Just a couple weeks shy of four years ago, I attended my first Old Capitol City Roller Girls practice.
Little did I realize, that on that night, my entire life would change.
Kimberly-A
thirty three year old married woman with four little girls ages 4 and
18 months. I had not been involved with team sports since middle
school, I had not been on roller skates for fifteen years (okay maybe
more than that.) Not to mention, for the last 18 months (plus 33 weeks
of pregnancy/nine of which I was on hospital bed rest) I had been caring
for my triplet daughters and my little Chloe girl. I needed to find
something to do...all for me. Something to ease tension and get back
into shape (or at least better shape.) Something to make me feel
confident and strong. Don't misread...I LOVE BEING A WIFE AND A MOMMY.
I just needed something to take me out of reality a few hours a week.
I
went to this practice with my pal "Fonda Cuffs". She and I have been
friends for many years, and she invited me to tag along and check this
roller derby thing out. I remember being so nervous. What if I was too
old? Too out of shape? What if I didn't fit in? What if I
embarrassed myself? I left the practice, (which was really just five
women and one referee talking about how to get this league going) went
home and immediately started looking online for my skates and my gear.
Matt was so supportive. He thought it was so great and was happy to see
me smile and be excited about this new "hobby" I had found.
Fast forward to July 2010.
My
"hobby" had turned into, well, a full blown part of my everyday life.
Kind of like a full time job that you didn't receive a check to do.
(Like motherhood, rewarding in so many other ways that it is worth it.
You receive "payment" in other capacities.) It makes you feel good,
whole, important and accomplished. Practices, board member
responsibilities, board meetings, human resources, scheduling
practices/bouts, bouts, fundraisers, planning, promoting,
paperwork....so many aspects to running a league. I proudly shared in
much of the business side of the league, as well as being a rostered
skater, and I did love it, but it was a lot of responsibility and a lot
to keep up with.
July
2010, I was scheduled to have a surgery on my legs to relieve a
problem called "compartment syndrome." This annoying and painful
swelling in my lower legs was something I had been fighting through
since joining the team in Octber 2008. It was a fairly simple surgery
and I would be off skates six to eight weeks post surgery, and then back
better than before...Just a few days before my scheduled surgery, I
blew my left knee at practice. I completely ruptured PCL and MCL and
dislocated the patella. I'll be honest, it was more painful than I
recall childbirth being, and also...no reward of a baby in your arms
when it's over. Long story short, in September 2010 I had major knee
surgery, and now have two donor ligaments in my knee. It was a long
recovery. Six weeks without being able to bend my leg. Eight weeks
with no weight baring and months of physical therapy, three times a
week. It was difficult, painful and discouraging, but it was just the
hand that life had dealt me, so I played it. I spent the next year
bench coaching. Being a positive force on the team, even if it was from
the bench and not on my skates. I continued with all of the other jobs
I had and I was confident in my role as a coach. However, I knew in my
heart that skating was where I wanted to be. I was determined to get
there. I would get there. I can do anything I set my sights on, right?
I did.
On
June 11, 2011 I was cleared to put my skates back on. No contact or
falling yet, but at least I could test my sea legs or knee rather.
After two more months, in September 2011, one year exactly from surgery,
I was clear for contact. Completely released for all activities
(although my surgeon thought I was crazy).
I
worked and worked and worked for the remainder of the season, trying to
get back to where I felt I should be. Playing catch up with myself and
with the league overall. The game had evolved so much while I had been
off skates. Although I had the mental game and the strategy knowledge
on my side...my body and skills were lagging. The new season of bouting
began in February 2012. We traveled to Minnesota to play the
All-Stars. (How's that for my first bout back! The Minnesota All
Stars!) It was a tough game, mentally and physically and emotionally.
It felt fantastic to be ON the track again with my team. Although we
lost (badly) I learned so much. About derby, about myself, about myself
in the role of an athlete. I felt proud. I was doing it. I was skating again!
Fast forward to late summer 2012.
I
have continued in all of my leadership roles within the team this year,
as well as skating again. My knee feels great. (Although the rest of
my body feels really really old.) The season has been a tough one,
which is good, because we are growing as a league and becoming more
competitive with amazing teams. I have always been of the mind set that
it's not about winning or losing, but about having fun. Doing what you
do because it makes you happy. Derby has always made me happy.
Then
I hurt my shoulder during a practice. At first I thought I had pulled a
muscle, but not the case. Still not exactly sure what is happening
with it, as I have not had an MRI. However, I know that there is
something that isn't right with it. I have continued to skate through it because I did not want to quit. I did not want to be injured again.
The
entire season has had several challenges for me individually. I have
that little voice in the back of my mind thinking...what if you get hurt
again? What if. I have battered and bullied myself for not being as
good as I want to be, not as good I have told myself I have to be. Of
course I have my strong points, and I know that. But, I feel as though
everyone around me is excelling and I am stuck in neutral. Honestly,
it's a bad feeling. A feeling that makes you cry inside and outside.
It hurts. So I started to do some soul searching. What is it? Why do I
feel this way? After several months of thought, back and forth
conversations with myself about what to do, I stepped out of a few of
my roles within the league, hoping that it would help ease things, but
it didn't change the way I was feeling inside. Always at maximum
stress, questioning why can't I be better? Angry at myself for feeling
like I was failing at something I wanted so much to be good at. Never feeling like I had enough time for anything.
I
have realized, the reason I feel this way, is because I have come to a
crossroad in my personal life, my babies are all in school this year,
and I don't want to be away from them in the evenings, because I miss
them. I want to be at home to read and do spelling tests and snuggle
after bath time, every night...not just five out of seven or less on
weeks we have bouts. I am taking full time classes,as well as taking on
clients and building my career, which takes a lot of time and focus to
be successful. I miss the free time with my husband. He has been 200%
supportive of derby since day one, but I miss him. It's difficult when
he has a night off work and I have to leave for practice or whatever
might be happening.
With
these heavy thoughts lingering in my heart and in my mind...I realized
that derby filled an opening in me as a woman. An opening I could never
really pinpoint. It made me confident and proud of myself for coming
out of my comfort zone and doing something unique and challenging.
Derby taught me that I am an amazing woman, an amazing mother and and an
amazing wife. Derby taught me so much about life, about me. So
really, the thoughts that I am feeling are not heavy or negative, they
are positive. Derby allowed me to find me.
The last four years have been an incredible journey.
I
wouldn't change anything about the way my derby story was played. The
series of events all happened for a reason. I am proud to say I was
part of OCCRG, a part of roller derby. I am so graced to have met so
many terrific people. People who have changed my life in so many
positive ways, people that love me and care about me. I know that those
people will be forever in my life, with derby or without derby. They
have made a hand print on my heart. I am honored to have helped build
this league and look forward to watching it continue to grow.
I am ecstatic looking toward my future... to be an old gray haired grandma, telling my grandchildren that I WAS once A ROLLER GIRL!
It is with sw33t tears, that I will hang up my skates after the bout on Friday night.
This chapter has come to an end.
I look forward to beginning the next chapter in my life's journey.
I always say, "Happiness is a Journey, not a Destination."
Yesterday Today and Forever ...
Just Sugar
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