Ice Speed Skating Question?

Question by Gabriela: Ice Speed Skating question?
I was just wondering what steps i could take to get into ice speed skating (not sure if I want to do short or long track yet). It looks like an amazing, fast, and rewarding sport. The closest club is over an hour away and my parents don’t want to make that commitment until they know that I’m serous about this. I know how to ice skate (with regular skates not speed skates) and I’ve also been inline skating for years (again, regular skates not speed skates).

So I was wondering if there is anything I can do that would really just show my parents I’m serous about pursuing this and also allow me to get ready to actually participate. I’m pretty out of shape, but used to run track and am a very dedicated worker.

Best answer:

Answer by JustMe!
This sounds like a good fit for you. Start getting back in shape by running and biking though.
That’s important to demonstrate that you’re serious. You really want to go to the Club ready for action, not out of shape.

How many days a week would you be traveling to the Club? There might be other skaters in your area with whom you could car pool. Just throwing that idea out there.

Are there rinks nearer that you could get to for practicing on your own? That’s not as good as using a real speed skating track, but it’s better for budgets and schedules.

Do your homework first:
. Get in shape. That’s vital.
. Get the club information – schedules, cost, contacts, etc.
. Ask the club about equipment for a beginner – they might have a skate swap or sale.
. Get the schedules for closer rinks and see which sessions work.
. Check YouTube and speedskating boards for tips and techniques.
. Go to the library and take out some books/videos on speedskating.
. If they don’t have any, ask the librarian if they can borrow some from another library.
. Start skating at the closer rinks and trying the speedskating stances/techniques you’ve learned.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!