I wrote in my very first blog post that I have never been an athlete or played organized sports. In 9th grade, I took a chance at trying out for softball. I had never played in my life and could only throw and catch the ball. I couldn't swing and hit a ball for my life. Most of the others trying out had been playing since they were children and I didn't make the cut. That is the extent of my experience with sports. I have also written about my new found passion for roller skating. About 2 weeks ago, a customer and friend tagged me on a Jersey Shore Roller Girls Facebook post. The team was starting their "Fresh Meat" program for roller derby, "Pork Rollers". My initial response was, "I can't do that because I can't afford to get injured." Someone responded from JSRG and said, "it's not as dangerous as you think" and that got me thinking...I watched a bout last month and it didn't really look as crazy as I thought. In came Professor Google and I started reading blog posts, watching videos and learning more about what roller derby really is. After some careful research, I learned roller derby in the 70s and 80s was often scripted and rehearsed. The rules have changed since then, safety and fairness are important. To be quite honest, elbows to the face, tripping, punching, shoving, grabbing and head butting other teams isn't allowed. The women are still pushing and shoving each other around, there are bruises and injuries, but practice and bouts are more about the game strategy than trying to injure other players. I have never played a sport in my life and at the age of 39 years, 7 months and 23 days I have decided to joined a full contact sport. I emailed the group and wanted to get myself training, August 13, 2018 was my first night.
I was welcomed with open arms at the door by Cray, she is the head of the organization, and some other women. I handed in the paperwork and fee for the session and was directed over to get "geared up". I have my own skates and I bought a molded mouth guard, but I needed all of the protective gear and the team had plenty for the new recruits to borrow. I sorted through everything, trying on knee pads, wrist guards, embarrassing myself trying on elbows pads (I put knee pads on my elbows!), and finding a helmet that fit my head properly. Kelly, who I met through Coach Diana, was also there. It was great to see a familiar face and made me feel a little less intimidated. After all the Pork Rollers were geared up, we met Jacki who would be coaching us. Fortunately, all the Pork Rollers felt comfortable enough to skate, so we immediately went out and did a couple laps, then some stretching. We got right into learning how to fall, AHHHHH. Knee taps, this was scary for me. You're skating and basically falling onto one knee in a lunge without touching the floor and getting back up without using your hands. I took a deep breath, skated forward and fell onto my right knee, hands up and got up without touching my leg. WOW, I did something right. On the way back, I fell onto the left which was a little harder for me. But I'll get stronger as I practice on and off skates. We moved onto double knee taps, derby stance, skated in a "pack", wall drills and even learned how to t-stop, something I wasn't able to do for the past 4 months. Needless to say, I was a sweaty mess, more because of anxiety than the exercise itself.
About halfway through our practice, Cray came over with a group of women. She announced that we were all being assigned a "Big Sister". My Big Sister is MILF, yes MILF lol. All of the girls have derby names, eventually I guess I'll have one. MILF was quick to speak with me and I'm happy that I have someone I can ask questions and get to train with. By the end of the evening, I was even more excited to be joining this team than I was when I walked in. I was asked by quite a few of the girls if I was going to come and train with them on Thursday and Friday. Initially I said I'm not sure and the more I thought about it on the way home, the more I thought I should. I am never going to be able to learn and pass the required tests if I don't practice. I had a little anxiety about giving up my Friday nights at open skate because it's been my routine for the past 4 months and it's just a fun night. I weighed out what was more important to me at this point, hanging out and just skating around or learning the skills I would need to play derby? I wouldn't be dedicating myself if I didn't go and skate with the team on Friday's. Needless to say, I will be skating Monday, Thursday and Friday's with the JSRG. I will still have my fun night of skating on Wednesday's and once I get all of the protective gear I will be able to skate at Doc Cramer in the roller hockey rinks there. If roller skating wasn't my life before, it has become that now.
My life has always been hectic, Brian and I used to joke that we worked better under pressure than without a deadline. I haven't lost focus on the store, the gym or my spin classes. I just know that I will not be able to relax and watch as much television as I did before. My DVR will probably start giving me anxiety as soon as the fall shows start, every time that thing reaches 50% full I have a panic attack. What is more important to me at this point though? Some fictional shows that take my mind off the real world or a sport that will allow me to do the same? I want to be my best and I am ready to devote whatever time and effort I have left in my life to training for this team.
"Don't Dream It, Be It."
