Roller blading?

Whats the hardest part about roller blading?

telling your parents you are gay

I used to rollerblade and run a lot but rollerblading messed with my knee joints when I tried to run.

I stopped since.

My pr is in the low 14:00s

I inline skate (roller blade is a brand) being a Canadian and all, all the time, still have a pair of CCM Tacks that look like the boot from an ice-skate - rather than looking like a quazi ski-boot. They made a thing, so you could clip out of the roller and into an ice- bracket with the same boot.

I played roller hockey too for a few years.

I say there is ZERO benefit for running, but some benefit for cycling.

Doing a backward crossover, while stickhandling looks cool on a cul-de-sac even if you weigh 60 pounds less than a professional hockey player...

gladiator wrote:

Whats the hardest part about roller blading?

telling your parents you are gay

HAHAHAHAHA

Okay, this is a serious answer.

I roller blade regularly. I also use an elliptical and I jump rope on my backyard trampoline. I've posted before.

I think of myself as a runner. I'm 47. I've been running since 4th grade. But, I'm a little older now, and I think the cross training gives me fitness in areas that running doesn't touch. When I had some physical therapy a few years ago, my therapist was shocked that I was so weak in a couple areas (I remember lateral movement with an excercise band around my knees was one of them), when I had run so many miles and seemed so fit to her.

Anyway, I believe in roller blading. I think it keeps you in pretty good shape for running. I roller blade maybe 3 times a week, jump on the trampoline once, use the elliptical once, and then I run on Saturday and Sunday each week, usually in the woods on soft, beautiful trails. I go 8 to 11 miles running. That's what I live for. The roller blading keeps my legs fresh for my running. It also keeps me healthy. If I run 6 or 7 days I week (more than 45 miles a week, I start getting injured).

I roller blade all winter (I live in a northern state, within an hour's drive of the Canada border). I can roller blade when it's all snowy in winter if the pavement is dry (snow on the grass but no ice or moisture on the road). My subdivision is 1.1 miles around--smooth asphalt. I usually do 12 laps (13.1 miles total)--six laps in each direction. It takes me about 80 minutes. I don't think roller blading is that helpful to running if you only skate for 40 minutes or something. You have to put the time in. 80 to 90 minutes is ideal for me.

I do most of it in the dark, both because of my job in the day and because I don't want my neighbors to think I'm a nut.

I jump rope on my trampoline for 80 minutes as well--the most boring kind of exercise I've ever experienced. I actually bring out a small TV unit and watch DVD's while I jump now--it passes the time. I do that in the dark as well.

Roller blade wheels last longer in the winter than they do in the summer, mostly because the pavement is cold. I get the hardest wheels I can find: 85A's or harder (higher numbers are harder). Roller Hockey wheels are usually hard and work pretty well. Also, the 80 milimeter size lasts longer than the 76 mm size--those are two of the most common sizes. A wheel larger than 80mm will not fit on my skate boots. I own two pairs of skates and usually alternte. The cost about $100 a pair. The main thing is that they are comfortable. You can't roller blade if something in the boot is rubbing your foot, giving you blisters, or poking you. Try to skate in them as much as you can in the store to test their comfort. I've bought my last 3 pairs of skates (boots) at Sports Authority. My ball bearings last about a year, or maybe slightly less. I get the best ball bearings they sell.

The worst part about roller blading is the cost of the wheels (about $40 for a set of 8 wheels is a good buy). One set of 85A hardness wheels will last me from November to March. Not as long in the warmer weather months. My skates last two years or longer.

I believe in roller blading. I think it keeps me fit for running.

One of the most impressive things I've ever seen is seeing a four year old girl beat a couple 10 year olds boys indoors. They were all pretty good skaters too. I am terrible at that. But if I had kids, I'd sign them up for lessons.

gladiator wrote:

Whats the hardest part about roller blading?

telling your parents you are gay

That was a hilarious skit. Was it MadTV?

let us run wrote:

gladiator wrote:

Whats the hardest part about roller blading?

telling your parents you are gay

That was a hilarious skit. Was it MadTV?

Human Giant on MTV, MadTV isn't funny. I laughed my ass off the first time I saw it.

Roller blading can indirectly help your running but not directly. If you are getting injured running 45 miles per week, you are either going too fast too often or there is some other problem. Perhaps shoes to protective, controlling or something.

Roller blading cannot directly help running, it works different muscles.

Steve Plasencia used to rollerblade as a form of cross-training.

I just came back from 2 hours of rollerski

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpcii-QFBzA&

, you can do that with Rollerblades and cheap aluminium poles, too (don't fall for them trying to talk you into carbon poles).

As you get older it is wise to incorporate other activities that are no exactly the same as your primary activity...it is called cross training. And doing something like inline skating which is high intensity but low impact is ideal. You will develop really strong hips and legs and better balance and a nice strong core. One shouldn't do the same thing over and over again, it leads to injury. A healthy body is one that can do many different activities. Plus.....skating really helps to prevent IT band syndrome......you develop great lateral strength in your legs.

Just learn how to stop properly before you go out the first time, and wear protective gear if you are skating in areas where you will be around bikes and cars.

Swim and Track really says what I wanted to say.

I'm starting to push 50. Yeah, I can run 50 miles a week--trust me, I don't go too hard. But it's mostly pavement where I live and I have to drive a little to get to those trails I love so much on the week-ends.

You'll find as you get older, your body just hurts all the time. 50 miles a week and my back hurts, my legs are sore, I start getting little nagging things that both me--my achillies and my calves start to give me trouble.

When I use roller blading, nothing hurts. It improves my core strength. I feel great.

I don't race anymore, so when I say it helps my running, I mean in fitness and not necessarily in running speed or whatever.

Yes, I wear a helmet, knee pads, & elbow pads. I've fallen twice in the last five years--both caused by cars going 50 mph in my 25 mph sub (I saw them coming and was trying to get out of the way ahead of time--probably shouldn't have fallen). Otherwise roller blading is safe.

I try to do it standing up, and not in that bent-over speed skating position. I think that keeps it more like running. But, from time to time I do the speed skating thing too, so I'm working different muscles.

When Sara Hall was at Stanford she said she liked to do a little bit of roller blading too. I'm glad I have this available to me. I have never roller skied, but I do cross country ski and snow shoe in the winter. I also run through deep snow with just my shoes in the winter--that's a great workout.