Wednesday, 17 October 2012

FM Tweedledum

On Monday I showed up for my first fresh meat practice. I was so nervous, I didn't know if I would be the worst skater there or if I'd be able to do any of the moves. I wasn't the worst skater ever... I definitely wasn't one of the best. I showed up we watched some of the league girls scrimmage that was really fun, then we had to start getting our stuff on.  I am a student I have yet to pay off my tuition for this term, I have to do that Thursday and much to my dismay I can't afford the 187 pads I want so I had use what I had.

Needless to say, I wasn't able to do any of the falls. It was really kind of embarrassing. Thankfully I have the world nicest boyfriend and he's buying them for me... Safety is sexy! So I will have some nice shiny new pads for my next practice.  Then on the 28th I will buy the other 187 pads. To be honest the practice wasn't too bad, it was kind of ruined by the fact that I felt like an idiot. I like to be perfect and letting down my fresh meat trainers by not having the money for pads is a failure in my eyes. Part if me wanted to just the practice when, I was called over, to talk about my padding. Granted I know why I feel like that, I am notorious for projecting my feelings on others. I felt unworthy of being there, which is silly, I have just as much right as the girls who had all the right girls.

The practice went well other than that. I was disappointed to know that, most of the other girls were incredibly good skaters, they all whipped passed me during our endurance skate. I felt kinda silly toddling along, I only got 7 and a half laps... I was a bit disappointed in myself, but my legs were shaky. I worked really hard, I tried really hard too. I am really impressed with all the other girls who were there. They were really nice and supportive. I am also glad that I wasn't the only one who didn't have the right padding, it makes being the odd one out easier.

It's Wednesday now and I am still super sore. My back is stiff, my legs ache and all I want to do is work out my muscles. I am hoping some yoga and a quick interval run around the block will help loosen them up. Lets pray I do think too much next practice, I would really hate to ruin my derby experience with my head it never knows when to stop.

Saturday, 13 October 2012

The Sweet Taste of Fresh Meat

So, I am going to be starting my fresh meat program on Monday October 15th 2012. I have been itching to play roller derby for over a year, the Winnipeg Roller Derby League only has an intake once a year in the fall. I was too late last year, too bad for me.

Why do I want to play roller derby? Well I knew it was going on for a while, but it seemed like a thing for really "hardcore" girls. You know those really scary hardcore punk girls who drink, smoke and strike fear in the hearts of all around them. Silly I know, but a part of me wants to be one of those girls. Not going to start drinking or smoking but I want to be part of a roller derby team. The girls are so strong, sexy and amazing I just have to be one of them. Now as to the thing that drove me over the edge and made me a roller wannabe... You have to promise not to laugh. It was the movie Whip it.

I can really identify with Bliss, I am a shy girl. I don't have a lot of friends. I have been through hell and back. When Maggie Mayhem told Bliss "To be her own hero" . I fell in love, I am a sap at heart. I like to try and hide it but those stupid motivational things get me every time. Watching Bliss go from a scared girl with no confidence to this derby girl brimming with self confidence made me want to join roller derby.

So what did I do, I opened up my web browser and typed in Google. There I tried to find out if the shitty city I lived in had a roller derby team. I was skeptical nothing good ever happens in Winnipeg but we do in fact have a roller derby league. I was so excited, I told my boyfriend and he told me I should see if I could sign up right away. I said I would but I was too scared, so a few months went by my boyfriend and I started a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with some friends. It turns out one of my friend's girlfriend was going through the fresh meat program. We had a conversation about it, she said I was too late to start up and I would have to wait.

So here I am, I am starting my fresh meat program on Monday. Part of me is super excited, it's all I have talked about for weeks. I started a workout program to help me excel in my fresh meat program, but I hurt my leg running so I had to take a few weeks off. I am all better now, I practiced skating on city streets but that was too frustrating. If you have ever been to Winnipeg you will understand, the sidewalks suck. I am an OK skater at best, I can stand, go forward, go backwards sort of, I just can't stop. It's really frustrating I have tried really hard to figure that part out but to no avail.

Anyway, I am hoping this blog will be a window into what it is like to go through a fresh meat program. I am super excited I can't wait to start. I know there will be trials and tribulations, I will hurt and probably fail but in the end when I pass my scrimmage assessment I will taste the sweet victory I crave so much. I will be part of that elusive tribe, I will be one of the chosen few.