Derby Wear - Socks, Tights, Legwarmers

I love tights. Even when I am not skating. I also love over the knee and thigh high socks.  I live in one of the coldest places in the country. I think we were ranked number 3 in the nation last year. So I am always looking for sites that have a large selection of tights and socks that I can layer under my skirts in the winter and wear to practice to protect my legs. I like the over the knee socks because I can wear them with my knee pads and protect my tights from the velcro on my pads.


I was just browsing on Pinterest tonight and came across this site http://www.sockdreams.com . It is by far the best I have ever seen. They have a VERY LARGE selection of socks, tights, and leg warmers. 


I wanted to share this with anyone who reads my blog and loves their leg wear.

Practicing Booty Blocks

At practice last Wednesday I got to participate in blocking and jamming drills for the first time since I had hurt my ribs.  I am definitely not as skilled as my teammates but they encouraged me every I was the jammer to get through the pack.  It was fun, encouraging, and exciting as I realized I was moving better. The work I had done on my foot work and endurance was showing . I left practice that night feeling like I was getting better and excited that I got to practice drills with my team.


Sunday I arrived at practice and the only other player that showed up was our practice leader. We don't officially have a coach yet. She wants to play so she leads practice but we don't call her coach.  As we skated to warm up, she talked to me about my abilities. She told me she didn't feel I was really ready to hit and be hit. Concerned that I would get hurt, she said she had some drills I could do on my own to practice blocking. This may have, in the past, taken the wind out of my sails. Crushing me to the point of giving up. But I know I have come a long way and I am realistic about my abilities. I am slower, weaker, less balanced and less agile than the rest. I want to get it right  and be able to kept up with my team. And not get too terribly hurt.


So for practice that night I got some really good one on one help from this wonderful teammate. We worked on Booty blocks and hitting with hip and shoulder. We practiced against the wall, then stationary as a pair, then on the track.  By the time we finished I felt like I had done squats for an hour. But I also felt like I had REALLY learned some new skills. I knew what muscles need work. What things I can practice while drills are going on that, for now, I will not participate in.


I am at the gym 4 days a week and try to make 3 out of 4 practices a week. I am improving all the time and I know with continued work I will pass the skills test someday and get to play. Until then, I will serve my team anyway I can.

Volunteering Can Pay For The Things You Need!

It’s Labor Day. Fall is here in our high valley.  Hockey season is upon us. That also means we will soon lose our practice space.  When they put down the ice, we will have to put up our skates till spring unless we can find another space.  We live in a small mountain town and that is a problem for us.  We are searching, asking, exploring and searching some more to find a practice space. Not giving up hope that we will find a home for the fall and winter months.

In the meantime, I am setting up my exercise routine for the cold seasons.  Walking and bike riding are quickly coming to an end. I have to find another way to get my workouts in.  We live on a very limited budget so purchasing a gym membership is out of the question.  I am not very good at working out at home. There are too many distractions that I have a hard time ignoring. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, baby, computer, etc, distract me and I am always putting it off, then everyone comes home and nightly activities begin.

I am lucky that I live in an area where volunteering in return for goods and services is available.  Volunteer at the Farmers Market and receive a bag of fresh produce. Volunteer at a public service meeting and receive a free dinner.  My favorite, volunteer 2 hours a week of childcare at a local fitness center and receive a full membership.  6 month commitment required. PERFECT! For the price of two hours of my time, and I can take my baby with me, I can get my workouts in if we lose our place to skate. As an added bonus, I can add a routine at the gym to the practice schedule I have now and hopefully improve my performance and skill level before we have to put up the skates.  I can practice some things in my garage this winter, so I won’t be packing away the skates, but keeping up the cardio workouts will now be possible

.

So if you have limited means check out your local fitness centers.  You may be surprised at what you have to do to get a discounted or free membership.