Ouch

I'm angry at my body for protesting against me playing roller derby. I've felt really strong and healthy since summer because I've been working out a lot, but obviously roller derby brings out all my weak spots and I'm terrified that I won't manage to keep up, because I'm so in love with this sport. My physiotherapist was great though, I'm going there on Thursday to get a training program for my back, and I'm going to ask him about why the hell my heel has been hurting so bad lately. So I'm not going to let it stop me, but feeling weak brings me down.

Best practice so far :)

Saturdays practice was such a blast!! There was only 6 of us and no coach so it started out looking like we'd just skate around aimlessly but we worked really hard and had such a good time. I finally managed to do a couple of t-stops and we also made the best use of all the space by practicing cross-overs and 25 laps in 5 minutes x 2. Made it to 19 before time ran out, but I feel that it's more about working on my technique and speed than my grade of fitness, since I wasn't that tired by the end. Yay for having worked out a lot since the beginning of June! Had no idea then, that I would be a roller girl by October, but very thankful for it now! I also desperately need new wheels but I just can't decide what to get, plus I don't have very much money at the moment. Luckily Christmas is coming up!

Whipping, t-stops and woe is me.

Very pleased with the fact that last nights practice focused on skating skills, just as I wished! My back got a bit sore towards the end, but the thing that really bothers me is that I felt I was afraid of falling and twisting my back which meant that I felt restricted the whole time (and meant that I couldn't really work on toestop-walking or stopping). Otherwise it was a nice practice, and I'm really glad my back didn't start hurting! I'm quite sore today so it feels nice to have a doctor's appointment next week so I can get some help figuring out what's going on in there. Anyways, I got to try whipping for the first time last night which was a lot of fun! We also practiced skating backwards which at first seemed absolutely impossible but after a few rounds started to make more sense. This is something I like about rollerskating, what seems impossible often isn't. Apart from t-stops then, I just can't figure it out. Oh well, I'll blame that failure on my sore back ;)

Update on my back

Since I am such an hypocondriac I called a physiotherapist last weekend because I didn't feel that my back was getting any better. It has gotten a bit better now I think, but I'm gonna keep my appointment to ask about how I can avoid this happening again, and also how I should strengthen that muscle. I've been to see one before and she said that because of my scoliosis the left side of my body is weaker. I'm on her waiting list but wont get an appointment 'til early March which feels like for ever. What I'm wondering if that has played a part in me getting a muscle rupture in my left flank (sort of) or if it's just a coincidence.

My left side is not hurting as much at the moment, but it's sore and feels like it's clenching a bit? I dunno... My whole back is a bit sore biut that's probably because I haven't had time to work out. It hasn't helped that I've been swamped with uni work and have been spending most of my time at the library.

I am going to practice today just to try out how it feels -no falling or blockning today, so I'm really hoping weäll focus on skating skills, otherwise I'll be spending most of my time on the bench. But I really don't want to aggravate it, I just want to get well so that I can sweat my ass off during practice!

November pain

Gothenburg roller derby really impressed me during Saturday's bout! And what a game it was, I think pretty much the whole audience were standing up and screaming during that last jam. It was also really exciting to watch West Aros Hybridz as it was their first bout, since that is what my team is working for right now. All the teams did really well, so if any of you read this - well done! :)

It was great to spend a whole day with some of the girls on my team and nice to be surrounded by rolelr derby-nerds for a whole day. The ride home consisted McDonalds, of us laughing at roller derp and one by one exclaiming "That last jam!!!" "Gothenburg!" "That was amazing!" :)

Tiger balm is the best thing that ever happened to me

I forgot to say. Tiger balm. Oh man. What is this stuff? I am addicted!

Ouch

Pulled a muscle in my back during Saturdays practice. Didn't really feel it at the time, nor did I feel it on Sunday but Monday and Tuesday were quite painful so I decided to miss out on practice yesterday. Boohooo. Felt sucky as hell but I don't want to make it worse so I know it was the best thing to do. I went anyways, figured it'd be nice just to watch and it was!

Our coach started out by telling us that were going to have a minimum skills test in January which was met by loud cheers by the whole team. I know I have no chance of passing it, but it's nice to have something to practice for. Coach also said each practice will focus on a couple of things from the minimum skills, and yesterday they did whips and hip-whips, and something else I just cannot remember atm. The girls were awesome, they all did really well!

Also - freaking love hanging out with giiiiiiiirls. Best thing I know.

Berlin Bombshells vs Stockholm Roller Derby

OMG. OMG! OH MY GOD!

What a bout! The last 15 minutes were insane and I was jumping up and down screaming in front of the tv. I was rooting for Sthlm so I'm sad they missed out on the final but also really happy for Berlin, and so so happy I watched that bout because it was the most exciting one I've ever seen!

Saturday is practice day!

The focus today was skating skills, which meant a lot of cross-overs and slalom. I think I managed to do a few decent cross-overs, but not sure. We practised stopping as well today, what a challenge! I can do an allright plough-stop and stop by dragging my toe stop behind, but we also got to try the t-stop and the turn around toe stop which was just impossible. So frustrating! I think I'm too chicken to get enough speed and turn fast enough for the turn around, but the t-stop? How the hell do people do it? I kept going sideways as soon as I put my skate behind me.

We also played dodgeball, a game I (not so fondly) remember from gym class. I've never really liked it but it was quite fun today and a good way to get used to being on skates 'cause it got my focus off the skating and onto the ball and the teams.

At the end of practice we practiced blocking again and as a finish we got try working our way through a pack which was SO MUCH FUN! That gave a real taste of what playing a bout will be like and I loved it. Good way to keep us all motivated I think :)

First practice!

Last night I had my first practice! I started off by googling and reading horror stories about terrible first times, then my gym bag broke and I got lost on my way there and arrived completely stressed out. We were as many old as new sluts there (my team is called Sluts United) which felt awesome!

After warming up we practiced cross-overs, walking on our toe-stops/skates, falling in various ways, weaving, skating in and through a pack, the shopping cart (at first divided into 3's and later on with7 players. I almost died!!!) skating at different speeds, did Simon says, We got to try blocking the oldies, and then they got to block us rookies - this was at the end of practice and oh man did I flail all over the track and crash onto the floor? Oh yes. It felt like we did everything except stopping (hehe hopefully we can do this next time 'cause I need to learn this fast!).

All in all I think it went well. I got my new toestops just that day which I am really pleased about. The first few steps on them felt unsteady but I feel like I made a lot of progress right away and lost some of the fear of falling as well. Also, when it was my turn to push 'the shopping cart' I had to run on them, otherwise it was just impossible.

And yes - I'm, very sore today, thanks for asking!

TRY OUTS!

Woke up this morning feeling pretty nervous! Finally time for try outs! The girls started off by showing us some excercises; falling, skating in a pack and jamming which was a lot of fun to watch. Then we got to skate! I must say it felt good that I had practised a bit before and I felt quite safe and steady on my skates. Me and a friend skated around for about half an hour, tried to do some cross-overs and practised falling which was a lot of fun. Everyone was sooo friendly and sweet and I'm going to my first real practice on Tuesday. Very exciting!

I tried on some different pads today as well; Protec and Destroyer. At first I liked the Protec ones; quite snug, not too bulky and they felt nice to land on. But after trying the Destroyers I wasn't so sure anymore - they are a lot bigger but also felt a lot softer to land on. I want to try Triple8's as well before I make up my mind. And in case I go for Destroyer's I want them in black, which means ordering from the US, cause I can't find black ones in any UK shop. Bah. Oh, but  did manage to sell the 187 pro knee caps that were too small for me so yay!

Why do dudes keep ruining the fun?

Got kicked out of the amazing parking garage today by a really stern old man. Damnit. And I had just gotten started too! I'm practicing with a friend tomorrow, but I don't know where to go now... Hmm.

Spent the weekend in Stockholm with friends which was looovely and relaxing! Among other things I went to a bout, Cougar Sluts vs Brass Knuckle Harlots. It was great, pretty rough and a lot of fun to watch. The speakers were really excited, which is always nice, but the dude started off by really pissing us off. He went on about how roller derby was a nice sport to watch - especially for men since the players are often scantily clad.... Whaaaaaaat? Dude, you're were being so sexist and heteronormative that you made us all barf. He also said that the players were there for the audience's sake, and maybe just a little for their own sake. Seriously?! Oh man.

Three things that are making me happy

The other day I met up with one of the local derby girls because she wanted to try on the pads I bought that didn't fit me. Unfortunately they didn't fit her either so I couldn't sell them, but it didn't really matter because she was soooo nice. We talked a bit about gear and the team and the upcoming try outs and when we parted she said she thought I would fit perfectly with the team... I don't need to say how happy that made me, right?! :D If all derby girls are as nice as the ones I've met so far, then this is going top be the best thing I've ever done!!

Speaking of try outs, I'm going to try out a new parking garage tonight with a friend of mine who is also really keen on starting. It'll be her first time and my third so I'm not expecting it to be very pretty, hehe. I think it might be a good spot though; indoors, heated (!), large areas and smooooth surface. When I was there the other night there was also classical music playing... Not sure if that'll get us in the right mood...

Aaaaand tomorrow I'm going to Stockholm to watch a bout. Cougar Sluts vs Brass Knuckle Harlots. Very excited!

Butt-sweat

So happy right now! A friend of mine came over for dinner and then we headed down to school so I could practice a bit. Pretty sure the janitor wouldn't approve but daaamn that floor was nice to skate on! So smooth compared to the asphalt from my first time. It was almost too smooth though, my wheels didn't really grip very well. I can't wait to try out the floor where we will be practicing, I wonder what it's like.

My friend was an excellent coach and we practiced skating, stopping, getting upp from sitting on one knee, pushing with my toestops and we also tried him gently tackling me while I was just rolling, to see how it felt. All in all we were there for about an hour.

Oh and I tried out my 'tailsaver' (a tailbone pad) for the first time. Didn't fall on my butt so I don't know if it works, but I feel less scared of falling which I hope leads to me daring to go faster. It was so warm though, I sweated right through my tights! :D

Bambi on ice

Today it snowed. This sucks. Despite the freezing temperature outside I decided I just couldn't wait to try on my skates a bit more. So I biked down to a parking garage and warmed up for about 15 minutes... Felt horribly silly doing jumping jacks in the deserted garage, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

I felt pretty shaky when I put the skates on, but it actually went really well! I skated around (well... skated is a bit of an exaggeration... stumbled is probably a better description hehe) for about 30 minutes and I didn't fall a single time, even though I was pretty damn close more than once! The asphalt wasn't very smooth though and these wheels definitely aren't made for outside skating because ouch, I felt every stone. And I think I put my jacket in someone's pee. But apart from that;  YAY!

AAAAHHHH!

On my way home from uni I was so tired I was almost hoping my gear wouldn't arrive today. But when I came home and found a note from the postman I got so excited I could hardly contain myself. Must've looked quite silly standing in line at the post office with a huuuge smile on my face...

I was so nervous when I unpacked the box, but the roller skates fit! But my pads didn't... As I mentioned, I ordered the 187 killer pro pads and they feel very clumsy and large, even though they're too small in circumference. So I will try to sell or exchange them and probably pick another brand. Perhaps the ones designed for derby? If anyone has suggestions they are very welcome!

So my initial reactions are that 

1. Holy crap this is difficult

2. The skates are so heavy, I had no idea!

Friday night

Handed in paper for uni. Had amazing dinner. Now eating sweets and teaching my mom the basic rules of roller derby.

Ps. My gear was shipped out yesterday! :D :D :D

Order update

Well, at least I got an email from them today saying that the helmet I had selected was out of stock. I might have asked them to hurry up in my reply....hehe. So hopefully they'll ship it out tomorrow. Seriously, these days of waiting... longest days ever.

Send. My. Stuff. Now.

"Order processing"

WHAT DOES IT EVEN MEAN? Just pack the gear and ship it!

Kind regards,
girl who's checked her order status 20 times in the last 48 hours...

Fighting my way through the gear jungle

For once I wasn't all sensible. I decided to buy gear before I've ever tried standing on a pair of skates. And how easy is that? Not easy at all, I can tell you this much. I've spent HOURS researching pros and cons with all the different brands of skates and pads. At first I wanted a pair of pink & black Anarchys (cause they look awesome) but as I did some more reading I realized they're probably not very good. So instead I went for the Riedell R3's which seem lika good beginner skate. I also decided on the long gumball toe stops.

So this past Sunday I sat down to order. I wanted to order from the Swedish shop but as they haven't replied to any of my emails I was afraid the shipping would take for ever. And I didn't want to order from the US as I've heard several horror stories about the insane amounts you have to pay to get it through customs. A friend of mine in Norway hade to pay 650 NOK! Oh the horror. So I decided to go for an English shop. I spent about 2 hours trying to find a bloody shop that had all the gear I wanted which seemed IMPOSSIBLE! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Finally I got a tip about Kickflipboards where they sell rookie packages.

I decided to upgrade on the pads as I really want to be well protected. (When I showed some friends today I realized I must've had a complete brain snap as that package was one of the most expensive ones. What was I thinking!?) Anyways, I went for the 187 pro-pads as I read somewhere that it was like "falling on kittens" - hehe. I've been told that the wheels on the R3:s suck, but I figure I gotta find out what kind of surface I'll be practicing on before I buy new ones.

It got....pretty pricey. But hopefully totally worth it. Now I'll just have to wait and see and hope everything fits!

From 0 to 100

As the headline tells this happened pretty fast. I've known about roller derby for a few years and I've thought it's insanely cool but I've been too much of a chicken to even imagine myself skating. It was actually my mom who suggested I should start playing to "toughen up"... Heh. Since then I've been completely obsessed with reading blogs, watching documentaries, reseraching skates and pads. I also went to my second bout, which was two of Sweden's best teams; Stockholm Roller Derby vs Crime City Rollers, which was awesome. How very convinient then, that a team has started up here and will have try outs in less than a month. HELL YEAH! Lets do this!