Retirement
In 2008 I set out on a road that scared the shit out of me.
This new road was full of people I had never met, and activities I could barely do. While you may not believe me when I say this, I was painfully shy and terrified to meet these new people. I was scared out of my mind that I would make a fool of myself. I had no idea the impact these new people, and this sport, would have on me.
Of course, my first 8 weeks of practices was spent on the sidelines in a cast. I broke my wrist the night before while getting used to my skates. Lots of people are deterred when they break a bone. For some reason, I was not.
I took 2008 slowly. Because we did not have rookie camps or fresh meat training down to a science, I just skated and learned as they could train me. I was not in a class. Really, I was my own class. I had joined alone! The closest person I had to a Fresh Meat buddy was Hazel SmutCrunch/Jennarata. We were mere weeks apart. We were all learning, so when it came to contact I could work on other skills with some trainers.
Over that year of training, I bonded with these women. They quickly became my inner circle. We worked hard to advance our training as well as support the sport of Roller Derby.
In early 2009 I participated in my first game. It was an away game in Albany. We had a good time and played our first official All Star game against another All Star team.
2009 we also welcomed a man who would become one of our most dedicated volunteers, Mr Adam Furious. He learned the ropes of announcing, and helped promote the league. He even gave us shout outs and let me call in for segments on games during his already packed radio show. I am glad he came into my life, he is a great friend.
I remember our terrifying sanctioned game against Montreal. They knew, and we knew, that they would win. But, they were gracious, and kind and just wonderful to be on the track with...even if they did kick our asses 408-24.
Since all of that, I have seen this league go from bottom to top. We've grown, struggled, and survived. Going from barely being able to function on the track to over 8 years of skating, learning, and growing has been a great journey. Part of me is sad to see it end. The other part of me looks forward to cheering and drinking beer from the stands.
I have a lot of Amazing Stories to tell about my time with NH Roller Derby. I look over the stats on Flat Track Stats and I can remember almost all of the games listed... or at least the moments surrounding them. As I head into retirement I am met with mixed feelings of accomplishment, sadness, and fear.
What will I do not? No, really! What will I do with my 4 free nights a week?
The joke is that, in September alone, I will garden, paint the house, and get a masters degree.But really, I am not sure. I know I will rest, and I will struggle to find something new to do. I will, obviously, need to get more active with my home workouts.
I am not sad about retirement. I know I need this time for me. I know Mr Pirate is looking forward to this time together (though, I expect that around September 16th he will tell me to get out of the house).
This new road was full of people I had never met, and activities I could barely do. While you may not believe me when I say this, I was painfully shy and terrified to meet these new people. I was scared out of my mind that I would make a fool of myself. I had no idea the impact these new people, and this sport, would have on me.
Of course, my first 8 weeks of practices was spent on the sidelines in a cast. I broke my wrist the night before while getting used to my skates. Lots of people are deterred when they break a bone. For some reason, I was not.
I took 2008 slowly. Because we did not have rookie camps or fresh meat training down to a science, I just skated and learned as they could train me. I was not in a class. Really, I was my own class. I had joined alone! The closest person I had to a Fresh Meat buddy was Hazel SmutCrunch/Jennarata. We were mere weeks apart. We were all learning, so when it came to contact I could work on other skills with some trainers.
Over that year of training, I bonded with these women. They quickly became my inner circle. We worked hard to advance our training as well as support the sport of Roller Derby.
In early 2009 I participated in my first game. It was an away game in Albany. We had a good time and played our first official All Star game against another All Star team.
2009 we also welcomed a man who would become one of our most dedicated volunteers, Mr Adam Furious. He learned the ropes of announcing, and helped promote the league. He even gave us shout outs and let me call in for segments on games during his already packed radio show. I am glad he came into my life, he is a great friend.
I remember our terrifying sanctioned game against Montreal. They knew, and we knew, that they would win. But, they were gracious, and kind and just wonderful to be on the track with...even if they did kick our asses 408-24.
Since all of that, I have seen this league go from bottom to top. We've grown, struggled, and survived. Going from barely being able to function on the track to over 8 years of skating, learning, and growing has been a great journey. Part of me is sad to see it end. The other part of me looks forward to cheering and drinking beer from the stands.
I have a lot of Amazing Stories to tell about my time with NH Roller Derby. I look over the stats on Flat Track Stats and I can remember almost all of the games listed... or at least the moments surrounding them. As I head into retirement I am met with mixed feelings of accomplishment, sadness, and fear.
What will I do not? No, really! What will I do with my 4 free nights a week?
The joke is that, in September alone, I will garden, paint the house, and get a masters degree.But really, I am not sure. I know I will rest, and I will struggle to find something new to do. I will, obviously, need to get more active with my home workouts.
I am not sad about retirement. I know I need this time for me. I know Mr Pirate is looking forward to this time together (though, I expect that around September 16th he will tell me to get out of the house).
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