And this time, I have video.   For those of you who missed part 1, I just recently started skating again after 30 years of not doing it.   I wanted to share how I am doing at this.  Even though there was no video from the first time, I can tell you that I have done significantly better.  I am still having issues around balance (which explains a lot of the arm flapping) as well as just overall confidence on skates.  I did use the house skates (they are in pretty bad shape) and I hope to have my own pair of R-3s real soon.  Hopefully this will inspire anyone who wants to get into this crazy sport that if you put some effort to it, you can do it, even if you have been sitting on your duff for the past 30 years.

If anyone ever wants to skate with me, show me a few things, etc., let me know.  For now, enjoy this silly video and wish me luck the next time I decide to try this. 

with derby love (even though Michi is not ready for derby, she can still spread derby love)...
Michi-chan
=m

Well derby fans, it has finally happened.  This is the first time since the Carter Administration that I had strapped on a pair of skates (a pair of crappy rental skates, mind you) and actually got out there and skated.

A fresh meat friend of mine and I went to a somewhat secret location (not so secret in derby circles) and shakeylegs-michi was (somewhat) ready to go.  The nice thing about skating at this place is that we were the only ones there.  We were joined later in the evening by a veteran skater so we all had fun.

I can tell you for someone who has not done it in 30 years and is somewhat out of shape like I am, you girls make it look so easy.  What did not help is that I had a busy day after work this morning (remember, I work graves) and I did not get to bed until after 12 noon (way past my bedtime on a normal day). 

So here I am, working on about 3 hours of sleep in the last 24 hours on a pair of pretty shabby rental skates.  At first, I was trying to figure out how to make these things go forward.  I then recall all of the bouts and footage I have watched over the past few months as well as my friend who was taking the rink like she owned it.  After a bit, I had figured out how to propel forward and eventually, the left toe stop was being used more for starting than stopping.  I was sweating pretty easily, but I was getting water. 

Overall, I think I did pretty OK for someone who technically has not skated before.  I did fall a couple of times, every time backwards and landed on my butt and palms.  My right wrist is a bit sore right now.  But I am in good spirits right now.  I am more fatigued than anything. 

So with that in mind, the burning question that Derby Dames everywhere want to know, "do you want to do it again, Michi?".  My answer is "hell yeah!".  I had a good start, I can only get better.

I know one thing was the lack of sleep did not help my endurance tonight.  When I switch to 11PM-7:30AM hours, it will be easier to practice before going to work because I will be coming off of a "full day's" sleep.

I need my own skates.  I need to get used to them as an extension of my legs and I don't feel that rental skates can properly do that.  I also want to get used to the speed skate compared to the conventional skate.  I have a very close friend from work who wants to buy me some skates. Next month, we may be non-revving up to LAS and visit Sin City Skates.  Based on the advice of several people in AZDD, I am looking at the R-3's.  If anyone else has a better suggestion, speak now.  I think once I get a comfort level on a consistent pair of skates, I think I will improve more. 

I did not shoot any video of my first time back on skates.  I wanted this to be a more private part of my somewhat public life, but I will release one photograph of a very exhausted Michi after being on the rink for about a couple of hours (with many breaks in-between). 

My friends at AZDD and based on blog comments, also AZRD, have been nothing but supportive and I appreciate that and I love them to death.  

If anyone has the patience and wants to skate with me, let me know.  I had fun!

With derby love...
Michi-chan
=m


Update 8/22:
While my wrist has healed, my left thigh is still a bit sore.  I guess I moved things there that should have been moved long long ago.  Oh well.. no pain.. no gain.  That ain't stopping me.  Take care all!  =m (*^u^*)

Update 8/24:

My thigh has pretty much healed up...  I want to go again next Monday.  I might just do it.  My friend and I will probably be going to SCS on 9/12..  So, yucky rental skates until then.  (*^u^*)

The Lady Lux travel team of the Arizona Derby Dames went to Las Vegas on Rollercon weekend and played a scrimmage against the Midwest Threat, a team composed of rollergirls from the Sioux Falls Roller Dollz as well as some girls from Minnesota. This was a great bout. There's a lot of good fundemental derby play and no fighting. I was happy to use my non-rev benefits to fly up to Las Vegas and see these girls plus I had a chance to take in the atmosphere of Rollercon that did not require a badge. The Imperial Palace was wall to wall rollergirls! Enjoy the video! Share the fun I had.

The hockey girls ended up bouting in their in-lines and ripped our Lady Lux with a final score of 177* to 67.  AZDD (and virtually all of roller derby) will be at Rollercon this week in Las Vegas.  The AZDD Lady Lux will be scrimmaging against the Midwest Threat of the SIoux Falls Roller Dollz at the Flamingo Banks (nr Flamingo & Jones, LAS).   Based on the conditions of non-rev travel, I plan to be there. 

For now, enjoy the video.  I had a lot of fun making this thing.  It's been a good learning experience for someone who has been doing just audio for the past few decades.  Expect more videos in the future.  (*^u^*)

=m