Practice is improving. I still couldn't keep the pace line for 30 laps (dammit) but I gave it the ol' college try. I continued skating around the outside, but my back just kept getting worse shooting pains and cramping. But Monday I held on for the rest of the practice - from Brian torturing us slowly, to tag-team laps. We cut off early (about 8:30) and a lot of girls went to see the new warehouse. I personally was exhausted and headed home.
Tuesday was more "quality time" with Brian, and there were only about 15 skaters that showed up (compared to about 35 the night before). Then line exercises (Rose showed me I could go faster without compromising form OR falling on my butt), and suicides (which, when done properly, do make you want to kill yourself). And we couldn't stop there! Rose had us skating around the rink doing all sorts of drills, the worst I think was the right-knee-left-knee dance until I collapsed. I dropped out a tiny bit early and examined the huge blister on my pusher foot big toe. Lovely.
But what's really on my mind... As any rollergirl knows, "by the skaters, for the skaters" is code for a WHOLE lotta work when you AREN'T skating! When the organization grows, so do the responsibilities. And it's a weird transition, having to delegate to volunteers. Since I'm a newbie, I'm still wondering where I fit in with all this. I'm a great volunteer (obvious by my crazy animal rescue obligations), but I do NOT want to sign up for more than I want to maintain. Unfortunately so far the jobs I prefer are already taken. Hopefully things will fall into place. I certainly DON'T want to be asked to swipe credit cards all next season!!!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Just Do It - it's more than a Nike slogan!
I did go to practice on Tuesday. Recently our Monday practices have been super crowded, with 40+ people, but Tuesdays have just over half that (25 with some leaving in the middle). I like the less crowded option much better!
I made it through practice on Tuesday! First was a lot of off-skates including a ton of lunges. Then skates on. I still can't keep up with even the "slow" pace-line, so went to the outside and kept skating. Out of 5 suicide drills I skipped one. I ended up with bruises on both my knees though because my pads slipped down. Grr.
The next day (AND the day after that) my butt muscles were absolutely killing me from all the squats, knee drops, and down-ups. From the top of my bum to the backs of my knees. I still feel a little soreness when I sit on the toilet even today.
Thursday was fun at Choctaw, and I figured out dodgeball is a great way to improve agility! We should try it at practice!
I made it through practice on Tuesday! First was a lot of off-skates including a ton of lunges. Then skates on. I still can't keep up with even the "slow" pace-line, so went to the outside and kept skating. Out of 5 suicide drills I skipped one. I ended up with bruises on both my knees though because my pads slipped down. Grr.
The next day (AND the day after that) my butt muscles were absolutely killing me from all the squats, knee drops, and down-ups. From the top of my bum to the backs of my knees. I still feel a little soreness when I sit on the toilet even today.
Thursday was fun at Choctaw, and I figured out dodgeball is a great way to improve agility! We should try it at practice!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A Positive Attitude
My thoughts lately have been self-degradating and defeatist. I compare myself to others and only see where I fall short. I have started to dread practice because we may do something I'm not good at, or an exercise where I won't be able to keep up. This must stop! How am I supposed to get better when I don't try? Or when I expect myself to fail??
Tonight is practice, and I will complete the ENTIRE practice.
In other news: I went skating outdoors with a few girls last week, and at just about the halfway point, Abby Lobotomy (one of our on-again-off-again newbies) broke both bones in her leg! We waited for what seemed like forever for the ambulance to get there, and once they loaded her up we realize that we are left on the opposite side of the park, in the dark, on skates. Luckily we were only about 3 miles from my house, so my mom came to pick us up and cart us back to our vehicles. Then Rican Rage and I headed over to the hospital after hearing from her hubby that she could have visitors. She had surgery the next day and spent 3 days in the hospital. OUCH.
Tonight is practice, and I will complete the ENTIRE practice.
In other news: I went skating outdoors with a few girls last week, and at just about the halfway point, Abby Lobotomy (one of our on-again-off-again newbies) broke both bones in her leg! We waited for what seemed like forever for the ambulance to get there, and once they loaded her up we realize that we are left on the opposite side of the park, in the dark, on skates. Luckily we were only about 3 miles from my house, so my mom came to pick us up and cart us back to our vehicles. Then Rican Rage and I headed over to the hospital after hearing from her hubby that she could have visitors. She had surgery the next day and spent 3 days in the hospital. OUCH.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Fear of Failure
Why am I so scared to fall? Worried I won't be able to keep up? I think the fear of failure is one of my most limiting qualities. If I don't try my hardest at something, it's like I convince myself that I *could* do it, if I had really tried. Unfortunately I think this has a more negative effect overall than if it turned out I have to work extra-hard at something in order to achieve it.
I fight this fear every time I go to practice, even just GETTING to practice is an internal struggle. This roller derby thing does not come easy to me, especially when I see skillsets surpassing my own in girls that started this endeavor long after me.
Anyway, last week I only completed half of practice on Monday. Craptastic eating habits and little water left me dehydrates, dizzy, and exhausted. Tuesday Daniel led a drill and we had a visiting skater. I am extremely insecure in my speed and blocking ability, but did complete the exercises. Then scrimmage where I busted my elbow because of my cheap pads.
Saturday was our fair demonstration, I was once again the fat girl. I *hate* being the fat girl in the group!!! Three of us were on skates, 4 weren't, and we did several short demonstrations. Wrecks' flirty ways also scored us free cinnamon rolls. Nice. Straight from the fair to BB's baby shower, and though I had grand plans to either return to the fair or head to Dylan's party, the night ended with me watching The Bounty Hunter with my parents. hehe. Sunday was the last bout of the season - TARG's expo (or The Lightening Broads) vs GCRG's expo (Thunder Dollz) and I screamed so much I lost my voice and gave myself a headache. They whooped us HARD, 249 to 69. What a way to go out.
I fight this fear every time I go to practice, even just GETTING to practice is an internal struggle. This roller derby thing does not come easy to me, especially when I see skillsets surpassing my own in girls that started this endeavor long after me.
Anyway, last week I only completed half of practice on Monday. Craptastic eating habits and little water left me dehydrates, dizzy, and exhausted. Tuesday Daniel led a drill and we had a visiting skater. I am extremely insecure in my speed and blocking ability, but did complete the exercises. Then scrimmage where I busted my elbow because of my cheap pads.
Saturday was our fair demonstration, I was once again the fat girl. I *hate* being the fat girl in the group!!! Three of us were on skates, 4 weren't, and we did several short demonstrations. Wrecks' flirty ways also scored us free cinnamon rolls. Nice. Straight from the fair to BB's baby shower, and though I had grand plans to either return to the fair or head to Dylan's party, the night ended with me watching The Bounty Hunter with my parents. hehe. Sunday was the last bout of the season - TARG's expo (or The Lightening Broads) vs GCRG's expo (Thunder Dollz) and I screamed so much I lost my voice and gave myself a headache. They whooped us HARD, 249 to 69. What a way to go out.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tournament and More!
Wow, 10 days since I've updated, I'm such a slacker. :)
I missed Monday's practice because I was fully enjoying my Labor Day. Tuesday's practice was a lot of fun. Dizzy led an exercise that we had seen at RollerCon. The first half was off-skates, side shuffle, grapevine, and a football-type drill where one girl stands in the middle, back to the line of girls and trys to booty block them then they run toward her and dodge around. I have to be honest, I was SUPER nervous about the on-skates portion. I hate being the slowest one in a group! But I didn't need to worry, I was right on par with some of the other new girls, and ended up having fun while improving skills. Then an unremarkable scrimmage where I managed not to fall too much!
Wednesday was warmup then scrimmage. Poor Bella forgot ONE of her skates at home in Norman and was using the rental skates which had crud caked on the wheels and aren't great to skate on even when pristine. So I insisted she use my skates for the scrimmage portion (she was playing on Saturday, I of course was not). She said they worked well but were a lot heavier on her feet!
Friday some of us went to GI's house to prep the welcome baskets for tournament participants. Ni-Trick, Zooey, Dizzy, and Tawny along with GI and I made the prepping pretty easy and the baskets looked phenomenal!! (Pictures to be added)
The tournament was exhausting! Andy and I arrived at about 10am and helped set up. Rita was nice enough to do my make-up and I had ga-ga sparkles going on - lol. I ran the scoreboard during the first home game and expo game and it is a job I really enjoy. By the last game though, I already knew the outcome and was just tired. Brian convinced me I would have fun at the after party, and he was RIGHT! Don Quixote's karaoke bar was awesome when full of derby girls. Appetizers to eat, energy drinks, and LOTS of dancing with Banana, Meanie, Rose and many more!
Tourney recap:
TDB vs GCRG - shut out by green country 220 to 20
TDB vs TARG-A - CLOSE game but we squeezed out a win
TARG-B vs CORDA - very close but CORDA took the win, due in no small part to Faerie Mean
TARG-A vs GCRG - dominated by green country
I missed Monday's practice because I was fully enjoying my Labor Day. Tuesday's practice was a lot of fun. Dizzy led an exercise that we had seen at RollerCon. The first half was off-skates, side shuffle, grapevine, and a football-type drill where one girl stands in the middle, back to the line of girls and trys to booty block them then they run toward her and dodge around. I have to be honest, I was SUPER nervous about the on-skates portion. I hate being the slowest one in a group! But I didn't need to worry, I was right on par with some of the other new girls, and ended up having fun while improving skills. Then an unremarkable scrimmage where I managed not to fall too much!
Wednesday was warmup then scrimmage. Poor Bella forgot ONE of her skates at home in Norman and was using the rental skates which had crud caked on the wheels and aren't great to skate on even when pristine. So I insisted she use my skates for the scrimmage portion (she was playing on Saturday, I of course was not). She said they worked well but were a lot heavier on her feet!
Friday some of us went to GI's house to prep the welcome baskets for tournament participants. Ni-Trick, Zooey, Dizzy, and Tawny along with GI and I made the prepping pretty easy and the baskets looked phenomenal!! (Pictures to be added)
The tournament was exhausting! Andy and I arrived at about 10am and helped set up. Rita was nice enough to do my make-up and I had ga-ga sparkles going on - lol. I ran the scoreboard during the first home game and expo game and it is a job I really enjoy. By the last game though, I already knew the outcome and was just tired. Brian convinced me I would have fun at the after party, and he was RIGHT! Don Quixote's karaoke bar was awesome when full of derby girls. Appetizers to eat, energy drinks, and LOTS of dancing with Banana, Meanie, Rose and many more!
Tourney recap:
TDB vs GCRG - shut out by green country 220 to 20
TDB vs TARG-A - CLOSE game but we squeezed out a win
TARG-B vs CORDA - very close but CORDA took the win, due in no small part to Faerie Mean
TARG-A vs GCRG - dominated by green country
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Pinky Toe Inconveniences
While our team has been around a long time, it has seen a tremendous growth spurt in the last year. Times are a-changing and we're now a WFTDA apprentice league, are sorting through our fresh meat process, and attendance is open record. I'm sure more changes are being discussed behind the scenes, but us minions don't know about them yet.
Anyway... I am in LOVE with outdoor skating! A few times I caught myself reverting back to childhood and bracing fully upright for a fall. I had to consciously remind myself to squat so if that broken concrete does make me fall at least it's to my knees and not my butt. We did 5 miles because of my time restrictions (and some girls being late) and I look forward to next time completing an entire route around the lake (11 miles).
Sunday my boyfriend and I were goofing around giving hip checks and I was between him and our water-bed frame (with regular matress). I caught my right pinky toe on the drawers under the bed and ripped half of my toenail off (and proceeded to cuss like a sailor). Monday I come into work limping, and no working out or skating for me that day. Yesterday it was much better so I attended our monthly meeting and then did jogging, plyometrics and stretching but opted out of scrimmaging. Did I hurt myself this much before I joined derby??
And I almost forgot, I really need to get back on my Couch to 5k program. *grumble*
Anyway... I am in LOVE with outdoor skating! A few times I caught myself reverting back to childhood and bracing fully upright for a fall. I had to consciously remind myself to squat so if that broken concrete does make me fall at least it's to my knees and not my butt. We did 5 miles because of my time restrictions (and some girls being late) and I look forward to next time completing an entire route around the lake (11 miles).
Sunday my boyfriend and I were goofing around giving hip checks and I was between him and our water-bed frame (with regular matress). I caught my right pinky toe on the drawers under the bed and ripped half of my toenail off (and proceeded to cuss like a sailor). Monday I come into work limping, and no working out or skating for me that day. Yesterday it was much better so I attended our monthly meeting and then did jogging, plyometrics and stretching but opted out of scrimmaging. Did I hurt myself this much before I joined derby??
And I almost forgot, I really need to get back on my Couch to 5k program. *grumble*
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Ouch! and Double Ouch!
No practice Monday, so instead some of us met up at McNellie's pub & grill for Pint Night. Rosie, Josey, Meanie, TechNik, Mauler, and applicable meat were there. Good times and sweet potato fries.
Tuesday was an Open Practice. After Killa lead some jogging and warm-up stretches, we had an option of trying our lap time or going down stairs. I was still a little congested, but honestly was scared my lap time would have gone down. :( SO... V took us downstairs to do plyometrics and tae bo moves in the parking lot. It was GORGEOUS outside, with a breeze, so it would have been a shame to waste it. Back inside for floor exercises (legs, butt & abs).
Then a short stint of scrimmaging, which was great because we only had 7-8 people on each team. First jam (as inside blocker) I fall FLAT on my ass. OUCHIE. Luckily I have a lot of padding and didn't break anything. Few more unremarkable rounds, and Brian puts me in as jammer. Again with Cacky persistently bumping me out. She doesn't hit real hard, but she's effective. I go out of bounds, to my knees, try to take out a new girl on the sidelines and Eva jumps over me and catches my thigh with her skate. EFFIN OW! Get back up, never make it through the pack, slide to the sidelines and whimper. The shitty part, it hurts like hell, I feel it every time I take a step, and it's not even an impressive bruise! Hmph.
Today I'm scheduled to meet some girls at Hefner to try my hand (or feet, I guess) at outdoor. Wish me luck!
Tuesday was an Open Practice. After Killa lead some jogging and warm-up stretches, we had an option of trying our lap time or going down stairs. I was still a little congested, but honestly was scared my lap time would have gone down. :( SO... V took us downstairs to do plyometrics and tae bo moves in the parking lot. It was GORGEOUS outside, with a breeze, so it would have been a shame to waste it. Back inside for floor exercises (legs, butt & abs).
Then a short stint of scrimmaging, which was great because we only had 7-8 people on each team. First jam (as inside blocker) I fall FLAT on my ass. OUCHIE. Luckily I have a lot of padding and didn't break anything. Few more unremarkable rounds, and Brian puts me in as jammer. Again with Cacky persistently bumping me out. She doesn't hit real hard, but she's effective. I go out of bounds, to my knees, try to take out a new girl on the sidelines and Eva jumps over me and catches my thigh with her skate. EFFIN OW! Get back up, never make it through the pack, slide to the sidelines and whimper. The shitty part, it hurts like hell, I feel it every time I take a step, and it's not even an impressive bruise! Hmph.
Today I'm scheduled to meet some girls at Hefner to try my hand (or feet, I guess) at outdoor. Wish me luck!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
