Coming over to speed skating from hockey for fitness

[Telperion]

Hello everyone, just looking for some feedback and thoughts on equipment and training, since I'm both new to speed skating and have been out of the inline field in general since about 2004, though I'm not a 'beginner'.

For background, I played inline hockey from as a t(w)een in '99-'04 and then played some recreational ice hockey in college in '05-'07. During that time I participated in speed skating training to improve my hockey skating, so I'm familiar with the technique. I'd label my skill as 'advanced', though I'm rusty and out of shape. The only thing I'm not advanced on is a double-push, but only because it was never needed for hockey so I never learned it. I can, at least on hockey skates, but it's just not part of the technique I'm used to using. I've kept up outdoor skating for fun on my Tour TR962 hockey skates (2x80, 2x72) until the boot rubber finally disintegrated into mush and separated from the frames about a year ago.

That brings us to present day, I've been perusing Craigslist and Facebook marketplace to pick up speed skate equipment to get into the sport. I considered a fitness boot / frame, but ultimately I know I'm going to crave more very quickly so I don't want to waste time or money on a setup that I'm going to outgrow right away. My biggest challenge is I don't know where to try on boots locally (Tampa, FL area).

Currently though some sales, I picked up a Luigino pilot striker 13.2 4x110 frame with Atom wheels + bearings for $60 (which I think is a steal). The boot was too big so I bought everything else. Then also for $60 I picked up a pair of Luigino Strut skates with 4x105 wheels, the size 9 boots were too small but I was able to squeeze myself into them enough to take a trip up and down my street to get a feel for speed skates. I can handle the skates no problem, but my ankles need work since I'm used to a hockey boot. That'll come in time.

I'm targeting probably a 3x125 setup next since I know I have (or will have) the power to drive them just fine, and I like that the frame is slightly shorter, it's more what I'm familiar with from hockey. And 125's should be more comfortable on uneven outdoor surfaces. I was always one of the more powerful skaters on my teams playing hockey so I don't think there's such a thing as 'too much skate' for me, just need to adjust to a new style. My skating will primarily be outdoor in parks, etc with sidewalk grade asphalt.

I can pick up locally a barely used set of Bont Jets with CXXV 125 frames, set of Boom 125's, and set of Matter 125's for $200, which also again sounds like a price I can't pass up if the boots fit me.

Thoughts? Feedback? Suggestions? Questions?

[BladeWolf]

Originally Posted by Telperion

Hello everyone, just looking for some feedback and thoughts on equipment and training, since I'm both new to speed skating and have been out of the inline field in general since about 2004, though I'm not a 'beginner'.

For background, I played inline hockey from as a t(w)een in '99-'04 and then played some recreational ice hockey in college in '05-'07. During that time I participated in speed skating training to improve my hockey skating, so I'm familiar with the technique. I'd label my skill as 'advanced', though I'm rusty and out of shape. The only thing I'm not advanced on is a double-push, but only because it was never needed for hockey so I never learned it. I can, at least on hockey skates, but it's just not part of the technique I'm used to using. I've kept up outdoor skating for fun on my Tour TR962 hockey skates (2x80, 2x72) until the boot rubber finally disintegrated into mush and separated from the frames about a year ago.

That brings us to present day, I've been perusing Craigslist and Facebook marketplace to pick up speed skate equipment to get into the sport. I considered a fitness boot / frame, but ultimately I know I'm going to crave more very quickly so I don't want to waste time or money on a setup that I'm going to outgrow right away. My biggest challenge is I don't know where to try on boots locally (Tampa, FL area).

Currently though some sales, I picked up a Luigino pilot striker 13.2 4x110 frame with Atom wheels + bearings for $60 (which I think is a steal). The boot was too big so I bought everything else. Then also for $60 I picked up a pair of Luigino Strut skates with 4x105 wheels, the size 9 boots were too small but I was able to squeeze myself into them enough to take a trip up and down my street to get a feel for speed skates. I can handle the skates no problem, but my ankles need work since I'm used to a hockey boot. That'll come in time.

I'm targeting probably a 3x125 setup next since I know I have (or will have) the power to drive them just fine, and I like that the frame is slightly shorter, it's more what I'm familiar with from hockey. And 125's should be more comfortable on uneven outdoor surfaces. I was always one of the more powerful skaters on my teams playing hockey so I don't think there's such a thing as 'too much skate' for me, just need to adjust to a new style. My skating will primarily be outdoor in parks, etc with sidewalk grade asphalt.

I can pick up locally a barely used set of Bont Jets with CXXV 125 frames, set of Boom 125's, and set of Matter 125's for $200, which also again sounds like a price I can't pass up if the boots fit me.

Thoughts? Feedback? Suggestions? Questions?

Have fun is the most important thing, but I wouldn't go with 3 x 125 until you build up your ankle strength.

[Telperion]

Originally Posted by BladeWolf

Have fun is the most important thing, but I wouldn't go with 3 x 125 until you build up your ankle strength.

At this stage, I don't yet have a baseline idea of what my ankle strength is. I play other sports like ultimate in low football cleats with full range of ankle motion, so I have above average lower leg and ankle strength out of the gate compared to the typical person picking up the sport. My quick spin in the ill-fitting Struts on the 105's I could skate with no wobble, I'm just not used to using those muscles.

My unknown is that I'm not used to using ankle strength in skating, as opposed to not having it, so I'll have to feel that out and see what I can handle. Hockey boots have anterior/posterior ankle movement, speed boots have that and also lateral/medial ankle movement, so it's not so much difficult as it is unfamiliar. It adds an additional potential axis to the leg motion which my brain has never had to tell my legs to stabilize.

If 125's show themselves to be too much, I'll step it down and adjust more slowly.

[BladeWolf]

Originally Posted by Telperion

At this stage, I don't yet have a baseline idea of what my ankle strength is. I play other sports like ultimate in low football cleats with full range of ankle motion, so I have above average lower leg and ankle strength out of the gate compared to the typical person picking up the sport. My quick spin in the ill-fitting Struts on the 105's I could skate with no wobble, I'm just not used to using those muscles.

My unknown is that I'm not used to using ankle strength in skating, as opposed to not having it, so I'll have to feel that out and see what I can handle. Hockey boots have anterior/posterior ankle movement, speed boots have that and also lateral/medial ankle movement, so it's not so much difficult as it is unfamiliar. It adds an additional potential axis to the leg motion which my brain has never had to tell my legs to stabilize.

If 125's show themselves to be too much, I'll step it down and adjust more slowly.

Ive only done 110 before, they are really hard to use at first, Ive been on ice for a while on clap skates and once you can skate fast like getting a double push down, you should try it. But your manuverablity will lack on 125s.

[Telperion]

With no socks I was able to get a usable albeit uncomfortable fit in the Struts with 4x105, went for a skate at a 3.5mi mixed-use loop on fairly smooth asphalt.

I did the 3.5mi in 20 minutes, which I'm happy with for 1) first time skating in 2 years, 2) first time ever using speed skates, 3) first cardio or any sort of athletic activity in 2 years. I had jelly legs afterward.

Right ankle is solid, can hold steady on a beginner-grade double push, left ankle is weaker and had some wobble when transitioning to the outside edge. Coming from hockey, I'm not used to finishing my stride with such an extended push since you always have to keep yourself in a posture of agility. Had to force my legs to do something unnatural, so it'll be a mental adjustment.

[pdinphx]

If funds will allow, get both 4x110 and 3x125 frames/wheelsets.

I have both and switch depending upon course conditions and layout.

If you're just learning to speed skate in a low cut speed boot, I would highly recommend the 4x setup to start out with. It's funny, since just a few years ago, most people would have recommended starting out on an even smaller wheel, say the 4x100's ...

I am just getting back into my Bont Vaypors after an almost 5 year respite, and for now, am definitely faster on my 4x over the long haul.

[romekjagoda]

I would recommend reading this first:
http://www.sk8skoolonline.com/single...WHEN-to-change