(Editor's note: this is the first of what I hope will be many posts from my derby sisters. We all come from different backgrounds and have different strengths, goals, and interests, even within derby. I look forward to letting my sisters share their experiences with you all! --Bilbo)
If you have ever watched roller derby (either in person, or on tv), you have seen how physical the sport really is. Not only do you need to know how to skate well, but it also takes a lot of endurance. This endurance is put to the ultimate test when attempting to pass your 27 laps in 5 minutes. (Who knew that 5 minutes or 300 seconds could feel like an eternity?!)
When skating your laps, it is hard to keep track of your
own, since mostly you are focusing more on not falling, while also remembering
to keep breathing. This is when it
is nice to have a derby sister who is willing to count for you. This way, you can simply focus on being
as fast as possible.
Each week at practice, you are given the opportunity to pass
your laps. As you take your place on the line, you can feel the anxiety begin
to settle in your mind and your gut. Wanting so badly to be able to bout, you
push through the pain, even though it feels like your legs might fall off at
any time. Skate fast, turn left.
Repeat.
Finally you hear the
coach blow the whistle and you realize you have not passed. As he makes his way
over to show you your time, you feel the disappointment set in. As bad as you want it, you know today
is not your day. Then comes the drive home, where you contemplate what you
could have done differently and begin to plan your attack for next week’s
practice. Personally, I then come
home and look up motivational quotes that might help me feel like less of a
failure.
Week after week, you try again, watching your laps go up,
then down, then up again. Every time they go up, you feel a sense of personal
satisfaction, even though you still didn’t pass.
THEN ONE DAY: You skate the same laps that you have been
working at for months now, and you finally pass. I cannot even begin to explain
the thrill of being shown the clock and seeing a time that is less than 5
minutes. (4 minutes and 57 seconds to be exact) Seeing those numbers, you let out a shriek of pure
exhilaration and a high like no other consumes your mind and body! You have
proved yourself worthy of being able to bout, and all is right with the roller derby
world. (You might not be able to walk right the next day, but it is totally
worth it.)
Just remember to keep pushing and know that one day it WILL
happen for you.
Much Derby love,
Jenocide