Easy Does It

This past Wednesday, I had the most awesome day.  Got to work on time & had a busy but productive day. Nobody accused me of having a bad day despite my workload...remember, we had this talk a couple of Sundays ago??  Anyways, after work I had a great workout with Christina & Meredith with Bruce telling us what to do.  I really appreciate Bruce's help, too.  He has all the muscle groups and corresponding workouts memorized & knows exactly how hard to push each of us on an individual level.  After our workout, we headed for a pigout and chowed down on a dee-lish burger & watched some Olympics. Bruce & Chris were great company as I nervously waited for my first roller derby practice with the River Region Rollergirls.  We laughed hysterically as we tossed around a few derby names for me.  And no, Bruce, you will not be hearing the ring announcer calling for "Supaaaaah Fupaaaaah!".  So now comes the fun stuff...ROLLER DERBY PRACTICE!

Punctual as ever, I arrive at precisely 8:00pm, butterflies twirling in my stomach, praying I don't yack up that burger I just ate.  I've got my workout clothes still on, my handy-dandy skate bag and gear in tow, and I'm telling myself not to act like a junior-high dweeb.  These girls are tough & I can just picture them laughing their asses off as I walk into their practice.  

Yes, right now, I'm the girl in green!!

But it wasn't bad at all.  Everyone was smiling and happy and very welcoming.  Salvador Dolly met me at the door, introduced me to a few of the others and told me to gear up.  She showed me the water fountain so I could refill my bottle if needed and I just about had a panic attack...I didn't bring my water bottle.  In fact, I drank my derby practice Power Aid during my gym time after work.  DOH!  No biggie, though...must remember not to ditch your water bottle next week, Cyn.

Lyra aka Fiend Club #138, the team captain, calls everyone to center rink for stretches...I roll up to the group and have to SIT DOWN...from a standing position...on skates...I haven't been practicing this on my own.  I made it to the floor without anyone saying, "HELP! She's fallen and can't get up!" There was one other "new" girl, Desert Storm, who is an established Rollergirl & has just moved to the area.  As we are sitting in a circle, doing our stretches, Fiend has everyone introduce themselves by their derby name.  I'm last in the circle all I can think is "Don't say Supah Fupah, don't say Supah Fupah" (damn you Bruce).  But instead I say "Hi guys, I'm just Plain Ole Cyndy".  Everyone cracked up and at first I was embarrassed but then could tell they got my humor...yes, small victory for not coming across as a total dweeb.  We get up (shit, I haven't practiced this either, I'm in sooo over my head) and I'm passed off to Madame Guillotine, the maggot coach, I'm guessing.  Funny thing about Guillotine, I used to kinda sorta date her brother in high school...small world.

At this point I was so amped and excited and proud of myself for showing up & just about to bust at the seams to get on the floor and skate.  But Guillotine had other plans...review of paperwork, rules, blah blah...but in retrospect, I'm so thankful for her slowing my roll...it would have been bad if I went in full-steam-ahead.  She was so patient and encouraging, running me through basic skills.  I have to remember not to get so down on myself & realize the skills will come with time, that's why they call this shit PRACTICE.  Guillotine did compliment me on the few skills I had down pat already, crossovers, T-stop, tomahawk (whatever that is).  And she was impressed with how graceful I am when I fall.  Go Me!!! 

One hard lesson I learned on my own is why they wear tights...so the skin will slide easily when you hit the floor.   So for next practice, I will be a little more prepared.  I ordered me some softer wheels so I won't slide so much during crossovers, as well as some round toe stops to replace the small/square stock stops that came with the skates.  I have some knee high socks and some tights to protect my oh-so-delicate skin.  I have readjusted by helmet liner so it fits better on my head. And I have THREE water bottles in the fridge!