Roller Skating - Again

Question
Thank you in advance for your help, and hopefully this is not too trivial a question for your expertise. I recently roller skated (but not very well!) again for the first time in about 15 years (I'm a 34 year old mom).  I now have the skating bug again and immediately started looking for skates to purchase.  I found a pair of used Speed Skates (boots are "Dominican" and wheels are "Jaguar") and decided to use these until I get back in the swing of things and then later upgrade.  Being that they are used, I have no idea of the maintenance that has been performed on them, and I really have no idea as to where to start.  Can you tell me what I need to do to clean and prepare the skates for use? Also, I was a decent skater in my day, but have long since lost my "touch".  Can you give me any advice as to how best to get started again (i.e., practice tips)? I appreciate your time.

Answer
Hi,
 Congratulations on returning to skating.  Sure seems once you quite, you don't miss it until you skate again, then you wonder why you ever quit, right?

  As far as maintance on the skates?   See how the wheels spin.  If they roll fine, then leave them alone.

  If the bearing make a slight grinding noise you may want to take them somewhere to be cleaned.  If the wheels make no noice but rolls a little slow, just give each bearing a couple drops of light weight oil.   Keep in mind there are 2 bearings in each wheel.  Then check the nut on each wheel to make sure they are secure.

  The quality of the bearing will determine how well they roll.   If they don't grind and you have put oil in them and they still seem slow, don't worry....it's just a lower grade of bearing and you will have to push a little harder or upgrade to a better bearing.  

  The only other thing I would suggest you check are the cushions.  They are usually black and made of rubber.  Turn your skate over and you will see them above the wheels.  Make sure they are not dried out or cracked.  You should be able to feel a slight give if you push your finger nail into them.   If they are dried out, then have them replaced or they could fall apart and you could get hurt when you skate on them.  

  Besides that........there's not much maintance other than the normal clean up for appearance sake.

Skating Tips:  
  You will notice that your center of gravity has changed after being off skates for about 15 years.  Not to worry, your balance will come back with a little practice.

  Take it slow and make sure you have good posture.  Do no look down to monitor your feet.  Balance is #1.  Get in the practice of pushing by:   Feet together, bend then push.  Always bring the pushing foot back so it's next to the other skate then.........feet together, bend and push again.

  As you change feet pushing remember to transfer  you weight from one foot to the other by changing your lean.  If you are on your righ foot and pushing with you left....lean to the right.   If you are on your left foot and pushing with your right.....lean to the left.

  Practice is the key and in no time you will have your confidence back again.  But remember, speed isn't important until you've focused on maintaining your balance first.  Everything you will ever do on skates, stems from having your balance first.

  Good luck, have fun and if there's any other questions I can answer for you, feel free to write me again.

Pat