Sweating it Out

We had a scrimmage on Friday - and my team totally rocked it! The Red Shirts, aka The Ellen Degenerates, came out on top. And after the game we were energized and wanted to keep on skating!

I was super excited for the game, because no one in my circle of friends or family has ever seen me on the track. My husband came out with my son and took pictures and video, so now there is proof on this planet that I've actually skated in a game of roller derby. While LOCO doesn't have public ticketed bouts, it's nice to know that my family can still see the pay off for the work I've done. 

Speaking of work, my anticipation of the scrimmage led me to a new workout schedule. I have a family membership at the YMCA, so while my hubby takes our son swimming, I hit the elliptical trainer. I used to work out to lose weight and out of a sense of guilt, but now I work out to feel strong and succeed at my sport. With these different motivations, I discovered that I weirdly enjoy these machines that sort've turn you into a giant gerbil on a treadmill. Lately I've been listening to Robyn's album Body Talk, and it kicks my ass into high gear. 

After working out on the elliptical, I've been hitting the weight machines with a focus on strength for derby. Now, I know that being fit all over is the best for derby, but there are some key muscle groups that really improve your performance, especially if you're starting off from zero. I concentrate on my core, my lower back and my abdomen, and them my hips and thighs. I use the inner and outer hip abductor and the quad and hamstring machines. 

Just a couple of tips from me: do your reps slowly! and select a low enough weight that you can complete 10 reps. I have found this to be the most consistent way to build muscle. Some people swear by fewer, harder reps, and some by more light reps, but the middle ground works for me. 

Only a few weeks of this workout regime and my skating has improved ten-fold. After the last jam of the night, I was genuinely surprised that we weren't at a half-time, but at the end of the game! 

Another piece of exciting news: my local YMCA allows me to rollerskate in the gym during scheduled recreational time. If I can get in there before the basketball thugs take over, the space is mine! This allowed me to work on endurance and agility. For the first time ever, I did a crossover in the opposite direction, skated backwards and improved my transitions. It was epic!

Vansterdamn XXX