088354126_11c749fbda_o.jpg"/></p>
<br />
<b><u>Blisters</u></b>:<br />
Specifically for (feet) blisters I recommend <a href="http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200701/dean-karnazes-interview-4.html">the advice of the man who run 50-marathons-in-50-days</a> (<i>in 50 US states!</i>).<br />
<br />
In the article Dean Karnazes talks about an anti-friction popular with ocean swimmer, triathletes, and in general with wetsuits wearer (he's ALSO a windsurfer... I wonder when? After the 50 marathons in 50 days?!? ).<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyglide.com">http://www.bodyglide.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sportsbasement.com/sdx/H17467.jsp">http://www.sportsbasement.com/sdx/H17467.jsp</a>2009 New Year resolution(s)tag:baparkour.ning.com,2009-01-05:2070047:BlogPost:329622009-01-05T19:30:00.000ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSure
..I'll start with one, and write it down to remind myself of it (and invite everybody else to do the same with their PK -or not- related resolutions...), I may add to the list, at some point:<br />
<br />
- <b>BE POSITIVE!</b><br />
<b>The glass <i>IS</i> half-full !!!</b><br />
<i>It's going to take me some effort, but, also thanks to pk and the community I belong to, I should be able to make it...</i><br />
:)<br />
<br />
<i>p.s.: my life-long resolution is: <b>Get it done!</b>...<br />
I consider myself halfway from the goal...<br />
It HAS…</i>
..I'll start with one, and write it down to remind myself of it (and invite everybody else to do the same with their PK -or not- related resolutions...), I may add to the list, at some point:<br />
<br />
- <b>BE POSITIVE!</b><br />
<b>The glass <i>IS</i> half-full !!!</b><br />
<i>It's going to take me some effort, but, also thanks to pk and the community I belong to, I should be able to make it...</i><br />
:)<br />
<br />
<i>p.s.: my life-long resolution is: <b>Get it done!</b>...<br />
I consider myself halfway from the goal...<br />
It HAS been good, so far.</i><br />
;)My year-end training abroad (Italy)tag:baparkour.ning.com,2008-12-31:2070047:BlogPost:323342008-12-31T01:00:00.000ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSure
<b>flash back</b>: I <a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/profiles/blogs/anterior-knee-pain-syndrome">banged my left knee</a> pretty bad a month and a half ago and have been recovering slowly, but surely ever since, even if I suffered minor yet painful dings here-and-there, and am probably still about 90%.<br />
<br />
<b>fastforward</b>: the day after tomorrow I'll be flying back to the Bay after a two short weeks stay in my motherland (Italy), where I (<i>surprisingly!</i>) managed to train 5 times…
<b>flash back</b>: I <a href="http://baparkour.ning.com/profiles/blogs/anterior-knee-pain-syndrome">banged my left knee</a> pretty bad a month and a half ago and have been recovering slowly, but surely ever since, even if I suffered minor yet painful dings here-and-there, and am probably still about 90%.<br />
<br />
<b>fastforward</b>: the day after tomorrow I'll be flying back to the Bay after a two short weeks stay in my motherland (Italy), where I (<i>surprisingly!</i>) managed to train 5 times (/days), notwithstanding the incredible amount of food I've been subjected to, temperatures around 38°F (<i>plus wind!</i>) in the following combination: solo/with absolute beginners/solo/with absolute beginners/with dedicated local traceurs...<br />
<br />
<b>conditions</b>: training more than 90' at those temperatures sucks, the first 15'/20' are pretty much B-A-D... nose running, with wind also eyes running, there's only so much you can cover yourself, 'cause you'll end up sweating (<i>eventually</i>) but, if you don't have your routine down, you'll cold down in less than 3', thus "keep moving" is mandatory... metal rails are C-O-L-D and the grip gets slippery for a combination of dry skin and insensitive hands...<br />
So I ended up keeping them nice, intense and short.<br />
Even in those conditions I went through 750ml. (25oz) of water per session, which correspond to the two bottles I go through a regular 3 hours jam/training in SF...<br />
Other than that I really enjoyed having my ipod shuffle to concentrate (cutting out "noise") when I was by myself.<br />
<br />
<b>companions</b>: as I said, I was strongly motivated to go out even by myself (which I rarely do in SF, I rather train "dry", running, biking, lifting, or else...), by the idea of staying in shape and "into it" even outside my regular environment and with all the additional festivities related distractions (shopping, relatives, food, etc.), and I was very happy I did; the satisfaction must have been visible, since I managed to bring out a friend my age (karate black belt and mountain biker) and his 13 y.o. son (competitive swimmer), both with very good results, at least on the enthusiasm and discipline understanding side.<br />
Most importantly, on my last day I met with four "locals" with whom I had corresponded before, but had not immediately met.<br />
<br />
<b>spot</b>: I'll post pictures... nothing "fancy" or "flashy", but <a href="http://maps.google.it/maps?f=q&hl=it&geocode=&q=giardini+gilberto+govi+genova&sll=41.442726,12.392578&sspn=16.289707,28.125&ie=UTF8&ll=44.391943,8.951417&spn=0.001897,0.005472&t=h&z=18">an interesting public space</a> (in between a playground and a "promenade") owned by the City, where pretty much anything goes, provided one is not breaking stuff, or the law...<br />
Interesting enough it's the only place where there's a public skateboard ramp and half-pipe in my hometown and were in the 80's people started rockclimbing on artificial walls (sort of buildering)... I remember seeing combat athletes friendly sparring there... thus a spot with some "tradition"...<br />
<br />
[<i>I'll post some pics now, but I'll continue on the sessions and conclusions in a part 2, it's late now in Europe...</i> :P]<br />
<br />
warmup area (running laps on these irregular -yet flat- rocks)<br />
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72167006?profile=original" alt="" width="1944" height="1744"/></p>
vaults area<br />
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72166933?profile=original" alt="" width="2592" height="1239"/></p>
pop vaults and precisions area<br />
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72167010?profile=original" alt="" width="1944" height="2315"/></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/72166936?profile=original" alt="" width="1944" height="2592"/></p>Anterior knee pain syndrome and "Chondromalacia Patellae"tag:baparkour.ning.com,2008-11-16:2070047:BlogPost:252482008-11-16T08:00:00.000ZSafeNSurehttp://baparkour.ning.com/profile/SafeNSure
I was looking forward to my first blog post being something REALLY inspirational, or retrospective, or biographical, but I guess -as ironical as it is, given my screen name- it's going to be about a minor, yet bothering injury; and about it's assessment, treatment and prevention...<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br></br>
<br />
A recent blow to my left knee, which also caused a short, deep cut (<i>treated with three stitches and…</i>
I was looking forward to my first blog post being something REALLY inspirational, or retrospective, or biographical, but I guess -as ironical as it is, given my screen name- it's going to be about a minor, yet bothering injury; and about it's assessment, treatment and prevention...<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br/>
<br />
A recent blow to my left knee, which also caused a short, deep cut (<i>treated with three stitches and completely healed by now</i>), has left me with an annoying pain when putting stress on the left leg and knee itself.<br />
The stitches bothered me only in the first 24 hours, in which it was recommended not to bend the knee to avoid pulling on them. Holding the leg stiff, while icing it, seemed to take care of the "hit-to-the-knee" part of the problem, also because the area didn't present any swelling ... that, eventually, appeared not to be true...<br />
<br />
After 5 days rest (enough time to heal the cut) a <u>minimal</u> physical test proved the following: while I could jog on the balls of my feet with minimal distress, lift energetically my knee to my chest (<i>thus bending it way more than 90degrees</i>), and gently squat (heels down) almost to my highest flexing point, I couldn't walk down a stair without pain, cat-balance on a wide, otherwise manageable rail, and jumping with both feet down from so low as 3' high was <u>absolutely</u> terrifying!<br />
<br />
The blow suffered has induced a condition called "<i>Patellofemoral stress syndrome</i>" (or "<i>Anterior knee pain syndrome</i>"), a pre-condition to a worse disorder called "<i><b>Chondromalacia Patellae</b></i>".<br />
<br />
<b>Symptoms</b> (<i>my specific matched with generic</i>): <b>pain on the front of the knee exacerbated by negotiating steps, especially descending stairs, squatting maneuvers, kneeling, and prolonged sitting. The pain associated with Chondromalacia is often dull and aching in quality, but occasionally may be sudden and sharp</b>. The pain is often worsened by activities that require <u>bending the knee for a prolonged period</u> or with <u>increased load</u> (<i>i.e. stairs or squatting</i>). Pain may be associated with a grating or <u>popping sensation</u> of the knee. The grinding or popping may not actually cause pain but is noticed by the patient as abnormal and thus may cause patient distress. Another distressing symptom is the sudden <u>giving way of the knee</u> while flexing. This giving way is not due knee ligament insufficiency, but due to pain associated with movement that causes the muscle to suddenly <u>stop contracting as a reflex to that pain</u>.<br />
<br />
<b>Causes</b>: "<i>Chondromalacia is an irritation of the undersurface of the kneecap. The undersurface of the kneecap, or patella, is covered with a layer of smooth cartilage. This cartilage normally glides effortlessly across the knee during bending of the joint. However, in some cases, the kneecap tends to rub against one side of the knee joint, and the cartilage surface become irritated, and knee pain is the result</i>". That 'irritation' can be caused by genetics (poor alignment), extraordinary wear (<i>i.e. in runners</i>) or may be due to a sudden overload (<i>i.e. due to a blow, or trauma</i>). "<i>The damage may range from a slightly abnormal surface of the cartilage to a surface that has been worn away to the bone. Severe Chondromalacia related to injury occurs when a blow to the knee cap tears off either a small piece of cartilage or a large fragment containing a piece of bone...</i>"<br />
<br />
<b>Related facts</b>: "<i><u>The force burdened by the patella is about two times body weight when climbing up stairs, and seven times body weight when descending</u>. This increased burden on the kneecap when going down stairs causes a magnification of pain during that activity</i>". (Imagine landing any drop!)<br />
<br />
<b>Treatment</b>: "<i>The treatment of Chondromalacia is primarily non-surgical with emphasis on strengthening the quadriceps within a painfree arc of motion. Proper technique of performing the exercises must be adopted. The use of ice and anti-inflammatory medication is beneficial to initially decrease the pain associated with this condition. Avoidance of activities that place excessive load across the patellofemoral joint is also important. This would include minimizing stair climbing/descending and squatting, or kneeling activities until quadriceps strength is restored and the inflammatory response has subsided. Taping can be used to decrease pain about the patella while exercising. There are also elastic knee braces available which have adjustable pads to help maintain patella alignment. The brace is usually worn for athletic activities</i>".<br />
<br />
<b>In conclusion</b>: While the extent of my injury is not yet assessed (<i>fluctuating between pre-condition and condition</i>), I will of course take it easy for a while, trying to adopt this <a href="http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pdf/6946.pdf">Patellofemoral Exercise Guide</a>, while concentrating my workout on upperbody, and abs, and focusing in getting (at least!) a clean muscle-up!!!<br />
B)<br />
<br />
<p style="text-align:left"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Knee_diagram.svg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Knee_diagram.svg/658px-Knee_diagram.svg.png"/></a></p>
<br />
<p style="text-align:left"><a href="http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/knee/knee_anatomy/knee_anatomy_intro01.jpg"><img src="http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/knee/knee_anatomy/knee_anatomy_intro01.jpg"/></a></p>
<br />
<p style="text-align:left"><a href="http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/knee/knee_anatomy/knee_anatomy01.jpg"><img src="http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/knee/knee_anatomy/knee_anatomy01.jpg"/></a></p>
<br />
<p style="text-align:left"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Gray351.png"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Gray351.png"/></a></p>
<br />
<p style="text-align:left"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Knie_mr.jpg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Knie_mr.jpg"/></a></p>
<br />
sources:<br />
<a href="http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/926053052.html">http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/926053052.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pamf.org/sports/king/condromaliciapatella.html">http://www.pamf.org/sports/king/condromaliciapatella.html</a><br />
<a href="http://lipscombclinic.com/sports/Articles/Injuries/Chondromalacia/chondromalacia.htm">http://lipscombclinic.com/sports/Articles/Injuries/Chondromalacia/chondromalacia.htm</a><br />
<a href="http://www.orthoseek.com/articles/chondromp.html">http://www.orthoseek.com/articles/chondromp.html</a><br />
<a href="http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/patelladisorders/a/chondromalacia.htm">http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/patelladisorders/a/chondromalacia.htm</a>