I have just started learning to rollar blade. My question is this:
When do you get over the fear of falliing??
I want to glide along but instead its like I'm walking with skates on. I haven't been able to glide even a little bit
I really want to do this. Ideas?

Just to make sure, you are wearing a properly-fitted helmet, elbow-pads and knee pads, right? The fear of falling isn't completely unreasonable.

Maybe if you tried going to a skating rink and took a single lesson it would help. First of all, they'll teach you how to fall properly. There are right ways and many wrong ways to fall. If you try to catch yourself by reaching your hand to the ground as you fall, you can break your wrist. If you fall backward and let your head whip back you can crack your skull on the pavement. Instead, if you're falling backward you want to reach your hands forward to save your wrists and take the impact on the butt (land so that you're sitting on your butt while leaning your head forward). I don't remember how to fall forward properly (on folded arms maybe?), but you should definitely find out before putting those wheels back on.

Secondly, a skating rink has hardwood floors. You won't get hurt as badly as you will on pavement. Maybe you could build some confidence in a rink before going back to the asphalt. You'll probably also find some helpful seven-year-olds there who can give you some pointers. In the summertime when it gets over 100 degrees, I head for the ice rink. There's always some little kid who skates up to me and wants to teach me better form.

Have fun with it!

Allison

Hi Lessara,

I will be in the same boat as you as soon as spinrg comes along

I have been dying to learn how to rollerblade, but I was always scared to do it on my own. Finally I found someone who will teach me and I am so excited... can hardly wait for the weather to get warmer

Let me know how you are doing with your rollerblading,

Mary

I can now blade across the living room AND kitchen!

Hey Lessara -

I was just re-reading some of Dr. Bob Arnot's Guide to Turning Back the Clock and realized that it's got a twenty page chapter on rollerblading. Thought you might be interested.

It's an excellent book for learning exercise basics. All the local library branches here have a copy, no need to spend money. As a low-carber, of course, you'll want to ignore his nutritional advice.

Allison

Thanks, Lessera!

I had totally forgotten that I even had rollerblades!

There sitting in my closet, and I haven't put then on since college.

Problem for me, is they're so tight and uncomfortable around my fat calves.

I think I may just have to dust them off and give it a try; what fun!

Jeanette