Wow - so much has happened and changed since my last post..
My life is completely different now.. i wont bore you with the details, but im slowly getting everything back on track.
So another bouting season is sneaking up on us fast - so its time to not only inspire as many of my crew as I can to step up their personal goals, but time for me to do so as well..
In the middle of a massive arthritis flareup, so im kinda walking around like an 80yr old woman - but I am back on my full dose of meds and have my wife on my back making sure I take them lol. She wants me fighting fit for next years comp ladder, as do i!
So even though I feel like a little old lady atm, I still managed 2 sets of 15 pushups while I was waiting for the kettle to boil. Taking this slowly, building up strength before i look at too much cardio - but the aim is to get back into running as my body can hold up to it.
As my life settles into more of a routine my training will be able to step up more and more, but for now I'm trying to not put too much pressure on myself and just keep moving forward!
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Monday, 4 July 2011
Todays quickie workout..
School holidays sure are an interesting time!
Ok - I'm sore, arthritis is flared up - todays victims are my hips, knees, ankles and wrists. I've got the flu and 3 kids home and bored for school hols.. BUT i wasn't going to let that stop me all together.
Todays workout was just a nice quick and easy one, cause i didn't want to do nothing..
Skipping Rope : 5 mins
Sit ups : 10 x 3
Leg Lifts: 5 x 2
Pushups (on wall) : 10 x 3
Was planning on doing some lunges as well, then repeat this program 2 more times - but the bored teenagers started fighting and my music just isn't loud enough to drown them out and my house isn't strong enough to endure their fights... gah!
Ok - I'm sore, arthritis is flared up - todays victims are my hips, knees, ankles and wrists. I've got the flu and 3 kids home and bored for school hols.. BUT i wasn't going to let that stop me all together.
Todays workout was just a nice quick and easy one, cause i didn't want to do nothing..
Skipping Rope : 5 mins
Sit ups : 10 x 3
Leg Lifts: 5 x 2
Pushups (on wall) : 10 x 3
Was planning on doing some lunges as well, then repeat this program 2 more times - but the bored teenagers started fighting and my music just isn't loud enough to drown them out and my house isn't strong enough to endure their fights... gah!
New financial year - new booty!
So I wrote not long ago about this being the year of new, and true to my word i have been working on it. I've got myself a new job, which i'm loving. Today i'm getting a new haircut - yay! Plus i've been cleaning and cleaning and cleaning and sorting out my garage to regain my workout space!!!!
My boxing gym is all set up (but I did discover I need a new belly for my speed ball), my skipping rope is hanging, the Total Gym is ready to go Chuck Norris Style and I've got a desk to have all my writing equipment on to keep track of my reps, sets, progress ect.
I'm having a HUGE flare up of my arthritis atm, so my wrist is uber sore and crappy - but it will pass. I also feel like I'm coming down with the flu my kids have all been suffereing from. But I'm refusing to give in. Today after lunch will see me in that garage skipping up a storm!
My workout queen from http://www.bodyrock.tv/workout-schedule/the-week-of-july-3rd/ posted a new workout this morning and I cannot wait to get my interval timer so I can do her workouts properly!
I've charged the camera up and I promise I will take before photos today with the help of my daughter.. I cannot promise I will actually post them for a LONG LONG time lol, but they will exist to compare the next lot too!
My boxing gym is all set up (but I did discover I need a new belly for my speed ball), my skipping rope is hanging, the Total Gym is ready to go Chuck Norris Style and I've got a desk to have all my writing equipment on to keep track of my reps, sets, progress ect.
I'm having a HUGE flare up of my arthritis atm, so my wrist is uber sore and crappy - but it will pass. I also feel like I'm coming down with the flu my kids have all been suffereing from. But I'm refusing to give in. Today after lunch will see me in that garage skipping up a storm!
My workout queen from http://www.bodyrock.tv/workout-schedule/the-week-of-july-3rd/ posted a new workout this morning and I cannot wait to get my interval timer so I can do her workouts properly!
I've charged the camera up and I promise I will take before photos today with the help of my daughter.. I cannot promise I will actually post them for a LONG LONG time lol, but they will exist to compare the next lot too!
Thou shall play derby and be happy!!
The 10 commandments of H*A*R*D!
1. Leave your ego and chip on your shoulder at the door.
2. Regardless of skill levels, everyone has equal place on the track at training.
3. Push yourself every time. Push others to push themselves. (Support is your teammates best friend!)
4. Everyone deserves to train - without the person next to you, we wouldn't have a league.
5. Treat others how you would expect to be treated
6. Aim to get to training before the start time. Strap on your gear and be ready! We don't pay our money to sit around.
7. There is no "I" in team.
8. Be proud of your league and spread the name positively and lead by example
9. Have Fun!
10. The road to happiness. First, league. Second, Team. Third, Self.
1. Leave your ego and chip on your shoulder at the door.
2. Regardless of skill levels, everyone has equal place on the track at training.
3. Push yourself every time. Push others to push themselves. (Support is your teammates best friend!)
4. Everyone deserves to train - without the person next to you, we wouldn't have a league.
5. Treat others how you would expect to be treated
6. Aim to get to training before the start time. Strap on your gear and be ready! We don't pay our money to sit around.
7. There is no "I" in team.
8. Be proud of your league and spread the name positively and lead by example
9. Have Fun!
10. The road to happiness. First, league. Second, Team. Third, Self.
Monday, 20 June 2011
Is it Scrimmage Sunday yet??!!??!!
I'm gunna apologise in advance, this entry is going to be a bit messy as I've left it way too long between posts!
So it's been an interesting few weeks... Did sooooo much skating I'm not sure how I wasnt limping around for most of the off skates days.. Training Friday nights, social skating Saturday mornings and some saturday nights, again on Sunday mornings and then extra long training Sunday nights - and even a public holiday Monday skate just for good measure! urgh! LOVE IT!!!!!
I also managed to make it out to an SRDL bout:
Headed out to the bout with the H*A*R*D crew and have to thank my car buddies for an awesome trip! My gorgeous Derby Wife, Poz O'tiff, FiFi BoxHer, Bru-Tillie Divine and Apple Ya'Hair - I've never laughed so much in a car ever - you grrls bring so much happiness to my life! <3 <3
As per usual watching the SRDL teams battle it out was awesome! I've trained with and against some of them and even played in a couple of teams with some of them - Love those gals!! Not sure if I will make it to their next bout, there is soooooo much Derby stuff on these days its difficult to get to it all plus fit in all my leagues training and programming as well... I need more hours in a day and more days in a week! hehe...
I was contacted by Viva La Derby! Podcast who were wanting to interview me for Episode 4, but with one of their crew heading off on a holiday, that interview invite turned into a request for me to co host the whole podcast!!! It was all done via skype - but what an amazing experience it was and soooooo much fun! I'd love to co host it again one day! I've been a fan of this podcast since they first started and eargerly await every episodes release! Check out Ep 4 that I co hosted here http://www.vivaladerby.com/
H*A*R*D has been very lucky to have someone very special design our league logo! One of our beautiful skaters (Private Erin G) has a very talented husband who designed us the perfect logo!
So I am very very proud and deliciously happy to release the logo for H*A*R*D!!!
Tim (the very talented designer) also designed us 2 other variations. One that can be used for alternate merchdise, and one specifically designed with iphones in mind - how totally sweet is he!
I'm totally in love with these designs and cannot wait to see what he develops for our teams <3
One of the most exciting things that has been happening at training is our first round of assessments. We had a whole group of our Privates take their Corporal Assessments and I'm very happy to congratulate all those who passed!
Corporal SweetNess NoMore #09
Corporal Sarah B
Corporal Lynda S
Corporal Rae C
Corporal Apple Ya'Hair
Corporal Toni M
Corporal Hayley C
Corporal Alana D
Corporal Alyce
Corporal Penny D
Corporal Kiri M
REF Jeremy
REF Cranky Pants #480
These Skaters have all trained so hard and have totally earned their pass marks! Now that they have passed their Corporal assessments, they get to officially apply for their Derby Name - I remember the excitment of this and I'm so happy for them!
With all these skaters passing their assessments, it totally means SCRIMMAGE!!!!!! OMG I've missed this so so so so so much! For their first Sunday Scrimmage I totally just threw them in the deep end to give them a taste and they did so well it totally blew my mind! We took it a little easy and only used one jammer at a time with 3 blockers from each team on the track at once - but the smiles on their faces as we were leaving the training venue was sooooo amazing to see!
The following Sunday we had full teams on the track as well as both jammers. We started off with longer breaks between jams to answer any questions and to give Poz O'Tiff time to instruct her training REFS. I was leading the Black team while Lieutenant Dicey was leading the White team. Towards the end of the night - we stopped all that and threw them into 30 secs between jams. Props to FiFi BoxHer who had to leave the track midjam to ralph, but came back into play once she was done lol.
Inspired by the total awesomeness of the way the skaters and refs performed during that Scrimmage - I've decided to change up the shedule of our Sunday night training seeings as we now have 2 courts for the 3 hours.
The new shedule I will be trialing over the next few weeks is as follows:-
5-6pm
Court 1 - Freshie Coach BloodRED Penny and myself will take the Privates (and its highly suggested that the Corporals participate as well) through their hour of dedicated training.
Court 2 - Left free for the Sergeants and Lieutenants to warm up and stretch good and long in prep for the training torture I have install for them lol
6-7pm
Court 1 - Advanced Skills/Scrimmage Skills/REF talks. Corporals, Sergeants and Lieutenants will be run through Advance/Scrimmage skills by myself, and Lieutenant Dicey has been asked to bring 1 or 2 rules for us to discuss at length. During this time Head REF Poz O'Tiff will take her refs aside and run through her program with them.
Court 2 - Mick will take the Privates through their off skates workout, giving them the knowledge and tools to then use what they learn with him outside of training. This sort of training will keep them fit and strong throughout their entire Derby career.
7-8pm
This time will be all hand on deck for Scrimmage! We will run Scrimmage as if it were a bout. No holding back, no extra time outs, no excuses! Cannot wait!
Until next time peeps - Skate wise, Turn left!!
So it's been an interesting few weeks... Did sooooo much skating I'm not sure how I wasnt limping around for most of the off skates days.. Training Friday nights, social skating Saturday mornings and some saturday nights, again on Sunday mornings and then extra long training Sunday nights - and even a public holiday Monday skate just for good measure! urgh! LOVE IT!!!!!
I also managed to make it out to an SRDL bout:
Headed out to the bout with the H*A*R*D crew and have to thank my car buddies for an awesome trip! My gorgeous Derby Wife, Poz O'tiff, FiFi BoxHer, Bru-Tillie Divine and Apple Ya'Hair - I've never laughed so much in a car ever - you grrls bring so much happiness to my life! <3 <3
As per usual watching the SRDL teams battle it out was awesome! I've trained with and against some of them and even played in a couple of teams with some of them - Love those gals!! Not sure if I will make it to their next bout, there is soooooo much Derby stuff on these days its difficult to get to it all plus fit in all my leagues training and programming as well... I need more hours in a day and more days in a week! hehe...
H*A*R*D has been very lucky to have someone very special design our league logo! One of our beautiful skaters (Private Erin G) has a very talented husband who designed us the perfect logo!
So I am very very proud and deliciously happy to release the logo for H*A*R*D!!!
Tim (the very talented designer) also designed us 2 other variations. One that can be used for alternate merchdise, and one specifically designed with iphones in mind - how totally sweet is he!I'm totally in love with these designs and cannot wait to see what he develops for our teams <3
One of the most exciting things that has been happening at training is our first round of assessments. We had a whole group of our Privates take their Corporal Assessments and I'm very happy to congratulate all those who passed!
Corporal SweetNess NoMore #09
Corporal Sarah B
Corporal Lynda S
Corporal Rae C
Corporal Apple Ya'Hair
Corporal Toni M
Corporal Hayley C
Corporal Alana D
Corporal Alyce
Corporal Penny D
Corporal Kiri M
REF Jeremy
REF Cranky Pants #480
These Skaters have all trained so hard and have totally earned their pass marks! Now that they have passed their Corporal assessments, they get to officially apply for their Derby Name - I remember the excitment of this and I'm so happy for them!
With all these skaters passing their assessments, it totally means SCRIMMAGE!!!!!! OMG I've missed this so so so so so much! For their first Sunday Scrimmage I totally just threw them in the deep end to give them a taste and they did so well it totally blew my mind! We took it a little easy and only used one jammer at a time with 3 blockers from each team on the track at once - but the smiles on their faces as we were leaving the training venue was sooooo amazing to see!
The following Sunday we had full teams on the track as well as both jammers. We started off with longer breaks between jams to answer any questions and to give Poz O'Tiff time to instruct her training REFS. I was leading the Black team while Lieutenant Dicey was leading the White team. Towards the end of the night - we stopped all that and threw them into 30 secs between jams. Props to FiFi BoxHer who had to leave the track midjam to ralph, but came back into play once she was done lol.
Inspired by the total awesomeness of the way the skaters and refs performed during that Scrimmage - I've decided to change up the shedule of our Sunday night training seeings as we now have 2 courts for the 3 hours.
The new shedule I will be trialing over the next few weeks is as follows:-
5-6pm
Court 1 - Freshie Coach BloodRED Penny and myself will take the Privates (and its highly suggested that the Corporals participate as well) through their hour of dedicated training.
Court 2 - Left free for the Sergeants and Lieutenants to warm up and stretch good and long in prep for the training torture I have install for them lol
6-7pm
Court 1 - Advanced Skills/Scrimmage Skills/REF talks. Corporals, Sergeants and Lieutenants will be run through Advance/Scrimmage skills by myself, and Lieutenant Dicey has been asked to bring 1 or 2 rules for us to discuss at length. During this time Head REF Poz O'Tiff will take her refs aside and run through her program with them.
Court 2 - Mick will take the Privates through their off skates workout, giving them the knowledge and tools to then use what they learn with him outside of training. This sort of training will keep them fit and strong throughout their entire Derby career.
7-8pm
This time will be all hand on deck for Scrimmage! We will run Scrimmage as if it were a bout. No holding back, no extra time outs, no excuses! Cannot wait!
Until next time peeps - Skate wise, Turn left!!
Thursday, 2 June 2011
The year of new things...
31 ... that's how old I am. To some it may seem ancient, to some I may still be considered a 'spring chicken'. To me, I feel about half way there.. while I'm comfortable in my own skin, mentally I'm totally still in my late teens/early 20s - but I just put that down to the fact that I was such a young mum who stayed home to raise her children and is finally being unleashed on the world.
I've started taking my methotrexate again for my arthritis and I'm feeling pretty f'ing terrific physically. I still don't have full movement in my wrist and cant weight bare on it terribly well, which sucks cause I miss doing real pushups! But I'm feeling the urge to start boxing again.. I miss the amount of exercise I used to do, I miss the sweating and the next day hurtz and the burn... i know crazy, but I've not felt this great physically in over a decade! I'm thinking that the 40kgs I've lost playing derby has helped with that as well ;)
While Roller Derby training is great, gives me a real high - its not enough, I want more, I crave more!
So 2011 is going to be my year of 'new'.. So far it's seen me with a new League, some wonderful new friends, currently looking for a wonderful new job and I'm looking for something new exercise wise - which may lead to a new body!
Last night I pulled out my skipping rope, dusted off the boxing gloves and found my hand wraps - and I'm actually looking forward to my first session alone in the garage with my music and my boxing bag..
I've also found this website through someone elses post on FB http://www.bodyrock.tv/ .. I've spent hours readying through it and watching it. Amazing! Im not sure how I will go trying to adjust certain things for my wrists and getting certain pieces of equipment as time goes on - but it's got me excited to try it, which it good :) I miss the gym, but I dont have a rich lover or a full time nanny for me to be able to work that into my life - so here is to Bodyrock!
ewwww.. you know what comes with this sort of thing? Dang.. weigh ins, measurements and before photos! Urgh!!!! hehehe..
Note to all my readers - prolly best NOT to read this before, during or just after eating from now on!
Love! <3
I've started taking my methotrexate again for my arthritis and I'm feeling pretty f'ing terrific physically. I still don't have full movement in my wrist and cant weight bare on it terribly well, which sucks cause I miss doing real pushups! But I'm feeling the urge to start boxing again.. I miss the amount of exercise I used to do, I miss the sweating and the next day hurtz and the burn... i know crazy, but I've not felt this great physically in over a decade! I'm thinking that the 40kgs I've lost playing derby has helped with that as well ;)
While Roller Derby training is great, gives me a real high - its not enough, I want more, I crave more!
So 2011 is going to be my year of 'new'.. So far it's seen me with a new League, some wonderful new friends, currently looking for a wonderful new job and I'm looking for something new exercise wise - which may lead to a new body!
Last night I pulled out my skipping rope, dusted off the boxing gloves and found my hand wraps - and I'm actually looking forward to my first session alone in the garage with my music and my boxing bag..
I've also found this website through someone elses post on FB http://www.bodyrock.tv/ .. I've spent hours readying through it and watching it. Amazing! Im not sure how I will go trying to adjust certain things for my wrists and getting certain pieces of equipment as time goes on - but it's got me excited to try it, which it good :) I miss the gym, but I dont have a rich lover or a full time nanny for me to be able to work that into my life - so here is to Bodyrock!
ewwww.. you know what comes with this sort of thing? Dang.. weigh ins, measurements and before photos! Urgh!!!! hehehe..
Note to all my readers - prolly best NOT to read this before, during or just after eating from now on!
Love! <3
from 2 to 8 - Part II
So with the support, help and encouragement of HotLips (Beck W) - I decided to give her idea of starting a league in my area a go. I wasn't sure I could acheive it, but that never usually stops me.
A few days later she sent through an email that SRDL had received from a group of friends in my area who were enquiring if there was a league out their way.. so needless to say I got in contact with the author of this email and we started talking about getting Penriths league started up!
A few flyers later and a meeting at a pub and the league was on its way to existance! Beck sent through some paperwork for us to work off and my research into how to register us as a league began.. But all that boring paperwork stuff aint worth mentioning... well that and I'd rather not re live the stress lol..
There are so many things that you feel are important, that looking back - really werent worth the ammount of stress we put ourselves through.. The ammount of meetings I attended to discuss colours and logos and league/team names.. hours upon hours upon hours of my life I will never get back! But at the time, as stressful and time consuming as it was - felt well worth it. But it was the paperwork and all those meetings that cemented the birth of the Western Sydney Rollers. We held our first official meeting and I was voted in as President and also one of 3 coaches.
Our training began out at a bunch of netball courts, still in my starfires - but now with knee pads, wrist guards and elbow pads.. These days on the netball courts make for some really wonderful memories.. a handful of girls, all trying to learn to skate together, no one having any clue what they are doing and all just getting on and having a blast while doing it! I still treasure those days even if the friendships that were developed there no longer exist.
My first pair of real skates.... wow... I don't think I did that much research in all my highschool years combined! But I purchased a pair of Sure Grip Rebels with XK-4 plates and I still remember the day they arrived.. I took them into the kitchen, put them on, stood up and went butt over boobies! I was so excited to get them to the skate rink for a roll - but so scared at the same time! The difference skating in them to the starfires was amazing... but I knew from that first lap around the rink the following saturday night I was determined to make skating more natural to me than walking, I would go from having 2 feet to 8 wheels and never return...
A few days later she sent through an email that SRDL had received from a group of friends in my area who were enquiring if there was a league out their way.. so needless to say I got in contact with the author of this email and we started talking about getting Penriths league started up!
A few flyers later and a meeting at a pub and the league was on its way to existance! Beck sent through some paperwork for us to work off and my research into how to register us as a league began.. But all that boring paperwork stuff aint worth mentioning... well that and I'd rather not re live the stress lol..
There are so many things that you feel are important, that looking back - really werent worth the ammount of stress we put ourselves through.. The ammount of meetings I attended to discuss colours and logos and league/team names.. hours upon hours upon hours of my life I will never get back! But at the time, as stressful and time consuming as it was - felt well worth it. But it was the paperwork and all those meetings that cemented the birth of the Western Sydney Rollers. We held our first official meeting and I was voted in as President and also one of 3 coaches.
Our training began out at a bunch of netball courts, still in my starfires - but now with knee pads, wrist guards and elbow pads.. These days on the netball courts make for some really wonderful memories.. a handful of girls, all trying to learn to skate together, no one having any clue what they are doing and all just getting on and having a blast while doing it! I still treasure those days even if the friendships that were developed there no longer exist.
My first pair of real skates.... wow... I don't think I did that much research in all my highschool years combined! But I purchased a pair of Sure Grip Rebels with XK-4 plates and I still remember the day they arrived.. I took them into the kitchen, put them on, stood up and went butt over boobies! I was so excited to get them to the skate rink for a roll - but so scared at the same time! The difference skating in them to the starfires was amazing... but I knew from that first lap around the rink the following saturday night I was determined to make skating more natural to me than walking, I would go from having 2 feet to 8 wheels and never return...
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
My journey from two to eight... Part I
I got the most beautiful compliment today.. There is a bout this Saturday night being held at its glorious new home at Homebush, and when asked if I was attending and I explained that I wouldnt be able to make it - one of the most beautiful soulful women I know sent me this - "I'm sad you won't be at the bout, you've been a big part of making roller derby in the area what it is today and I'd love for you to see it in that big beautiful arena" - totally made my day and brought a tear to my eye.. Without naming names - I hope this woman knows how much she means to me and how much strength she gives me <3
People often ask one another how they got into derby and everyone usually has wonderful stories to go along with it. They may say they are boring stories, but to me, every one of them is interesting and I love knowing them all.. SO let me share mine with you...
It was early 2008. I was 28 and I had 3 children. An autistic step son who, at the time, was 11yrs old. A daughter who was 9yrs old and a little baby boy who wasn't even 1yrs old yet.
For Christmas the older children had both gotten new scooters - so I spent my afternoons taking them to the local skatepark so they could ride them around. I would sit in the car and read, or crochet while the baby was at home with his father. My son would always last longer than my daughter as she would get bored, especially of the boys crap (smart girl ;) ).. So she would sit in the car and chat with me until my son was ready to go home. Then slowly she started riding less and less and would bring along books to read or stuff to draw with or her own knitting while my son would play.
One day I was walking through Rebel with her and we came across Starfire rollerskates and I asked if she wanted a pair. The skatepark was directly next to a whole bunch of netball courts that she could skate on. She was keen so I bought them for her..
I tried to teach her to skate, but I was never fabulous at it myself as a kid so it was a case of the blind leading the blind and it was hard to show her things while I was off skates.. Soo.... back to Rebel we went and bought me a pair hehe.. Oh the good ol' starfires! So for a few months she and I spent our afternoons zooming about the netball courts - and I gotta admit, I felt like a total fool! I took a spill and tore up my jeans and grazed my knee quiet badly.. so with a bruised knee and ego I went home to research roller skates for adults and some protective gear so I didnt die, cause I figured if nothing else it would be great exercise!
Well wasn't I delighted when I discovered the 2 things that totally changed my life!
That there was a local skating rink and Sydney Roller Derby League (SRDL)!
Needless to say the kids and I started to frequent the local roller rink of a saturday night despite me having a panic attack before every session because of the awesome speed skaters that were there and how embarressed I would feel cause I could barely stand on skates lol. I used to just try to think "Its ok that im here and I suck, im here for my kids" lol..
I also started talking online to the founder of the SRDL. I was googling Roller Derby like there was no tomorrow and falling in love with it! Unfortunently the fees, the training times and the distance kept me from joining SRDL.
People often ask one another how they got into derby and everyone usually has wonderful stories to go along with it. They may say they are boring stories, but to me, every one of them is interesting and I love knowing them all.. SO let me share mine with you...
It was early 2008. I was 28 and I had 3 children. An autistic step son who, at the time, was 11yrs old. A daughter who was 9yrs old and a little baby boy who wasn't even 1yrs old yet.
For Christmas the older children had both gotten new scooters - so I spent my afternoons taking them to the local skatepark so they could ride them around. I would sit in the car and read, or crochet while the baby was at home with his father. My son would always last longer than my daughter as she would get bored, especially of the boys crap (smart girl ;) ).. So she would sit in the car and chat with me until my son was ready to go home. Then slowly she started riding less and less and would bring along books to read or stuff to draw with or her own knitting while my son would play.
One day I was walking through Rebel with her and we came across Starfire rollerskates and I asked if she wanted a pair. The skatepark was directly next to a whole bunch of netball courts that she could skate on. She was keen so I bought them for her..
I tried to teach her to skate, but I was never fabulous at it myself as a kid so it was a case of the blind leading the blind and it was hard to show her things while I was off skates.. Soo.... back to Rebel we went and bought me a pair hehe.. Oh the good ol' starfires! So for a few months she and I spent our afternoons zooming about the netball courts - and I gotta admit, I felt like a total fool! I took a spill and tore up my jeans and grazed my knee quiet badly.. so with a bruised knee and ego I went home to research roller skates for adults and some protective gear so I didnt die, cause I figured if nothing else it would be great exercise!
Well wasn't I delighted when I discovered the 2 things that totally changed my life!
That there was a local skating rink and Sydney Roller Derby League (SRDL)!
Needless to say the kids and I started to frequent the local roller rink of a saturday night despite me having a panic attack before every session because of the awesome speed skaters that were there and how embarressed I would feel cause I could barely stand on skates lol. I used to just try to think "Its ok that im here and I suck, im here for my kids" lol..
I also started talking online to the founder of the SRDL. I was googling Roller Derby like there was no tomorrow and falling in love with it! Unfortunently the fees, the training times and the distance kept me from joining SRDL.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Dreams can come true!
So I had this crazy dream last night..
It was H*A*R*Ds first bout and it was in one of the Hangers at the Military base, there was even some of the smaller fighter planes in the hanger. It was crazy! But of course totally awesome!
It was great seeing myself on a team with these girls, some of whom I've been training with for over a year now as they transfered across from my old league and some who are only new to the sport but are every so natural! I know it was only a dream, but still - woke up totally in love with my league.
So I think as a treat on Friday night at training I might run the Private's through some drills that are technically a little advanced for them, but that they totally have the ability to perform!
But with all the fun comes the work first! I'm determined to make this a league of hardbodied fearless independant women! They may complain and moan (which only earns them pushups lol) - but they will thanks me for all the situps, pushups, squats, planks (and as of this Friday reverse planks) once I start letting them take hits at me ;)
But yes, definently some carving and our Privates first taste of one on one contact! Well, cept for the ones who come social skating with me who love it when I play rough!
C xx
It was H*A*R*Ds first bout and it was in one of the Hangers at the Military base, there was even some of the smaller fighter planes in the hanger. It was crazy! But of course totally awesome!
It was great seeing myself on a team with these girls, some of whom I've been training with for over a year now as they transfered across from my old league and some who are only new to the sport but are every so natural! I know it was only a dream, but still - woke up totally in love with my league.
So I think as a treat on Friday night at training I might run the Private's through some drills that are technically a little advanced for them, but that they totally have the ability to perform!
But with all the fun comes the work first! I'm determined to make this a league of hardbodied fearless independant women! They may complain and moan (which only earns them pushups lol) - but they will thanks me for all the situps, pushups, squats, planks (and as of this Friday reverse planks) once I start letting them take hits at me ;)
But yes, definently some carving and our Privates first taste of one on one contact! Well, cept for the ones who come social skating with me who love it when I play rough!
C xx
Derby families are Da' Bomb!
Not sure what I would do in this life without the folks I call my Derby family!
Our regular Saturday morn social skate at the rink was a blast. The usual suspects were there, plus a few others which was fun! They were all geared up, so I had a great time darting and carving between them as well as giving Sylv and Ness a few light taps! 2 Privates who are joining up at our next recruitment night were there and are getting so good so quickly! I cannot wait until they can start training properly!
Derby Dolls birthday celebrations on Saturday night resulted in laughing so much my abs hurt more then doing 10 mins of planks. I can't remember the last time I've had so much fun with a beautful group of women! There were definently some faces missing that night and I wish they could of been there to share it with us!
Also, I have the best Derby Wife ever! She performs her duties perfectly! She knows just how to talk me off the ledge and how to make me laugh again when she knows I've got the Meh! .. I needed her tonight at training, and without a word she knew it and was on to fixing me without so much as a request <3 She never gets upset at me (well that she tells me lol) and has so much paitence for me - I just hope I can return the wifey duties when needed!
Even though I had a frack of a time getting to training tonight, once the wife had worked her magic I had a great time! The 100 lap/20 min endurance was amazing to watch! I was doing my endurance in the outside ref track encouraging our Privates to race me (they were skating on the track) and they did so well! So happy with everyones improvements and I really hope they are too! We've got some great skaters coming up through the ranks and I'm excited for their upcoming assessment! But I tell ya, 20 mins in that outside ref track trying to keep up with skaters zooming around the track sure works up a sweat!
A HUGE thankyou to my amazing Trainee Coach who has to work her mojo without me there tonight - BloodRed Penny, I hope they worked their butts off for you tonight!
I love advanced hour! Getting my Corporals, Sergeants and Lieutenants into carving and pushing and hitting is so much fun! I love being the Hittee, I gotta admit lol Got some amazing Corporals/Sergeants who I cant wait to assess for their next rank who did some amazing work tonight! Keep an eye out for FiFi BoxHer (one hell of a jammer in the making), Dislow Kate and The Hurt BlockHer (who both packed a mean hipcheck tonight!) - they are going to make amazing Derby players once I can let them loose on the track!
Our newest Lieutenant, Matron of Pain, has recently transfered from Sydney Roller Derby League (SRDL) and it's been such a treat! Having another Lieutenant I can train against on the track has been great for me and for the other girls!
I'm still on such a training high - full of Derby <3
For all our members who are sick or busy with Uni or work - we miss you!
Squeaks - I love you <3
xoxo
Our regular Saturday morn social skate at the rink was a blast. The usual suspects were there, plus a few others which was fun! They were all geared up, so I had a great time darting and carving between them as well as giving Sylv and Ness a few light taps! 2 Privates who are joining up at our next recruitment night were there and are getting so good so quickly! I cannot wait until they can start training properly!
Derby Dolls birthday celebrations on Saturday night resulted in laughing so much my abs hurt more then doing 10 mins of planks. I can't remember the last time I've had so much fun with a beautful group of women! There were definently some faces missing that night and I wish they could of been there to share it with us!
Also, I have the best Derby Wife ever! She performs her duties perfectly! She knows just how to talk me off the ledge and how to make me laugh again when she knows I've got the Meh! .. I needed her tonight at training, and without a word she knew it and was on to fixing me without so much as a request <3 She never gets upset at me (well that she tells me lol) and has so much paitence for me - I just hope I can return the wifey duties when needed!
Even though I had a frack of a time getting to training tonight, once the wife had worked her magic I had a great time! The 100 lap/20 min endurance was amazing to watch! I was doing my endurance in the outside ref track encouraging our Privates to race me (they were skating on the track) and they did so well! So happy with everyones improvements and I really hope they are too! We've got some great skaters coming up through the ranks and I'm excited for their upcoming assessment! But I tell ya, 20 mins in that outside ref track trying to keep up with skaters zooming around the track sure works up a sweat!
A HUGE thankyou to my amazing Trainee Coach who has to work her mojo without me there tonight - BloodRed Penny, I hope they worked their butts off for you tonight!
I love advanced hour! Getting my Corporals, Sergeants and Lieutenants into carving and pushing and hitting is so much fun! I love being the Hittee, I gotta admit lol Got some amazing Corporals/Sergeants who I cant wait to assess for their next rank who did some amazing work tonight! Keep an eye out for FiFi BoxHer (one hell of a jammer in the making), Dislow Kate and The Hurt BlockHer (who both packed a mean hipcheck tonight!) - they are going to make amazing Derby players once I can let them loose on the track!
Our newest Lieutenant, Matron of Pain, has recently transfered from Sydney Roller Derby League (SRDL) and it's been such a treat! Having another Lieutenant I can train against on the track has been great for me and for the other girls!
I'm still on such a training high - full of Derby <3
For all our members who are sick or busy with Uni or work - we miss you!
Squeaks - I love you <3
xoxo
H*A*R*D Hellbombs are the best!!
Tonights training with H*A*R*D was so great!
With the last league I coached, if anyone said "Sorry" they got 10 pushups. After a story my Wifey told me about some training she had undertaken, tonight I added in the "fun" that if anyone said "Sorry" EVERYONE got 10 pushups and got to thank the person who said sorry hehehe Next time I think I might add "Can't" into the list!
The laps these skaters are recording week by week are just phenominal - we do a times endurance and they are responsible for counting their own laps, and they are pulling up some pretty impressive numbers week after week!
Our current Corporals and Sergeants are such great role models for our Privates - always ready to lend a helping hand and a friendly push in the right direction, watching them all work together is a wonderful sight!
I'm definently glad I upgraded our skills assesments - the skills these skaters are learning, and mastering are holding them in very good stead! All our Privates (aka Freshies) are working to the bone leading up to their Cororal Assesments and are doing everyone so proud!
Tonight I gave them their very first pop quiz! I am totally thrilled at the results and how much knowledge these Hellbombs have just absorbed through general conversation! I definently give them a big big pat on the back! Hipcheck to come later when they are trained up a bit more ;)
I can't speak highly enough of my Hellbombs - be they blockers in the makin, jammers to be or part of Team Stripey, these people are turning into some of the best league mates anyone could every hope for!
<3
With the last league I coached, if anyone said "Sorry" they got 10 pushups. After a story my Wifey told me about some training she had undertaken, tonight I added in the "fun" that if anyone said "Sorry" EVERYONE got 10 pushups and got to thank the person who said sorry hehehe Next time I think I might add "Can't" into the list!
The laps these skaters are recording week by week are just phenominal - we do a times endurance and they are responsible for counting their own laps, and they are pulling up some pretty impressive numbers week after week!
Our current Corporals and Sergeants are such great role models for our Privates - always ready to lend a helping hand and a friendly push in the right direction, watching them all work together is a wonderful sight!
I'm definently glad I upgraded our skills assesments - the skills these skaters are learning, and mastering are holding them in very good stead! All our Privates (aka Freshies) are working to the bone leading up to their Cororal Assesments and are doing everyone so proud!
Tonight I gave them their very first pop quiz! I am totally thrilled at the results and how much knowledge these Hellbombs have just absorbed through general conversation! I definently give them a big big pat on the back! Hipcheck to come later when they are trained up a bit more ;)
I can't speak highly enough of my Hellbombs - be they blockers in the makin, jammers to be or part of Team Stripey, these people are turning into some of the best league mates anyone could every hope for!
<3
25 Random and not so interesting facts about me!
1. I love Roller Derby - not so much a random fact that you didn't know about me because my entire life revolves around Roller Derby.
2. I've been involved in founding 2 leagues in NSW. I founded WSR with the help of a girl from SRDL and one from ADRD and it was the best thing I've ever done in my life. What I built and accomplished in and for that league in the 2.5yrs I was there I could not be prouder of. Co-Founding H.A.R.D has made me fall in love all over again - and I cannot imagine my life without the beautiful friends I have in that league!
3. I got into Roller Derby because of my 9yr old daughter. I used to take her and my step son (who was 12 at the time) to the skate park to ride their scooters. But she got bored of the boys quickly enough (clever girl) and would sit in the car and read while I did my crochet or slept. I asked her one day if she would like roller skates cause we saw them in Rebel - so I bought her a pair. I got frustrated trying to teach her, so I bought myself a pair and showed her instead! Good ol' starfires just didnt cut it for me, so I went searching for roller skates online and came across, not only a local roller rink, but Roller Derby in sydney! I started chatting to the founder of SRDL and she helped me find some skates online and start up my first derby league :)
4. I sold the first pair of derby skates I bought, and they have been sold to 4 other ppl in the same league - sisterhood of the travelling skates :) I'm skating on skates I bought 2nd hand from the founder of SRDL and I LOVE them!
5. Im allergic to anything with fur. But I snuggle with my bunnies every chance I get - zertec is my friend :)
6. I have both my nipples pierced.
7. I never wanted to get married or have kids as a teen. But I spent most of my childhood and teen years being a babysitter. I have now been married for 14yrs, have 3 kids and also a Derby Wife!
8. I used to babysit for our neighbours who were in a rock band. I was in love with the bass player cause he had the most gorgeous long hair and reminded me of Chris Cornell.
9. I can do Rock'n'Roll and Rockabilly dancing - and Im pretty shmick at em :)
10. I can play guitar and am totally in love with my Cherry red fender whom I call Bettie. I also have an accoustic named Johnny.
11. Im obsessed with Cherries (of the non food variety). You wanna buy me something with Cherries, go for it :)
12. I dislike eating cherries.
13. In high school I did water polo, diving, 10 pin bowling, dance/ballet, softball, baseball, netball, tennis, soccer, sung in a band, choir - not sure how I had time to do school work. I was classed as a "cool nerd".. I did all the cool things, but also studiedbiology, mandrin and computing with a passion - used to weird ppl out a little. I was never part of a "group" I just used to float cause I liked hanging out with everyone.
14. If I couldn't play derby anymore I would still coach, its what I love most about the sport.
15. My sister and I have a strange relationship. I love her, but I hate her at times too. I know I piss her off and she does me too - but when we need one another there is no doubt that any fight we're going through is thrown to the wind and we would rush to one anothers side.
16. Ive live birthed 2 children. Drug free. My first I was in active labour for 2 weeks - ouch. Second one was only 2 hours - much better!
17. I love to crochet and do cross stitch - im such a nanna!
18. I wanted to join the army - still do, but cant.
19. I wanted to be a motorcycle mechanic my whole life. Still would if I could.
20. I have Rhuematoid Arthritis throughout my entire body and use a walking stick on a regular basis. I'm stubborn enough to not let it stop me from living and use it quite often when I'm coaching my league "If my fat cripple arse can do it, so can yrs!" hehehe
21. I'm a really shy person and find it difficult to talk in front of large groups of ppl. I often have panic attacks on the way to coaching any derby league, even my own.
22. When I put my skates on, I feel like a different person. I swear I've got multiple personalities - anyone who knows me well would probably agree.
23. I have an obsession with leopard print.
24. I saw the best number plate on a car the other day - seriously, it was the best. it was "ODRIEW"
25. I would love to own a jeep.
2. I've been involved in founding 2 leagues in NSW. I founded WSR with the help of a girl from SRDL and one from ADRD and it was the best thing I've ever done in my life. What I built and accomplished in and for that league in the 2.5yrs I was there I could not be prouder of. Co-Founding H.A.R.D has made me fall in love all over again - and I cannot imagine my life without the beautiful friends I have in that league!
3. I got into Roller Derby because of my 9yr old daughter. I used to take her and my step son (who was 12 at the time) to the skate park to ride their scooters. But she got bored of the boys quickly enough (clever girl) and would sit in the car and read while I did my crochet or slept. I asked her one day if she would like roller skates cause we saw them in Rebel - so I bought her a pair. I got frustrated trying to teach her, so I bought myself a pair and showed her instead! Good ol' starfires just didnt cut it for me, so I went searching for roller skates online and came across, not only a local roller rink, but Roller Derby in sydney! I started chatting to the founder of SRDL and she helped me find some skates online and start up my first derby league :)
4. I sold the first pair of derby skates I bought, and they have been sold to 4 other ppl in the same league - sisterhood of the travelling skates :) I'm skating on skates I bought 2nd hand from the founder of SRDL and I LOVE them!
5. Im allergic to anything with fur. But I snuggle with my bunnies every chance I get - zertec is my friend :)
6. I have both my nipples pierced.
7. I never wanted to get married or have kids as a teen. But I spent most of my childhood and teen years being a babysitter. I have now been married for 14yrs, have 3 kids and also a Derby Wife!
8. I used to babysit for our neighbours who were in a rock band. I was in love with the bass player cause he had the most gorgeous long hair and reminded me of Chris Cornell.
9. I can do Rock'n'Roll and Rockabilly dancing - and Im pretty shmick at em :)
10. I can play guitar and am totally in love with my Cherry red fender whom I call Bettie. I also have an accoustic named Johnny.
11. Im obsessed with Cherries (of the non food variety). You wanna buy me something with Cherries, go for it :)
12. I dislike eating cherries.
13. In high school I did water polo, diving, 10 pin bowling, dance/ballet, softball, baseball, netball, tennis, soccer, sung in a band, choir - not sure how I had time to do school work. I was classed as a "cool nerd".. I did all the cool things, but also studiedbiology, mandrin and computing with a passion - used to weird ppl out a little. I was never part of a "group" I just used to float cause I liked hanging out with everyone.
14. If I couldn't play derby anymore I would still coach, its what I love most about the sport.
15. My sister and I have a strange relationship. I love her, but I hate her at times too. I know I piss her off and she does me too - but when we need one another there is no doubt that any fight we're going through is thrown to the wind and we would rush to one anothers side.
16. Ive live birthed 2 children. Drug free. My first I was in active labour for 2 weeks - ouch. Second one was only 2 hours - much better!
17. I love to crochet and do cross stitch - im such a nanna!
18. I wanted to join the army - still do, but cant.
19. I wanted to be a motorcycle mechanic my whole life. Still would if I could.
20. I have Rhuematoid Arthritis throughout my entire body and use a walking stick on a regular basis. I'm stubborn enough to not let it stop me from living and use it quite often when I'm coaching my league "If my fat cripple arse can do it, so can yrs!" hehehe
21. I'm a really shy person and find it difficult to talk in front of large groups of ppl. I often have panic attacks on the way to coaching any derby league, even my own.
22. When I put my skates on, I feel like a different person. I swear I've got multiple personalities - anyone who knows me well would probably agree.
23. I have an obsession with leopard print.
24. I saw the best number plate on a car the other day - seriously, it was the best. it was "ODRIEW"
25. I would love to own a jeep.
3rd March - Original Newspaper write up!
Here's the full write-up Lisbeth and I did which was slightly different to what ended up in the paper:
Roller Derby Hits H.A.R.D!!
Weeks of preparation had passed and the anticipation was flowing. The night had finally arrived for the Hawkesbury/Hills Area Roller Derby (H.A.R.D) league to officially commence training. There was a strong showing with over thirty people attending along with a large handful of skaters from neighboring leagues who had been invited to join in on the nights training.
Some of the H.A.R.D members had been in other leagues together before, so there was a wonderful array of both old and new faces gearing up to start this next journey of their lives. It was evident as you listened to these woman and men sit and talk that they are drawn from all different walks of life and were there for the common goal of Roller Derby. This has to be one of the most amazing aspects of such a strongly growing sport.
H.A.R.D runs with a military based theme for their league. So the skaters will rise up the ranks and earn their stripes before they are ready for competition. Beginning from ‘Private’ (beginner/fresh meat) and working up through ‘Corporal’ (level one), ‘Sergeant’ (level two) to end up a ‘Lieutenant’ (bouting level).
The night started with President of H.A.R.D, Poz O’Tiff, welcoming and thanking everyone for coming and giving a brief introduction to H.A.R.D. She introduced the fellow board members Squeaks (Vice President), Atomic Cherry (Secretary and coach), and FiFi BoxHer (Treasurer) – who in turn were all able to give a small welcome and a little information in regards to their positions.
Once the formalities were out of the way skaters were under of command of Lieutenant Atomic Cherry, the leagues Head Coach who has over 2 years of previous Derby Coaching experience with other leagues. Lieutenant Atomic Cherry took the skaters through the warm up which left more than a few of them already sweating and helped them discover muscles they never knew they had.
But the skaters soon found out the hard work had yet to commence as Lieutenant Atomic Cherry took them through various training drills. The more experienced skaters would try and help the beginners if they struggled with anything. Although there was various experience levels sharing the derby track every level was catered for so everyone was pushed to their limits and no one was left standing alone at the side of the track.
“There is more to roller derby than just putting on skates and taking out the opposition team. It is an actual sport that requires high fitness levels and mental strength, this point hit home during the endurance skating drill. Your body is begging you to stop but in your head you make yourself push on because when you start bouting you can't just stop during a jam and let down your team mates down.” – Private Lisbeth Slammed-Her
Those who weren't able to skate didn't miss out as Sergeant Squeaks, Frazzle and Corporal BumbleLing were providing a running commentary and answering any questions anyone had.
As the first training session came to an end there was a great feeling of satisfaction as well as relief sweeping across the room; as helmets were unclipped, skates were unlaced and protective gear was undone one loud velcro strap after another. The room was full of sweaty, tired, but happy faces.
“The strength of both body and mind will get you far in the world of Roller Derby and the members that we had training here tonight, leaving with such wonderful words of praise and thank for one another and big cheesy grins on their (albeit sweaty) faces – the training committee is confident that H.A.R.D will have a travel team come up through the ranks to rival the best in Australia!” – Lieutenant Atomic Cherry
“Roller derby is like one big family, everyone is always there to help out - It's a lot of hard work and fun but you also end up discovering a lot about yourself.” Private Lisbeth Slammed-Her
H.A.R.D currently train on a Friday night at the Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium in South Windsor and on a Monday night at the Bernie Mullane Sports Complex in Kellyville. Fresh Meat intake will be closing soon, so ‘Be Your Own Hero’ and send them an email at info@skatehard.com.au and join up today!
Roller Derby Hits H.A.R.D!!
Weeks of preparation had passed and the anticipation was flowing. The night had finally arrived for the Hawkesbury/Hills Area Roller Derby (H.A.R.D) league to officially commence training. There was a strong showing with over thirty people attending along with a large handful of skaters from neighboring leagues who had been invited to join in on the nights training.
Some of the H.A.R.D members had been in other leagues together before, so there was a wonderful array of both old and new faces gearing up to start this next journey of their lives. It was evident as you listened to these woman and men sit and talk that they are drawn from all different walks of life and were there for the common goal of Roller Derby. This has to be one of the most amazing aspects of such a strongly growing sport.
H.A.R.D runs with a military based theme for their league. So the skaters will rise up the ranks and earn their stripes before they are ready for competition. Beginning from ‘Private’ (beginner/fresh meat) and working up through ‘Corporal’ (level one), ‘Sergeant’ (level two) to end up a ‘Lieutenant’ (bouting level).
The night started with President of H.A.R.D, Poz O’Tiff, welcoming and thanking everyone for coming and giving a brief introduction to H.A.R.D. She introduced the fellow board members Squeaks (Vice President), Atomic Cherry (Secretary and coach), and FiFi BoxHer (Treasurer) – who in turn were all able to give a small welcome and a little information in regards to their positions.
Once the formalities were out of the way skaters were under of command of Lieutenant Atomic Cherry, the leagues Head Coach who has over 2 years of previous Derby Coaching experience with other leagues. Lieutenant Atomic Cherry took the skaters through the warm up which left more than a few of them already sweating and helped them discover muscles they never knew they had.
But the skaters soon found out the hard work had yet to commence as Lieutenant Atomic Cherry took them through various training drills. The more experienced skaters would try and help the beginners if they struggled with anything. Although there was various experience levels sharing the derby track every level was catered for so everyone was pushed to their limits and no one was left standing alone at the side of the track.
“There is more to roller derby than just putting on skates and taking out the opposition team. It is an actual sport that requires high fitness levels and mental strength, this point hit home during the endurance skating drill. Your body is begging you to stop but in your head you make yourself push on because when you start bouting you can't just stop during a jam and let down your team mates down.” – Private Lisbeth Slammed-Her
Those who weren't able to skate didn't miss out as Sergeant Squeaks, Frazzle and Corporal BumbleLing were providing a running commentary and answering any questions anyone had.
As the first training session came to an end there was a great feeling of satisfaction as well as relief sweeping across the room; as helmets were unclipped, skates were unlaced and protective gear was undone one loud velcro strap after another. The room was full of sweaty, tired, but happy faces.
“The strength of both body and mind will get you far in the world of Roller Derby and the members that we had training here tonight, leaving with such wonderful words of praise and thank for one another and big cheesy grins on their (albeit sweaty) faces – the training committee is confident that H.A.R.D will have a travel team come up through the ranks to rival the best in Australia!” – Lieutenant Atomic Cherry
“Roller derby is like one big family, everyone is always there to help out - It's a lot of hard work and fun but you also end up discovering a lot about yourself.” Private Lisbeth Slammed-Her
H.A.R.D currently train on a Friday night at the Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium in South Windsor and on a Monday night at the Bernie Mullane Sports Complex in Kellyville. Fresh Meat intake will be closing soon, so ‘Be Your Own Hero’ and send them an email at info@skatehard.com.au and join up today!
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