Baby, you're a star!

So first week back at training and it was bit of a mixed bag. Apart from being back at training the best bit about it was seeing Santina back on skates after breaking her ankle last year, and what a lovely sight it was :) As for me I'm stuck on what to do now. I've got a lot on my mind with stuff outside of derby, wait hang on a sec I have a life outside of derby, how dare I! haha. Now I know we need to leave our personal dramas at the door when we go to training but I wasn't having any luck with it on Friday night. Those that do derby know that not only do you need to be switched on physically you also need to do so mentally. This was the first time I've gone to training where I haven't been fully switched on and I noticed it right away. My body felt like it had a mind of its own and I didn't feel right on my skates. I stuck it out and trained with the main group for a while but I realised I was fighting a losing battle and headed over to the other court with Santina. If anything good came out of it it was being able to just skate and talk with Santina, she's had her own injury dramas but she's still so positive and still strives to reach her derby goals that you can't help but let that positive outlook rub off on you.


I hit Skatel on Saturday morning with Sarah and there were a few people and it was muggy as hell but I was more worried about whether or not I'd be able to skate fully focussed. Skatel has been a great place for me to improve my skating, there's no pressure there like there is at training, you just skate or do what you like. Although I was able to dodge the little kids as I skated past them I still couldn't shake the concerns out of my head so just like the previous evening I was skating rather lethargic and having to think about doing certain things instead of just doing them by instinct. I even struggled doing the hydrant moves, it felt like I forgot how to do them that I overthought about them that I kept missing the opportunity to do them, the stupid thing is I managed to do them the night before. So I don't know what to do. I don't want to injure my team mates or myself because I'm not concentrating 100% but I'm equally annoyed at the thought of not skating and stopping me from achieving my derby goals. Injury wise I'm feeling better than I have for months but mentally not so great. Why does every single step I've taken so far feel like such a massive challenge? What can't I just catch a break for once? (and by break I don't mean a broken bone).

Although I tried ignoring the warning signs yesterday ie: sore throat and blocked nose there was no denying it this morning when I woke up with a fever and completely sapped of energy that I was sick so that meant no training for me tonight which pissed me off. Even when I was injured I'd go to training whether to watch, help out or take photos because I love hanging around my team mates and I love derby. When you're sick you can't be selfish and pass it onto your team mates so it's best to stay away even though the thought of it sucks, so I spent the day in bed sucking on Vicks Vapodrops from time to time, it doesn't get more interesting than that ;)

I've been talked into doing the Warrior Dash race next month by my trainer Suzie. I'm starting with zero training only a month out from the race so it's going to be a massive challenge just to complete it on my first attempt which is my target. Next year I can focus on beating whatever time I get this year. I'll be joined by my team mate Baley. Her and I have struggled through derby together so it makes sense to struggle through Warrior Dash together :) Seriously though it's good to do the race alongside someone else because I find it'll push me on and not quit. The good folks at Ghost Points have also designed a shirt for the day for all the derby peeps who will be doing the race. Not only is it a great design but you can get your derby name and number on it too, what's not to like?

Lastly the reason behind the title of this post. It didn't take me long to figure out that most derby folk love having their picture taken and/or do interviews so this bit may interest most of you plus you would also be helping out a fellow derby member. I came across BioniKate from the Nashville Revolutionaries Recreational Roller Derby league after reading some of her articles on the Derbylife website and from there I came across her blog. Kate's currently doing a interview series with skaters from all over the world. It doesn't matter whether you're just starting out, not known outside of your own league or you're well known it's aimed at skaters from all levels. Not only will you be featured on her blog you will also be featured on derbylife so get typing and send her your replies :) All the info can be found here.