CHEWING ROPE [Jumping Rope Blogrimage: Day 9]
ROPESPORT QUOTE:
Just throw a jump rope in a suitcase, briefcase, backpack, or purse, and you have the “greatest portable workout in existence.”
All day my knee felt fine. In the back of my mind, I wondered if it’d hurt while jumping. Though feeling weak, the pain of yesterday disappeared. To where? Jump rope Heaven—or Hell?
My kids in class keep asking to see my six pack. Instead of pulling up my shirt, I give them a six pack of Miller Lite. They are only about 9 so they don’t know the different between MGD and Lite. Suckers. JK. LOL. TTYL.
Back.
Thanks for the advice on tips. I’m figuring out to incorporate them all, thereby sucking optimal life out of the Blogrimage.
Speaking of sucking life, I chewed up part of my jump rope and now it feels balanced. Guess I’m really sinking my teeth into this whole sport. ROFL!
PROGRESS:
1. 15 Double-Unders in a row
2. Criss Crossed a bunch
3. Gnawed off part of my jump rope
4. Knee felt okay
5. 1300 revolutions.
TRIVIA:
Basic jump
This is where both feet are slightly apart and jump at the same time over the rope. Beginners should master this technique first before moving onto more advanced techniques
IN THE GYM [Jumping Rope Blogrimage: Day 8]
ROPESPORT QUOTE:
In the classes I teach I’ll periodically yell out, “You’re just dancing with your rope.”
Worked all day and decided to jump in between my last class and bus pickup. With only an hour, I quickly changed clothes and started jumping. Five minutes after arriving, Amreitha got on the treadmill besides me (we had the whole gym to ourselves!).
Immediately, the high ceiling, wooden floor (with a little bounce), and open space drastically changed my jumping. No longer confined, I felt greatly more comfortable here. In my house, I am trying not to hit the ceiling, hit the floor too hard (neighbors), hit the walls, or hit my furniture. That alone is a work out. The gym welcomed flails of many sorts—including 14 double-unders in a row! That is almost double my previous record of 8!
My external environment increased, but my body seems to dislike all this jumping. The left knee whimpers each jump, so I slowed my pace a bit. I wonder what’s going on there? The concrete in my house probably doesn’t help.
PROGRESS:
1. Jumped in a Gym
2. 14 double-unders in a row
3. Left knee hurts when jumping
4. 1000 in 15 minutes
5. Wanting a knew rope or tape to balance existing rope
TRIVIA:
In the United States, the main jump rope organization is USA Jump Rope. USAJR is composed of hundreds of jump roping teams and hundreds of jumpers from all over the country.
CRAPPY MIRROR [Jumping Rope Blogrimage: Day 7]
ROPESPORT QUOTE:
“And in terms of pure fun, there’s no comparison, either.”
Went on a walk with Amreitha and rummaged for furniture in rich Korean apartments. Second hand stores are rarely seen, so I think I now know where second hand furniture goes—the trash. She picked up a coffee table and I collected a crappy mirror (blinded earlier by excitement). I don’t like it, but my room is looking less and less like an isolation chamber (I have white floors, white walls, white appliances and white furniture).
Unfortunately, I forgot to bring the rope with me. Oh well, I got a good 1,200 in my disappearing isolation chamber (see above).
After many tiring attempts, I completed 8 double-unders in a row! I am not sure if these are hard because of my rope (cheap Korean dollar store rope) or my inabilities. Either way, the challenge satisfies. So, I guess, horray!
PROGRESS:
1. 8 double-unders in a row
2. 165 revolutions in one minute (with one trip up)
3. 1 crappy mirror
4. 1200 or so revolutions
TRIVIA:
Jump rope is a sport, and is practiced at a competitive level for young kids or adults.
SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE [Jumping Rope Blogrimage: Day 6]
ROPESPORT QUOTE:
“MTV with a Jump Rope”
Today was nuts! Though, traveling from Busan to Daegu then to Cheongdo tired Amreitha and I greatly, the brought us a lot of energy and excitement. We traveled with foreigners from all over the world to visit a wine tunnel and a Korean Bull Fight. A local Korean magazine hired me to take pictures, so it was a free adventure.
Free Adventure
My step dad taught me a lot about theology (he is a Lutheran Pastor in California). One of the greatest lessons he taught me concerned free adventure. He said that money and circumstances doesn’t dictate adventure or fun. He said that adventure could be found anywhere without paying a dime. It was from this mindset, we biked across Minnesota, climbed collapsing sand mountains, train hopped (with his son), “extremely” canoed and did a number of things. My spirit of adventure comes largely from this passed on lesson.
Anyways, I felt like we participated in a true Korean event. Yeah, I was more entertained by watching the people than the event, but I overall I loved being there. If taking pictures didn’t dictate my time, I would have jumped. However, it was, so I reserved jumping for home once again.
PROGRESS:
1. I think I’m seeing a slight difference in my stomach size and tone
2. I gave myself strawberries and incentives
3. Completed 6 double-unders in a row!
4. 160 in one minute again
4. 160 in one minute again
TRIVIA:
“Bloomer [Wisconsin] is the Jump Rope Capital of the World.”
MOTEL and BEACH JUMPING [Jumping Rope Blogrimage: Day 5]
ROPESPORT QUOTE: “Maybe men like to imagine themselves as boxers in training?”
Yesterday, I blogged in the morning, but couldn’t do it justice because of travel plans. Amreitha, her brother Vaughn, and I went to Busan to spend the day and, eventually drop him off at the airport. This city has quickly become one my favorites in Korea. We saw the beach, ate good food, drank smoothies and then woke up at 3:50 a.m to drop Vaughn off at the airport.
I jumped a set at the beach in all my clothes. I got some strange looks, but it was not a big deal at all. After that, I completed my 1000 in the bathroom of a cheap motel. The bathroom measured large enough to work, and made for a convenient shower. We laughed at how ridiculous the situation was—wearing a bathrobe, waking up in 3 hours and jumping rope when we were all so tired!
On top of the fatigue, exercise and limited sleep, I had to travel back a little across Korea to photograph a Bull Fight immediately after dropping Vaughn off! I’m excited that my grandchildren will read about this.
The taxi driver got us to the airport, and we felt a bit unnerved for the airport stood vacant and dark. I’ve traveled a lot of places and never experienced anything like this. We had the whole place to ourselves. Crazy.
The lights eventually turned on, and good-byes commenced.
PROGRESS:
1. Jumped on the Beach of Busan, Korea
2. Continued jumping in the Bathroom of a cheap motel with Vaughn and Amreitha
3. Getting smoother, but still not like the pros I see on the internet
4. Think I’m starting to see a difference in my body from dieting and jumping (I’ve been dieting for awhile now)
5. Jumped 1100 times
TRIVIA:
Jumping rope can avoid the knee damage which may occur during running, since the impact of each jump or step is absorbed by both legs.
I WORE SHOES [Jumping Rope Blogrimage: Day 4]
ROPE SPORT QUOTE: “Jumping rope Looks Really Cool.”
For some reason I said “you can’t kill time without injuring eternity” in the video portion of this blog. That phrase doesn’t legitimately apply to this blog unless you correlate it to “time flies” and then connect “flies” to the jumping in jumping rope.
Only on day 4 I considered taking a day off. Passion is so much easier than discipline. Don’t worry, I pushed on through. Like with not injuring eternity, discipline is something I want to work on (always). Discipline is the mark of the disciple. Though temptation comes, the commitment, and memory of why I started, is before my eyes. Another discipline in this journey is something I hope people steal—every time I make time to read a blog, I comment on it. Seemingly, Beth Stice has ventured on this as well (she comments and encourages on every blog I read before me!).
Speaking of discipline…
When managing my jumping time, I’m considering increasing the jump rope number to something unhealthy. I’m curious to see how far one can push his body before injury (in the world of jumping). Maybe it will make jumping rope more exciting for me and you? Who knows? Let me know what you thinky.
PROGRESS:
1. 6 Double-Unders in a row
2. Wore Shoes
3. Jumped with a full stomach of Korean BBQ
4. 160 revolutions in a minute (not sure if this is good or bad)
5. Jumped 1100 times
TRIVIA:
“Rope jumping is a simple activity that can be an excellent method of conditioning. This activity incorporates every energy system of the body, providing many fitness benefits.”
Jumping Rope [Day 3]
Walking to my bus stop identified soreness in my calves. Last night, my calves wanted to cramp up. Last time this happened is freshmen year of college. I tried training with the track team without stretching or drinking water. Though I kept up, afterwards I began blacking out and both my calves cramped up. The track coach yelled at me, and asked a big black guy to pick me up--like a husband with his new bride--walk me to the bleachers and massage me. Not only did he massage me, he did it soft and tender because applied pressure hurt too much.
A teacher colleague of mine bought a book (ROPESPORT: The Ultimate Jump Rope Workout) for me today! Thanks David!
This book is helpful and full of hilarious quotes. From now on, each blog will include an entertaining quote from that book.
Still loving following everyone’s BLOGRIMAGES and appreciate the comments!
PROGRESS:
1. Thought I’d be suffering through this session, but my soreness wasn’t too bad.
2. Did 5 double unders in a row!
3. Criss-crossed a couple times (makes you jump! Jump!).
4. Jumped about 1300 times.
5. Over corrected my right foot and now my left is jumping higher!
TRIVIA:
The Origin of Double Dutch
"A history of the game written by David A. Walker, the founder of the sport, traces the probable origins to ancient Phoenician, Egyptian and Chinese ropemakers..."
"The Dutch settlers brought the game to the Hudson River trading town of New Amsterdam (now New York City). When the English arrived and saw the children playing their game, they called it Double Dutch."
The modern competitive game however bagan in "...1973, David A. Walker, then a New York City Police Community Affairs Detective, joined by his partner Detective Ulysses Williams, developed the street game of Double Dutch into the World Class Sport that it is today."
http://www.nationaldoubledutchleague.com/History.htm
ROPE SPORT QUOTE:
The opening sentence of the book says, “Like so many millions of people, my first memories of jumping rope are as a kid on the local school playground.”
Jumping Rope [Day 2]
I have 1/15th of the challenge completed already! Time “flies” when you’re jumping rope (get it?).
Again, I’m pumped that over 38 people have joined the BLOGRIMAGE, though I’m quantitatively unaware of the spectator verses participants categories. Still, people are journeying on deep, vulnerable, shocking, hilarious and admirable blogs—so glad I get to be part! I’m inspired by all your quests.
This guy (http://rob-writinobama.blogspot.com) is writing a blog to President Obama Everyday! So cool.
Today, I am sore in the strangest places: primarily, the top of my feet—an area typically reserved for shoelaces. Also, this is the first time I am putting up un-funny shirtless pictures on the internet. This girl Crystal got really awkward today when I started a conversation with her by saying, “I put up shirtless pictures on the internet last night.” Go figure. I’m not trying to show off (not that there’s much to see), but I love seeing before and after pictures. To me, that’s worth a little of the awkwardness.
Found out 3 people at my school are jumping rope. One of them is the school bus driver. He’s like a combination of Jason Statham from the Transporter mixed with Annyong from Arrested Development. Jumping rope is the latest rage!
Progress:
1. Getting more skilled. I went 100 in a row using a brisk pace.
2. My right foot typically goes higher than my left, but I’m correcting that.
3. I did 5 double-unders in a row
4. I can now sprint faster by alternating legs
5. My calves want to cramp up at the end
6. Sore everywhere!
Jumping Rope Trivia:
“Jumping rope can burn up to 1000 calories per hour, making it one of the most efficient workouts possible. It tones muscles in the entire body, developing long, lean muscles in all major groups, both upper and lower. Jumping rope optimizes cardiovascular conditioning and maximizes athletic skills by combining agility, coordination, timing and endurance.” [http://www.fitfaq.com/jumping-rope-benefits.html]
Jumping Rope [Day 1]
Let the Blogrimage Begin!
First of all, I’m pumped that 25 plus people are Blogrimaging! This blogged pilgrimage is proof that life is lived by those who choose to live it and we construct that crowd.
For those who don’t know, the next 30 days are to be blogged with documentation of an adventure lived, skill developed, or story told daily. My journey of jumping rope 1000-2000 to repetitions a day started today, March 15th in Korea.
Here is my Jump Rope! It’s kind of junky.
People who know me well know that I often jump from passion to passion. As life progresses, I love to learn fast and dive in with various adventures and skills (photography, videos, books, blogrimages, etc.). My latest craze is studying about ab excercies.
There is a lot of garbage out there, but also some good products. I primarily saw these practices promoted in order to get that six pack:
1. The Abs Diet, Low Carb Diet, Master Cleanse and Counting Calories
2. Ab excercies (crunches, sit-ups, leg lifts)
3. Ab toys (ab wheel, ab lounger, ab shocker belt)
4. Extreme amounts of cardio (running, stationary bike, elipitcal)
5. Jumping Rope
6. High Intensity Interval training
I am focusing on 5 and 6. From the results I’ve seen online, they seem the most legitimate. Though, I have to admit, I am focusing on 1 just as much. They say, “abs are made in the kitchen,” so I’m avoiding drinking any pop or fruit juices, unhealthy sugar, white bread, white rice, and lowering the amount of carbohydrates in my diet. These are the things I will focus on in order to get abs:
1. Lots of sleep
2. Eat 5-6 times a day (keep my metabolism high)
3. Eat lifestyle healthy (probably won’t go cold turkey on unhealthy foods, but will avoid most)
4. High Intensity Interval training
5. Jumping Rope
6. Drinking lots of water
This is my relative plan to get abs. I’m not sure it will happen in 30 days. It’s okay—the discipline is more of what is desired.
Thanks for following. As the 30 days progress, I’ll add more health information. Please comment if you have any suggestions.
Peace!
Before Pics:
Relaxed.
Flexed. Bam!
The BLOGRIMAGE begins Monday
Some people are building successful businesses, other are seeking to cure diseases or become a voice of justice for the unheard. My quest, however, is not so noble.
My quest is Jumping Rope.
As of late, I’ve wanted to get something out of my system: six to eight pack abs. Quite a few people regularly call me a giant, super strong or simply sizeable, but that does not mean I look like the 300 Spartans in the rectus abdominus region. In my early high school years, I consistently worked out, wrestled and achieved a low body fat percentage while managing to maintain a one pack. Now, I’m lifting weights, dieting, running and biking, yet I am still not receiving the results desired.
So, I searched for something to compliment these efforts.
Navigating through the ab-rollers, ab-shockers, ab-chairs and ab-sence of anything useful is draining and annoying. Eventually, I found a recurrent theme promoting a product that cost very little to purchase: a jump rope.
Later into the journey, I’ll discuss the benefits of jumping rope in more depth. For now, just know that 5 minutes of jumping rope will make most people lose their breath.
Starting Monday, I will jump 1000-2000 repetitions a day and see what happens with my body fat and weight. I’ll blog everyday during this time for accountability and documentation.
I hope you follow along, and better yet, document a journey of your own.
Here’s a random video of me drumming at a club called Urban: