Parkour and SolidWorks: Aware of Your Suroundings

by Josh on March 10, 2008 · Comments

parkour-jump-roll.jpgThis weekend I got a chance to do a bit of Parkour, or Freerunning, with a friend also interested in it. Now at first glance (see video below) you may think it’s a bunch of idiots trying to break their legs acting like monkeys, but, yeah, it’s actually much more.

I would define Parkour as a way of moving through your physical environment without slowing. My brothers and I basically did this growing up, chasing each other across the wooded cliffs and riverbeds of the Shawnee National Forest, but we never had a name for it.

Now it’s something I do for exercise. It’s more fun than running and less dangerous than sitting in a cubicle. You need a happy medium.

Think Fast
When your running as fast as you can at a stair railing or a bunch of rocks you gotta think pretty quickly what you’re going to do to get around them. Like what are you gonna do if someone is chasing you with a bat. Now, isn’t as life threatening, for now, but, you know, you have to figure some things out pretty quick even if you don’t know what’s coming or how you’re going to progress until you get there.

Aware of your surroundings
This is one of the funnest activities I’ve ever done and I find that when I’m really tested against my surroundings at work in completing a model or a redesign is when I enjoy that part of work the most.

What’s even cooler
It’s not one of the hokey feel-good mindsets. You don’t have to force yourself to be aware of every instance. It’s happening faster than you can think and you kinda realize it because you feel confident you’ll know what to do. But there’s one thing needed.

It takes training
Lot’s of it. This weekend was particularly painful because I haven’t done some of those things in awhile. We did runs where we took turn following each other getting over and around anything. The concept being, when you put yourself into a situation you limit yourself. Whereas, when someone else puts you in a situation you have to perform or stay home. Once you face it, your flying over obstacles (redesign, modeling errors) and not even losing a breath. It feels super cool and, even more, you get to show someone else how it’s done.

I can’t wait to get out the next time. If any of you are in to Tulsa area, let me know.

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Tagged as: performance, solidworks, work

  • My 5 3/4 year old Daughter is in full Parkour mode 24/7. No wonder kids are in such good shape, they RUN everywhere, all the time. Only lazy Adults make them slow down. One time, she Parkour'd herself right into the door jamb at 90 mph plus. Whew! She was out like a light, Pops (that's me) Parkour'd himself in place for a few nano seconds before calling 911. She woke up staring at 3 firemen bent over her (there were right doen the street when I called). At the hospital, she was a hit, she made everyone laugh! No injuries at all, no bump on her head either! What happened? She fainted!
  • Ha! yeah, I must have done the Parkour thing in high school without knowing it, now what do I have to thank for it? Bad knee joints, a herniated disc, and dislocated shoulder that pops back out every once in awhile.

    LOL! That's hilarious Devon. My daughter did almost the same thing except into the corner of the entertainment center. No fainting, but a HUGE goose-egg on her forehead. Lately both her and my son have been trying to Parkour themselves across the 3 foot gap between the sofa chair and the couch. Not all attempts are succesful.

    Josh, you have GOT to post VIDEO of yourself in action. That would be hilarious! I'd pay to see that!
  • Josh
    ha, man guys, that is so funny (and scary), you have some very resilient children there.

    Bruce, as soon as I can do some cool stuff I'll post a video. That might be a little while! This stuff is fun, but I'm still sore from Saturday!
  • Asmodeus
    We used to do this stuff when I was a kid in my elementary and junior high schools. I'm nearly 40 now, but still somewhat limber. I'd really have to get myself back into fighting shape to even attempt anything like the video. Fun stuff though and brings back cool memories.
  • Zach
    My 3, 4, and 6 year olds are all working on their skills. We have house rules about which door jambs the kids are allowed to climb. I'm planning on getting back into shape so I can keep up with them. Anybody in Tulsa know of some good practice areas, let us know.

    There was supposed to be a jam this past weekend (April 12), but it was postponed. Check the OK section of http://www.americanparkour.com/ for updates, training, and other good info.
  • TL
    Bad knee joints? it takes years of building up before you should jump off buildings. A lot of newbies think they can get into big jumps because they have the ability, but it tears up your joints.
  • matt gleason
    Hi, my name is Matt Gleason. I'm a feature writer for the Tulsa World. I'd love to do a feature on local Parkour lovers. Shoot me back an email.
  • Neisha
    I know some one that does parkour in tulsa but he doesnt know any one else that does it he needs some one else to do it with him, just fo ideas and stuff
  • Kal
    I've actually been wanting to get into Parkour for a few years now and didn't know if there were any people who did it (for freerunning either one) in the area or not. I need to get back into shape and this seems like a lot more fun than walking or running and demands the practice that I need to in order to stay enthused. Have you located any groups in the area yet? Shoot me an email if you have any ideas.
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