Hey folks! The 2009 WFTDA National Tournament is THIS WEEKEND! Check out the WCR preview on Derby News Network now, and if you can't get to Philly, check in there all weekend to follow the tournament action on the liveblogs and videocasts. We'll have a tournament preview later this weekend, but meanwhile, enjoy this interview with 3-seoveteran All-Star skater, Donna Party!

Loco Chanel: Unlike previous years, it seems like WCR is widely regarded as a top contender at this year's Nationals, contrasted to previous years when the team was more under the radar. How are you approaching the final days of training before the big tournament?

Donna Party: Going into 2007 and 2008, we wanted to prove to the derby community that we are a top ranked team. This year, we have to prove that we deserve to maintain our position at the top, so we have been training hard and building our team chemistry.
Personally, I've been going to outside speed practices to improve my strength and stride along with my teammates. Speed practice is fun and very hard, especially when a 9 year old on inlines is faster than you!

One of Windy City's long-time rivals, New York's Gotham Girls, are in the same half of the bracket as the All-Stars. You have a personal connection to Gotham, as your sister skates for their league. What are your thoughts about a potential WCR-Gotham semifinal matchup?

Well, if we make the semis (we need to win our Saturday morning bout first!) it'll be an amazing bout, as always. Sister Party will actually be rooting for Gotham for the last time this weekend, as she's moving to Chicago this winter and plans to skate with us. I hope she gets picked up by the XXers so we can be the Block Party in 2010!

Along with skating on the All-Stars and Double Crossers, you've served as Creative Chair and recently became WCR's Marketing Chair. Can you tell us about these roles?

I am lucky to have spectacular co-chairs and committee members, so the giant amount of work that goes into managing the Marketing and Creative monsters is spread out among us. It's a lot of work, but it's incredibly satisfying to see our work pay off, like with the huge crowd at last month's game against Rose City. Also-- quick marketing plug, if you are interested in volunteering with Windy City, or sponsoring our league, email marketing@windycityrollers.com!

Because my life is kind of consumed with WCR marketing, I'd like to take this opportunity to also talk about my personal project that I am working on, The Unnecessary Combover- The Haircut of the Future, which is looking for participants. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in participating and receiving an Unnecessary Combover, contact me through my website- http://www.unnecessarycombover.com and stay tuned for photos of my next Unnecessary Combover participant, WCR's Oedipus Ref!

Also, feel free to contact me with freelance photography work or your own photo project ideas at www.mariahkarson.com. Projects involving puppies and starfish costumes are given preferential treatment.

In addition to skating like 10x a week, you practice yoga regularly. When did you start practicing yoga? How has it impacted your derby performance?

I started practicing yoga in 2003 while I was super stressed, depressed, and unhealthy. From yoga, I learned that anything is possible, it just takes practice. When I started, I could not touch my toes and could barely hold myself up in down dog for 5 breaths, let alone focus on my breath and body. I found that every time I went back to a class, I could physically do a tiny bit more than I could the previous week, and my overall anxiety and mood was slowly evening out. Yoga began the process of getting my body and mind back in shape and lead me to more physical activities, like cycling and roller derby.

When I started playing derby, I found myself focusing on my breath and body position to work through pain and fatigue, and well as relying on the principal that everything takes time, dedication, and practice.