BLOOD ON THE TRACK: A Fresh Bloods Journey Into Roller Derby
Chapter One – FEAR & 40
July 3rd, 2008 was the day that I turned 40. This was also the day that I decided to stop being afraid. Afraid of failing. Afraid of succeeding. Most of all, afraid of living.
The day I turned 40, I went skydiving.
The week I turned 40, I started riding motorcycles.During my 40th year I met a girl named Jill – You know her as J-Bone.
In the Spring of 2009 – J-Bone started talking about Roller Derby – All derby ALL the time! Every time I saw her – Derby. Meeting up for coffee – Derby. While she was doing all of my tattoos – Derby. DERBY, DERBY, DERBY!!! I didn’t really get it. My only knowledge of Roller Derby was an old Charlie’s Angels episode from the 1970’s, banked track and a lot of clothes lining and elbows to the face. Still, J-Bone was my friend and she was clearly excited about her new endeavor. Never one to slow down, the life of a Derby Girl really seemed to suit her. In fact, I’d never seen her so happy. I was happy for her.
Then it started.
“Marcy, you should come to a bout”
“Yeah, sure, I will”
“Hey Marcy, when are you coming to a bout”
“Soon Jill, soon”
“Marcy, you’re athletic – you kickbox and play soccer, hockey etc – You should try out for Derby!”
“Um, huh??”
There was that nagging fear again. Me, play roller derby? I’m in my 40’s!! I’m too old – too busy – too tired – too…you get the idea.
I suppose I could have come up with a thousand and one reasons why NOT. The truth was, I was afraid. Afraid of falling down, afraid of not being able to skate, afraid of looking silly, afraid of (insert illogical reason here)
Then I went to a Roller Rebels Bout – It was the Intra-League Championship Bout – and I had an amazing time – and I didn’t understand ANYTHING!! I made J-Bone give me a tutoring session a few days later to explain what the heck you ladies were doing out there. What does a Jammer do? How do you score points? Why the heck was everyone getting sent to the penalty box?
Then I went to another bout – LIRR v. Molly Rogers Roller Girls – THIS was the psychic change moment for me and Derby – By the 2nd half of the bout, I.Just.Got.It – It all made (sort-of) sense. I was on my feet, screaming, cheering and getting hoarse! My heart was pumping and by the end of the final jam, I was a little veklempt (that’s Yiddish for choked-up).
I went to the after party and took in the pride of a bout well played, and watched all the girls languish in the “Sisterhood” that seems to permeate from Roller Derby. And at that moment I knew I wanted to know what that felt like. So, on November 17th, 2009 – all 41 years of me stopped being afraid and showed up at United Skates in Seaford, checked my fear and my pride at the door, laced up a pair of rental quads, and pushed off on my journey into Roller Derby. Fresh Blood Marcy was born.
More to come.
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