Because of a scheduling conflict with endurance training, we didn’t get to skate on Sunday. In lieu of skating drills, we grouped together next to the port-a-potty and did squats, planks, push-ups and an assortment of other generally uncomfortable exercises, which, thanks to Get Fit training sessions, I wasn’t totally unprepared for. Many of us were wearing flats and boots, accentuating the degree of discomfort and badass-ness. All the while, the Fresh Meat and team skaters flew around the track at a shockingly rapid rate. How do they keep going for so long?
My number one derby fear is the pace line. I have issues of the stamina variety. My legs feel like they’re going to skate away. So when Draggin Lady mentioned that we would be called out for stepping out of a drill and taking breaks supplemental to the ones allotted to us, chills went down my spine. I love breaks. I’m a break addict. I’m going to have to break the cycle.
It’s likely that I will spend the time between now and Thursday’s boot camp swinging back and forth between excitement and terror. My sleep will be assaulted by pace line nightmares. Coaches always say, “Your brain gives up and then your body gives up.” After years of not pushing myself physically, grasping this concept has proven difficult. There’s always this point where I decide I positively cannot go on. Starting Thursday, there will be no more preemptive giving up. My fellow boot campers, if I look a little ill or begin to convulse, don’t be alarmed. It’s only break withdrawal.
Rosie, you’re amazing and such an inspiration to so many women!
Rosie – pace lines used to terrify me. I wasn’t sure whether or not my body would hold up, did I have the stamina, the will power to stay in? At first, no. I figured out that pace line warm-ups were about 10-12 minutes to start with and convinced myself if I could run on the treadmill (don’t get me wrong, I hate running) for 10 minutes at a decent pace, I could stay in the pace line…and so, I ran. One day at boot camp in the spring, I was about to give up – the sprint to the back was hard and scary and I was still sliding out on turn 2 (read: not skating low enough). The skater behind me told yelled at me that I could do it, I could stay in, and to pick up my feet. Not sure what my tell tale sign was, but I stuck it out and it was a magical crossing point – I did not have to fear the pace line anymore.
Your blog is fantastic and I admire your tenacity. Keep at it Rosie – you will conquer the pace line!
you are so awesome! thanks for doing this.
Rosie. Its like you are in my brain.
Rosie, You’ll have to forgive me, being your dad I just have to say it though; I’m really proud of you!!
Rosie,
You are speaking for us.
Thank you.
How did Pace line feel to you on Saturday?
I’ve been dying to know.
Does anyone else feel extremely lopsided after that?
Are we to skate the other direction on all our off days?