[Crew, I heartily suggest reading this offering in
conjunction with the prior entry in this Old School PT series, Trains Go Somewhere, Does Your Training Get You There?]
[BTW-There
is a list of recommended films at the end of this missive.]
One of our
new Black Box Project/RAW Cadre inquired for info about getting back into condition
after a long period of Covid stasis. Since many others are going thru the same long-dark
sedentary time I thought I’d open the reply for others who have the same
concerns.
A reply
that makes sure we don’t put the boring cart before the lovely horse; a
response that points the finger towards fun and “eyes on the prize.”
In a
nutshell, make your training task focused rather than preparation focused.
By that I mean, in the beginning focus less on the "getting ready"
[push-ups, pull-ups, the usual rote-work of gym-prescriptions.]
Rather,
put your limited time into your actual interests. If it be combat rough ‘n’
tumble, make that bag training, floor bags, pad work, if you’ve got a partner sparring,
some rolling.
If you dig
weapons, rather than swing a kettlebell, swing full-weighted tomahawks and
battleaxes. Allow the goal itself to lead the way.
I cannot
say enough we often place premium energy into “getting ready” exercises that chew
into time we could be investing in the actual activity we are getting ready for.
Want more
PT?
Before we
add sets and reps and Bro-strictures that sanctify the prep…
Hit the water, go up a mountain, hike a trail, climb a tree, trek some place
new.
Simply
adding destinations to our lives as opposed to hamster wheels to nowhere often
kick-starts the organism to spontaneous growth.
[For the scientific
basis of that last bit of advice, might I suggest reading the following essay: Risk-Free is Not Free At All.]
As
for specifics on actual preparation exercises, is there anything to be prescribed
for the Old School Way?
Sure, I put
in a solid 25-minutes of prep time 6 days a week, and I’ll lay that out for
Black Box Subscribers in the future but…
That
25-minutes, no matter how efficient and effective it may be, is the boring cart
before the lovely horse of your own humanity and need for unboxed, uncaged
expression.
To keep on
track with both Old School themes and getting more “moreness” into your life,
let’s hit a series of quotes from Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.
For those not
in the know, this silent screen star was the original Jackie Chan. Mr. Chan himself
considers both Fairbanks and the equally impressive Buster Keaton as his
heroes.
For our purposes,
Mr. Fairbanks may be the model to shoot for as his grace, panache, savoir
faire, and sense of fun is simply infectious.
Do
yourself a favor and sit down and view a few this Hoss’s films. I’ll provide a Top
5 List at the end of this article.
“Mind
you, physical training doesn’t necessarily mean going to an expert for advice.
One doesn’t have to make a mountain out of a molehill. Get out in the fresh air
and walk briskly - and don’t forget to wear a smile while you’re at it. Don’t
over-do. Take it easy at first and build on your effort day by day.”
Douglas
Fairbanks
[Not an un-true
word there.]
“I am
very fond of athletics of any kind, especially boxing and wrestling. I like
swimming, boating, motoring, or, for that matter, anything that has life to it.
I simply can’t stand still.” — Douglas Fairbanks Sr.
“I
do not like to converse regarding my own personality but I can say with all
modesty that I do keep in the pink of condition, and I am not at all averse to
telling the public just how I do it….First comes sleep. At least eight hours’
sleep is required. Or should it be are required? Just fix it upright. I’m a
light sleeper myself and seldom require more than four or five. It has been
aptly said that sleep is nature’s great hair restorer.” — Douglas
Fairbanks, Sr.
[The
jovial Mr. Fairbanks laughs at his own receding hairline and pokes fun at those
who offer “advice.”]
“On
arising in the morning, a hot glass of water should be drunk. Better make that,
a glass of water should be drunk. I don’t drink it myself but it is in the
rules. Coffee is very bad for one striving to be athletic and should be
eliminated. I seldom drink more than three cups in the morning.”
[Again,
having fun with boring cart prescriptions.]
“One
of the principal things about athletics is exercise. There’s no use trying to
be athletic without it. Ten minutes of gymnastics when arising in the morning
is usually sufficient when augmented by walking. The exercise should be taken
in front of an open window, as the breathing of fresh air is very good for one.
Automobiles should be shunned. Shunning them is often very good exercise in
itself. What I mean to convey, however, is that when a person has a machine, he
rides instead of walks, this losing much healthful exercise.” — Douglas
Fairbanks, Sr.
[Doing
seems to be the watchword.]
“Those
who strive for physical prowess often neglect the mental and spiritual. A
half-hour each day should be devoted to serious reading – psychology and
metaphysics, for instance. You will be surprised at the results – just as much
surprised probably, as I would be. In conclusion, I might state that I am proud
that I am an athlete. It is my intention to keep on being one, in the same old
way.” — Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.
[Prepare
the Triumvirate of Mind-Body-Spirit and always with a smile.]
“The
outdoor life has a great attraction for me…We were at the beach for the summer
with a friend. I built a dandy sailboat out of an old canoe. No, I’m not afraid
of sharks in the ocean; the only kind of shark I fear is the money shark.”
— Douglas Fairbanks Sr.
[Building sailboat
out of a canoe is exactly the sort of spontaneous project-adventure that should
always be on the table.]
“Some
folks get a great deal of excitement from picking up a poker hand to see what
they have drawn, but for me, the real pleasure in life is in trying out new
climbing and jumping stunts just to see what will happen to me.” —
Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.
He prefers
the actual activity to the preparation; we are wise to do the same.
We’ll expand
on this in the next part of this series, it will be titled, “Lords of the
Lakes, Sinbads of the Wilderness.”
For a wee
bit more on Old School Unleaded Training see here and here.
As for
conditioning, we will get to some specifics as the project rolls on--you will
find some peppered here and there as you go.
Mark’s Top Five Picks for Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. Flicks
1. The Mark of Zorro [1920] You like the re-makes? Then
you ain’t see derring and dash with no stunt doubles. This Man is The
Man.
2. The Black Pirate [1926] The knife in canvas ride
and the swim under the keel are done in real-time. He really did it. Good Lord,
he’s a Hoss.
3. Don Q, Son of Zorro [1925] He took up the whip for
six months just for fun, then turned it into this swashbuckling blast. This is
what savoir faire looks like, kids.
4. Robin Hood [1922] Boundless energy.
5. Mr. Robinson Crusoe [1932] For the inventiveness of
survival. Mr. Chan learned his lessons well.
I could easily expand this list with many picks from his
one-reelers--stunts abound in these comedies, but the preceding should get whet
the appetite for the Derring Doers out there.
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