Right now, I’m working on meeting a very specific athletic target. In roller derby, part of passing your minimum skills is to have the ability to skate 25 laps around the track in 5 minutes. To achieve this target, it takes a good combination of technique, skill, endurance and drive. As someone coming from a non-sporty background, I often find that my endurance runs out pretty fast and once I am tired, it affects my technique which then in turn affects my endurance, and so on.

I have plateaued in the 25/5 at around 24 to 24.5 laps in 5 minutes and I need to find the energy/drive/push to move up my speed by about 12 seconds. Initially it doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you’re in the moment, those 12 seconds make a big difference. Of course it is frustrating to be so close and not make it over and over. In my head, I can see myself doing it, but my head has not translated the reality of the task to my legs and body yet.

The trainers and coaches at CCDD been incredibly supportive of my efforts so far and have so many tips and tricks to help me succeed. They cheer, they threaten, they skate along side or behind me with words of encouragement and real time coaching. They analyze what I’m doing and give me feedback so that I can find that 12 seconds somewhere inside of myself and make it happen.
When it comes down to it though, even with all of the support I have going into this (which I appreciate to no end), I have to be able to do it on my own. I have to be able to reach down and pull out the ability to make this happen on the track.  Nobody can move my legs faster for me except me.

I have to remove any excuses that I have and just skate. Hard. And smart.
If my back hurts from leaning to the left, then I need to work on strengthening my back and core. If running on my toe stops will give me a quicker start, then I need to practice it until I’m a pro and can do it in a group of people.  If I feel like I’m running out of energy, then maybe I should feed and water myself more appropriately before practice. If I get to tired too quickly, I need to train myself off the track to push myself hard for 5 minutes until 5 minutes at top speed doesn’t knock me down.

I have to focus on my stride, stay low and make the most out of every move I make.

When I feel like I just can’t push anymore, I have suck it up and realize that it’s only 5 minutes and I can breathe/relax/curl into a fetal position later. I need to commit to every single second of the 5 minutes.

I’ve got to remove all of the obstacles that I feel like I am facing, keep working hard, and never give up.

**UPDATE** On Tuesday March 20th, I successfully completed the 25/5.  THANK YOU to all who encouraged and supported me while I made attempt after attempt after attempt.  I’m officially a Doll :)