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 :)