After a derby road trip and what feels like an epic fail at practice tonight, I am more thankful than ever for my derby family. These gals are saving my life one small step at a time.
Although I missed out on the post-bar-closing strip club trip due to a dead car battery, this weekend's derby road trip was fabulous. These girls are the best family ever! They volunteer to hold your non-existant hair if you throw up (luckily not necessary thankfully), they laugh with you, party and dance with you, and love you no matter what.
I don't know what I'd do without these women; they really are life-savers. As I gear up for the impending changes, I can't believe how lucky I feel to be part of such an amazing group of strong women.
The only downside of derby I can think of are my shrunk boobies (which are totally worth being back to my skinny high school jeans).
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Minimum Skills Test Part 1: The Results
After the fantastic We Survived Derby Boot Camp Part 1 party this weekend, it was time to get my head back in the game and think about what needed to improve on my minium skills.
We got our score cards back last night, and I did better on a lot of things than I though, but I was surprised about a few. I only got a 2 (out of 4, with 3 being "proficient") on side stepping, which was silly on my part because I didn't know to keep my eyes forward instead of down. I also wasn't careful enough to avoid using my hands on my knees getting up from 180 knee turns, which is careless on my part as well.
I need an average of 3 to pass, and am at 2.8 right now. If I improve 3 points, I'm good. That means shaving 13 seconds off my time (which I feel good about if I get pusher wheels in time), and improve 2 other things by at least a point (side stepping and 180 turns should be easy-peasy--and possibly T-Stops since I've been forcing myself to use these to stop exclusively), I'll be golden. Fingers crossed--I've got 3 weeks to get it right.
On a brighter note, I've got some derby coloring to do, which I'm excited for--although I'm making myself wait until I'm done grading papers to reward myself. If you wanna get in on the fun, and possibly win some Wicked derby gear, you can download your coloring sheet too!
Also, nationals this weekend were pretty rad. I only REALLY closely watched the final two matches, but I had all of the bouts on whenever I was home. The final game was a nail-biting, edge of your seat, rock your socks off game. SOOOO good.
We got our score cards back last night, and I did better on a lot of things than I though, but I was surprised about a few. I only got a 2 (out of 4, with 3 being "proficient") on side stepping, which was silly on my part because I didn't know to keep my eyes forward instead of down. I also wasn't careful enough to avoid using my hands on my knees getting up from 180 knee turns, which is careless on my part as well.
I need an average of 3 to pass, and am at 2.8 right now. If I improve 3 points, I'm good. That means shaving 13 seconds off my time (which I feel good about if I get pusher wheels in time), and improve 2 other things by at least a point (side stepping and 180 turns should be easy-peasy--and possibly T-Stops since I've been forcing myself to use these to stop exclusively), I'll be golden. Fingers crossed--I've got 3 weeks to get it right.
On a brighter note, I've got some derby coloring to do, which I'm excited for--although I'm making myself wait until I'm done grading papers to reward myself. If you wanna get in on the fun, and possibly win some Wicked derby gear, you can download your coloring sheet too!
Also, nationals this weekend were pretty rad. I only REALLY closely watched the final two matches, but I had all of the bouts on whenever I was home. The final game was a nail-biting, edge of your seat, rock your socks off game. SOOOO good.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Minimum Skills Test Part 1
Uuuuuuuuh. I'm so nervous and tired! The first part of minimum skills testing (see Appendix A if you're curious) is tonight for the last third of the girls who have been at bootcamp so far. I'm not sure whether it's good or bad to have to wait 'til now to test (extra time to squeeze in practice, but extra time to worry too).
A bunch of us went to adult skate night this week to brush up, and got scolded like naughty children. (We were doing stuff we weren't supposed to apparently). It made me feel a little better, because I got more time on my skates, and more time with my new wheels. Plus, we went for drinks after, which was fun. We were all really nervous about testing, and it was good to get together and vent.
I'm still worried about my T-stops, and after the extreme failure from my crappy wheels last time we tried the 5 minute test, I'm not entirely confident about that part either. Hopefully I'll do well enough on everything else that the few things I'm not as good at won't keep me off the team.
I know I've only been in derby for a 6 weeks or so, but it has become a part of who I want to be. If I don't make it, I'll still be as involved as possible, but it just won't be the same. I'm in the best shape I've been in since high school, I've made a lot of awesome friends, and I'm just not ready to give that all up.
I guess rather than worrying, I should strap on my skates and practice my T-stops for a while. At least that way I'll feel like I'm doing something. Hopefully my wood floors will forgive me from using them like a roller rink.
A bunch of us went to adult skate night this week to brush up, and got scolded like naughty children. (We were doing stuff we weren't supposed to apparently). It made me feel a little better, because I got more time on my skates, and more time with my new wheels. Plus, we went for drinks after, which was fun. We were all really nervous about testing, and it was good to get together and vent.
I'm still worried about my T-stops, and after the extreme failure from my crappy wheels last time we tried the 5 minute test, I'm not entirely confident about that part either. Hopefully I'll do well enough on everything else that the few things I'm not as good at won't keep me off the team.
I know I've only been in derby for a 6 weeks or so, but it has become a part of who I want to be. If I don't make it, I'll still be as involved as possible, but it just won't be the same. I'm in the best shape I've been in since high school, I've made a lot of awesome friends, and I'm just not ready to give that all up.
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| I don't want this to be my last derby bruise! |
I guess rather than worrying, I should strap on my skates and practice my T-stops for a while. At least that way I'll feel like I'm doing something. Hopefully my wood floors will forgive me from using them like a roller rink.
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