recorded for posterity
the recreational roller derby league spring season has come to an end. my team, gang green, ended the season in FIRST PLACE. as a matter of fact, we beat the heavily-favored bloody marys FOUR times. yes. FOUR. they only beat us twice, and those were our ONLY losses. i love my gang green girls. i must admit: i am sad to see our team disband.
now i come to the crossroads of WHAT NEXT? the rink decided to end the rec league program, in favor of encouraging us skaters to start our own skater-owned, not-for-profit league. this is the direction leagues must take if they hope to compete on a regional or national level. we are extraordinarily fortunate to have a home rink, with such a supportive staff. plenty of leagues skate in warehouses or rented spaces. our rink staff (complete with speed skating coaches who have either competed nationally themselves or trained national champs) doesn't want to devote so much time and energy to the derby program. they would like to see the skaters take it over for themselves, and allow us to rent the space. several of the coaches have offered to donate their time to coach us. seriously: DONATE. we would only have to pay for their travel should we request their presence at away bouts. otherwise they just want to help us grow the league and become better, stronger skaters.
so what's wrong with all this? on the surface, absolutely nothing. my DIY roots are thrilled to be a part of a league starting out from almost-scratch. but such things require time. participating in the rec league took up so much of my time and energy; i don't know if i can make a bigger commitment. physically it is taxing. of course i'm still nursing my knee injury (and still bouting! which makes my physical therapist cry a little.) which impacts how much i can participate. i also have a physical job (which can be impacted by an injury, of course) and i live a really physical life. my body has changed so dramatically since i've taken up skating. as much as i love skating and bouting, i want to keep myself healthy and strong, and at a certain weight.
very few of the other women involved seem ready to take the reins to build up a new league. this saddens me, but also doesn't surprise me. i don't see many self-starters in the rogue valley. i don't know why people don't want to be the mistresses of their own destiny. whatever. that said, i have grown so incredibly fond of all the women i've met. i can't see myself just giving up on them. and yes, i did say ALL. even the jesus ones. i have never, EVER been involved with so many women all at once in such a drama-free way. it is incredible.
plus there's the fellow factor. crazy, right? on the one hand, all my practices and skate sessions and meetings take time away from him. once upon a time we worked together, and now we hardly see each other at home. he comes to every bout, though, and is so in love with derby. i couldn't ask for a better derby husband. when i suggested to him that i might consider quitting at the end of the rec league, he told me he would be sad if i did that. i had no idea how much he enjoys this, and how much he loves my participation. i learned this past weekend that he brags about me doing derby to his friends and acquaintances. you gotta admit: that's pretty sweet.
so now i have to sit with all this and figure out what to do next. not easy. especially when my knee's throbbing from last night's bout.
now i come to the crossroads of WHAT NEXT? the rink decided to end the rec league program, in favor of encouraging us skaters to start our own skater-owned, not-for-profit league. this is the direction leagues must take if they hope to compete on a regional or national level. we are extraordinarily fortunate to have a home rink, with such a supportive staff. plenty of leagues skate in warehouses or rented spaces. our rink staff (complete with speed skating coaches who have either competed nationally themselves or trained national champs) doesn't want to devote so much time and energy to the derby program. they would like to see the skaters take it over for themselves, and allow us to rent the space. several of the coaches have offered to donate their time to coach us. seriously: DONATE. we would only have to pay for their travel should we request their presence at away bouts. otherwise they just want to help us grow the league and become better, stronger skaters.
so what's wrong with all this? on the surface, absolutely nothing. my DIY roots are thrilled to be a part of a league starting out from almost-scratch. but such things require time. participating in the rec league took up so much of my time and energy; i don't know if i can make a bigger commitment. physically it is taxing. of course i'm still nursing my knee injury (and still bouting! which makes my physical therapist cry a little.) which impacts how much i can participate. i also have a physical job (which can be impacted by an injury, of course) and i live a really physical life. my body has changed so dramatically since i've taken up skating. as much as i love skating and bouting, i want to keep myself healthy and strong, and at a certain weight.
very few of the other women involved seem ready to take the reins to build up a new league. this saddens me, but also doesn't surprise me. i don't see many self-starters in the rogue valley. i don't know why people don't want to be the mistresses of their own destiny. whatever. that said, i have grown so incredibly fond of all the women i've met. i can't see myself just giving up on them. and yes, i did say ALL. even the jesus ones. i have never, EVER been involved with so many women all at once in such a drama-free way. it is incredible.
plus there's the fellow factor. crazy, right? on the one hand, all my practices and skate sessions and meetings take time away from him. once upon a time we worked together, and now we hardly see each other at home. he comes to every bout, though, and is so in love with derby. i couldn't ask for a better derby husband. when i suggested to him that i might consider quitting at the end of the rec league, he told me he would be sad if i did that. i had no idea how much he enjoys this, and how much he loves my participation. i learned this past weekend that he brags about me doing derby to his friends and acquaintances. you gotta admit: that's pretty sweet.
so now i have to sit with all this and figure out what to do next. not easy. especially when my knee's throbbing from last night's bout.