CoffeeTalk 005 - 5 Tips to Help Keep You Skating this Winter
Posted by SkaterDee on December 15, 2017
This morning, it was 9 degrees Fahrenheit. (-12C) Right now, at noon, it's only 16. (-9C) It might be less than a week until the official first day of Winter, but let's face it, it's already here. And here's how to deal with it, as an inline skater.
Here are 5 tips to keep you skating this winter.
#1 - Dress for Success
Obviously, the goal is to be warm. But you have to be smart about it. You don't want to be TOO warm. Once you get moving and your body temperature starts to rise, it's gonna get sweaty, real quick. And you need to be aware of that, because staying dry is key.
You also need to be aware of frostbite - don't ignore the symptoms! If your fingers and toes are tingling, or there's an itching, burning sensation, you need to get them warm, ASAP. And don't think you're ok if it just goes away. When they go numb altogether, that's when the damage starts.
Synthetic fibers and tight, tech athletic clothing and compression wear designed to wick moisture away from the body are going to be your best friends if you want to stay active, outdoors.
#2 - Warm Up
Ok, now be honest. You always stretch before you exercise, right? Right?
This is an essential rollerblading pre-flight step that becomes even more important when you go skating in winter weather. Get your heart pumping and your blood flowing with stretches and a warm-up routine. The worst thing for an inline skater to do is to tense-up and stiffen their body. If you're too tense to stay low, you'll keep your center of gravity too high -- and that can get dangerous. You want to be able to flow and roll with whatever comes across your path.
#3 - Be Mindful of Wintry Hazards
Patches of ice can accumulate unnoticed below a layer of snow. If you can't see it, you risk losing your footing and being thrown to the ground.
Be aware of the dangers that rocks, sticks and other debris can cause if you can't see it.
But there's another reason to avoid skating through snow - moisture will kill your bearings! Make sure you clean and dry your skates as soon as you get home. Or, better yet, only go out when it's dry and avoid getting moisture in your bearings altogether.
#4 - Fuel Up, Hydrate, and Rest
These should really be the first things that you do. Make sure you are well-rested and prepared for your work out before you begin.
Training in the cold will quickly sap your strength and exhaust you. Fatigue makes you more vulnerable to injury, so you want to avoid that. This means getting enough sleep and fueling up properly before your session. Give yourself enough time to eat properly, dress properly, and stretch before you head out. If you're in a rush, you'll forget important steps and end up in bad shape.
Drink plenty of fluids during your workout, as well! You might not think you need as much water as you do in the summer, but you still need proper hydration. Added bonus: lukewarm water in an insulated thermos will help keep your throat lubricated, making it easier to breath.
Last, but not least, give yourself plenty of time to recover after your workout. A nice, warm bath directly following your workout will not only clean you off, but it'll help your body acclimate to the warmer, indoor temperatures of your home. It's also the perfect way to give yourself a nice time-out for recovery.
#5 - If It's Too Cold, It's Just Too Cold
Look... In the end, you really don't have to prove anything to anyone.
Instead of going for a skate sesh, consider doing some yoga, or on-the-spot cardio in your living room. Eat healthy, hydrate, and prepare yourself to make a more concentrated effort on another day.
But keep in mind, winter sports do exist, and thrive in the cold. It's not impossible to have fun and get your skate on, even in Winter. Food for thought...
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CoffeeTalk 004 - Cold Weather Training?
Posted by SkaterDee on December 13, 2017
In today's coffeetalk vlog, I'm talking about my thoughts on cold weather training.
They say that working out in the cold helps burn fat, but it always makes me feel terrible. Headaches, feeling drained, exhausted. What are some tips and advice I should be following? Is it more than just "dress in layers"?
How you feel about physical activity in cold weather conditions? Leave a comment on the video page on YouTube!
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/deeculpCoffeeTalk 003 - Ice and Snow and Skateparks
Posted by SkaterDee on December 11, 2017
The temperature has dropped below freezing and there's snow and ice on the ground. How am I gonna get my inline skating fix?
Could a skatepark be the solution I'm looking for? Maybe... but as a fitness skater, there's a lot to overcome if I want to conquer that particular arena.
CoffeeTalk 002 - 5 Foot 5 and Bulletproof
Posted by SkaterDee on November 19, 2017
Oh, look! Crossovers!
Well, so far, this feature has made it to a second episode, but this time, we end with a SkateChat. See how it crosses over? From CoffeeTalk to SkateChat, all in one video.
In this episode, I talk about the scourge of rental skates, I decide to give Bulletproof coffee a try, and I give a little bit of an update on my diet and fitness. And then, Andrea and I freeze our asses off on a particularly chilly skate sesh. It's cold out there, campers. Look for new episodes of CoffeeTalk as they happen.
CoffeeTalk 001 - Hello, World!
Posted by SkaterDee on November 9, 2017
I'll be honest... I don't know how long this feature is going to last. I think I've made a huge mistake, but it could be cool. Right? Anyway, here is the first of a series I'm calling "Coffee Talk" -- which is, in fact, a terrible name
Like I said, I don't know how long I'll run with this. But as long as I feel like posting vlogs, I'll keep track of them here. Thanks.