Loveland Colorado best offering for a youngster was the Skate Castle. I remember the first time my mom took me. I remember the bunny on the wall in skates, and the bathroom stalls not having doors, and the way it felt so push the accelerator in skates on the driving game. The biggest was the envy I felt at the kids who were way better that me, and how much I tried to copy their effortless backwards crossovers. I told myself that when I was grown up and could get a job, I'd be the DJ skater guy who threw the dice and whistled at people. Well, that never happened because when I "grew up" my hobbies were far from being at the Skate Castle.
Quick side note, I flew out back around 2002, and took the girls to the rink, and was able to talk to the owner. He told me they were shutting down the rink, and I was able to tell him just how much roller skating meant to my youth. It was bittersweet. I think there is an MMA studio there now.
*SMH*
It was in my face when Roller Derby came into play. I saw the flyers, I longed to join. But there was the logistics conflict. I worked nights, I didn't have money, I didn't have a babysitter, I couldn't afford to pay for a babysitter while I did an activity that was solely for me, I didn't have health insurance, and for the cherry on top, I didn't have a car.
I was not going to be doing any derby any time soon.
Years went by. And my dream just sat stagnant and nagged at me from the back of my mind.
As the new year rolled in, and I examined My 43 Things, I finally added "try" Roller Derby.
Now that I am old and out of shape, its better time than any, and I manned up and went to orientation.
And I was hooked from the first whiff of that smelly Dollhouse.
For the first 4 months I pushed myself through DPV, and constantly reminded my inner quitter that this is just for fun, just for me, and I will never be a total badass, but trying is where its at and enjoying the amazing people I am skating with. But amazing badasses I met, from my fellow moms, to the refs & NSO's to the All-Stars.
I gear up, I sweat, and laugh, and everyday I am a little less out of breath, and I leave felling a high that no drug in the world can imitate.
June came and I started actually going to bootcamp. I went because the mom's said they were going to, and if they're gonna try, well, then, I am too!
There are 3 levels to testing, and testing is each month. I failed level 1 three times, and each time brought a different reaction and a different feeling. Test 1, sticky feet are the death of me, I don't have the power to get high on the apex's to add speed, the legs aren't strong enough yet. I will be lucky if I can now tap out before doing 5 laps. I did better than I thought, but still only passed a few skills. Test 2, I really tried, I skated a lot to prepare, and it hurt when I didn't pass. I left tail between legs and had to reorganize my head and remember I am here for fun. Test 3, I just did my honest best and threw caution to the wind, and had fun.
September 8th, 2014 I passed Level I. The road ahead is long, but really, I am in no hurry.
With all the amazing skaters there are to enjoy, I am excited in my role to cheer and just smile and give it my best.
