Tag Archive for: Internship

Living in London – PKGen Internship 2013/2014 – 5/5 – engl

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The following blog post is the last part from my 5 part series about my experience in London where I did a 6 month intership for Parkour Generations.  

Looking back to 2013, living and working in London was an amazing experience. It shaped me and my training and ultimately gave me the courage to co-found Parkour Austria (from where I withdrew end of 2018).

My days, although very different and filled with a ton of new experiences had a similar structure. I would arrive with the first “after rush hour” train at the Chainstore (09:30 or 10:00). The gym would be quiet mostly until early afternoon, and I took this time to do computer work (emails, preperations, news pieces, other tasks…). Midday I would start moving a bit because people were arriving or because PKGen team members started training. I joined in, or if no one else was there I would often train alone too. I would also just walk out the office, bust a few muslce ups or ring muscle ups, and go back in. It was pure pleasure ^^ After a first training session I would continue work. And a lot of times I would train again for an hour or more before heading home.

Then, a lot of times (especially in the beginning) I joined PKGen classes. And because I was quite unfit at the time due to stress levels before London I really could use all the training I got.

Here are some impressions from the life of a PKG Intern (navigate with the arrows!):

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This routine got me down to 79kg in a few months. I arrived in London with probably around 88kg but I had no way to check my weight as there was no scale in our shared flat. So… funny story. One day I went to pick up tape for my ruptured callus at a pharmacy and I see they got a scale. It was a few “p” to weigh and I said f* it I am gonna do this now. So I did. And I realised I had lost around 6 kg. The next time I checked I was down to 79kg… This was crazy. And awesome.  In this time I also trained muscle ups a bit and could get 4 consecutive ones (I finally beat the 5 rep mark 2019). Ring muscle ups were also something I learned due to awesome feedback from some people who trained that day. And that I edged up to 12kg one rep or less kg, but up to 5 reps.

Some other cool things I could experience in that time were:

  • Winterval
  • ADAPT
  • the first Night Mission
  • the opening of the Chainstore
  • the first ADAPT conference
  • and many great and long talks with Forrest (to whom i feel indebted for all the time he took with me)

This is the end of the 5part series. If you need any info on how to get in touch with PKGen for a potential internship let me know, I can help.

Best,
Alex

Living in London – PKGen Internship 2013/2014 – 4/5 – engl.

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The following blog post is a republish from my experience in London where I did a 6 month intership for Parkour Generations. The experience shaped me, changed me and also changed my approach to parkour. It was written in german as at that time I was not aware I had international readers. This 5 part series of blog posts includes info on my everydaylife with PKGen, how I lost nearly 8kg in 4months, went from 0 muscle ups to 4 consecutive, how I did my frist ring muscle up, how I partcipated in the first ever Night Mission (which I took to Austria after), how I got ADAPT qualified (bringing ADAPT to Austria later on), how I spent hours and hours helping bringing the Chainstore (that became my office) to life with the team and many other great experiences. For the german (and original) version of this post – click HERE.

 

During my stay here in London some smaller and bigger things will happen and have already happened. Winterval 2014 definitely was one of the bigger happenings (the announcement of the Chainstore another one for example) and I was lucky to be a part of it. The following Blog post will be about my experiences and views on Winterval as well as some detailed descriptions of my A.D.A.P.T. lvl 1 hours and sessions during this event. As I was assisting one of 5 coaching teams at the seminar the Blog post will feature an inside view rather than a participants perspective.

 

First things first. I am writing in English because a friendly encounter at Winterval made me realise that the Blog is being read by a broader audience than I thought. So instead of letting people depend on Google translate I might as well write in English. Excuse my mistakes or any weird expressions though!

 

After waking up at 05:20 and a misjudged travel to the LEAP park I started Winterval at 08:30 by helping registering the ~100 participants that were expected to come this sunny but fresh Sunday morning. After that I headed to find Flynn and James as I was scheduled to be their assistant for the sessions.

 

A few words on the organisation of the event: I was impressed by how detailed everything was planned through. From dividing the area that is LEAP into several zones, to the rotation system, to dividing the participants into groups, to assigning student group leaders who would bring students to the right areas and coaching groups at the right time, to flexible people who would “float” around the areas and be ready when they were needed to every last detail. Weeks before the actual event the plan was already developed and the roles for each person that day clearly assigned. The picture above shows my notes for that day and if someone found me peeking at my sheet of paper at some point it was because I was keeping track of where to go next and what the time schedule was saying.  With 5 main coaching teams each including 2 (at least) A.D.A.P.T. level 2 certified coaches and sometimes an additional A.D.A.P.T. lvl 1 assistant (like me) Parkour Generations was drawing on a very skilled group of people executing an event like that.

 

There were 5 sessions planned overall, each 45 minutes long, 3 of which would be done before lunch and 2 after. Before that there would be a 45 minute warm up led by Dan and after the sessions would be a 45 minute cool down led by Kevin.

 

At session we took one of the (3) beginner groups through an underbar movement route. It was nice seeing the guys work their way through the course and I was glad being able to provide some advice. It was also great to see Flynn in coaching-action and the cues he was giving on technique.

 

The second session was spent in an area with 3 medium high poles and a set of walls stretching out for about 20 metres. This time we guided an intermediate group towards making their way through the set of walls in a fluent yet challenging way though starting the route with a climb on one of the 3 poles ending in the position of standing straight. Climbing down the pole was followed by a cat leap (Armsprung) which would make the entrance to the walls. One participant had a hard time standing straight on the walls because (and I could relate, because LEAP walls are tiny and quite high right on). I found him several times giving up the challenge and dropping down from the walls but was lucky to be able to guide him to the far end by suggesting different ways of moving. I tried to avoid queuing by challenging other participants to circle us thus finding alternate routes through the wall jungle.

 

The next session was done with advanced practicioners. The challenge consisted of a set of 45 repetitions of the same route in 45 minutes going up and down each obstacle in that specific training area. My job would be to keep the guys motivated and keep them moving but as I knew some of them personally as well as some of them having a higher level of Parkour than me I found it quite hard to approach them. Also the challenge as it was originally suggested was impossible to achieve. I basically just joined in and tried my best to do the route as fast as possible making it 1:21 min on my stopwatch for a single repetition. 45:45 was not possible. We downscaled the reps but introduced a 180 cat to cat, it was hard, and it was fun. LUNCH BREAK!

 

I met Flynn to make a plan for the last 2 sessions. We played around with the bar setup on one of the training areas and I introduced the idea of switching places on a rail as a matter of challenging the next (beginner) group. After a few minutes Flynn introduced me to HIS technique of switching places. Quite a challenge! Out of the 20-30 tries we gave it only 1 worked out as planned. The only proof we needed!

 

We found ourselves with the second intermediate group at the 5th training zone which consisted of a big scaffolding close to a wall. Ideally for lache to catleaps. Flynnwas giving spot on advice and I could take away alot myself during this session.

 

I want to thank Parkour Generations for including me. It was my first time coaching in such an event and I am very grateful for the opportunity I was given. Thank you as well to James and especially Flynn from my coaching team. I know you guys don´t really need assistants so thank you for including me. Oh and an honourable mention goes to Alex who coached Winterval in a Panda costume!

 

Leben in London – PKGen Praktikum 2013/2014 – 4/5 – ger.

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Der folgende Blogbeitrag ist eine Neuauflage aus meiner Erfahrung in London, wo ich ein 6-monatiges Praktikum für Parkour Generations absolvierte. Die Erfahrung hat mich geprägt und auch meine Herangehensweise an Parkour verändert. Diese 5-teilige Serie von Blog-Posts enthält Informationen über meinen Alltag mit PKGen, wie ich in 4 Monaten fast 8 kg abgenommen habe, von 0 Muscleups auf 4 aufeinanderfolgende gekommen bin, wie ich meinen ersten Ringmuscleup aufgebaut habe, wie ich an der ersten Night Mission teilgenommen habe (die ich danach nach Österreich gebracht habe), wie ich ADAPT qualifiziert wurde (um auch ADAPT später nach Österreich zu bringen), wie ich Stunden und Stunden damit verbracht habe, den Chainstore (der mein Büro wurde) mit dem Team zum Leben zu erwecken und viele andere großartige Erfahrungen. Für die englische Version dieses Beitrags – HIER klicken.

 

Während meines Aufenthalts in London werden einige kleinere und größere Dinge passieren und sind bereits geschehen. Das Winterval Event 2014 war definitiv eines der größeren Ereignisse für mich (Die Eröffnung des Chainstore ein weiteres) und ich hatte das Glück, daran teilzunehmen. Der folgende Blog-Post behandelt meine Erfahrungen in Winterval sowie einige detaillierte Beschreibungen meiner A.D.A.P.T. lvl 1 Sessions, die ich zum Teil am Winterval geleistet habe.

Das Wichtigste zuerst. Ich schreibe (im Original) auf Englisch, weil mir nach einer Begegnung bei Winterval klar wurde, dass der Blog von einem breiteren Publikum gelesen wird, als ich angenommen hatte. Anstatt die Leute von Google Translate abhängig zu machen, kann ich also genauso gut auf Englisch schreiben. Sry für Fehler oder weirde Ausdrücke!

Nachdem ich um 05:20 Uhr aufgestanden bin und eine falsch eingeschätzte Reise in den LEAP-Park unternommen hatte, begann ich Winterval um 08:30 Uhr, indem ich half, die ~100 Teilnehmer zu registrieren, die an diesem sonnigen, aber frischen Sonntagmorgen erwartet wurden. Danach machte ich mich auf den Weg, um Flynn und James zu unterstützen, da ich als ihr Assistent für die Sitzungen vorgesehen war.

Ein paar Worte zur Organisation: Ich war beeindruckt, wie detailliert alles geplant wurde. Von der Aufteilung der Spots im LEAP Park bis hin zum Rotationssystem, der Gruppeneinteilung nach Skilllevel, der Zuweisung von Gruppenleitern, die die Teilnehmer in die richtigen Zonen bringen, und Coaching-Gruppen zur richtigen Zeit an den richtigen Ort, uws.. Wochen vor der eigentlichen Veranstaltung war der Gesamtplan bereits entwickelt und die Rollen für jede Person an diesem Tag klar zugeordnet. Das Bild oben zeigt meine Notizen für diesen Tag und wenn mich jemand dabei erwischt hat, wie ich irgendwann auf mein Papier geschaut habe, dann deshalb, weil ich kurz gecheckt habe, wohin ich als nächstes gehen soll und was der Zeitplan sagt. Allerdings war die Organisation nur einer der Faktoren, die die Struktur der Veranstaltung so solide gemacht haben. Ein anderer war das Coaching-Team. 5 Haupt-Coaching-Teams, mit jeweils 2 (mindestens) A.D.A.P.T. Level 2 zertifizierten Coaches und manchmal einem zusätzlichen A.D.A.P.T. lvl 1 Assistenten (wie mich).

Es waren insgesamt 5 Sessions geplant, jede 45 Minuten lang, von denen 3 vor dem Mittagessen und 2 danach geplant waren. Davor gab es ein 45-minütiges Aufwärmen unter der Leitung von Dan und nach den Sessions ein 45-minütiges Cool-Down mit Kevin.

In Session 1 führten Flynn und ich eine der (3) Anfängergruppen durch eine Line von Underbarbewegungen. Ich war froh,einige Ratschläge zum Thema Underbar, aber auch zur Fußstellung für die Off-Ground-Challenges geben zu können und Flynn in Coaching-Aktion zu sehen.

Die zweite Session fand bei einer Reihe von Säulen (klassisch LEAP – siehe Bild) und dünnen Mauern statt. Ein Teilnehmer fiel mir auf, da es ihm aufgrund von Höhenangst schwer fiel, auf den Mauern zu stehen. Ich konnte ihm die Challenge glücklicherweise so anpassen dass sie zwar herausfordernd, aber möglich war für ihn. Die Zeit verging relativ schnell und als nächstes wartete die fortgeschrittenen Gruppe auf uns.

Für diese Session schlug James eine harte körperliche Challenge vor.  45 Wiederholungen der gleichen Route in 45 Minuten. Ursprünglich sollte ich für zusätzliche motivation sorgen, aber da ich einige von ihnen persönlich kannte und einige von ihnen mit ein weit höheres Parkourniveau als ich hatten, fiel es mir schwer auf sie zuzugehen. Also machte ich einfach mit und gab mein Bestes, wobei ich mitgestoppt hatte und gesehen hatte, dass eine meiner Reps ca 1:21 min dauerte, d.h. Challenge unmöglich. Die Zahl der Reps wurde reduziert, jedoch ein 180 Arm-zu-Arm-eingeführt. Schöne Herausforderung, sehr anstrengend, ich glaub ca 30 hab ich gemacht ^^. LUNCH BREAK!

Nach dem Essen traf ich Flynn, um einen Plan für die letzten 2 Sessions zu erstellen. Ich führte die Idee ein, die Plätze auf einer Stange zu wechseln wenn 2 Personen sich beim Balancieren entgegenkommen. Flynn zeigte mir SEINE Technik und nach 20-30 Versuchen gelang uns einer. Der einzige Beweis, den wir brauchten, und so war die Herausforderung gut genug, um sie an die Teilnehmer weiterzugeben!

In Session 5 ging es um Laches! Ich konnte aus der Session selbst sehr viel mitnehmen und es war lehrreich zu sehen, welche coaching Hinweise Flynn anbieten konnte.

Winterval wurde durch eine 45-minütige Cool-Down-Session unter der Leitung von Kevin beendet.

Ich mich bei Parkour Generations bedanken, dass Teil des Events sein durfte. Es war mein erstes Mal Coaching bei einer solchen Veranstaltung (edit 2019: viele weitere Male sollten in der Zeit folgen 🙂 ). Vielen Dank auch an James und Flynn von meinem Coaching-Team.  Oh und eine ehrenvolle Erwähnung geht an Alex, der Winterval in einem Panda-Kostüm gecoacht hat!

Übersetzt mit www.DeepL.com/Translator

Living in London – PKGen Internship 2013/2014 – 2/5 – engl.

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The following blog post is a republish from my experience in London where I did a 6 month intership for Parkour Generations. The experience shaped me, changed me and also changed my approach to parkour. It was written in german as at that time I was not aware I had international readers. This 5 part series of blog posts includes info on my everydaylife with PKGen, how I lost nearly 8kg in 4months, went from 0 muscle ups to 4 consecutive, how I did my frist ring muscle up, how I partcipated in the first ever Night Mission (which I took to Austria after), how I got ADAPT qualified (bringing ADAPT to Austria later on), how I spent hours and hours helping bringing the Chainstore (that became my office) to life with the team and many other great experiences. For the german (and original) version of this post – click HERE.

As far as the work at PKGen is concerned, I can’t report as detailed as I would like at the moment, as I have to wait until the news about some of the projects is published via the official PKGen channels (Edit 2019: the Chainstore is just being completed e.g.:).

Anyway, one of the tasks brought some of the know-how I gained during my studies into the game. Together with Naomi I was allowed to design a feedback questionnaire for the Parkour Generations Class visitors, put it online and evaluate it. The results will be used to help reduce fear in parkour newcomers and thus attract more people into the classes.

Another project revolves around PKGens performance. Without going into too much detail I can say that this will probably be the hardest task, but it gives me the opportunity to be part of it from the research phase to the realization and I can make an essential contribution to the success of the company.

(Edit 2019 – it was about creating a connection between the PKGen performance team and sports agencies. The ultimate aim was to get agencies to sign athletes – Funfact – Storror, Storm and 3Run were/are still managed by such agencies in part: For example, JLM Urban Sports Management has specialized in Parkour athletes including Storm Freerun, Sports Promotions list Chase Armitage in their portfolio, Storror are linked to Studio71 UK according to their website).

Besides the expansion of the services on corporate level (i.e. focused on companies) there is still a lot for me to do and so I hope to be able to go into more detail in one of the next blog entries.

But let’s face it, my everyday life is anything but usual and so it can happen once in a while that I wait at 9 o’clock in the morning for a delivery of 350 kilo tractor tires that somehow have to be hoisted into the building.

There is also a lot going on in terms of training. Because I have regular access to a nice indoor scaffold I had the chance to train a lot with rails. Only recently, for example, for the first time in my life I was able to make a lache to precision jump on a rail at small height. A set-up you hardly ever find outside. My biggest fear was to misjudge the distance to the rail, because you are almost blind due to the lache.

So there were 3 options a) to swing much too far, land on my heels and slip disgustingly b) undershooting and to familiarize the shins and stomach area with the rail or c) a usable landing. A and B were rather bad options. C rather unlikely right away, especially the hard ground made it difficult for me to just go for it. We had blue crash pads, but I didn’t want to use them too extensively. But I couldn’t do without it.  After two attempts I got the hang of it. Hip position, upper body position , landing area, it all checked out. Now geting rid of the crash mats. My first lache to precision jump on bars was born. 2 days later I came back to the scaffold and fear crept in me again. Reason enough to work an hour on one and the swing until it was almost possible without thinking.

Besides this very technical problem I work every day on my full squat. Anyone who knows me will know that I am not able to make a whole knee bend without taking my heels off the ground. Stretching exercises before going to bed are supposed to counteract the whole thing, although I have now accumulated a small arsenal of exercises to help me with this problem as well as my back problem. (Update 2019: Back pain is under control for years now, full squat not even close yet, but I stopped working on it until recently)

A good training experience was the Parkour Generations team training day. It was a day where many of the PKGen people came together to train together. Forrest led a warm-up that consisted of a cycle of 12 exercises that were repeated 2 times and actually came from sprint performance training. Coordinatively quite demanding and definitely interesting. The “warm-up” lasted more than an hour and was an experience in itself. Afterwards free training, where I took the chance to talk to Blane about the full-squat problem.

Finally, a few anecdotes. Recently I was training with Flynn in Vauxhall. Since 2009 I wasn’t there anymore and at that time we were only a few minutes at the spot before we were “robbed”. Since then it was the first time Vauxhall for me. Training there was very good, there are many challenges. For example a precision from a high wall on a branch of a tree in approx. 4-5 meters height. After Vauxhall we headed towards Waterloo to train next to the Thames at a quiet spot. Flynn had shown me the way to 2 canopies from where I could jump different (for me) demanding pole precision and plyos. How difficult a simple plyo becomes a precision jump when it goes down a few meters behind it. Anyway. The real challenge was a 180 catleap (arm jump position, pull up, push away from the wall, turn 180° and land on a metal grid). The first repetition had an ugly landing. And at the second attempt I somehow slipped stupidly, fell down 1 meter, supported myself with my hand, which also slipped away. Why did the hand slip away? Because I fell into a pile of dog shit. Fortunately nothing on the clothes and fortunately a gas station to wash nearby. After that I was a little afraid to try it again, but Flynn gave me the necessary courage with a few words and after a short break the 3rd attempt was quite easy, and clean (literally). After that we went to the Imax Spots where we happened to meet Kie Willis (that´s London!).

What I noticed in London and what seems to be a peculiarity of the London traceurs is that “There is no trying, do it! mentality. With several people I noticed an attitude where the piece by piece approach to more difficult jumps is avoided, instead they give 100% right on and they are very successful with it. I suppose it is due to the simple fact that at many of the London spots an attempt is not possible. Imax, for example. On the videos Imax (the blue walls) always looks very idyllic. A small spot in London where people regularly push themselves to peak performance and which is supported by an atmosphere of indoor training due to the security the videos convey. But for me Imax is one of the most respectable spots in the world. The smallest precision jump there is is just under my maximum. In general, almost everything takes place at height and anyone who knows Kie´s video from 2013 knows what is possible there. The things he does at Imax are surreal when you stand in front of it. Or the Stride of Phil Doyle with Livewire back then. Pretty absurd stuff but those are the mad things. Nevertheless… I personally can’t relate much to the spot, a reason to train there more often? (Update 2019: but then I didn’t 🙂 )

So much for the last few weeks. I won’t be able to write about my work experience in more detail until the near future. By the way, 12 January is Winterval. A full-day seminar limited to 100 participants with the whole Parkourgenerations team and Johann Vigroux as a sepcial guest. In the next blog entry I will certainly dedicate a few lines to the seminar.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator

Living in London – PKGen Internship 2013/2014 – 1/5 – engl.

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The following blog post is a republish from my experience in London where I did a 6 month intership for Parkour Generations. The experience shaped me, changed me and also changed my approach to parkour. It was written in german as at that time I was not aware I had international readers. This 5 part series of blog posts includes info on my everydaylife with PKGen, how I lost nearly 8kg in 4months, went from 0 muscle ups to 4 consecutive, how I did my frist ring muscle up, how I partcipated in the first ever Night Mission (which I took to Austria after), how I got ADAPT qualified (bringing ADAPT to Austria later on), how I spent hours and hours helping bringing the Chainstore (that became my office) to life with the team and many other great experiences. For the german version of this post – click HERE.

The following blog entry is a kind of review about my impressions during my time in London. London? Yes! It is planned that I will stay in London until the end of May 2014 to complete a sponsored but unpaid internship. The internship is supported by an EU-wide programme (Leonardo Da Vinci) and is comparable to Erasmus, only for people who have already completed their studies and are no longer enrolled. With a little luck I got the chance to do such an internship at Parkour Generations. With this I had the opportunity to combine Parkour and the skills I acquired during my studies, a privilege that I hope to live up to.

As a bonus I can visit all events and classes offered by Parkour Generations free of charge and therefore have the opportunity to further develop my parkour. The following blog entries during my 6-month stay will therefore cover 2 topics. 1. the life in England and the work for Parkour Generations and 2. my training experiences during this time.

I have been in England for about 3 weeks now. More precisely Kingston upon Thames. A short train ride to the centre of London. After a difficult phase of finding an apartment, I got to know Agota at my first meeting. Agota supports me as a kind of supervisor and introduced me to some of the tasks that are assigned to me over time. The range goes from simple administrative tasks to very responsible marketing activities and proves to be quite interesting. Basically, I am given a lot of freedom during my internship. I am not forced to keep to any deadlines nor do I have the feeling that someone would look over my shoulder non-stop. A circumstance leading me to want to prove being worth the chance and trust that was offered to me. I can’t say much about my work at the moment, because everything starts very slowly. I definitely feel well integrated and had the chance to get to know most of the Parkour Generations team at one of the regular team meetings.

As far as training is concerned, there is already a lot to report. My first class (in Canada Water, exactly where the Decathlon is) was led by James Gore and pushed me to my physical limits. Circulatory collapse, nausea and almost unconsciousness proved to me one point: Alex…you still have a lot to learn (addon 2019 – and must stop smoking above all – which I did after this disastrous experience in 2013 and have never done since then. Probably the greatest achievement of my stay in London…).

After a longer period without training (approx. 3 weeks, due to the preparations and the search for an apartment) I was already looking forward to attending my first PkGen Class (since 2009). The training started with jogging to the first spot, a long row of park benches along a more than shoulder high wall. Without a break we went into the first exercise, which consisted of overcoming every single one of the 10-15 park benches, then overcoming the wall, then overcoming the wall again downwards and repeating the whole thing at the next park bench. So a run of 10 – 15 sets of movements. Oh 2 things I had forgotten. 1. it had rained and 2. we carried our backpacks during the whole training. My backpack at that time was filled with about 5 kilos of Parkour Generations Flyer I had received that day and 1.5 liters of water. In addition a rain jacket.

6 kilos of luggage is pretty heavy but it was still bearable, the training had only just begun. After the exercise we continued jogging without a break to the 2nd spot, a metal red bridge similar to a 1:5 version of the railway bridge in Linz. The first time break and introduction to the next exercise. We were led to a climbing route which moved us in approx. 6 meters height. Simple grips and enough grip in spite of rain made me do the exercise, because normally I try to avoid moving to height. The adrenalin was palpable and I decided to concentrate twice as intensively. A mistake at this altitude would be unforgivable. After repeating it several times James opened the 2nd route for us, which this time led to the highest point of the bridge at a height of 10-15 meters. With the intention not to overdo it, due to the rucksack and the tiredness, the rain and the darkness, I pulled it before Route 1 to repeat. After that the training turned into a power exercise, which made me feel my arms well after a few repetitions. Jogging I went on to the 3rd spot.

A long staircase, about 100 steps. The aim was 3 repetitions of the exercise. The exercise consisted of looking for a partner of the same size/weight and carrying him upwards with the help of 3 different grip techniques. After 2 repetitions, i.e. 2 times carrying, I had to give up. My body made it clear to me that it was no longer possible and so I staggered disappointed and on wobbly legs with some “almost vomit breaks” towards the subway to catch the next train. I felt the first improvement only in the train when I could sit motionless and powerless.

2 days later and shocked by my weakness I met some PKGen people for free training in Archway. A cozy atmosphere, many new impressions and the confirmation that everyone in the PKGen Performance Team more than deserves their place. Also, the people seem 1000 times better than in the videos that can be found on the site. The free practice is not so different from what I am used to. A lively exchange of ideas and the joint development of lines and combinations as well as the possibility to ask experienced people for advice.

The next 2 outdoor classes took place with Alex Pownall as coach. A 22 year old bundle of energy with physiotherapy background and massive coaching experience through PKGen. Alex doesn’t focus his classes so much on endurance and pure strength, although warming up was very exhausting at times. Quadrupple Movement is probably standard in all classes. The special thing about Alex´s Classes is the emphasis on both sides of movements. No matter if roll or pop-up on walls with immediate 180 degree rotation. Two-sidedness is one of the key elements to movement. Alex also has a preference for movements that can’t be repeated at different places (like cat’s jump, precision, etc…). This means that during training under the guidance of Alex we have developed new movements for different obstacles in order to move more efficiently. So get out of the comfort-zone and experiment with new movements. In the 2nd class with Alex he also presented us with 4 challenges, which were mentally very difficult for me personally. On the one hand for example a precision jump from a wet, wide wooden beam to the other with a 5 meter drop into ice-cold water at the end. Or a turn vault (both sides) on an extremely slippery stone with a drop into the cold water at the other end. Some of the challenges like the turn vault or a line over a wet rail were easier, but the precision was too demanding for me.

Alex also recommended some exercises for my lower back. And so the purchase of a hockey ball to loosen up the hip tissue was one of the next steps for me (see photo). About the success of the stretching and the torture (yes, the “massage” with the hockey ball hurts a lot) I report another time.

Another time I met some guys from the Saiyans and a visitor from Belgium for training in Abbey Road (see Parkour Generations Visions video with Kazuma, Stephane Vigroux and Yann Hnautra). A dream area and many new impressions made time fly by. The training was great and some challenges brought me back to mental limits. Above all, a pool of precision jumps with descending stairs to my back had made it difficult for me. It was not easy to dare to swing with full energy when you know that letting go of the pole to the back can end terribly. After several attempts, however, I had the pool under control and was able to continue training with a good feeling (maybe I will film it – 2019: nope sry). The Saiyans were quite nice and one or the other could still remember Bernard and my visit in 2009.

So much for the training experiences. There is a lot going on and in general I can say. It’s ALWAYS wet, even if it doesn’t rain… Oh and in December I will most likely be A.D.A.P.T. Lvl 1 certified.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator

Leben in London – PKGen Praktikum 2013/2014 – 1/5 – ger.

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Der folgende Blogbeitrag ist eine Neuauflage aus meiner Erfahrung in London, wo ich ein 6-monatiges Praktikum für Parkour Generations absolvierte. Die Erfahrung hat mich geprägt und auch meine Herangehensweise an Parkour verändert. Diese 5-teilige Serie von Blog-Posts enthält Informationen über meinen Alltag mit PKGen, wie ich in 4 Monaten fast 8 kg abgenommen habe, von 0 Muscleups auf 4 aufeinanderfolgende gekommen bin, wie ich meinen ersten Ringmuscleup aufgebaut habe, wie ich an der ersten Night Mission teilgenommen habe (die ich danach nach Österreich gebracht habe), wie ich ADAPT qualifiziert wurde (um auch ADAPT später nach Österreich zu bringen), wie ich Stunden und Stunden damit verbracht habe, den Chainstore (der mein Büro wurde) mit dem Team zum Leben zu erwecken und viele andere großartige Erfahrungen. Für die englische Version dieses Beitrags – HIER klicken.

Der folgende Blogeintrag ist mehr eine Art Erfahrungsbericht über meine Eindrücke und Impressionen während meiner Zeit in London. London? Yes! Geplant ist, dass ich bis Ende Mai 2014 in London verbringe, um ein gefördertes jedoch unbezahltes Praktikum zu absolvieren. Das Praktikum wird von einem EU weiten Programm (Leonardo Da Vinci) unterstützt und ist vergleichbar mit Erasmus, bloß für Personen die bereits ein Studium absolviert haben und nicht mehr inskribiert sind. Mit ein bisschen Glück habe ich bei Parkour Generations die Chance bekommen ein solches Praktikum zu absolvieren. Damit durfte ich eine Gelegenheit wahrnehmen Parkour und meine im Studium erworbenen Fähigkeiten zu vereinen, ein in meinen Augen großes Privileg dem ich hoffe gerecht zu werden. Als Bonus darf ich alle von Parkour Generations angebotenen Veranstaltungen sowie Classes gratis besuchen und habe somit auch eine Möglichkeit mich parkourtechnisch weiterzuentwickeln. Die folgenden Blogeinträge während meines 6 monatigen Aufenthalts werden sich also um 2 Themenkreise bewegen. 1. das Leben in England und die Arbeit für Parkour Generations und 2. meine Trainingserfahrungen in dieser Zeit.

 

Ich bin nun seit ca. 3 Wochen in England. Genauer gesagt Kingston upon Thames. Eine kurze Zugfahrt ins Zentrum von London. Nach einer schwierigen Phase der Wohnungssuche und des Eingewöhnens durfte ich bei meinem ersten Meeting Agota kennenlernen, die mir als eine Art Supervisorin zur Seite steht und mich in einige der Aufgaben eingewiesen hat, die mir Lauf der Zeit übertragen werden. Die Spannweite reicht von simpleren administrativen Tätigkeiten bis hin zu sehr eigenverantwortlichen Marketingtätigkeiten und erweist sich als sehr interessant. Grundsätzlich wird mir im Praktikum große Freiheit gelassen. Ich werde weder dazu angetrieben irgendwelche Deadlines einzuhalten noch habe ich das Gefühl es würde mir jemand nonstop auf die Finger schauen. Ein Umstand der mich dazu veranlasst eigenverantwortlich umso mehr zu leisten, um der Chance die mir geboten wurde gerecht zu werden. Viel kann ich im Moment zu meiner Arbeit noch nicht sagen, da alles erst sehr langsam ins Rollen kommt. Ich fühle mich auf jeden Fall gut integriert und hatte bei einem der regelmäßigen Teammeetings die Chance einen Großteil des Parkour Generation Teams kennenzulernen.

 

Trainingsmäßig gibt es bereits einiges zu berichten. Meine erste Class (in Canada Water, genau dort wo der Decathlon ist) wurde von James Gore geleitet und brachte mich dezent an meine physischen Grenzen. Kreislaufkollaps, Übelkeit und beinahe Ohnmacht haben mir eindrucksvoll bewiesen: Alex…du hast noch viel zu lernen (Nachtrag 2019 – und musst vor allem aufhören zu rauchen – was ich nach dieser desaströsen Erfahrung 2013 getan habe und seitdem nie weider. Die wahrscheinlich größte Errungenschaft meines Aufenthaltes in London…).

Aber erstmal der Reihe nach. Nach einer längeren Periode ohne Training (ca. 3 Wochen, aufgrund der Vorbereitungen und der Wohnungssuche) freute ich mich bereits meine erste PkGen Class (seit damals 2009) zu besuchen. Das Training begann joggend zum ersten Spot, einer langen Reihe von Parkbänken entlang einer mehr als Schulter hohen Mauer. Ohne Pause nach dem Joggen gingen wir in die erste Übung, die darin bestand jede einzelne der ca. 10 -15 Parkbänke zu überwinden, um danach die Mauer zu überwinden, um danach die Mauer wieder nach unten zu überwinden und das Ganze an der nächsten Parkbank zu wiederholen. Also ein Run aus 10 – 15 Sets von Bewegungen. Oh 2 Dinge hatte ich vergessen. 1. es hatte geregnet und 2. wir trugen während des ganzen Trainings unsere Rucksäcke. Mein Rucksack zu diesem Zeitpunkt war gefüllt mit ca. 5 Kilo Parkour Generations Flyer, die ich an dem Tag erhalten hatte und1,5 Liter Wasser. Dazu eine Regenjacke.

6 Kilo Gepäck haut schon ziemlich rein aber es war noch auszuhalten, das Training hatte doch gerade erst begonnen. Nach der Übung ging es ohne Pause joggend weiter zum 2. Spot, einer metallernen roten Brücke ähnlich einer 1:5 Version der Eisenbahnbrücke in Linz. Das erste Mal Pause und Einweisung in die nächste Übung. Wir wurden an eine Kletterroute herangeführt die uns in ca. 6 Meter Höhe bewegte. Simple Griffe und genug Halt trotz Regen haben mich dazu bewegt die Übung zu machen, denn normalerweise versuche ich es zu vermeiden mich auf Höhe zu bewegen. Das Adrenalin war spürbar und ich nahm mir vor mich deshalb doppelt so intensiv zu konzentrieren. En Fehler in dieser Höhe wäre unverzeihlich. Nach mehrmaligem Wiederholen eröffnete uns James die 2. Route, die dieses Mal bis zum höchsten Punkt der Brücke in ca. 10-15 Metern Höhe führte. Mit der Absicht es nicht zu übertreiben, aufgrund des Rucksackes und der Müdigkeit, des Regens und der Finsternis zog ich es vor Route 1 zu Wiederholen. Im Anschluss dazu ging das Training in eine Kraftübung über, die mich nach einigen Wiederholungen meine Arme gut spüren ließ. Joggend ging es weiter zum 3. Spot. Eine langgezogene Stiege, ca. 100 Stufen. Ziel waren 3 Wiederholungen der Übung. Die Übung bestand darin sich einen gleichgroßen/schweren Partner zu suchen und ihn mit Hilfe 3 verschiedener Grifftechniken nach oben zu tragen. Nach 2 Wiederholungen, also 2-mal Tragen musste ich aufgeben. Mein Körper gab mir eindeutig zu verstehen, dass es nicht mehr geht und so wankte ich enttäuscht und auf wabbligen Beinen mit einigen „Fast-Kotz-Pausen“ Richtung U-Bahn um den nächsten Zug zu erwischen. Die erste Besserung spürte ich erst im Zug als ich regungslos und kraftlos sitzen konnte.

 

2 Tage später und geschockt von meiner Schwäche traf ich mich mit ein paar PKGen Leuten zum freien Training in Archway. Gemütliche Atmosphäre, viele neue Eindrücke und die Bestätigung, dass jeder im PKGen Performance Team seinen Platz mehr als verdient. Außerdem kommen mir die Leute 1000mal besser vor als in den Videos, die auf der Seite zu finden sind. Das freie Training unterscheidet sich nicht so sehr von dem was ich gewohnt bin. Ein reger Gedankenaustausch und das gemeinsame erarbeiten von Lines und Kombinationen sowie die Möglichkeit erfahrene Leute um Rat zu fragen.

 

Die nächsten 2 Outdoor Classes fanden mit Alex Pownall als Coach statt. Ein 22 jähriges Energiebündel mit Physiotherapiehintergrund und massiver Coachingerfahrung durch PKGen. Alex legt den Fokus seiner Classes weniger auf Ausdauer und pure Kraft, obwohl das Aufwärmen zeitweise schon sehr anstrengend war. Quadrupple Movement gehört wohl in allen Classes zum Standard. Das besondere an Alex´s Classes ist die Betonung der Beidseitigkeit von Bewegungen. Egal ob Rolle oder Pop-Ups an Wänden mit sofortiger 180 Grad Drehung. Beidseitigkeit ist eines der Schlüsselelemente zu Bewegung. Außerdem hat Alex eine Vorliebe für Bewegungen die sich nicht x-beliebig an verschiedenen Stellen wiederholen lassen (wie z.B. Katzensprung, Präzi, etc…). Das bedeutet, dass wir im Training unter Anleitung von Alex zu verschiedenen Hindernissen neuartige Bewegungen entwickelt haben um uns effizienter zu bewegen. Also raus aus der comfort-zone und rein in das Experimentieren mit neuartigen Bewegungen. In der 2. Class mit Alex stellte er uns außerdem 4 Challenges zur Bewältigung, wobei diese für mich persönlich mental sehr schwierig waren. Einerseits z.B. ein Präzisionssprung von einem nassen, breiten Holzbalken zum anderen mit einem 5 Meter Drop in eiskaltes Wasser am Ende. Oder einem Turn Vault (beidseitig) auf extrem rutschigen Stein mit einem Drop ins kalte Wasser am anderen Ende. Manche der Challenges wie der Turn Vault oder eine Line über eine nasse Rail waren einfacher, der Präzi jedoch zu fordernd für mich.

Des Weiteren hat mir Alex einige Übungen für meinen Bandscheibenvorfall geplagten Rücken empfohlen. Und so war die Anschaffung eines Hockeyballs zur Auflockerung des Gewebes an der Hüfte einer der nächsten Schritte für mich (siehe Foto). Über den Erfolg des Stretchings und der Tortur (ja die „Massage“ mit dem Hockeyball tut sehr weh) berichte ich ein anderes Mal.

 

Ein anderes Mal traf ich mich mit ein paar Jungs von den Saiyans und einem Besucher aus Belgien zum Training in Abbey Road (siehe Parkour Generations Visions Video mit Kazuma, Stephane Vigroux und Yann Hnautra). Eine Traumgegend und viele neue Eindrücke ließen die Zeit schnell verfliegen. Das Training war super und einige Challenges brachten mich wieder an mentale Grenzen. Vor allem ein Lache zu Präzisionssprung mit abfallenden Stiegen zum Rücken hin hatte es mir schwer gemacht. Sich mit voller Energie Schwingen zu trauen, wenn man weiß, dass das Loslassen der Stange nach hinten fürchterlich enden kann war nicht einfach. Nach mehreren Versuchen jedoch hatte ich den Lache im Griff und konnte mit einem guten Gefühl weitertrainieren (vllt. werde ich ihn filmen – 2019: nope sry). Die Saiyans waren ziemlich nett und der ein oder andere konnte sich noch an Bernards und meinen Besuch 2009 erinnern.

 

So viel zu den Trainingserfahrungen. Es tut sich viel und generell kann ich sagen. Es ist IMMER nass, auch wenn es nicht regnet… Oh und im Dezember werde ich höchstwahrscheinlich A.D.A.P.T. Lvl 1 zertifiziert.