For a majority of Traceurs summer is the season of choice due to the bodacious dry surfaces which are sublime for sticking large jumps. These students of movement go about on their merry way training their hearts out and progressing at astounding speeds. Then without warning winter swings around and brings the good ole’ frozen water with it; At this point many Traceurs revert to the life of simple indoor conditioning, oblivious to what they are missing. The froth of snow that cakes the world around you is not detrimental and today I will show you why.
Often times we look at winter as the enemy, this is an insalubrious mindset which should be dispelled at once. The reason for this is that by our nature we try to avoid our enemies, hence why we train inside during the cold months. If we were to simply shift our mindset winter could become our ally in the quest for improvement. Winter brings new challenges to the table which are perfect for fast improvement. Be wary though, you will not be able to perform at the same level you do in the summer; This is where your Traceur humility kicks in, even if you continually fail a basic jump you regularly perform in the dry months you must remain ego free.
If you are feeling pluck and commit to training through this season of rigor I commend you. The best thing about this time of year is experiencing new training spots! When revising old spots you will find that they have been completely transformed by the winter blizzards; This gives you the chance to use your Parkour Vision by mapping out new creative routes through the exciting environment. With winter comes slippery surfaces, use them to perform oddball movements that are impossible on dry surfaces. Utilize the snow as padding to cushion your larger jumps or pretend it’s lava and avoid it at all costs; Whatever the case, have fun. It is important to recognize that your style as a Traceur is not concrete, it is ever adapting in order to keep up with the endless stream of demands supplied by our world. Your many styles influence one another in a exquisite plethora of synergy. This means that by training in winter you benefit your summer training as well.
I will now impart some practical tips you can act on the next time you train outside. the number one rule when winter training is to dress properly; This means layering up on tight clothes that will hold your heat in. If it happens to be bitterly cold, wear gloves; It is the smart thing to do. Besides, repeated exposure to icy conditions will develop a chronic condition that causes your hands to lock up even when they are not cold, we don’t want that! Winter is a dangerous time for the human body so be sure to stay hydrated and keep moving. Another thing altered by winter is your choice of footwear; Instead of your fancy Parkour specific shoes you should consider using something a little more stalwart. I would go as far as to say that boots are a good option, as they will provide more traction in snow when contrasted to flimsy minimalist shoes.
I am a strong believer that you reap what you sow in all aspects of life, this is evident when we look at the “Time + Labor = Reward” formula. I believe that the year is broken into sections designated for reaping and sowing. We are programmed to sow our seed for a set period of time followed by a reaping section to retrieve what our seed has grown; The winter season is a time for reaping so don’t be surprised if you have a lack of motivation around this time, it’s natural. I hope this has opened your eyes to what winter truly is: a gift. Do what you think is right and enjoy the life you are blessed with! -Dameon