Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Roller Derby Day 2

I had an awesome time at boot camp Monday!  We started off by free skating to warm up.  The wheels on those skates were MUCH slicker than the ones I used last week, so it took me a while to adjust. 

They started us off by talking to us.  They gave us a history of their league, talked travel games, helping in the community, etc. Then we reviewed the things we learned the first week and I immediately realized I had a pulled groin muscle.  Well, both really, but the right side is much worse.  I did the best I could, but OUCH!  I use that muscle for all of the stops and for getting back up.  Just...ouch.  Anyway, after the review, we learned a few new falls.  Then they set up cones for us to weave in and out of.  I did that really well...until one pass and I busted my hiney.  I'm fairly certain it was caught on camera too.  A guy was filming nearly the entire time.  I haven't seen anything posted...yet.

Next up, we created a pace line to weave in and out of.  The entire group formed a line and skated around the rink.  The person in the back weaved in and out until they were in the front.  Guess what.  I fell during that too.  But was yelled at "Good fall!"  I can fall really well now :)  Anyway, I quickly hopped back up and finished.  Let's see, then we worked on pushes and whips.  I did really well with the pushes but lost my balance when I tried to whip Ebbin Flow.  She did tell me something though.  She said that they can all see that I can skate and have good balance and that they're very excited about me.  So...GO ME!  :)

After that, we were finished.  Those two hours really do go quickly but I've learned so much. 

I'm sore.  But not as sore as I was at this time last week.  Last week was rough!  I couldn't work out until like Friday.  I was able to work out last night (Tuesday night) so I'm doing much better. :)  I can already see a difference in my leg muscles and my arms/shoulders are sore so I know they're getting a work out.  WOOHOO!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Roller Derby


Dixie Derby Girls is the local roller derby league located in Huntsville.  I can't remember how I first heard about them, but I've been following their FB page for a couple years.  We have talked about going to see them, but it's never panned out.

The idea of this sport excites me...speed, aggression, use of balance and hand/eye coordination, strong team bonds...plus there's a certain amount of bad assery attached to it.  Women empowerment.  Stick it to the man and all that.
    
Every year, they recruit for their Fresh Meat Program.  I wanted to do it last year, but didn't and was disappointed for not giving it a shot.  On Sunday, I noticed one of their posts on FB - November to Dismember: DDG's Fall Recruitment.  I thought about it.  I really thought about it and got excited.  I posted it on FB and several of my friends encouraged me to give it a go.  I think Britney has been my biggest supporter and helped push me to follow my interest and desire to try something some would consider crazy.  Bobby completely supported me as well.  I'm pretty darn lucky!

So...I took a breath and registered, paid the fee, waited and got NERVOUS!  I grew up in the skating rink in Athens, but that was *AHEM* nearly twenty years ago.  I've skated a couple times since.  I'm still pretty decent.  I can skate forward really well, do crossovers, skate backwards a bit, and turn around.  But there's a big difference between free skating around in a circle and being competitive with pushing and shoving and and God only knows what else.

Nervous.

Monday evening, Bobby came home from work and after a bit, I headed to Roller Time in Huntsville.  The worst part about this location is that it is right behind Krispy Kreme!  With it being a Monday, I assumed it would just be other girls there for recruitment, but that place was PACKED!  Who knew roller skating was the place to be on Monday nights?  Well, I used to know that, but I didn't realize how many people still went roller skating.

Anyway, a team member walked in right after me, introduced herself, introduced me to a couple other people and showed me where to wait.  Waiting sucks.  I was nervous.  I didn't know anyone.  Even the other girls who came in were so nervous, they weren't speaking.

Pretty soon, it was 8:00 and everyone was told to clear out.  Once it was just the roller derby, they spoke briefly.  Then we had to sign waivers.  I love anything that you have to sign a waiver to participate in!  Then we geared up using borrowed, stinky elbow and knee pads.  I brought Britney's helmet and wrist guards from her skating board days.  Thanks Brit!  We paired up with a team member to help show us the ropes.  Ebbin Flow grabbed my hand and introduced herself.  We seemed to hit it off pretty well.  Turns out we're right at the same age and she used to skate in Athens too.  We may have known each other way back when :)

Some of us newbies putting on our GRRRRR faces!
While we were still in our tennis shoes, they showed us 'The Derby Stance' and the different ways to properly fall and get back up.  Falling is HUGE part of this sport.  You learn how to do it the right way to minimized injury.  Although, it's difficult to do in shoes.  Plus, we felt kind of silly....

After we got the basics, we put skates on and did  things for real.  We started off with...taking steps.  Seriously.  It's harder than it sounds.  You have to get low and walk without those dang wheels rolling.  I did better forward than backward, but did sideways the best.  

Me far right...stepping
After that, we worked on falling.  You fall one knee, both knee (think rocker slide) and both knees, elbows and wrists.  Then you're suppose to get up without using your hands, which is difficult to do when you're out of shape such as I am.
Lined up getting ready to take our falls!

Next up was stopping.  I've always been told to use the toe stop.  You're going along, push your toe down and skid to a stop.  That's not how it's done in derby.  You turn your back foot and press down, using muscles that you didn't know existed.  There's also the plow stop and spinning around quickly and pushing down with both toes to stop.

The last thing we did was free skate.  I think they wanted to judge our abilities.  We were suppose to be skating with our partners, but after a couple laps around the rink, Ebbin Flow pretty much told me I didn't need her.  She said I have awesome balance and my crossovers looked great.  Then she disappeared.  And I skated.  And skated.  And thought my legs were going to fall off.  Practice ran until 10:00 and I was honestly ready to stop at 9:30.


After a short break, we were told to skate more and she would blow the whistle and we would fall in various ways to get practice.  The falling isn't difficult :)  The pads are AWESOME!  But the getting back up when your legs are already jello...wow!  I fell different ways and then Ebbin Flow showed up and told me I could work on different stopping techniques.

And just like that, it was 10:00 and over.  My legs were past hurting.  They were almost numb.  I definitely pushed myself and I am extremely proud of what I accomplished.

Tuesday, I was sore, but Wednesday was ridiculous.  I could barely walk.  The second day is always the worst.  I was finally able to work out today and my legs feel stronger.  I'm REALLY looking forward to Monday to see what we're going to learn :)

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Playing catch up!

Wow!  I'm so far behind, I don't know where to begin!  Let's see...

August:
We went to Heather's for a get together complete with swimming and birthday cake for Britney :)

We watched the Crawfords in their awesome performance of Alice in Wonderland!

We spent a day with our friends at Rhodes Ferry Park.

Britney and I hiked Walls of Jericho with the Crawfords.  We also stopped to watch the bats at Sauta Cave on the way home.

We found out about a movie that was being filmed and were in need of extras.  Britney, Cody and I spent a VERY LONG day in Birmingham.  We got home at 2 am, but it was an awesome experience!  We were in key scenes with James Denton,   AJ MichalkaChris Ellis and Jamie Grace. Jamie Grace even did a little performance for us :)  Grace Unplugged is due to be released summer 2013!

September:
We went to Oka Kapassa with a lot of our friends!  We all really enjoyed this and plan on returning!

We spent a day visiting Lake Guntersville State Park and High Falls Park.  I can't say enough bad things about the trail at Lake Guntersville...worst trail we've ever hiked and we've hiked A LOT.  I also can't say enough good things about High Falls.  I think I could go there every single day.

We spent a couple days at Tishomingo State Park to celebrate my 31st birthday!  We had the best time and will definitely be back.

We went to Steele Orchard on a field trip with one of the homeschool groups.  We enjoyed it a learned a few new things, but overall felt it was geared more toward younger kids.

October:
Britney was in her 13th...or 14th (I need to count that up) play, Give My Regards to Broadway.  She did an amazing job as Connie! 

Bobby and I walked part of the Flint Creek Trail.  LOVE fall :)

I hiked Rainbow Mountain with a friend!  I can't wait to go back with my family!

There was a film being shot here in town.  We know several people who are in it, and they needed extras for a couple scenes.  Brit and I spent several hours doing that one day.  Cody had NO interest in going.  I'm actually glad he didn't.  It was quite cold and he would have been miserable.   The movie is called Little Josephine and it will be shown at local film festivals.

Bobby and I celebrated our 13th anniversary on the 26th!  We spent the whole day together.  We grabbed some delicious food from Earth Fare for a picnic and hiked Wade Mountain.  Thanks for the recommendation, Esther!  We loved it!

Every single year, we want to go the Alabama Renaissance Faire and every single year something has prevented us from going.  We were determined to make it this year, but it was SO cold!  Bobby and Cody stayed home.  I hate that they missed it and really hope it's nice weather next year.  Several friends came and we really did have an awesome time.  Britney has been wanting a cloak for years.  She had been saving up and FINALLY bought herself one.  I wish I had a picture of her face when she showed it to me.  She was SO happy!

Esther scheduled a tour at the Golden Flake factory in Birmingham.  Most of our friends have been there several times, but we've never made it before.  Oh my goodness!  We had a blast!  It's a FREE tour and we learned a lot about the process.  Plus the guide gives you hot, off the conveyer belt goodies! Not to mention lots of bags to take home!

Britney had an upcoming performance of Little Women.  She is playing Sally Gardiner and I'm really looking forward to this play!

Of course, there was a pumpkin carving day and trick or treating with friends!

November:
November 1st marked the beginning of NaNoWriMo!  Britney has participated and has exceeded her goals for the last two years.  This year is the final book in her trilogy and at November 6th, she has written over 17,000 words!  Her goal is 100,000 words!  Good luck, kiddo!


Okay, I know this isn't EVERYTHING, but it's a start.  I was overwhelmed and at least now, I can see it lined up and I can start going through and getting some pictures up!

Where we've been as a family