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I Think Roller Derby is Mad at Me

So, I’m back in the thick of things with roller derby. I’m officially part of The Major Pains now, and we’re prepping for our first inter-league bout in September. We have four practices per week, two mandatory and two optional/makeup. The optionals are at an outdoor rink, and I probably don’t have to tell you that it’s been HOT AS BALLS the past few weeks.

Anyway, the past few practices have been hell on my body! As they say, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I have been pushing myself as hard as I can, to see how far my body can go. I think I’ve finally pushed too hard. At outdoor last week, the oppressive heat made my asthma act up and I had symptoms of heat exhaustion for the next few days. Then, at last Friday’s practice, about halfway through, my calf muscles seized up, leaving me with double charley horses/spasms, writhing on the floor in pain. Of course five minutes later, after the spasms passed, I was able to go back out again. But my calves are still sore, days later. 

On Sunday I got back out there on my skates, cautiously at first, afraid of more muscle cramps. However, other than a little tightness, I was okay. I had prepped with extra potassium, water, and stretching that morning, and I guess it worked. My asthma acted up during our endurance pacelines, but that’s nothing new. I am able to hang in longer every practice, so I know I am improving my lung capacity slowly. I will never NOT have asthma, but I am learning to live with it.

During a scrimmage during the latter part of practice, though, I took a monster hit. I still don’t know if I literally skated full-speed into someone (I was trying to watch the jammer who was coming up behind me, and completely forgot I was in a tight pack) or if someone successfully can-openered me, but one minute I was whooshing through the straightaway and the next I was flat on the ground, feeling my the back of my head/helmet BOUNCE twice onto the sport court. The pain was instant and tremendous, all in my neck and head. Everyone took a knee, because you don’t fuck with a possible head injury. After I was able to catch my breath and get my wits about me, I was helped back to the bench where I immediately iced the back of my neck and head. I was in pain, but not dizzy or disoriented or anything. I was pretty sure I didn’t have a concussion, but I visited my doctor today anyway, because I don’t want to put myself or my team in danger by skating when I shouldn’t be.

I’m happy to report I do not have a concussion, just a painful case of whiplash. I’ve had a bad headache for 24 hours, and my doc says I’ll have it for a few more days until my muscles relax. Good times! So grateful for the safety equipment we wear — from our helmets to our mouthguards. I am under doctor’s orders not to skate until next week, and I am NOT happy. However, if I’ve learned one thing in roller derby, it’s that you should listen to medical advice unless you want to get hurt again and fast. So I will be on the bench this week, strategizing, taking notes, and watching my teammates. And next week I’ll be good as new.

I take one big fat POSITIVE from this, though. The fact that I have been slightly injured a few times lately means, to me, that I am out there, I am losing my fear, and I am playing hard and with more aggression. Soon I will stop making the mistakes that cause me injury. But for now, even though it hurts to look at this computer screen, I’m feeling pretty good about things.

So stop worrying about me, MOM, I’m fine.

Posted in Derby Life, Health. on Monday, Jul 11, 2011

One Response

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  1. cin said

    your last sentence couldn’t help but make me laugh! xoxo