After completing the first three sections we arrived at the kong station. Zazie is watching me doing the kong which wasn`t very well demonstrated. She is asking for a bit more details of how the kong works. Karen and I explained what the important parts are to do it right. Take off two feet with a bit distance to the obstacle, push on the obstacle with both hands at the same time, for a very short time both knees need to touch the chest with the body weight slightly forward above the shoulders and lending on the toes. Without much thinking Zazie is doing the move and “wow”, for the first time it was impressively great. Only the position of her landing needs a bit correction, landing on toes and shoulders slightly forward. But apart from that the move was perfect.

• Make sure your hands are positioned directly below your shoulders.


• Ensure your back is engaged by contracting your stomach muscles.


• Do not drop your hips.


• Do not bend your knees, keep the legs straight.


• At the bottom of the pressup, touch, but do not rest your chest or stomach on the floor.


• Try to be dynamic. i.e. Do not rest between each repetition of the set. complete the set without stopping. (This does not relate to speed)

I'll start relatively simple with the wide position. this particular pressup can be very effective if done correctly. Start in the regular pressup position and now move both hands as far out as they will go while still supporting your weight (See photo #1).
Now bend your arms while keeping your back straight and go as far down as possible without collapsing or resting your chest on the floor. (See Photo #2)

Unfortunately these images don't work so well because the grass obscures the bottom position of the pressup.

It was the best feeling, but somehow I was more proud this time of how I approached the jump not the jump itself. I then drilled this jump quite a few more times to make sure that it stuck this time.

My second jump was not as long a story (I’m sure you’re pleased to hear) but started after training one day. I was looking around with Blane and James and we came across a gas pipe on the side of some flats, I climbed up a few times to check that it was secure and to see where I could go from there… turned out not very far. But across from it was a low roof and the wheels in my head began to turn. Climbing on top of the roof we looked across at the pipe, I suggested that if someone wanted to they could running jump from the roof and catch the pipe then climb down. The guys agreed and blane began to size it up, seeing this I decided I couldn’t be the one to suggest it then not give it a go so also warmed-up for it. Initially it appeared quite close and considering some of the other jumps I had looked at earlier was well within reach but as I got ready to go that fear and uncertainty came back, this wasn’t helped by the fact that when looking head on it appears as if the pipe is flat against the wall with no space for your hands and that the edge where you would take your last step is loose. Control and accuracy was a must. While looking at it I decided that no matter what I was doing that jump then, not tomorrow, not when I felt better or more rested but then so as not to allow it to build up in my head. After looking at it a couple more times I got out my ipod and put on a track to get me psyched up then went for it.

Again that overwhelmingly good feeling you get from succeeding at something challenging came flooding in and I repeated it a couple times (without the ipod) to make sure. I went back there a couple weeks after with brian to get the pic for the blog and was happy to find that in acknowledging it may still be scary when you return was able to repeat it no problem.

So to sum up my painfully long post I found:
1. It’s important to view each jump as it is then and there and accept that if you’re afraid you’re afraid, that doesn’t mean you let the fear beat you.
2. If you choose to do the jump then do it. Don’t spend 2hours looking at the same spot because in that time your only reinforcing your fear and inability to do it. Come back some other time if need be.
3. Understand and trust in your own abilities. Some things should affect your jump/movement i.e. surface conditions or weather but some things have no real bearing on your skills i.e. height. If you can jump 5ft on the floor there’s nothing that having a big drop below you can really do to your 5ft jump, it’s your mind.

And so ladies and gentlemen we come to that part where you tell me about your challenge! Remember it doesn’t have to be long or detailed if you don’t want to just a little bit about it, the ways in which you prepare for it or even just how you felt? All questions and comments will be read and appreciated so….uh….go!

"Je n’avais pas très faim, je me suis fait une salade, je pense á mon entrainement de demain:” je me ferai bien une séance de cotes au park...”

"Je viens de voir que j’ai reçu d’autres e-mails:”allez! C’est reparti,au boulot...”

Labels: Training