A Month Off? I Hope Not!

First of all, the only reason I have a problem with this, is because I just started... and I am on a bit of a roll. I'm sure by next summer I will welcome a month or two off of squatting, skating for 5 minutes without stopping, knee drop drills, planks, and falling on my butt cheeks. But for now... I WANT TO SKATE!!

That's me in my gear. half of it belongs to RDRDA.

The other thing I'm worried about is doing at least 2 hours of cardio every week. That's what I do at practice, so I have to keep that up! I'll regret it if I don't. Anyone have any suggestions that will make it more fun? PS... I HATE running, more than doing squats, even more than not having my own skates. speaking of running... when Lacee mentioned running for practices while we had no track, I cringed a little, physically.I can sprint no problem, but long distance running... OUCH! I'll do it for derby though! Whatever it takes.

I am hearing that there are a few other places we can go, and they were all nice enough to arrange that I could use their skates... I really appreciate that!!I'm sure you all know by now that if I had the money, I would get my damn skates. I can get half decent pads at sport check for about $30.00, which is a little easier to come up with than a couple hundred for good skates!

On the flip side... Lacee, Malady, Papa Razzo, Fiver (and a few others) will be giving up their time to keep us freshies going. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have practice at all! They probably want a month off. But Lacee, I completely agree, because if I don't keep going it's gonna be like starting over! I'm pretty sure that at least 8 of us that will practice almost anywhere. I'm really hoping we can keep practices going, not just for me, but for all of us freshies, we need it!

Calendar Contest!! Please Vote!!

Please take a few minutes out to go to this calendar contest website and vote for our girl Fatal Fantasy. She is currently in 5th place! Keep the votes coming!

http://derbygirlsblog.com/2011/08/23/derby-girls-calender-contest-enter-to-win/

Squeezing Through

Arg... The snake! One of my biggest failures so far. I'm not sure if I had some kind of traumatic experience that crept back up into my conscience when I had to do the snake drill... but I was scared shit less. For anyone reading who doesn't know what the snake is I can explain:

1. Skaters form a single line within arms length apart, while roller skating.
2. The person in the back of the line begins to weave in and out of the line.
3. That person joins the front of the line and continues in pace with the other skaters.
4. The next person weaves in and out and the next and the next...

I have a few things to say about this drill!

First, It's not only scary to be the weaver, but it's kind of scary being in the pace line in the first place. You have to skate at more or less the same speed as the other skater's in the line, and allow the weaver's enough room to get through. So... while travelling in this pace line you have to be aware of the person directly in front of you and the weaver (I try not to pay attention to the girl behind me because she should be watching me, right?), and stay upright on your skates.

Second, The weaving part is really hard for me... maybe because I haven't practiced it enough, or maybe it's just something I'm going to have to work harder to get it. For the most part when I skate I feel confident, but when doing this drill, I crumble a little. I guess everyone has their weaknesses.

Third, travelling in a line like that with roller skates on travelling as fast as we do, it's not that safe. It's one of the most uncomfortable situations I've been in on roller skates so far. We had a few falls tonight, but all in all, it was good. I have yet to see a pile up, but I'm sure I will. Fresh Meat seems like just the place it could happen! Pads, pads, and more pads.. GO PADS!!

Last, the good thing about doing snake drills, is that it really prepares you for what's to come on the track come game night.... form, focus, and control along with the ability to react to anything that comes your way. The snake teaches you all of those things and more. I have yet to find a drill that does that much for a players ability.

As much as I may be scared of (or bad at) snake drills. I love them all the same.

Extra Practice

Sunday I got to go to the arena for an extra practice! Trust me, I need all the practice i can get. It's hard not having skates, anticipating Monday every week. I'd love to be able to practice other days.

I'm a little anxious to get benchmarked now. When I first started, even though I knew it wouldn't take me long if I put my mind to it, I really wasn't in a hurry to benchmark. Well, now I am! Unfortunately I only have tonight's practice and then I have to take a month off... Unless I buy some skates, outdoor wheels, knee pads, and elbow pads. Everyone that has been giving me a lot of encouragement and some really good advice.

I met Angry Lil' Knome last time I went to practice. She noticed that I was practicing my stops so she came right over and started coaching me on how to do it. Now, lets get one thing straight. She was there on her own time to do her own practicing and she took a bunch of time out to make sure I was doing things properly, as did Mortu. I really appreciate these girls taking time out to help me... they really didn't have to.  I fixed my plow stop, worked on my crossovers, finally got the tee stop, and... I learned how to jump! I'm pretty proud of the progress I've made, so if it seems like I'm bragging... I am. I think I'm allowed.

Getting There

It was my first time watching a roller derby game on Saturday.

Let's start here... I pulled up in the parking lot of the westerner, only a couple dozen cars were there so far, feeling a little overwhelmed. I was arriving alone and I didn't really know who to talk to when I went in. I walked up to the main doors praying that I would see someone I knew and they could point me in the right direction.I'm getting pretty good at confrontation with strangers, so I wasn't as nervous as I used to get in these situations. When I walked into the area where the derby was happening, I didn't see anyone I knew right away. I panicked a little. The nightshades were in the middle of the track, in a loose huddle, getting ready to do their warm up. Feeling like a dumb-ass, I wondered around for a few minutes waiting for someone to notice that I was lost. With no success, I then slowly walked up to the semi-huddled pack. Finally, one girl noticed and walked toward me. I asked her where to go if I was here to help. She confidently pointed me to The Jester (One of the ref's). After a bit of scrambling, because I wasn't on the NSO list (I don't even know what that stands for yet), they found me a job. I was to do outside white. I had no idea what that was or how to do it, but after a brief review of my job description I was on my way. Seemed simple enough: stand on the outside corner, write down the penalties, and hold them up for the people on the inside of the track. Luckily I was in charge of that for the second bout only, so I got to watch the girl in charge of the first bout do it first.

After that i started to run into a few people I knew and people I didn't know so well... All the girls friendly and easy to get along with so far. In addition to the people I have already mentioned, I met a few more awesome (and interesting) people. The first people I would like to talk about are the guys. These are the guys on the men's team. Some of them are referee's... The ones I have met so far are all ref's, The Jester, General Thruster, and Nomad. Now, let's get one thing straight! Not anybody can be a ref! There is a process involved, rigorous testing, and demonstrating perfect skill. These guys can skate!! I can't wait to see the men's team in action! When do you play?

Then I started to meet more of the girls... some still rookies and NSOing like me... Amanda, Scourge Her, and Julia (not sure if she is a rookie or not). Also Flux, who was out due to an injury. These girls are my future teammates. Then the Nighshades and Belladonna's... Naomi (Not sure what her derby name is), Fatal Fantasy, Razor Wrecked It, and Stitch Rip Her. All awesome ladies so far.

Finally the first bout was starting! I sat down in suicide seating and got my camera ready. The Belladonna's are in the purple.

That's what I got to see... very up close and personal! I have to say, although this was a very entertaining experience I learned way more than I thought I was going to just by watching. I learned that a scrimmage and a game are the same thing except a scrimmage is with your own team. I seriously thought they were different. It's okay, go ahead and laugh. I learned what the blockers do, what the jammers do, and how it all works together. I can't wait to get on the team and really learn the game.

I have so much more to say about Saturday, but I will leave it at that for now so I can get this post out.

Derby Wear

The first practice I wore my super tight black work jeans, which were actually flexible enough to skate AND fall in (I would wear them again if I had to), a lime green shirt (which was not a good idea! Everyone else was wearing purple or black, the colors of both of the RDRDA teams), and all my gear was on backwards... I'm sure.

Finding something to wear to practice has been especially difficult! As I looked in my drawers and in boxes I never planned to open, looking for anything resembling workout wear, I found a pair of footed tights, black  with white bones going all the way up and down the front and back... and a pair of really stupid tan pantyhose. I didn't want to show up in tan pantyhose I knew that much! I felt ridiculous enough that I had to wear enough clothing to protect myself, but tight enough to know that my wheels weren't going to get caught in my clothes, whether I was standing, or skating, or falling, or getting up. Roller derby+loose clothing=probable disaster when you are a rookie!

The male skaters seem to be able to wear loose type sweats and bear legs with cargo shorts (pockets and all) with no problem, no care in the world, cruising around the track, skimming their way through the pack with mere inches (That's plenty enough to get by without incident) between him and the other players. Watching the men jamming during the scrimmage was amazing. When I first started watching and I didn't know what was going on, I could tell that the male players were much more aggressive than the ladies... dare I even say faster?? I don't really want to say the men are stronger and faster than the women.... after I watch a few bouts of each I will update my opinion on that. Either way, the guys were fascinating to watch... Let me just say this.... They didn't look gay at all (like I expected  them to for some stupid reason), they looked sleek, and manly, and powerful. Cheers to the guys!!

Oh.. back to my outfit! I found a pair of white tights in the meantime... but black and white looks too much like a referee... although if I wore all white (which I've told i look good doing) is it so much like a ref? I tried it all on, and yes I still looked too much like a ref... if any of you disagree please let me know. Then I found about three pairs of VERY thick black leotards, too thick to exercise in. I figured they would be too warm. I dropped them from the option list right away. So, next I found In my Nine year old daughters drawer (because I thought I'd never wear them) a pair of black leotards. (And those were the only leggings in there... I'm sure she has more, where the hell did they all go??) As a dancer, the difference between leotards and tights is that leotards are a solid color (thick fabric) and tights are somewhat see through (like pantyhose). They actually had stirrups on the feet, even though they were purchased brand new in January. I grabbed all 3 leggings I was considering. I brought them up to my room and tried them on one by one with a matching top... they were all different. I like the bones... but I didn't want to try too hard to be roller derby chick right away.. I thought I would ease into it a little more... I chose to wear the black leotards, dark navy blue short shorts, and a black shirt. Easy peasy right?

I had to go a few places before derby after I left home, and I really wasn't prepared for everyone to ask about what I was wearing, so I threw on a pair of jeans over my derby uniform. The other girls show up in their uniform... why can't I? I still haven't figured this one out yet.

Next week I'll wear my bones tights... my bathing suit bottoms (which are black spandex short shorts), and a black tank top. That's gonna be my game uniform, for sure. I like being unique. Lot's of the other girls have ripped tights, stripped socks, or fishnet stockings. Me I'm a flat black or bones kinda girl. If I can keep them not ripped (sorry, bad grammar), I'll keep wearing them... anyone know where I can get another pair of tights with bones on them if they do rip?? Is there some kind of special store I don't know about? I have fishnet stockings, and I'm totally willing to wear them... I am gonna ease into it though. It'll be easier for me that way. I'm kinda scared to just dive into that world, even after being a dancer and wearing that all on stage. I'm getting there though.

Can't wait to find more derby wear! Fun!

The Girls!

I'd like to talk about some of the girls I've met so far. I don't want to talk behind their backs, so I really hope they are reading. Is it so bad if it's all good things I have to say? The thing is, is that it is a big part of the wonderful experience I am having. The other derby girls I can see becoming extremely important people in my life. After all, these are going to be my team-mates, my mentors, my friends.

The first person I met was Mortu Mary (I have mentioned her in a previous post). She hooked me up with this shit!! When I watched her play the game... WOW She really is one of the baddest chicks I have ever met! By baddest,  I mean as a derby girl. . . She has this way, she is perfectly focused, aggressive, and graceful on her skates. With a wicked personality to boot! I felt like that before I even knew what was going on in the game, and I still feel that way now that I (kinda) know what's going on in the game.

The second person I met was Unchained Malady. She was the first girl to talk to me when I went to Fresh Meat that very first Monday. That in itself will always hold a special place in my heart (sorry, mushy I know). Like the other league skaters I've met, she glides effortlessly on her skates, aware and ready to take on any challenge thrown her way. At the first two practices she went out of her way to make sure I knew what I was doing. She came to me several times just to see if I was feeling comfortable or had any questions. Thanks Malady!!

Then I met Twisted Throttle! From what I heard she is the warm-up/cool down/exercise/stretching guru! I was kinda confused about how to stretch the parts of my body that were starting to hurt after only about 5 minutes of skating ( the fronts of my legs were killing me). She showed me how to stretch all that out and be ready to go around the track a few dozen more times. I was also pleased to see a very experienced skater built somewhat like me, only taller (since I was afraid I wasn't big enough to be in roller derby). And when I saw her skate... wow! I was so jealous of her abilities, I wanted to be like that... right now! HAHA I kind of wanted to be her for a minute. 

The next week there were different coaches there. One of them was Lacee Long Stalkin'. Right away Lacee saw something in me. I'm not sure if she saw this in many other girls. She kept pushing me to keep skating and skate the right way. As I was rounding the track she would skate up to me and give me several words of wisdom... things to work on.. things that would suit me as a skater.  And every time I turned around there she was, pushing me. She's a natural leader which makes her a fantastic coach!!  As like the other experienced girls I was flabbergasted at how easy she make everything look, the skating, and the stopping (stopping is hard). She cruises the track without incident, without a flaw.

The last girl to make an impression on me so far was Lady Lady Laceration! Right away she reminded me of a drill Sargent, or a general(in a good way of course!) Another natural born leader in my eyes. Not only did she tell all of us new skaters what to do, but she made sure she showed us how to do it, in slow motion. Kinda like a step-by-step instruction booklet! (that's pretty hard to do on skates by the way) She has the best way of showing rookie skaters like me the very best way to do anything derby related. I was practicing my crossovers (I'm still pretty bad at them) and she noticed I was struggling a little... Right away she came to me and asked, "Are you trying to do crossovers?" She showed me how to do them properly in her special slow-mo way. I had no idea I was doing it so wrong. The new way will be much easier once I can get it! Thanks Lady!! You really helped me out.

I have yet to meet many of the awesome skaters that belong to the RDRDA, but something tells me I'm gonna like them all!

What's In A Name?

The hardest thing about this so far is something that at first seemed it would be the easiest... Choosing a derby name! I haven't felt like that since I named my children. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how hard it was going to be. I would think of, *(what I thought was)* the perfect name. Then in no time at all I'd come across something that made me change my mind. I threw around about 40 different names before I decided on the name I chose. I really wanted to find something that went with my look or personality... not just some generic name that means nothing to me. I figured, I have the chance to become anyone I want to be. It was kind of like creating an alter ego!

I was on a roll coming up with really cool names, (Bones, Tiny Terror, Bones McPhee, Trina Torium, and Boney Mahoney were some of the ones I liked) then I found out I have to make sure my name isn't taken. I was told to check the master roster to make sure I wasn't choosing a name that was already taken. Did you know there are a little over 30,000 registered derby names worldwide?? Me neither. So, then I was back to square one! As I looked through the enormous list of names I was extremely overwhelmed and suddenly felt like all the good ones were taken! (And some really bad ones). Here's a few examples of the ones that are already taken that I would have liked... Bone Saw, Bonecrusher, Bones, Bones McGee, Boney Maroney, Tiny Terror, Tiny Temper, Tiny Tornado, and Trina Trioxin. Here's a few that I think are completely ridiculous (Although they must have had a good reason for picking them)... Slappa Ho, Burnt Toast, 210 Funsize Phoenix, Pris Toff, Aunt Flo, 19-Skatey-Four, Cheeseburger, Ally in WonderSCREAM, SLE-Zpass, Bot Bot Bot, and Anal Tex. And here are some I think are really clever...Hurricane Skatrina, 1/2 Pint Havoc, Johnny Crash, 10 Guage Rage, Ida Tripter, 13th Floor Hellevator, 2 Faced, 5ft Hurricane, Saya Prayers, Addy Tude, Val Catraz, Amazing Disgrace, Strawberry Short Sk8, Maiden Alberta, Syko Path, also our awesome Red Deer girls... Fatal Fantasy, Hollywood Homicide, Lacee Long Stalkin, Lady Laceration, Twisted Throttle, and Unchained Malady, (who don't seem to be registered?)

So, after much consideration of the names I already liked, and not trying to have one too similar to the already registered names I had finally come up with one that I thought suited me perfectly! SERIOUS LEE! I guess they will all just call me Serious.

Derby Brain!!

OK!! I had my first experience with the Red Deer Roller Derby Association now for exactly Two weeks, one day, and Eight-teen hours. That's counting from the day (hour) I watched my first scrimmage. In this time I have probably mentioned derby about Three-hundred times on facebook, bored my friends so much they are already asking me to talk about something different, and spend most of my free (and not free) time either blogging about derby, scouring the city for gear, or roller skating! I literally think about it at least every 5 minutes no matter what I am doing... working, playing with the kids, hanging with friends, sleeping, showering, having sex... all while thinking about derby!! Does this ever go away? I've heard not. I read a lot of other blogs about derby because I'd really like to learn as much as I can as fast as I can, and from what I can tell... derby takes over all our lives. I like my friend Malady's post called Derby Diffusion.

I am already budgeting around derby, trying to figure out all the costs for everything. I'm a little short, so I'm finding ways to make it work. Basically I am willing to re-arrange everything in my life to make derby affordable and convenient. I don't think I have ever been more dedicated to anything in my entire life (other than my kids of course)!

I'm sure it's obvious with the amount I have posted since I started this blog TWO days ago!! oops... Derby isn't just taking over my life, it already has!

Learning The Game

So far the closest I have got to seeing a real game was a scrimmage. It was the first time I had ever seen derby... live anyway. Up close and personal. I really just wanted to see if it was something I was interested in doing it... little did I know I would want to strap on a pair of skates right then and there!! I sat there the whole scrimmage dying to get out and skate the track like those ladies (and a few gents) were!! I realized I couldn't just get up and in there, but man I was fighting my "I want it now" attitude that Tuesday night! When I think back to what I felt when they first started the scrimmage it really makes me laugh out loud! I had no idea what was going on. All I could see was that 90% of them were skating real slow and in some kind of pack, and the others were skating faster around the track and wearing funny looking hats over their helmets! They were getting points somehow, but it wasn't until about an hour into the scrimmage that I even kinda figured out what was going on. I do have a video and a few pics, but I can't seem to get them off my phone or camera! As soon as I figure it out I'll have pics and videos to put on here as well!

What I learned: The pack are the blockers and they are trying to keep the jammer (the one going faster with the funny hat) from getting points by passing the members of the other team legally. So in one hour with a little bit of an explanation from the girl who invited me there (Mortu Mary, who is one of the baddest chicks I've ever met!), I did catch on and it was much more exciting. But honestly... it was almost as much fun watching when I didn't know all that.

I am soooo excited for the game on Saturday. I am going to have my first experience with a real game! I don't get to be in the game yet.. but I have offered to help so I can keep learning. I have read the rules and know what I have to do to benchmark, but I'm still pretty confused about how an actual game works. I feel that's an important think to know before I get into one! I have no idea what I will even be doing, nut I'm a smart girl... I know I can be helpful, even if I end up being the water girl or something like that. At least I will be down on the floor watching and learning!

No Pain, No Gain!

Well, it's Thursday... three days after practice... I am still pretty sore. I know once my body gets used to doing what it's doing it won't be so bad. Yesterday was the worst for some reason. I felt like I had been hit by a truck! I could only turn my head so far to the right, I felt the burn in my arms every time I lifted them up, I started feeling the big bruise on my left hip pretty good, and it killed my legs to walk up and down stairs! I wonder if I'm pushing myself too hard right off the get go. Maybe I should be easing into this thing a little more. No. I don't think that's the problem. The problem is I am extremely out of shape! I'm not injured in any way, just sore from using muscles my body didn't know I had.

When I was in my pain group we learned a lot about muscles... What makes them sore, what makes them weak, and what makes them strong. If you don't use muscles they actually go dormant. If you use your muscles, they will recruit dormant muscles and make them active to support the activity you are doing. My exercise coach has arthritis in her knees really bad, and day after day, here she is, squatting, walking running. Her philosophy is that the more she strengthens the muscles in her knees, the more they will be able to support her arthritic bones and joints. Hmmm ... I thought it made sense anyway! If I do it right, I'll have all kinds of muscle to support the rest of my aging body! Fitness is the word. I have to get fit again! I'm sure when I do it won't hurt anymore.

These are all the reasons why I must keep this up, full speed ahead. The more I work the faster my body will adjust. I'm so sorry body, I don't want to hurt you! Remember the saying "no pain, no gain"? That's my truth right now and I'm okay with it. Well, actually, I'm not just okay with it, I'm excited about it. Even though it may seem I am complaining or whining about it, I am not at all. Just simply saying how it is. I'm excited about getting fit and in shape again like I was before I had my kids. Even if that means enduring a little pain along the way! I am not afraid. I am embracing this wicked, wacky, and wild world of roller derby. Embracing the pain, the pleasure, and the people. I really am in love!

Waiting Is Really Hard!

One thing I am really not good at is being patient. Sometimes I feel like Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory... "I want it now!" not only do I always seem to want it now, but I also want it a certain way! I'm kind of a perfectionist and a little OCD, so I tend to get a little more annoyed when I don't get my way than I should. I'm working on that.

I want my own skates... right now! I want them to be all black with maybe a little grey pinstripe or something. I want them to be new, real leather (so they last longer) and I don't want to order them online because... well... I want them now!

I want to be able to go practice any time I want. I hate waiting for Monday... Now I hear there will be no fresh meat practice for all of Sept! Am I going to forget everything I learned in the past two weeks after a month? Probably not. It's just that I just started! It's just my luck. I hear there are a few good outdoor tracks in Red Deer though. As soon as I get my own skates I can and will go skating anytime I want! I can't wait!!

I love fresh meat Monday's, I see the need to learn everything properly before I get into the game with the experienced girls. But, seriously, I can't wait to join the Nightshades! I can't wait to be part of a team. I can't wait to register my name and number (Serious Lee #33), it will feel more real once I can have all of this. I really do want it all right now!!

After Shocks

I just found out how much roller skates cost... It really hurt! I t looks like it's gonna cost me between $90.00 and $170.00. I'm sure I can get a new spare tire for that (something I have been putting off because I can't spend the money). The reality of it is that I want a pair of roller skates more than I want a new spare tire. I'm sure I have enough friends that if I needed a tire or a tow i could get one. Hmmm... Is it possible to like derby too much?? Nope! I'm getting those skates! Even if I have to organize a fundraiser! I don't just want the skates... I need the skates! Otherwise I can get all the pads I need for about $25.00. I'm okay with that. Helmet and mouth guard were about $30.00 together. One thing I didn't expect... the cost. This is all the gear I have so far.

Every once in a while I look around at practice and think "what the fuck am I doing? These girls are wicked skaters with some serious skills!" Then there I am with my cheap helmet, old wrist guards, and a mouth guard I can't wear because it hurts (I've since learned you can get ones that mold to your mouth). I am grateful to be able to use their gear when I go, but those skates are so old that I'm sure It would improve my skills if I had new ones. All the coaches from both the RDRDA teams (even if they have only skated for a year) have been 100% willing to help, answer any questions, and display proper skating skills like a step-by-step video. Not only that, they skate like the wind... focused, controlled, and with purpose. I figure if they can do it, I can do it.

Another thing I overlooked a little was how shocked my body was going to be! i knew I was gonna be sore and all, but I never expected to feel quite the way I'm feeling. I have to say, it's nothing like I've ever felt before! I had no idea I had so many muscles in the front of my legs that I never use otherwise. I felt that within the first 5 minutes of being on my skates! Oh... I hate squats... I thought that was pretty ironic... that's all we do for two hours is squat!! Well I guess I'll have to learn to like it. I love how 48 hours after practice it hurts the most. I have learned to laugh about that already, maybe because I'm used to pain? Although the pain in my hip (right where your leg bends in the front) I will never get used to. Every once in a while I move my wrist the wrong way (lesson learned) and the big ass bruise on my left hip is a little more sore than I'd like it to be. 

All this being said... I didn't once ask myself "is it worth it?" But if I did, the answer would be "yes!". Getting a two hour workout once a week, skating on my own time, helping with the games (for now), watching (soon to be playing) games and scrimmages, being part of a team, and meeting a group of... from what I can see... talented, energetic, caring, fun, and all around great girls that I can see being my friends. Ya, I'd say it's all worth it.

Practice ~Sigh~ I think I'm In Love!

The first time I put on a pair of roller skates, I knew right away that I was kind of a natural. While my friends were getting bruises on their hips and pulling leg and groin muscles while they learned, I seemed to glide flawlessly along the eight wheels that were supporting me. Although I obviously noticed my talent I never really put much thought into it. . . until now!

When I strapped a pair of skates back on, after a 22 year break, I was expecting to be shaky, unstable, and awkward. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that wasn't the case at all. I guess it is just like riding a bike! I certainly had a few falls the first couple times back on skates, oddly enough most of them seem to happen when I'm just standing around, but for the most part I found myself feeling confident in my gear (Even though I'm sure my pads were on backwards and upside down for the first hour of the first practice), something I definitely wasn't expecting.

I had no problem just skating at first and was pretty content with that, but roller derby isn't just skating I'm finding out. It's so much more. The first 8 sentences that came out of the coaches mouth were like another language to me... toe stop, tee stop, knee drop, jammer start, plow stop, hockey stop, crossover?? All of the sudden I felt like I was on another planet. In a way I still do. Roller Derby is several things, easy is not one of them!

In the first two practices I have managed to learn the meaning to all the foreign words I had heard and realized I must get my own gear. The stench of the girls before me on my pads was a bit more than I wanted to be able to handle... week two I brought my own wrist guards, that strangely enough I already owned due to a chronic pain issue, but they smelled way better! Next... elbow pads, knee pads and skates! I can't possibly learn properly with the skates they have there. I am thankful and appreciative they are there, don't get me wrong, but my own gear would help. How much is that gonna cost?

I want to take a minute to tell all the people who think I'm crazy and just gonna get hurt to fuck right off! As i just mentioned I have chronic pain. It's pretty manageable most of the time, I just feel pain differently than most people I think. My nerves are so damaged that I have pain that will probably never go away in my hands, arms, shoulders, hips, and legs. Believe it or not derby has actually helped already. Between the stretching we do, the flexibility I am gaining, and building the muscle to support all my painful areas, there is no doubt in my mind that derby is going to help with my pain, not cause it or make it worse. And by the way... chronic pain doesn't equal fragile! I am anything but fragile. I have seen how tall and solid the other girls are and I am not afraid! Not only am I not afraid, I'm really confident that if I do it right I may even have a slight advantage over the bigger girls who may not be as agile as us little girls. Okay, maybe I'm a little delusional, but I can dream can't I?

I have a few bruises already... two on my left hip and two on my left hand(One from this week and one from last week, I fell the same way) and all the muscles I never knew I had are yelling at me saying "stop!", But I'm not gonna! In addition to this being the best workout I have ever had, It is also the most fun I have ever had. Who knew?

Roller derby practice, after only two weeks, has become the new love of my life. The coaches are all really excited about me and see my potential. It makes me feel like I could be a part of something bigger, and be a valuable asset to my team. Who doesn't like to feel like they are needed, wanted, and important!