Watch out for CROSSFIT STACIE!!!
The sport of roller derby is becoming increasingly more athletic. Even since playing with Denver's Mile High Club for one and a half years, I've noticed a difference in athleticism from last year to this year. It has been incredible to watch and play against skaters who are noticeably stronger by doing some sort of cross-training in conjunction with their regular roller derby practices. I am fairly new to playing sports, roller derby being the second sport I have ever played (so long as jump roping counts as a sport), and continuously inspired to be the best all around player I can be.
Unfortunately, like the majority of those who play roller derby, funding travel, gear and dues is a feat in and of itself, let alone having the extra monetary resources to cover a gym membership. I've also realized I thrive in a structured environment. While I have the discipline to go workout on my own, I don't have the drive to push myself as hard as I could with other people. I decided to look into some of the gyms and respective classes that Denver has to offer and ask if they would let me train with them for trade. I contacted a CrossFit gym and received a response from the owner, Leslie Friedman and am STOKED to be attending two classes a week.
I can read your mind now that you've seen the word "CrossFit" and I get it. Typically when you hear the word CrossFit, the burned image of a steroid pumping, weight lifting maniac resurfaces in your mind. Maybe because that's what the media often portrays or maybe because you've seen it for yourself first hand. Just last night I was reading a post from someone who went to a CrossFit gym for the first time and saw written on the wall something to the affect of "even if you're puking or bleeding, just don't quit." Despite all the negative feedback that I've read about CrossFit, I also know there is benefit to it, just like any sort of excercise where you are willing to push yourself.
Form is everything. If you don't have proper form, the results will lack tremendously. This is something I am having to remind myself. I tend to jump into things and just figure it out as I go because I want to be the strongest and fastest and best RIGHT NOW. But the truth is, that only comes with time. As well, because of the nature of CrossFit, increasing weight too quickly without proper form can result in injury, sometimes permanently. That's been enough incentive for me to ease into it as I start working with Leslie and the rest of the trainers at CrossFit DeCO.
All that being said, this blog is dedicated to my progress. I'm going to be keep track of each day's exercises along with their weight, as well as all the practices and on-skates activities. I know that my ultimate goal of being the best at roller derby is going to take time, especially with the sport ever changing. But I'm OK with that, because I'll be able to look back and see where I started and how far I've come. LET'S DO THIS!
The first week consisted of "Fundamentals" classes. They were able to consolidate them for me from four class to two 90-minute classes. We went over different lifts: dead lifts, push press, and all the others that I can't remember the names of right now. I'll admit, it was a little overwhelming trying to remember the proper technique for each, but they sort of build on each other which made it less daunting. We also reviewed proper form for pullups and learned how to do "double unders" with a jump rope. I was glad that my two years of jump roping came into play here (though I prefer my jump ropes; there, I said it). Both classes ended with a 10 minute workout and while we didn't work with any weight, I was sore the next day.
Day 1:
I must say, I was a bit nervous going to the first class. Even though I went to the Fundamentals classes, I still wasn't sure what to expect: pace, expected weight, scary vein-popping humans.
Once I arrived at the gym and realized the other people in the 4:30 class weren't muscle bulging yelling lunatics, my mind was put to ease. I looked around and saw a few others stretching a little before class started, so I went right into the dynamic stretches we do for derby.
Haven, the trainer for the day, was super helpful in explaining each piece of each exercise, the goal, and the expectancy if not able to meet the goals within the time limitations. I kept the weight lower than what was on the board to ensure my form was correct. Plus, only a few weeks before Playoffs, so no need to injure myself.
Day 2
Today I was feeling less intimidated and excited to go pump some iron, as Arnold would say. I read through the board as I did my few dynamic stretches and understood about half of what was written, which maybe helped me not feel one way or another about the day's workout plan.
It was the first time since...I'm not sure when...that I did some rope climbs. Haven taught me the proper way to shimmy the rope up around your foot as you climb, and the proper way to leverage it for coming back down. I decided to only go halfway up the rope in the case that I would fall in trying to adjust the rope correctly. And at that, I only lasted a few. Maybe I'd have less reservations if it wasn't so far into the roller derby season, or maybe that was my way of making it OK in my head.
Week Schedule:
Mon. 08.18 - MHC @ 6:30pm
Tue. 08.19 - CrossFit [Day 1] @ 4:30pm, Bruising @ 6:30pm
Wed. 08.20 - Scrimmage!
Thur. 08.21 - Home Team @ 6:30pm, MHC vs GC scrimmage @ 8:30pm
Fri. 08.22 - CrossFit [Day 2] @ 4:30pm
Sat. 08.23 - Home Team Champs @ 7pm
Sun. 08.24 - Rest/pajamas
