Worse than it looks....

That's....it? From a fall that felt like the bone was going to pop out the skin like an overripe pimple on a Domino's employee forehead? That's had me wincing every time I sit down all day? Granted, it's the angriest shade of purple I've seen this side of paintball. Still, it looks tremendously weedy given the sore and the ouch and the bag of peas down my pants for half of training and then SISTER WRECK'D ME PUNCHING THE BLOODY THING.

The lesson there is that you can't rely on impressive hits to deliver impressive bruises. Last night's training was the final one before the bout Saturday night, and as the clock runs down we're following our diets and exercise plans and getting ourselves ready for what feels as important as a grand final. Mascara Massacre has the feel of a team with something to prove, to ourselves if nothing else. We've worked incredibly hard for this, and I think that no matter what happens we'll have given absolutely everything we have.

Speaking of diets, after my little pause and hum over being told I wasn't eating enough earlier in the month, I appear to have got over the hump. Porridge for breakfast, the obligatory toast and peanut butter for lunch, and I'm getting better at remembering to eat (and cook!) in the evenings and that snacking is fine. I think I needed the brain dump after being told that to sort out a few bits and bobs in my head (and a massive thank you to everyone who e-mailed, facebooked and spoke to me about that post, pretty awesome to know there are all these people out there in my corner!).

The blog is nearly up to 3000 views since I started it in January. Things have changed for me immensely in that time, both in derby and in the real world. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who reads this, it's pretty cool that other people find this readable! After the bout I'll be reviewing Gumball toe-stops (had them a wee while, been giving them a thorough going-over), Pro-Tech Dent mouthguards (apparently the best in derby, can't be worse than my current $10 special from the pharmacy) and a load of other stuff. If you've got something you want me to write about, share, review or whatever, then get in touch!

Faceplants and pre-bout panic

It's been a little while since I updated on what's new with me (you lucky people) so here's a wee rundown.

Still going to the gym, though knacked my wrist a bit at kickboxing yesterday morning. Loving it though, it gives me a real workout that complements derby pretty well (lots of core, and the abs take a bit of a beating). MY lovely mum sent me the Jillian Michaels: 30 Day Shred DVD, which a few of my mates in the UK have been raving about (each workout takes only 20 minutes) so I might get cracking on that over the Easter holidays. Not sure how it fits in with the gym and derby training (could it be a bit much) but at least I'll have some leisure time to get cracking into it! I shall review if I do.


I reached a bit of a weight loss milestone this week, dipping under 80kg for the first time since my teens. I know that still sounds heavy, but a lot of it is muscle and I'm looking pretty good I think! Despite earlier thoughts on it, it would be good to get down into the healthy BMI range, when I was last there I had just turned 18 and it seems somehow fitting to return there 10 years on. Pictures to come next weekend.

Why next weekend? BECAUSE IT'S BOUT DAY! Yup, the Pirate City Rollers Grad Bout for Chch is on the 16th April and yours truly will be rolling for the Red Team (OK, so we need a better team name). It's a nice wee curtain opener before the season starts proper in May, word has it Mascara will be playing so here's hoping! I bought a cheeky wee pair of denim hotpants and red tights for my boutfit, but all I could get shirt-wise was a $12 v-neck from the Warehouse, which I intend customise the bejaysus out of before Saturday. The Socks of Bad Ass will also be worn, and I am a little excited. I also got my very own set of Heartless wheels (seen here being investigated by one of my rats), and have some Gumball Toe Stops on order from One Woman 8 Wheels, after they made their debut at the NZ trials last weekend. Reviews and such on the way, once I've had a chance to give them a going over. They look the business though, and should hopefully help with turnaround toe stops and running starts.

Training for this bout hasn't been too intense, which is giving me a couple of concerns about my skills to play in front of several hundred people on a Saturday night. However, Mascara Massacre have gelled really well in scrimmage trainings, and I've been trying out in the blocker 1 (Pivot) position and blocker 3, which have been great. I've only jammed on a few occasions the last few weeks, with mixed results. I really, really need to work on my juking and dodging skills as a jammer, and on my hitting skills in the blocker position. Yesterday, Pieces of Hate took us for a fantastic blocking training (which left me with a lot of bruises) and gave me a lot more confidence to actually hit someone. Unfortunately, I clocked my training partner and derby sister Peku Lemu a couple of times in the jaw as I came up too high, but she hit me back so I feel we're about even.

Peku and I started derby about the same time and trained together a lot last year. We're not derby "wives" but we're sisters on the track and I love her to pieces. She's made me some beautiful jewellery (in team colours!) and even though we're on different teams this year, we're still close. Even when we're smacking each other in the face, like last night.

I narrowly missed a nasty hit yesterday when Lime-Y-Nigma did an awesome block on me on the outside of a corner during a drill. The walls of our rink are very close to the track, and with the speed and forces involved, the physics was set up for me to slam straight into the wall. Luckily, the only injuries sustained are a few glorious bruises, on my left hip and right ass-cheek. I consider myself to have got away pretty lightly....

Today I embark on a much-needed time out from the last few months. I'm travelling to the Coromandel peninsula, on a yoga weekend with the Ashram Yoga Studio.  I figured a bit of time out from the city, work, derby and everything else would do me the power of good. Now it's happened I'm having a bit of an "I've got too much to do to go anywhere!" feeling, but it'll be awesome once I'm there. I shall, of course, write it all up when I get back. Will I return calm and relaxed, in touch with my inner skate yogini? Or will I come back with a burning hatred of all things Om? I am entering an arena outside my comfort zone.