What's it really like to play roller derby....and more importantly, what's it like to play long term.

   I am by no means old, but when it comes to the lifespan of a derby player I've been around the block. From my experience I would say the average derby girl plays for about 3.5 years. I joined the Charlotte Roller Girls back in February of 2008, it seems like ages ago. My life has changed so much since then. I quit my job as a teacher, went back to school and got my masters and now I'm transitioning from working in an academic library to working in a public library. I've had a serious boyfriend or two, had some deaths in the family, and moved 4 times. But one thing has always remained a constant in my life and that has been roller derby. 

          When I started playing I was only 22 in fact I was the youngest member of the team for a few years, I was still very green. I was just out of college and working full time. I didn't really have any friends of my own and wasn't all that close with my co-workers so when roller derby came into my life a lot of things changed. Other than work it because my new focus, I spent a lot of time at practices and going to events, working bouts and traveling with the team. As anyone who plays will tell you it is easy to become consumed by the sport itself. Old friends and relationships get left in the dust for the bright and shiny new world of roller derby.

            Roller derby will change you, make no doubts about it. You'll make some new friends, friends who will become like family to you. You will have days where every part of your body is screaming at you and it will take every ounce of strength you have to get up and go to practice. You will spend some nights in tears after a couch or a teammate yells at you. If you've never played a team sport before you will experience a high unlike any other when you become an integral part of a hard fought win. Your body will change and so will the way you think. 

           But what happens once the highs where off, when all your closest friends retire. When you are asked to step it up when sometimes all you want to do is walk away. I know this place well because it is where I am now. Five years is a long time for anything especially something as physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding as being a part of a player owned and operated organization. Add in the cost of replacing gear, paying dues, selling tickets, injuries, and of course the time commitment and it is easy to get burned out. I am surprised it took me this long to get here. It took me close to 5 years before I ever needed to take a break. I've even thought about walking away...finding something new, something less difficult. Yet, something still pulls me back to the track. There will always be a longing to put on a pair of skates and push my mind and body to their respective limits. On the other side of the coin, I'm ready to settle down. I want to start building a family and establishing my career and as those who play knows all too well derby can be a hindrance. When does enough become enough?

           I cannot answer that question for anyone but myself. I know that this week in particular has been a tough one for me. After tonight practice I will have spent 36 hours at work, 8.5 hours at practice, and maybe 6 waking hours with my boyfriend. I plan on leaving practice early tonight just to be home before 9:30 pm since I haven't done that all week. Obviously this is not a normal week; it has been heavy on the practices but necessary due to my work schedule. But even in a normal week where I go to 2 practices rather than 4 I still spend multiple hours working on derby related projects and errands for my committees. So where does a senior skater like myself go from here? I wish I knew the answer. I always said I'd play this sport until my body gives out, and now it’s more like my body gives out or my heart isn't in it anymore. I know someday my journey with the Charlotte Rollers Girls will end, hopefully in a blaze of glory....but most likely not. All I know is that this sport still makes me happy and when it no longer does I'll cross that bridge; but until then look out...because I'm coming for you!

XOXO