R.I.P Castle

taken from facebook, written by me.

"Castle, a playground renowned for the amazing stunts people does in it and its unique structural surfaces, makes it so great for youths and adults alike to enjoy and chill out till the latest of nights.

Located at Tampines, it is probably the sole surviving old school playground left in it. However, it fell to the clutches of some contractors who felt that playgrounds should only cater the needs of children from the age 6 - 12 years old. And the 'poor' design of it seem to be dangerous for young kids. Same for the 'Shoe' and 'Mushroom' playground, demolition is knocking at its door.

We all share the grief of not having this one-of-a-kind playground, where traceurs can come and hone their skills, where children had the fun times playing blindmice, where all teenagers slack their days away... fond memories are sure to be kept. Sad to say, all good things had to come to an end.

Too late to sign a petition for it, for it is already being fenced up and its mats being torn apart. However, we can still show our agitation towards its demolition."

"so many things yet to be accomplished. honestly i saw this coming.haven't we heard the warning months ago. we took the warning for granted, not thinking that the demolition would ever come. yesterday i trained at castle, and it was totally fine, except for a sighting of fences and plank nearby. that made me ponder about t...he possibility of it being used to demolish castle. but i pushed that inkling away. today morning's call informed me of the fencing up of the area. expected it, i totally had expected it.

people would've regretted to not taking their opportunities, kept saying there'll always be next time. sadly, for castle, a playground where demolition would eventually take its course, there might not be a 'next time'. take this as a lesson learnt, to cherish whatever you have today, for you might not see it again tomorrow.

of course, its sad to see our finest go down into pieces. however, i'm happy to feel that i've came and conquered, cherished and celebrated, the one and only castle.

should've stuck a flag of PK:SG today."

R.I.P Castle.

Thinking, thinking, thoughts.

Quite bored now.
Don't know why but I've been noticing an increasing loss of leg power over the days, landings became shittier, distance and height lesser, explosiveness now little to none. Months back, some even years back, I believe I can nail the precisions without much hesitation and quite nicely controlled. Don't just say legs, pulling power as well, my muscleups and climbups deteriorated, seems like I'm getting weaker the more I train. Maybe it is the weight that I'm gaining, or I just need some time to regain all my explosiveness after my testing day.

I realise I never really 'train' properly. My training consist low drilling intensity and general mucking around, no real intentions of improving myself, just testing new things or moving around, I need serious drilling, alot of them. If I go to a spot I at least to do a movement that I want to do at least 10 times, each of them with maximum focus. I don't want failed/screwed-up attempts. And I have been neglecting my rolls, stupidly. Secondly, I should keep going for runs, not single moves after single moves. Where's the application, and variety, and efficiency? Mundane trainings makes your body adapted to the same thing, so really, no point. Thirdly, as far as pushing my limits goes, once I hit more then 5 attempts, I should stop, earlier the better. And I should be aware of my posture in midflight, and the landing especially.

And time to really polish up my flips. Roundoff, the slantedness in my backflip, standing front, and gainer. You know, kinda like working on different movements, weaknesses, instead of strengthening your strengths. Imbalances can suck, alot.

Gym training somehow is getting good, 90kg x3x3 was good, I wonder if I can hit 95kg x2x2. 100kg is a must. Deadlifting 100kgx1 for 3 sets this weak, 27.5kgx5 pullups. Bench presses to me not so important, just maintaining really. About 4 more routines till my actual 1rm testing day. I can't wait. Seriously need to have focus while gyming. At this point, form is imperative. After this routine and all ready to power up and transfer all that I've train into the outside world. Deloading and then working on front squats, and plyometrics.

Essentially two videos that I want to create.
Lack inspiration, but no worries, I'll get them well edited.

ARGHRUN! aka 'A.M.A Showreel'. TBR New Year.
CP: In Motion 2. TBR March 2010.

Ah well, no point writing down more, as I already know what I should do.

2 weeks into 'holidays'.

Here's what I got in mind. Part-time job and train all the way, till schools start. Since I need money anyway. Yeah but I won't be working so much, 3 times a week will do. Training's priority, since now I got the time. Job is a something that I need to do to serve as a money-supplier and get working experience. I really have to juggle my priorities well, fit them into a schedule and fend off laziness and procrastination. Shouldn't waste time really, whether or not the O's are over. So save up money, cut down on unnecessary expenses, spend wisely, and finally you gonna have money for LONDON! Next year June will be the year. Hopefully by then I would have 1 or 2 companions. Thats enough, really.

I really want to train to a level where I'll be confident to achieve stuffs in London and Lisses. I don't wanna go there and not be able to really train at all. But I need to understand that for everything, there's always limits. As long as I know when is going too fast or doing too much, I should be sailing just fine. Push myself a little bit is fine, but know when to stop. I can't dream for too much in such a short time. Just keep on training, train hard, train smart. Basics - the most important. Remember to be aware at all times. Full effort each attempt - No half-hearted/unfocussed/done-on-impulse movements. Clear your mind and do it. Constant repetitions, do the best you can for all reps. Work on weaknesses - Wallpasses. Buildering. Climbups. Rolls. Aim for control and all. Height in your sdcs. Getting over high obstacles quick.

Strength trainings on the other hand, I still have the goal in my mind 100kg squat for 1 bloody rep. I think I'm just gonna go gym at least 3 times everywhere (now that it is raining it seems like 4 times is possible too though). I think I'll start the routine very soon, but I'm not sure whether it could work it especially there's so many things that could possibly screw things up - last minute plans, woke up late, chalet, school and work. But yeah I'm just gonna do it. Pullups strength incredibly slackened, but I shall work on it. Deadlifts is so damn easy, but I need to drill them consistently for my back. Let's start the squat fever again, I lost it for so long.

Gonna get my frontflip polished and back up on form, and then drill running gainer and gainer off platform, whipback, roundoff back, slowly stop the slantedness of my backflip too. Train really good standing sides and powerful front, tighter tucks. Move on to concrete, get crane to sides. Softer landings, controlled one by one landings. Don't fight fear, neither do you succumb to it, rather let it go naturally. I believe I'm gonna go to twists once all the above are achieved.

Alright lets not talk so much, you know what you should do.

Lameness.

Exams over, time to play, but more of slack seriously. don't know if i got the enough commitment to find a job.

today at boxfit, trained with tutu for the first half, was a deadlift (core training) day, decided to skip presses, did pullups (which totally sucks) and front squats as a supplementary exercise. that supposed to be the 2nd exercise of the day but things don't go as planned you know - people using the squat rack, one after another. sadly the 2nd person who used it was doing deadlifts, and bent over rows, sharing with another person as well, doing plenty of sets, while me over there waited for minutes after minutes watching them do badly executed lifts, and whole lot of stupidity. those kind of lifts can be done on the floor, but they want the squat rack, fuck sia. share also dont want share, selfish-core, despite several pleas. of course the guy, with his egotistic mindset of i'm better you're just a small kid, went on doing his own stuffs, tried to act big, but failed. i know that if i aggravated the matter enough, i might get punched hard, especially that guy is a trained lifter, big size and all, definitely i can't deal much of impact. hais fuck this kind of people appearing in boxfit, using intimidation to win people. they're childish.

things like this happens and spoils your mood in an instant, making the thoughts inside your mind like a whirlwind - repeated thoughts of the scene, thinking of what ways you could've changed what you've done or just constantly cursing the guy, all these tweaks your facial expression to show the abhorrence of the situation happening right infront of you. boils your nerves, wanting your hands to turn into a fist, giving a knuckle sandwich right there and then. however reality seeps in before your body could go off course - doing such wouldn't rectify the situation at all, in fact it merely worsens it. seriously all you could do is to forget about such stupid people and mind your own business.

just forget about such retarded experiences and focus ahead,
today i got one new move, roll to sideflip. rather easy actually. i think my backflip got better in terms of being able to do it anytime and however i want, although its still lamely slanted. frontflip utterly slackened, used to be able to get so much height from it, now not even being able to control the landing or knowing the time to untuck, need so much more practice still. landings in all are still rather impactful, need to strive for controlled landings now that i can get them to second nature. my roundoff back is ok, i think i roughly know the technique, but needs more practice in a safe area, because it times to travel dangerously diagonally. sideflips getting more align. need to get over fear of gainers in one way or another now, and constantly practice the basics, and apply them into the streets.

impacts impacts impacts, still unable to get myself to do all movements within my level of control. i can land well, save myself well, but all of this not when the movement is too big, or not in the right state of mind (fatigued or unfocused). whatever it is, i should humble my movements and go back to the simple stuffs that are not beyond my ability of control. just no need big moves man.

gonna need to find time to really film, timelapse and artistic shots, and put my angles and camera movements into work, not just little boring angles. and static shots. 23 lame seconds of my video, i got 540 subscribers now, i wonder how much more would ARGHRUN! bring.

holidays now, time for proper training in boxfit, and movements outside, wondering if i could squeeze two days a week of work, and some other days for outings with my friends.

some mini goals. 3 times a week gym, handstands daily (improved alot but still not confident of saying that i could do the handstand anytime and anyhow i want yet), lesser impact lesser pushing, controlled landings all round, more humble, more trainings on frontflips, relax and stay happy.

btw, add-on to the 'traceurs in their delusions' post
"I forgot to mention how elitist our clique are. Self proclaimed 'higher-class' traceurs. We are damn egotistical, face it. Actually, don't just say the more experienced batch, just traceurs in general (however, not all, they are handful of humble ones). Just look at some newcomers, they feel as if they are so good, they HAVE to be respected, any (even minor) insults are taken as if a stab in their reputation. Thus they rebutt to your (rather harsh but truthful) replies thinking they you ain't any better, or 'if' you are, they'll think you're a big shot. Just like us, everytime we see a newcomer doing stupid things, we don't try to correct, instead we try to disgrace them, badmouthing them behind their backs. And we hardly try to teach anyone properly, and label much of newcomers as posers."

Training commences in 5 days time; pre-thoughts.

Seriously weakened in strength and loss abit of power. No longer can I do some standing precision I once perceive as something within my level of ability, albeit nearing the edge of my maximal power output. My mind wasn't agreeing with my body - what I thought I could do, my body failed me. Resulting in impactful landings, bails, and decrease in confidence. Landings was well badly controlled, some stupid bails and knees and ankles feeling so tired... only thing that improved lately is my handstands.

Gym training wasn't too good as well, form didn't really improve, squats felt alot more tiring, pullups was weak - couldn't do 20kg x5 x3, something that I used to be able to do easily.

Whatever it is, conclusion is, I need to get back to training and regain my form.
Starting from basics, landings and rolls. I shouldn't focus on the big stuffs really... just getting back the things that I've done before, with control of course.

Traceurs and Their Delusion.

Thinking about it now...
Traceurs are so blinded by reality. Most of them, not all, but really think... are you guilty as charged?

Single-handedly by far the most delusional intent of a traceur... making a video. Most traceurs are making, getting a camera just to film and create their own videos, causing alot of hype and all. Purpose? Definitely not just 'fun'. If so, how is it not stupid to impact oneself just for creating the most epic video on earth, what's more at the cost of your used-to-be healthy joints.

I think a proper video should be showing every single movement is something I can actually do at the first attempt. Save for some last minute hesitation of accidental cockups, but as long as 90% of the time you can do it, rather easily, that's what a good video supposed to be like... the first shot from the camera = the clips in the video. (except for camera filming cockups...)
That's actually what we should aim for in training, to get everything in the first attempt. Movements near maximum should be reserved for pushing yourself days only - on rare occasions. DEFINITELY not for showing off, thats just suicide.

If you know you can do it, doesn't mean you should actually do it. Only when you are fully confident you can control it, that's when you can give it a shot. Something about SDC is that I always overestimate how far I can go with it and take it as if its not impactful to go full swing. No need to mention anything about wallpass or the impact delivered up your knees each failed attempt.

Showing off, part of human ego? Somehow I feel that traceurs think that they are stronger then the 'typical humanoids'. Probably stronger then pure sedentary ones, but we still have alot to work on. My functionality in strength resulting for Pk to real life is minimal, how am I supposed to believe I'm strong? How 'strong' it is really to jump over distances and climb gracefully, with speed? How 'strong' it is to pullup over 20kg and drive your hips up over 90kgs on your shoulders in a squat? But in the streets, you can't handle a punch, you can't handle endurance running, you can't even carry and move heavy objects or carry out the simplest of tasks... how embarassing to mention that you're strong. Self-defense is a skill, much more applicable then any other activities in life.

I forgot to mention how elitist our clique are. Self proclaimed 'higher-class' traceurs. We are damn egotistical, face it. Actually, don't just say the more experienced batch, just traceurs in general (however, not all, they are handful of humble ones). Just look at some newcomers, they feel as if they are so good, they HAVE to be respected, any (even minor) insults are taken as if a stab in their reputation. Thus they rebutt to your (rather harsh but truthful) replies thinking they you ain't any better, or 'if' you are, they'll think you're a big shot. Just like us, everytime we see a newcomer doing stupid things, we don't try to correct, instead we try to disgrace them, badmouthing them behind their backs. And we hardly try to teach anyone properly, and label much of newcomers as posers.

Saying that parkcore is non-competitive but yet, truly in their hearts, some of them are still competitive. People only trying stuffs after people doing it, always, all the time... and not trying to find their own way. Really?

Alright having stated that, let's not just point fingers and each other, and ponder among yourself.
Really having realised things, I don't know still why can such stupidity occur, at all.

Guilty of showing off. Whether subconsciously or consciously, its difficult to hide...
Guilty of impacting myself unnecessarily, rushing to do stuffs way beyond my league...
Guilty for re-committing mistakes I've foolishly done in the past...
When people's around, a tendency to do something. Truthfully, I wanted to do the dash because I thought it was possible. Looks stared, and fuck, I start to feel that I'm doing it to showoff, because thats how I portray myself to be. My conscience states, I wanted to do the dash. Purpose of getting it film, a milestone of progression and of course telling myself that I've done so, or check for improvements. But I feel like I'm showing off. Subconsciously. That's not utterly bad I guess, because I don't purposely try to want to gain attention, because I know even if I'm alone I'll do it. In fact, I should spend less time filming. It makes you feel like you are getting it on film to showoff that you can do it.
Memories flickered through my mind... what happened to me knee because of that stupid wallpass attempts - near 50 times. For? Getting it on film. For? Attempting to impress.
Impacts are not worth. You are gonna last not for long, and that defeats the purpose altogether. Pushing yourself is good, but too harshly is never. Be aware of yourself and your limits, and be in control of every single movements. IF you know its far beyond your limit to control that movement, then don't. Flips different case though.

CP, please wake up.
Hopefully that's the past and you get your mindset rinsed.

Should anyone approach me and question the reason why I make a video now, or train Parkour, I must be able to answer it reasonably, properly, without any hesitation (and of course honestly, not some made up reasons). That's a show of your clarity in whatever you are doing. That's one problem I have, I can't seem to be able to answer things from scratch, split seconds, and that's why I suck in debates.
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Why do I train 'movements':
Of course, the freedom being experienced, and the understanding of the ability of humans to be constantly break barriers. Purpose? No particular purpose. I just love moving, the feeling each time I do something, achieve something, makes me feel alive.
Flips, serves no way applicable in real life, but so is much of PK. I feel flips is another form of expression, just in rotations, twists, inversions. Fear control.
Why am I really willing to risk my life, and maybe cut short half of my knees lifespan, is because if you consider and typical human being, whose life is to eat alot but yet not stay active, my knees are certainly grow stronger than them. I rather live a life of value, of experiences, and if I die, I will be appeased, knowing when I'm old, I'll be looking back at my videos and tell myself how much I have achieved, something to be proud and happy about, and am willing to face the consequences of whats to come. I'm not saying this so I can just disrespect my body, but it is the fact to know that joint problems are near inevitable.

Weight training:
If you see how much I tend to make weight training to reason to get strong as opposed to conditioning, you know why and how serious am I towards this. And how much I throw away the false accusations of stunt growth due to it. I do squats because, its also another passion, not just a supplementary exercises. Again, being strong includes with and without weights. Main reason still, it is to show that no matter how tough the weights rested upon your shoulders is, the feeling of recruiting every single muscle fibers to execute your maximal strength and power output, one shot, AHHHHHHHHH and you're up, maintain the form and all, that feeling, beats most things hands down. Shows how powerful your body is, and that feeling of boosting your 1rm by Kgs each time round, shows that the impossible never was impossible. I don't do weights for appearance. PLease.

Videos:
Another form of expression. I love being creative as much in video editing and in PK. Translating my thoughts into video form, without any rules or restrictions to comply to, letting people see my creation. Hopefully being intrigued by it. Its about what you do with a simple camcorder, and put together with a video editor, to come up with a fine piece of arts. Everything comes with an interest, and this is mine. I seriously need to start working on short films not just PK and PK and PKKKK.
PK videos are made to showcase progression, but that in mind, I shall be wary to not exceed my limits just to get a good shot on film. If you can't there's no need to force. And to connect with the people in other countries, have seemed to work out quite well, like gaining popularity of our spots. And traceurs have a worldwide bond, I want to share my video with the world. Showing the world what's possible, inspiring people. I love making videos and since I can combine both interests, this could be a starting point of development towards my future filmmaking career.
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Few things to note: Work on rolls, muscleups, handstands, controlled landings in drops and cranes, wallpasses. Gym thrice a fortnight, do homeworks, stop wasting time, practicing handstands, sleep on time, train flips hard after school.
One weekday train, Sunday gym, Saturday slack, One day full swing studies, the rest balance out.

Blog's Stagnance

Not on purpose. Just that I don't feel that there's alot to be blogged about and I'm pouring my thoughts out on my 'personal' blog, where I am posting so much more there as compared to here, because probably I'm no longer thinking of being secretive of my life. So what if people know. But that doesn't mean I want to get more unwanted attention, that's why the training logs of mine are kept in its original place (here). But probably you people should read the other blog too... if you want.

Recent trainings, let me think.
Park core wise I would think it is really improving, especially in precisions (on rails even) and the running armjumps at castle. Wallpass still kinda inconsistent, climbups getting back on form, 180s (cat2cat/pres) are improving massively, catpass at a new higher level (with so much ease @ shinos now), laches are losing power (probably due to lack of practice). Strides more confident, runs are faster, confidence level improving, as my belief is strong (being able to do most movements as height without much hesitation, after awhile), also knowing my limits better. Gotten running precisions are Bishan and Dame Du Lac shows that I'm improving in leg strength. Bails are less (though not completely eradicated). Of course with everything there's area for improvements, that is with rolls, and landings. Rolls is really poserish, as until now I'm not fully confident, and landings are still quite loud at times, not well absorbed. Lost my crane at tree garden, and my crane ain't very strong too.
So three things to work on, rolls and wallpasses and cranes.

Flips wise, can say pretty much the same. I've gotten higher sides, side-to-sides, more comfortable fronts, ok on concrete and being able to do most of the time, albeit sideways sides. Backflips are still weird though. One of the flips I've havent fully figured. Its always moving to the side, and my roundoff back is really off, low. roundoff - another thing that I need to work on. Wallflip, bailed once, probably lost confidence, but I've never been confident with that before. Unable to get height, feels weird and scary, lots of things to work on. Fixing the rotational axis and expanding my repertoire of tricks, the things that top my flips to-do lists. Also, combining flips with Peekay outside.
Handstands can say have improved, but it feels really inconsistent.

Strength training at gym. Haven't got there much, less than 3times each fortnight, but it is all good. Squats have still been the same, of course, pretty much because I've never been training. But still leg strength is improving. Got a napfa test for a shirt thing, got 266cm, furthest ever I've jumped, which is obviously badly landed and probably 98% full force. I feel back pains yesterday, weirdly. A sign for me to stop impacting myself and strengthen my back even more, rest and stretch and some fish oil. So need to train on deadlifts (not maximal though). I'm thinking of the exercises I should do when I'm just aiming to maintain strength... still got lots to learn about strength training. Also, what routine should I undertake when O's are over. I'm still aiming for the ultimate goal 100kg squat x1. Doubtful that I can nail an OAC though.

Nutrition-wise, my weight stands at 52.8kg today, but waxes and wanes between 52 to 53.8(max recorded). I think I should watch my weight a little, not that I'm so vain about fats and stuffs, but hopeful to eliminate most unnecessary bodyfats as possible, so it'll help in my movements. Muscle mass are inevitable, but ain't that bad, hopefully. I hope people don't get the wrong idea that I train for muscles, because really, the results of them are all these trainings. Hmm maybe cut down on chicken skin, big portions of rice, hash browns, oily foods, and eat more fish, noodles or things.

thats all.