Training & Nutrition - cross train with rollerblades?

Anyone cross train with rollerblades? My knee hurts lately so I need to lay off the bike a while, at least no tough rides. I got some rollerblades and they seem to work a different set of muscles. They are a lot of fun, but no brakes! Down hills are definately scary for a beginner.

I heard about a cyclist, whom I think rides world track level, who does not train on a bike but trains on rollerblades for an hour and a half every day and he is absolutely huge.

That sounds like an excellent idea! I have a pair of K2's I haven't had out in a while. I think I should use them more often. Thank's for the inspiration. :D

If your knee already hurts I don't think skating is going to help. You may want to hit the pool instead.

Is it actually your knee joint that hurts or the tendons surrounding it?

Its the tendons surrounding it, I did the same thing last year with my right knee. It healled slowly in a few weeks. This year its my left knee tendons. I have heard the seat may be a bit too high.

Barring uncertainties like your injuries, inline skating is an almost perfect crossover sport, along with cross -country skiing. Similar motions, no jarring impacts on the system, great.

i watched something on TV and they said that its just like running except its more fun. i dont know about that. i dont run outdoors or blade b/c i have flat feet.

yeah, i inline a fair amount and it can be a great workout! very low impact and complements cycling quite well.

as to the knee thing - i'd say try it out and if it doesn't aggravate it then cool.

you could also look for a skate group in your town. many cities have groups and i would guess southern Cali would have some. i have found groups that are pretty fast and provide great training - doing it alone is more difficult for me as i just naturally push harder in a group.

as to your knee complaints, I find that if the pain is at the bottom of the knee cap and kinda behind it a little, your saddle is either too low, you are doing too much hill work, or you need to use a lower gear and spin a bit faster.

If it is at the back of the knee (your "knee-pit", if you will) i think it tends to be from overstretching from having the saddle too high.

When you have your pedal at the bottom of the rotation, your knee should be slightly bent.

Regards,
Brendon

Originally posted by killerasp
i dont know about that. i dont run outdoors or blade b/c i have flat feet.

You can solve that by having custom made insoles.:beer:

Originally posted by steveK
Anyone cross train with rollerblades? My knee hurts lately so I need to lay off the bike a while, at least no tough rides. I got some rollerblades and they seem to work a different set of muscles. They are a lot of fun, but no brakes! Down hills are definately scary for a beginner.

Yes I do and it's a lot of fun. I've haven't done so lately, because I'm loving my new bike. If you don't know how to stop, it's best to take some lessons from a prof. because crashing into something or someone could be a disaster. Blading uses different muscles than cycling and as you progress, you will notice the difference immediately. Blading really does the lower body good. You'll see.:D

Originally posted by killerasp
i dont know about that. i dont run outdoors or blade b/c i have flat feet.

Yeah, get some custom made insoles. I have flat feet also but instead of using the ones at the doctors office that will cost $250-$300 I bought some called Sole inserts. They only cost $40 and if you don't like them for any reason you can take them back within 90 days for a full refund. You put them in the oven for a few minutes, take them out, put them in your shoes and step in. You have to stand still for a few minutes to let them mold to your feet. They have seemed to work for me as I used to have extreme foot pain from running/walking and playing sports. Now I have no more pain :beer: .

Its been about a week and I've been 'blading' a few times. very fun! I'm just staying in the neighborhood, but there is a small hill and I'm getting that figured out; slaloming to slow down and using the brake thing. I got some knee and wrist protection, but I haven't fallen...yet.... My knee doesn't seem to be bothered by the skates.