Sunday debrief

I have five weeks until the next roller derby game.  I feel like I need some serious skate time.  After the game, my time on wheels diminished because I was still playing catch-up at work.  I really need to work on endurance and that is my least favorite thing.  It means running...

I am also switching back to a high raw diet.  It will help with the skating and my energy overall.  I have been one tired lady and never seem to get enough sleep.  And the high raw virtually eliminates the asthma.  Right now my breakfasts consist of green smoothies.  Yesterday was kale, banana, and pineapple.  Today was spinach, banana, blueberries.  They are quite yummy.

I am still not emergency prepared, and this frustrates me because I feel I should be ready.  I am adding a list of items to get to my phone.  Now, when I am out running errands I can refer to it and pick up stuff more frequently.  And I am finding it hard to make space for all the stuff.  I need to get organized.  On the positive side of preparedness, I did try some dehydrated refried beans to see if it would be something I would eat during an emergency.  Aside from being a tad salty, they were pretty good. I will add them to my supplies.

I moving back into one of those get-rid-of-stuff phases.  I think this is a result of feeling stuck and not having space for the new things to come into my life.  It is a good exercise in release.  I dislike shopping for clothes and it shows.  I looked at some photos from the past few years and realized I have shirts that are really old.  Anyway, I worked on the closet and realized it is ok to let go of the past.  Some things linger because it is who we used to be.  I'd like to have more things that are about who I am now.

While I was working on clearing stuff out, I made a discovery about myself.  I have a horrid time decorating my house because I am indecisive and fickle.  I like a lot of different things and styles, but can never settle on one.  As I reviewed the things I do have, I think I would define my style as whimsical.  And I am totally ok with that. I am more than ok with that. 

Anyway, on to the next week - with more skating, cleaning, clearing, and prepping.

First Game

We have completed our first game.  160 (home team) to 139 (us).  It was so much better than I imagined.  We had tons of people there.  Even though both teams have not had much time to work on team strategy, we did pretty good

Only one injury - a broke ankle.  This makes me sad, but it is a full contact sport and the risk of injury is high.

My family loved it.  I am so glad they came.  And so did my friends.  It was awesome.

I have had a Epsom salt bath and ibuprofen and am now going to bed.

On being unprepared

Recent weather events have made me realize I am not even close to prepared for emergencies, power outages, etc.  I feel very lucky that I lost power for only a few hours and it was restored before nightfall.

Tonight, there was a flash and a loud boom that set off car alarms and shook the building.  My first guess is a transformer blew considering how high up the flash was and that part of the block is now without power.  However, the first thought that ran through my mind was, "Crap, not ready for an emergency." 

I just picked up two books from the library on preparedness.  Coincidence?  Anyway, I have a lot of holes in my prep program.  My flashlight supply is low.  I could use more blankets.  More water.  More food.  More of everything.  My bug out supplies are scattered.  Yup, not prepared.  So, I will work on remedying that right away.  The books should help. They have great lists and explanations of why you may need an item.  Did you know there are mini crowbars?

Anyway, I am off to sooth my girl kitty.  She is pretty spooked by loud noises.

Oh, the Scrimmages

During the last hour or so of Tuesday night roller derby practices, we scrimmage a bit.  We are still learning our rule set, learning to work together as a team, learning how the game flows.  Tonight I took a fall that scared me.  I hit my hip in such a way I pinched a nerve or something and my foot went numb.  I thought it broke something since I couldn't feel anything.  I realized after the panic left me that if I broke something I probably would be feeling a whole lot of something, not nothing.  I had that horrible funny bone/foot asleep feel and had to sit out a few jams for the feeling to come back.

Still, once I could skate again, I had a really good time.  I think I am starting to get it, but I could just be a flailing about.  I need more feedback. And I need to work on more skills.  I need to hit more, I think.  We'll see.  As a league, we do not do a lot of hitting yet.  But that is ok, since we have a large group of skaters that are not ready for that.

Some days, I am all, "this is a great recreational activity to do a few times a week," and other times I am all, "this is my life and how to I get better, stronger, faster".  Have a mentioned my obsessive side at all?  I can get weird that way. 

Two and a half weeks to the first game.  Eight and a half weeks to the second game.  There is time to improve...

The New Year

I have managed a few small tasks (and some naps) over my long holiday weekend.  I did a few chores that I always seem to put off.  I haven't conquered everything, but I have a good start.

My car should be fixed tomorrow.  Just in time for required skate practices (if I want to play, I have to attend two practices weekly until the game starting 30 days before the game).  And there are only two this week, so I will get there one way or another.  Since there has been all this holiday time, I have not skated in a while.  Will have to hit some open skates at the local rinks.

Happy New Year!

35 Days and counting

35 days until my first roller derby game.  There are things I'd like to work on before the league's big debut...

• Endurance - I want better cardio and better muscle endurance.
• Balance - I want better balance
• Basic skills - I want to have to think less about where my feet go

So, in pursuit of these things, I plan to do the following...

• For endurance - running, jumping rope, etc. and lots of squats and lunges
• For balance - eating a high raw diet.  The last time I did this, my sinuses and ears cleared up and I had much better balance.  And I have fewer asthma issues, so it helps endurance, too.
• For basic skills - skating, skating, skating.  The more time I spend on skates the better.

Now that things are starting to solidify, I am starting to feel competitive.  I can't help but wonder, are the other skaters feeling that way, too?  My league seems pretty laid back and I am nervous about that aspect.  And how will it be competing against skaters I have skated with before as teammates?  Should be interesting...

The Challening Week

The week before last was quite challenging.  I had to be home during work hours for different issues.

The Thanksgiving Damage

First, there was the broken kitchen sink - an all day fix.  Then, there was waiting for the insurance adjuster to look at my car.  And finally, there was changing locks out and helping the bff take care of the critical stuff after his wallet was stolen from his gym.

This was all happening during one of the busiest times of the year at work.  I felt guilty for not being there, even though I made up many of my missed hours.  However, I do not feel that way now.  My workplace is always going on about balancing personal life with work.  And my coworkers seem to have no problem taking time for their personal lives during the busiest season, so why shouldn't I?  I am not sure how I feel about this shift in my thinking yet.  Am I getting smarter about work/life balance?  Or do I just not care as intently about the work anymore?  Most likely it is because work is not the primary focus in my life anymore and it defines me less and less.