Calisthenics: My Quest For Functional Strength

This year I have vowed to give up my membership to the gym. More for the reason that I would like one less bill per month, but also because I would like to learn to use my body and my surroundings to create a workout.

Me, holding a handstand with good alignment!

My Fastest Mile Ever! 10:13 Pace

You may not know this about me, but my husband and I enjoy thinking about "survival". So, in my adventure of gym-less fitness, I thought to myself: "Wouldn't this be a wonderful way to train my body for survival?" I mean, how could I be expected to make it on my own in the wild if I can't run a few miles at a good pace, or pull myself up a tree, or hike with a weighted backpack for many miles?!  So, here starts my quest for what I call "functional strength".

I made a list of the things that I would like to work on. They include:
Push-ups, Pull-ups, Rope Climbing, One-Leg Squats (Pistol Squats), Rock Wall Climbing, Hurdles, 10 Minute Mile for an extended distance (maybe 13 miles?), Heavy Carries, Balances, Long hang times (actively hanging from a bar for an extended period of time), High Jumps... and the list could go on and on!

Now, this is a hefty list of skills that I would like to achieve. So, I will take it slowly. I have been working on this already for a few months and have already made some progress! (See attached photos, where I accomplished a nice formed handstand that exercises my balancing skills and stabilizer muscles. & the screenshot of my last mile, where I achieved my fastest pace ever! The running accomplishment just tickled me pink.)