Let the games begin

As I lye in shavasana on the studio floor, I melt into the wooden surface. So energized by the practice yet so tranquil. Floating into another world, in the midst of calm, Im skating. How bizarre that in such a peaceful place I find myself in this hectic sport. Yet in this hectic sport I can find peace! This is where I want to be.

Just over 12 months ago, I thought up some crazy plan to play roller derby. I dont know where it came from, I didn't event know what roller derby was. All I knew is that it was crazy, exciting and fast and I had  to be a part of it. As I began investigating, I found that it wasn't that difficult to get involved in, but I didn't want to go down this road alone. Dani, one of my best friends would be up for the madness of this game. 

I'd met Dani six years earlier on another crazy mission, bobsleigh. Yes, Australia has a bobsleigh team! Attempting to qualify for the 2006 winter games, we hurled ourselves down tracks all over the world. She seemed the perfect person to come on this adventure with me. And so we entered....into the world of roller derby.

After purchasing our skate gear, we found ourselves surrounded by five year olds at the roller dome. Rolling around getting used to the four wheels that would take us into this new game. 11 months later I find myself in the small town of Fernie, with there very own roller derby league. I've had around five months total on my skates and tomorrow I get to play in my first bout.

Saying Im excited is an understatement. This is not like any other sport I have played. Normally the day before a comp Id have speratic waves of nervousness but not today, Im not sure why, maybe they will come tomorrow?

As I lengthen my breath and wiggle my toes I slowly return to studio room. Let the games begin!

Flying Fernie Powder

Here I am in Fernie, Canada, the place of legendary powder. I stood at the top of Curry Bowl in snow up to my thighs. There had been over a meter of this stuff fall in the past 48 hours. Below me were sections of untouched fluffy powder. I pointed my board forward, my addiction for all things fast, came flooding back.

I felt invisible. But maybe that’s what powder does to you? The air was freezing but the sun warmed everything. I sat on my back leg to lift the front of my board. I wanted to go fast. So I just went straight. The wind whipped passed my face. Snow flew everywhere. I held still and strong over my board. All I could see was untouched white fluffy snow. All I could hear was screams of excitement. All I could feel was a rush of pure adrenaline. I flew down. My board carried me at a speed I never thought I could ride at! I laughed so hard from the inside out as I just kept getting faster. Bouncing over other people’s tracks. More fresh snow, more speed, more adrenaline.

The feeling wouldn’t last forever. Yet I was doing my best to make it. In a split second I lost control. I lost my edge and was flung forward. I turned to a rag doll and cart wheeled three times down the mountain. Upside down, inside out and the wrong way round. I came to a halt in an instant, deep in the soft powder. Laughing as hard as I could because nothing even hurt!

This is my first time living in the season of the snow. When I came here, three months ago I could barley side slip down the icy face of an intermediate blue run. Thankfully my need for speed kicked in and I’m excited to challenge anywhere on the mountain. Next is for tricks. Jumps, 180s, 360s, back flip, front flip? They can’t be too different to flying trapeze, right?

VRDL take on Hotrod Honeys

Fast, intense, rough, sexy, exciting and tough. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like it. Not only is it a sport, it’s also a spectacle. Roller Derby is a skillful game that’s grueling yet graceful.

The almost Antarctic conditions didn’t stop the crowd flocking to the showgrounds last Saturday night to see the Victorian Roller Derby League take on the Texas Hotrod Honeys. All three and a half thousand of them poured through the gates blankets and beanies in tow. For the lucky ones, they scored a seat on the ground or in the grandstand. Those not so lucky stood at the back on the platforms. Those wanting to get close to the action, brought cushions and rugs and sat track side in the ‘suicide seats’ just outside the safety zone. This is where the play comes crashing and sliding down on top of you!

I took my seat on the cold concrete ground, next to the player bench. The girls roll around the track effortlessly warming up. For them skating is second nature. Finely tuning their skills before the start of the bout. They are known only by there derby names, Kitty DeCapitate, Skate Bush, Smashen Pop, Kitty von Krusher to name a few. There uniforms are all different but matching with there own personal touch.





The atmosphere is intense, especially when you have thousands of people huddled around the short track. The teams form their final huddles before ‘Game On.’ As they take up their positions on the track the Hotrod Honeys look to have an impressive line up. But why wouldn’t they, the origins of derby stem back to America from 1930s. At the first whistle the battle begins. The Texans are fast and strong with chiseled abdominal muscles they are quick to tally their first points. There talent is incredible and the local girls put up a fight. The team’s fly past, around and around, they crash and bash and fall and fight. The crowd roars as they battle it out for 60 minutes.





When the final whistle sounds, the bout is over. The scoreboard shows only the result, but not the wonderful spectacle that has rolled out before us. The Texans have won, but it doesn’t matter, everyone had fun. The crowd swarms to the edge of the track to celebrate with the players on there victory lap, high fives all round. The place is left buzzing after this amazing display.

An electric sport like nothing you have every seen before. If you have never been to a derby bout I suggest you get to one soon. You wont regret it.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Do you think it's possible to fly?

Do you think it's possible to fly? Of course it is! Have you ever wanted to fly? Well of course you have! Imagine soaring through the air. For a moment in time, you are weightless. Flying, no connection to the ground or anything for that matter!

Five meters off the ground, I stood on the platform, approximately eight inches wide. My left hand held the side post, the right held the flying swing. Staring directly ahead, I saw the 'cradle'. That's where I was going. My waist harness was fastened and I was ready to go.

Six months ago, after weeks of pondering, I signed up for flying trapeze school. This was one of the best ideas I had ever conjured up! Once a week for two hours, I'd join five others to learn trapeze tricks at Circus Oz. A fascinating class, the first I attended made me realise what a wonderful escape this was from the world. You really have to concentrate hard on what you're doing, right then and there. Listen and instruct your body, let go of fear and chuck the tricks.

After two terms Id build up quite a number of tricks that I could attempt, I was close to mastering a few but the most recent was the 'Alibaba'. Being quite an advanced trick, Id had a few attempts and I was getting closer and closer each time. The key to the Alibaba is a strong swing, height, power and as with most tricks getting the timing right. My classmate Julz had already succeeded twice on this trick tonight.

So there I was, on the platform, eyes fixed on the cradle. That's where I was going. Firing up I took the leap and launched onto the swing. Kicking my legs backward under the platform, then a tremendous beat forwards. I had the power in my swing. Reaching the top I took another swing backward, a strong beat, I had the height. The final beat forward with all my might. I thrust myself forward releasing my hands to fly forward. Soaring through the air the whole world stopped and I was flying. There I was sitting in mid air, I could see the cradle, closer than ever before. Arms outstretched I reached as far forward as possible.

SPLAAATTT! I hit the mats with the hardest thud. Splattered out like a pancake. I had missed. Again. I'll try again next week, in my last class for the term.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Need for Speed!

Up the ramp, across the roof, down the stairs, around the corner, through the gate and in through the little door in the corner, this place really was a secret headquarters. Grey clouds and rain had been threatening this cold winters day. As I made my way into the warehouse the cold air lingered, it was no warmer in here. I was embarking on a new adventure, into the world of roller derby. I was lucky enough to obtain one of 50 spots in the Victorian Roller Derby Leagues (VRDL) recreational training program, or as they called it the ‘wRECk crew.’

Just a few months ago I began my quest to be a derby player. I invested in a pair of skates. They were bargain from ebay. Part of the reason I had brought them was because they looked cool. Like sneakers, but with hot pink wheels.

As I newbie in the ‘derby world’ I understood that it would be a while before I would be good enough to bout. I’d heard a bit about the VRDL, a professional league, perhaps one of the best in Australia. Three teams that bout once a month. Together they also form a Victorian team to travel interstate and overseas all in the name of roller derby! Now that’s fun! This is not just girls on skates, this sport is intense. Firstly, to be selected into the league you must get through the try outs. This requires a fair amount of derby skills and fitness, then after months of training for several hours a week, if you’re good enough you will be selected into a team to bout.

So here I start. Skates on, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards – check, my helmet is fastened and my mouth guard in! The girls in the group are great chicks all at different skill and fitness levels. We learn to fall, stop and skate in different ways. In the skating drill I find myself flying around the track as fast as possible – its my 'need for speed' (build up through sprinting and bobsleigh). My brain warns me that I’m still very much, an armature. If I’m not careful Ill overbalance splattering all over the cold hard concrete floor. Thankfully I’m fortunate enough to avoid a date with the hard floor on this occasion, no doubt we will meet one day!

I leave the session feeling exhilarated, I have just tapped into another new passion. I am determined to play...watch this space.

Two little words.

The past 18 months have been a roller coaster. I have been scared, emotional, ridden with fear. Felt excited, had fun and been inspired. The most important thing that I can do now is recognise this has not only been MY journey, I have not achieved this on my own. This tale is not complete with out mentioning the amazing people who helped me learn to run again. To say those two words that we don’t say enough. THANK YOU. So here we go.

On the medical side…

Dr Tymms, my amazing orthopedic surgeon, who wonderfully repaired my snapped achillies and opened up my leg twice more to fight away the infection.

Dr. Leo, my anesthetist and the team at the Epworth Eastern hospital.

Jacqui Louder, my sports psychologist. Thank you for listening and guiding me through this roller coaster of events. I gained so much from the time I spent with you.

Steve Hawkins, my physio who got me back on my feet. Your experience, knowledge and care are phenomenal. Your enthusiasm towards my rehab ultimately was something money couldn’t buy.

John Quinn, my wonderful physiologist who helped me though the final stages of my rehab. I am fascinated by your knowledge and your wonderful ability to get athletes back on their feet.

Ian Nathan, my massage therapist. Your work extends far beyond massage and I have learnt so much about my body and how it operates. Your ongoing support, care and understanding in incredible.

Getting me back to running…

Joe Gulli, my old coach. Your genuine nature and being able to relate to athletes is such a wonderful quality. I still have your words of wisdom in text message you sent me after I had told you about the injury

Peter Van, my coach. I don’t think there are enough words to thank you. Your support in all aspects of my life through this time was so great. The friendship you offered me, the professional direction you adopted and the laughter that you can generate was a massive part in my recovery. Most of all, thank you for your belief in me to achieve my goals. Without you, I would not have achieved what I did. Thank you.

Lloyd, Dys and Bells, my dedicated training partners that I see day in day out. I love training with you. Thank you for being so supportive and interested in my recovery. I know training will be fun when you guys are there.

Thank you to the Angelsea Beach team. You are an amazing group of people, I love training and racing with you.

John Baldock, your passion towards the surf club and me is mind blowing. Thank you for all the support you have offered during this time.

My friends…

Jadey, Dani, Andy, Tanya, Andrea, Tegs, Kate P, Ebon, Gabe, Jess, Jack Gulli, Jemma, Marty, Steve, Abi, Kate, Jan, Sara, Nai, Matta, Nes, George, Steve, Mans, Crib, Em, Crib, Date, Hayley, Pammi. Thank you for your visits and time spent with me over summer.

Housemates Gabby, Adrian and Saana, thank you for putting up with me and helping me live and get by on one leg.

Workmates and colleagues Dave, Jane, Andrea, Nat, Kate Bu, Kate P and the crew at Fed Square, thank you for caring so much and getting me back to work.

My support group…(aka my family)

Wendy, my aunty who had this same injury. Thank you for offering me your insights.

Aaron and Holly thank you for caring and understanding what I was going through and supporting me during this time.

Mum and Dad, your support to me though this time was amazing. Thank you for caring so much, for allowing me to not have to worry about the smaller challenges that life throws at you during these times of toughness.

And most of all my beautiful sister, Claire. You have inspired me, encouraged me, put me back into line, told me to pull my head in and taught me so much. I cant thank you enough.

I cant thank all of these people enough and everyone who was part of this time in my life. I love you all and thank you.

The 18 month rollercoaster

Training returned to Olympic Park tonight. My first real session back there since I ruptured my achillies. I have trained there since, but not in the same capacity. A typical cold winters night. Beautiful, none the less. As the darkness of the cold Melbourne night set in, the city comes to life the radiant AAMI park roof lights up. I could stare at it all night, the tiny coloured glistening lights. With the darkness brings peace and stillness in a strange way when you are in the middle of the chaos.

Our session begins as this place has a unique ability to immerse me in the moment. Pacing up and down the grass, I feel like I’m floating. I haven’t run like this in a few months yet the feeling is amazing. I truly love running. The others idle with athletic chitchat, as I am completely absorbed in the moment. The soft grass takes my impact and I concentrate on perfecting my style. Striding out, I lift my hips, relax my shoulders and freely swing my arms. The cool air freezes my face, my body moves. There is nowhere else I would rather be.

As I trundle past the very spot my achillies snapped (a quick calculation in my head) exactly 18 months ago to this very day (ironic in itself), thoughts of my journey of returning to running come flooding back. The past 18 months has been an incredible roller coaster, physically, mentally and emotionally. A time that seemed could not pass fast enough, is simply over and I have popped out at the other end. A place I never thought I would reach at the time. Emotions deluge my mind as a lump builds in the back of my throat. I feel I finally can realise the ride I have been on. The amazing ability the human body has to heal and recreate itself. Most of all the true understanding of achieving something you set out to do. After they hype and excitement of the moment dies down. Believing in yourself and the unforeseeable future. I did it J.