Anyone else with growing pains???

[Masuimi Smax]

I'm in an awkward phase in my derby life. I'm not quite freshmeat anymore and I'm not exactly an "all star." Its more like an intermediate player with growing pains.
There are some team issues which does attribute to my leaving the nest early and bouting before I had a better set of skills. One of which is we just did not have enough girls. It seems as if I hit puberty too early and don't know what to do with myself.
My derby career entails already having bouted 4 times and have been on the time for a year to date. I just feel like I'm trying to play catch up. There is set skill level in my arsenal that is above what some of the newer girls have but on the other hand the veterans on my team can still squash me like a bug.
What I have resolved to do it work outside of practice on balance, strength, endurance and flexibility.

[Killer Lite]

Cross-training can be your friend. If you coach isn't aware of some sort of plyometrics exercises for you, find someone who does. I started doing an intense workout program this summer, and even though it makes you sore as hell for a little while until you build muscle, I've definitely seen slight improvements in enduance and speed.

[Masuimi Smax]

I've been getting alot of positive feed on plyometrics. Definitely going to add it into my routine. Which ones do you suggest? Thanks

[Grrrl Friday]

Haha. Yes, I hear you on this. I just joined the Houston Rec League (for new, retired and injured skaters) in August and I was hoping to try out in January. I overheard someone else talk about how much two skaters on the Rec League improved, and how "you should have seen them when they first joined a year ago."

Eeek. "A year ago?!" I thought. "Does it take that long?" But you're right, everyone moves at their own pace AND whether you get picked for a team or not can depend on more than your skill-set. If the league is low on skaters they might be willing to pick up a few who have promise but need some work.

Another bit of wisdom I've heard is that most skaters improve in a series of plateaus. It's like walking up a flight of stairs that has several landings - you get better and better and then you seem to coast for a while on that landing not getting any better or worse. But eventually you'll break past that and start improving again. Just keep your chin up and maintain a good attitude.

[Masuimi Smax]

The stairs and landing analogy is great grrl friday! I agree about the step and landings I have since improved greatly but am leveling off again.

[Dorothy Santos]

Carmen Getsome from the Rat City Rollergirls created a great plyometrics video. Also, jam skating has helped a lot with my balance and stabilization. :)