Thursday, December 6, 2012

Diamond Dog, My Derby Story

This entry in The Rollergirl Project is a small glimpse into the life of a derby girl. This entry is by Diamond Dog who skates with the Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls of Bloomington, IN. More pictures of her can be found at Cory's website

IMG_6620I got my first pair of roller skates for my 6th birthday in 1989. They were white with red wheels and they had Popples on the side. They were the best present ever!

I grew up on a quiet cul de sac in Noblesville Indiana with tons of kids. We would put on our roller skates and race down the street, I would tuck one arm behind my back and pretend to be Olympic speed skater Bonnie Blair. My sister would tie pillows to her butt so that she wouldn’t get hurt but I never wore any safety gear. Honestly it is amazing that I survived childhood with no broken bones. I jumped off the top of swing sets and climbed trees all day.

When I reached adulthood, I had become a teen mom to a kick ass set of twin boys. I had made friends with a few derby girls outside of the derby world, I also have a cousin who skates for Grand Raggidy so when my cousins team came down to play BHRG I went to watch a bout. I was in love! I wanted to do it so bad and I decided as a graduation present to myself I would start to play roller derby. I even picked out my derby name Diamond Dog 2 years before I started skating. The name comes from my undying love of my favorite singer David Bowie.

So, in 2011 a few months before I graduated I bought skates and gear and went to a BHRG skills camp. I thought, “I skated as a kid how hard can it be?” Well it took me that first skills camp to learn it was a lot harder than I thought. I realized that I could go forward on skates, but I couldn’t stop or turn really at all. I signed up for the boot camp and my first practice, I messed up a ligament in my knee. That was my first injury. After the boot camp was over, I went to the new skater program the DisOrderlies once a week and learned so much, like “Hey, guess what, I can stop now!” Not only that but I can do many different kinds of stops!

 

IMG_6647March 2012, I broke my wrist, that was a fun one because I went to a doctor twice in a two week period to be told I had a pinched nerve and finally went to the ER where the doctor told me I had a fracture that went in 3 different directions on my radius. Way to go urgent care clinic who misdiagnosed me.

The biggest critique that I always got from the coaches who watched us was that I needed to work on core more, I kept trying and it seemed like something was wrong so I went to a doctor during the off season and found out that I had a hernia. They did surgery and guess what; there were FOUR hernias, so that explains a lot. Now I’m back again and better than ever, I can do sit ups now when I couldn’t do those before. I’ve learned so much since I started skating. My next goal, besides making the league and a team, is to learn how to be a wrecking ball on the track.

So that is my derby story. You know that obnoxiously catchy song by Chumbawumba, Tub Thumping? That is my derby song, I get knocked down but I get up again, you’re never going to keep me down. Because I’ve gotten knocked down by injury a lot but it will never keep me down because I always get back up and put my skates back on and hit the track.

I love this sport so much, I always joke that I suffer from Derby Distraction Disorder because I think about it so much. My non derby friends don’t understand at all how wonderful derby is. I also love the league BHRG so much, it is the best group of people that I’ve ever met (besides my besties outside of derby ;) ) Everyone in BHRG is so encouraging and wonderful everyone brings their own unique skills to the table and it makes this wonderful organization. I am so glad that I started skating and wish that I had right after that first bout that I went to instead of waiting 2 years. And no matter how many times I get knocked down I will ALWAYS get back up and keep skating. IMG_6628

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Body By Derby: Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls

Body By Derby is a figure study of active derby athletes to show the different body types of active skaters and the physical effects derby has on the players. This entry features skaters from Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls. More pictures can be found at Cory's website.

IMG_7009

From Left: Aceta Menacin, Shock 'n Roll, Mae Kim Hurl, Shifty McGee, Bobbi McGuillotine, and Bombshell Shock

 

IMG_7051 Name Aceta Menacin
Age 23
Children 0
Height 5'8"
Weight 137
Weight before derby 145
Started February 2011
Key Position Jammer
Practice time per week 5
Other Workout  
Diet No Fructose
Laps in 5 minutes 33
Greatest Athletic Accomplishment  

 

IMG_7064 Name Shock 'n Roll
Age 29
Children 0
Height 5'10"
Weight 185
Weight before derby 175
Started 2008
Key Position Defensive Blocker
Practice time per week 7-9 hours
Other Workout

2 hours weight training per week and 2 X 4 mile runs per week

Diet Not really.  I just strive to minimize processed food in my diet
Laps in 5 minutes 33
Greatest Athletic Accomplishment Being part of the Flatliners (WFTDA-Sanctioned)

 

IMG_7101 Name Mae Kim Hurl
Age 21
Children 0
Height 5'0"
Weight 130 of pure muscle baby!
Weight before derby 120
Started 2011
Key Position Blocker & Jammer
Practice time per week 9
Other Workout Hiking & Core
Diet Vegitarian
Laps in 5 minutes 28
Greatest Athletic Accomplishment Derby!

 

IMG_7038 Name Shifty McGee
Age 24
Children 0
Height 5'9"
Weight 140
Weight before derby 130
Started 2009
Key Position Blocker
Practice time per week 9
Other Workout  
Diet  
Laps in 5 minutes 34
Greatest Athletic Accomplishment 1 arm push ups

 

IMG_7073 Name Bobbi McGuillotine
Age 23
Children 0
Height 5'7"
Weight 163
Weight before derby 150
Started 2010
Key Position Blocker
Practice time per week 12+ In season
Other Workout 8+
Diet Ice Cream
Laps in 5 minutes 30
Greatest Athletic Accomplishment Getting my brown belt in judo

 

IMG_7087 Name Bombshell Shock
Age 29 (for 2 more weeks!)
Children 0
Height 5'6"
Weight 140
Weight before derby 150
Started December 2007
Key Position Blocker
Practice time per week  
Other Workout Weights twice per week and run three times per week
Diet Try to eat healthy for good performance
Laps in 5 minutes 32
Greatest Athletic Accomplishment

Will hopefully run my first half marathon at the end of October.

Being a starter for BHRG Flatliner (WFTDA-sanctioned team)

 

BHRD

Monday, August 20, 2012

Body By Derby: Black-N-Bluegrass Rollergirls

Body By Derby is a figure study of active derby athletes to show the different body types of active skaters and the physical effects derby has on the players. This entry features skaters from Black-N-Bluegrass Rollergirls. More pictures can be found at Cory's website.

IMG_5824

From Left:  Aine Ass, Red Emma, Neva Shakeababy, Beka Rekanize, Jessie Maims, and Rosie the Riv-hit-her

 

 IMG_5946 Name Aine Ass (pronounced onya ass)
Age 28
Children 1
Height 5'6"
Weight 170
Weight before derby 180
Key Position Blocker
Practice time per week 5 Hrs
Other Workout Weight train 3- 5 times per week, ocassionally yoga, and cardio a couple times a week
Diet I try to eat clean the majority of the time
Most recent 25 in 5 31 laps in 5 mins

Previous Experience

None

 

 IMG_5835 Name Red Emma
Age 35
Children 1
Height 5'6"
Weight 180
Weight before derby 215
Key Position Blocker
Practice time per week 5 to 7 Hrs
Other Workout resistance/weight training 2-3hrs per week. yoga periodically
Diet Paleo is the guideline. I try to limit my diet to protein, vegetables and fruit
Most recent 25 in 5 4 minutes

Previous Experience

soccer up until middle school, nothing after that until derby

 

 IMG_5873 Name Neva Shakeababy
Age 41
Children None
Height 5’1”
Weight 113
Weight before derby 133
Key Position Jammer
Practice time per week 5 hrs
Other Workout I run once or twice a week and play soccer in the spring and fall. My line of work very active.
Diet I just try to eat healthy by watching my carbs and not eating late. yogurt instead of ice cream and protein shakes instead of snacks.
Most recent 25 in 5 4 Min

Previous Experience

Volleyball. soccer, basketball, softball, track and field in high school.  In my junior year of high school, I went to Europe for 3 weeks for soccer. Won state tournament in track and field. Played fast pitch softball and flag football in college. Won softball state tournament 4-5 years in state of Kentucky.

 

 IMG_5917 Name Beka Rekanize
Age 31
Children None
Height 5’8”
Weight 138
Weight before derby 150
Key Position Jammer
Practice time per week 7 Hrs
Other Workout Weight training, jogging and hiking
Diet I try to eat clean. Minimal to no processed foods. Lots of fruits, veggies and proteins.
Most recent 25 in 5 4 Min

Previous Experience

Soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross country, track and field, skiing

 

 IMG_5838 Name Jessie Maims
Age 28
Children None
Height 5’8”
Weight 162
Weight before derby 175
Key Position Blocker
Practice time per week 5+ Hrs
Other Workout Workouts twice a week with the team's official trainer.
Diet Paleo, but not too strictly. I eat with the aim of getting the most nutrition in my body with the least amount of processed foods.
Most recent 25 in 5 4 Min

Previous Experience

I did intramural sports occasionally in college; before that, I was in marching band throughout middle school and high school (some consider that a sport). I hadn't played a regular team sport since I played soccer for a few summers as a kid, in addition to a couple years on swim team.

 

IMG_5890 Name Rosie the Riv-hit-her
Age 27
Children None
Height 5’6”
Weight 145
Weight before derby 155
Key Position Blocker
Practice time per week 5 to 7 1/2 depending on the week
Other Workout Off skate work outs before practice, weight lifting and running
Diet I use portion control with a lot of fruits and veggies, but I'll never deny myself any food because of a "diet". It's all about moderation.
Most recent 25 in 5 30 laps in 5 minutes

Previous Experience

Fast pitch softball, basketball and track and field.

IMG_5800

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Breckin on Being Broken


This entry in The Rollergirl Project is a small glimpse into the life of a derby girl. This entry is by Breckin U. Down who skates with the Cornfed Derby Dames of Muncie, IN. More pictures of her can be found at Cory's website
IMG_1161The Cornfed Derby Dames were founded in the Spring of 2010. The leagues first charity event was on June 5th. We volunteered at a concert to raise money for a little guy named Jack’s family to help with his medical bills. We were new and had not figured out safety gear should always be required. Well, leave it to me to change all that. I fell at the end of the night and tried to catch myself. Sadly, I hate to admit I was sober. The end result was a plate & 6 screws in my right wrist. The team had just gotten access to practice space and was to start the very next week.
I spent the next 8 weeks watching everyone learn to stop and fall while I happily, and sometimes against my chauffeur/husbands wishes, came to as many practices as possible. I held a stop watch, whistle or just their papers with planned drills and generally helped the practice committee in any way I could. We even brought in silly exercise videos like Sweating to the Oldies for the girls that didn’t have full gear yet to do off skates training in a different area. I did what I could in silly Richard Simmons style. When I am finally able to skate, I am way behind on all the basics and immediately intimidated by the cement floor. With lots of hard work and tons of help from the other Dames, I managed to eek my way on every roster for our first season. I was even voted most improved blocker by my team.
In season 2, we get a coach. It is just what we needed. Somehow our hardest practice the first year is a breeze compared to what he had in store for us. We bust our asses for 3 months in preparation for our first home bout. I am so happy to have made the roster and get to skate against Naptown's Third Alarm again. The bout was Sunday April 15th and I broke my right fibula at practice on Monday the 9th.
As I was looking at another 6-8 weeks off skates and at probably 10 before I would be able to do any contact, I was horrified. All that hard work down the drain! I had nightmares about my leg not healing correctly or it hurting to even skate. Ridiculous ones where my leg was so skinny my knee pad wouldn’t stay up and Coach was yelling because I wasn’t on the floor for practice in time. Obviously, this time, my head was going to play tricks on me and not make this easy. I had to remind myself to stay active with the league and not just my board duties but actually come to practice more than I was required as an injured skater. While there I tried to focus on encouraging the new girls that had only been with us a few months.
IMG_1196This injury was way harder for me to be positive through. Watching all the girls get so much better and the new girls thrive, I started to worry about even being able to make a roster when I was healed. At 14 weeks post break I played in my first bout back. It was a handful of vets and all of our first year skaters against a newer team. It was 3 of the girls first bout and a couple had only played a few jams in one other. We were down by 30 and came back within one point with 3 mins left on the clock. In the end we lost by 9 points but had an experience to remember with our rookies. Unfortunately one of our own was taken to the ER for a broken tibia/fibula. Obviously the loss is nothing compared to JenAroll getting injured.
  • All of this made me think of tips for my broken Dame and any fellow derbs out there having a rough go at it.
    Having an amazingly supportive family/derby wife/team helps tremendously.
  • Netflix is a life saver when you are couch bound for long period of time. I strongly suggest Mad Men. Mr Draper and Mr Sterling are easy on the eyes and you can focus on what’s going to happen next rather than on your current situation.
  • Stay as active as you are physically possible (and allowed per doctors orders). If you are able to walk, do a lap around the yard. Sitting still just helps breed the depression of not being able to do what you love.
  • Go to practice once you are that mobile. See your ladies. They miss you too. They are just busy with practice and life. (we all know how much spare time derby girls have) If you haven’t heard from many don’t assume you aren’t missed.
  • Ask to help. Jam time/penalty time on scrimmage nights. Blow the whistle for drills. Whatever they need.
  • If you have fresh meat- set up a chair near them and give tips. You don’t have to be the best skater to be encouraging or maybe explain something that they aren’t quite getting. Even if its little things like giving them one thing to focus on during scrimmage so they feel a bit less lost. I remember the chaos and having no idea what I should be doing. Remember that one person who blew your mind with a simple tip that made it all make a bit more sense. Now is your time to be that person. Remind them that all of us were there once.
  • Listen to the coaches. All that strategy they are going over and working on, you can learn and memorize so you aren’t behind in that aspect when you are able to return.
  • Try not to be jaded or rude to any of your teammates. I know you want to skate and can’t but it’s not their fault. And if they are talking to you about their issues they don’t mean to rub in that they can. They are just chatting with their friend and derby sister about what they are dealing with.
To my lovely Dames: I know I bit off heads and made snarky comments at times. I suck and I am sorry.
  • Go to the bouts, make signs and be their biggest fan/cheerleader, NSO, sit with fans and help explain the game. Show your team you love to support them as much as you love skating with them.
  • And overall follow your doctor’s orders, do your physical therapy, and be patient with yourself. Injuries take time. You can recover and be back out there. Rushing it may lead to reinjury and longer time as a cheerleader.IMG_1201

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Body By Derby: Cornfed Derby Dames

Body By Derby is a figure study of active derby athletes to show the different body types of active skaters and the physical effects derby has on the players.  This entry features skaters from Cornfed Derby Dames. More pictures can be found at Cory's website.
IMG_0712
from Left:  Alotta Pushie, Elizabeth Tailher, DG Ozsome, Breckin U. Down
IMG_0722 Name Alotta Pushie
Age 27
Children None
Height 5’ 3”
Weight 150
Weight before derby 138
Started November 2010
Key Position Jammer
Practice time per week 6 Hours
Other Workout Weights, Cardio, & Swimming
Diet Dairy Free
Laps in 5 minutes 32 Laps
Greatest Athletic Accomplishment Power lifting my own weight

IMG_0729 Name Elizabeth Tailher
Age 26
Children None
Height 5’ 7”
Weight 170
Weight before derby 170
Started May 2010
Key Position Blocker
Practice time per week 6 Hours
Other Workout Cardio
Diet None
Laps in 5 minutes 28 Laps
Greatest Athletic Accomplishment Roller Derby

IMG_0740 Name DG Ozsome
Age 25
Children 1
Height 5’ 5”
Weight 115
Weight before derby 105
Started June 2010
Key Position Blocker/Jammer
Practice time per week 6 hours
Other Workout Yoga
Diet Eat healthy (This Includes Chocolate!)
Laps in 5 minutes 32 Laps
Greatest Athletic Accomplishment Derby!

IMG_0746 Name Breckin U. Down
Age 30
Children None
Height 5’ 8”
Weight 158
Weight before derby 140
Started April 2010
Key Position Blocker
Practice time per week 6 hours
Other Workout None
Diet None
Laps in 5 minutes 28 Laps
Greatest Athletic Accomplishment Roller Derby

IMG_0699