Rollerblading trouble

Question
Pat,
I am in my late 20's and not in great shape.  I have recently started rollerblading outdoors.  It has been about 15 years since I did any type of skating, and that was rollerskating.  I am having a hard time keeping momentum, and usually I will get going great and then get wobbly and panic. I think is likely apprehension due to the fear of being injured; however I have a tendency to walk on the inside of my feet and may not be getting my feet straight enough (leaning my feet inward instead of standing straight and even).  Can you give me any suggestions?  Do you think roller skating may be safer?

Answer
Hi Elizabeth,
   Not to worry.......strength and endurance disappears quickly but also comes back quickly.  You said you lose momentum, get wobbly then panic?   That too will change. The more you skate the less wobbly you'll be and the panic mode will disappear too.  But it takes a while to feel comfortable.

Rollerblades are quite different than roller skates.  Depending on the skate.....some blades have a hard time keeping the momentum because of a soft wheel or having average bearings.  Also check to make sure that the wheel spins freely.  Sometimes the nut is tightened down to much and the wheel has a hard time spinning freely, which would make you slow down quickly.  Spin each wheel to see and if they stop quickly, try loosening the nut just a little bit.  

Also, sometimes the wheels/bearing need to be broken in.  They pack the bearings in grease and until you've skated on them quite a bit they will roll a little slower.  

Having the ankles turn inward is pretty common.  Sometimes it's caused from skating with your feet too far apart and other times it's caused from not enough support in the boot.

Try keeping your feet close together when you skate and focus on keeping your ankles straight up.  Because the wheels are inline it's takes a little more effort to keep the ankles straight up.  If that doesn't work,  you may want to use some kind of supporting strap that goes on the outside of the boot to give you more support.

You asked if roller skating is safer?  Blades are definitely safer for outdoor skating.  For inside skating it's just a preference and what you're more comfortable on.  I wouldn't advise using roller skaters outside.  If you hit a pebble the chances of tripping are pretty great.  

The more you skate the more strength your ankles will have.  Balance on roller blades is a little different than roller skates.  On roller skates you're told to stand up straight but with roller blades you almost have to lean slightly forward.

Good Luck and if I can be of any further help, feel free to write me again.

Pat