"Be Your Own Hero"

A little update about what has been going on with the team. We had a recruiting event at Cecil County's Library, the Elkton Branch, we watched "Whip It!." Since 3RRD is the only Roller Derby team in Elkton, this was to get the message out about how fun roller derby can actually be(minus the celebs, illegal blocking, etc. etc.) This was a fun event a few girls showed interest that were a little young but that still means in a few years they'll know where to look!
Something everyone should know going into roller derby, it's a full time job. Not the boring job you have now, it's the job you actually want. You don't get paid, and it's still all you want to do. I've realized within the past month that even if I can't skate well and I feel like I'm pushing myself to the limit and still not doing as great as I would like, it's still the reason I wake up at 8 to get ready for an open skate 30 minutes away. That being said we had a meeting about our first scrimmage! How exciting?! We're going to promote a shit ton and try to get the word out to everyone. I still haven't taken my skills assessment, and probably (unless I all the sudden know how to skate) will end up not being able to skate in the scrimmage which sucks but at the same time it'll probably be the first time I see an actual bout in person! We talked about a lot of things, and it made me nervous but SUPER excited to see how it's going to turn out. We're making progress and it's awesome to see something take shape.
Practice on Sunday was mostly endurance, but it was challenging not repetive so that made it that much better. We practiced knee falls and falling short for a good 15 minutes and now I have a bruise as big as a tennis ball under my knee cap. TIP: When looking for knee pads DO NOT buy ones that come in a three pack, mine are triple 8's which is what a lot of derby girls wear. I made the mistake of buying Triple 8 inline pads, which is NOT like falling on pillows, more like bricks. So, I ordered new fancy smancy Smith Scabs Elites with Leopard print! Hopefully that feels better, I'll update.

FM AMANDA

FM Amanda

My name is Amanda and I joined 3RRD on November 3, 2010.

I started skating on October 29th, open skates have been my saviors. One day I just got in my head that I needed to be involved in something and starting tossing around the idea of joining a roller derby team. Philly Roller Girls were the obvious option because I live right outside the city. After awhile I realized that besides the fact they're league is very difficult to get on and that you have to be 21 to even show up, I decided to brush up on my skills at open skates and try out in a year. Then I found out about 3RRD which made everything come full circle. I bought a pair of Riedell Carerra's from my local skating rink and a few pads, then I was set.

Showing up to open recruitment has been one of my proudest moments. As dumb as it sounds, I'm not into sports. In high school I wouldn't be caught dead cheering on a team or being involved in ANYTHING. I actually hated being involved in school. So to be honest it was a real maturity test for me. I get shy easily and get frustrated when I can't do things that other people seem to do so naturally so for me to fall on my ass as much as I did and not get up and walk out the door really showed me how different Roller Derby is then anything I've ever tried.

Roller Derby quickly became everything I want to do with my life. I work full time all week and go to open skates almost every other day. I think about it when I wake up and when I'm laying in bed I think to myself all the things I need to improve on. I can barely keep up with anyone on my team but that doesn't matter. A lot of people assume roller derby girls are going to be rough and just expect you to know everything. That is not the case. From what I've learned is it's a common bond between girls that no matter what kind of background.. regardless of race, size, culture.. literally ANYthing is accepted. Everyone understands the difficulties and frustrations that come with trying to skate fast, hard and with all the passion in your body.

I decided to be apart of this blog because of all the people I ask to join the first words out of their mouth are "I haven't skated since..." and as a child/tween I was the girl who held on for dear life at the walls of the rink on the random two birthday parties I attended. The thing about not being able to skate goes out the window once you realize anyone can do it you just have to want it. And to be honest I don't think I've ever wanted something so bad in a long time, maybe even in my entire life.