When I went to a recruits meeting at a game last October, Juanna Rumbel warned us that roller derby would consume half of our life. I can easily see how this could be an entire life, if pesky things like eating and sleeping didn’t demand on being part of the equation!

The WCR practice schedule is…robust. As a cleared Rioter waiting patiently in the wings for a draft, I have a multitude of practices that are available to me and that I’m encouraged to attend. A typical week looks something like this:

Sunday: Practice 10am – Noon

Monday: League practice either 7pm – 9pm or 9pm – 11pm

Tuesday: Cardio/weight training OR practice with a home team

Wednesday: Cardio/weight training OR practice with a home team

Thursday: League practice either 7pm – 9pm or 9pm – 11pm

Friday: Yoga (…or rest?)

Saturday: League practice 9am – 11am or circuit training 10am – 11am

REPEAT!

It’s a full week to say the least. As a nurse who works varied days and hours, it can be challenging to align my work schedule and derby schedule. I’ve definitely had days where I’ve bustled into work or the practice space, scrubs and pads a-flying, getting my nurse and derby on back to back!

As discussed in my previous blog about the process to getting cleared, I am now eligible to attend all league practices and scrimmages. Going from Rioters practice to skating alongside some of the best people on the league is quite a jump. The pace is a lot quicker, the drills are more difficult, and the hits are a lot harder. I generally have mad anxiety before any of these practices, envisioning All-Stars whipping around me, pummeling me to the ground, and  me spending most of the practice time on my ass. While I’m definitely pushed to work better, faster, and smarter, skating with some of the best of the best has allowed me to grow leaps and bounds as a skater. I’ve found these practices to be incredibly helpful to my development in roller derby.

In addition, Rioters are able to observe or practice with one of the home teams if the captain allows it. I’ve found this to be a great experience. I get to know a home team’s practice style AND personality. While you don’t get to pick which home team you will eventually end up on, it affords you some insight into what you have to look forward to when the draft comes up. Which will hopefully be very soon…

Talk Derby with your Friends!

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