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In-Line Skating and Judo - a good combination?

So I haven't posted in a while. This is very true. I also haven't been going to class as often as I would like. Responsibility at work and at home have been piling up and so has the fat around my waist.

I got on the scale the other day and I was shocked. I realized that because I haven't been exercising lately, (and because I have been giving in to temptation) I have been gaining weight. I decided that I needed to supplement my Judo with other Aerobic exercise to take off those extra pounds.

Of course, in NYC, doing this isn't difficult, the trick is doing this without spending money. I realized that my office is close to the Hudson River Park - which, among other things, contains a skating and biking path. I decided to make use of my in-line skates and use them to get me in better shape. So yesterday I about 5-6 miles in three 1.75-2 mile spurts. I hope to do that more often on non-judo days to get my cardio-vascular system a daily workout and to burn some calories. Thankfully the weather is getting warmer, and this will prove to be a good activity for the next several months.

All that aside - I think in-line skating is a great compliment to Judo training. Obviously skating will improve my balance, improve my flexibility and increase my stamina. It is also lower impact than both Judo and running, so my cross-traiing will not take a toll on my knees.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? What do you do to Cross-train?

Comments

Anonymous said…
Yohah,
I found your blog on Judoforum.com. I think in-line skating can be a good for the reasons you mentioned. I would only suggest you wear wrists guards while skating. While I'm sure your ukemi is good, a fall while skating can be unpredictable and a broken wrist can keep you out of judo for a few months.

Good training to you.
Yonah said…
Anonymous,

I couldn't agree with you more. I wear a helmet, knee pads and wristguards when I skate. I do this for two reasons - 1) Obviously for safety and 2)More importantly to set an example for my sons (one of whom I plan to teach how to skate this summer).

When I was younger I didn't always wear pads, until someone made me realize that while I might be a very good skater and not need pads to protect me from myself, they also protect you from the idiots out there that skate, bike, or drive recklessly.
Anonymous said…
Yonah,

Sorry to disagree but if you can find the time to run, you can train, especially if you are missing classes. It is my expierence that less then 3 times a week is like swimming in place and that advancement at the higher levels only comes if you spend more time. Cross training is for judoka who have exhausted judo training to develop and need other activities to grow.

Buy a mat and practice taking falls. I knew some judoka who could jump up, turn their bodies level with the floor, fall on their sholders and bounce up on their feet. They could almost roll in place. Practice kata, kata, kata.

On the other hand it isn't bad to be "swimming in place". Sometimes that is all we are willing to do and keeping in touch with Judo will do more good then harm.

The title of this blog is "The road to Shodan" and I suspect that you may be at a crossroad. There is nothing more important then sticking to a practice schedule. You may be losing intrest, it is becomming difficult the see any progress. Remember, when you succeed in throwing someone, all you are doing is demonstrating your ability. When you struggle while failing to throw, you are actually learning, making progress.

Good luck.
Yonah said…
To the most recent anonymous.

You make some very valid points, and while I agree with many of them, there are still others that I disagree with wholheartedly.

Firstly, you make the assumption if someone has time to run, then someone has the time to train. That isn't universally true. My skating sessions have been worked into my commute time. My subway ride in the morning varied from 15-30 minutes and my skating runs from 20-25. So I basically took a 20 minute time block where I would be idle and converted it into exercise time.

However your points about Judo practice and progress are well-taken. If only my wife agreed :)

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