First Bout, and the Next....

I haven't been blogging like I should, very naughty of me indeed, but things are moving kind of fast just now, and I do keep meaning to, so now that I have a night with NOTHING to do (except pack, and get ready for a Bout tomorrow) we'll give it a go!

I skated in my first Bout last Saturday, which you may have heard about on FB and Twitter. What I didn't, couldn't, say there is how much that changes EVERYTHING. You learn more in one Bout than you do in any number of practices, tho I will say, you couldn't skate IN a Bout with out what you learn in practice.

My first few jams were pretty un-impressive, with my brain on a loop of "What the heck am I meant to be DOING out here?" Felt pretty stupid. But them, something changed. The dragons woke up, the beast came out. Big time. A bit of advice came back to me that I'd gotten from my teammates, which was: Just go out there and HIT. If they're watching ME, and trying to stop ME, their minds aren't on the jammer.......

I could go on about the strategy of the game, but this isn't that sort of blog, it's going in another direction.

Which is this: I've got another Bout tomorrow, an away one. A road trip with my Derby Sisters. I'm going to do it again. And I'm going to do it BETTER this time. Because I am full on into this League and my team and I love it more than anything I've ever done.

No limits, people.

A year ago I was 260 pounds, couldn't make it up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath. I'm 48 years old, which is pretty much high end for this sport. But I'm doing it, I passed my skills test. I GOT THIS. I'm doing this.

My asset to this team may not be as a Star Skater, or it may be, I don't really know how good I can get. We have some amazing girls on the team and coming up but I know I am taking this as far as I can take it, and I am really, really proud to be a part of a team that puts THAT as what is important.

Because that IS what's important.

As far as you can.

Doesn't matter how old you are, doesn't matter how not FIT you are, doesn't matter what it is you want to do, what matters is simply this:

No limits. Go do it. DO IT NOW!

I love my Derby Sisters more than I've loved almost anything in my entire life. I would do anything for any of them, at any time, in part, because, every one of them believes in me, that I can do this. (the other part would be that they are the coolest damm women going) It's like the best band you've ever been in times ten. Like family without the irritating parts.

And I believe in you.

YOU are the coolest thing going. Kid you not. You can do this.

No limits. Do this now. Whatever it is.

Love and that's my wisdom for tonight,

Lorraine AKA QUICHE MEDEADLY!!!!!

(all photos by the AMAZING Kyle Cassidy!!!)

Edit to add:

This just came out, an hour after I posted this. Do you believe me now? Yes, you too can be a Zombie on a Derby Poster!!