Upheaval

Yaaay! The draft is over! It's amazing how relieved everyone is about that, no matter how things worked out for them. The weight of the wait has been lifted, the dust has settled, and emotions are returning to normal levels. I thought a lifetime of auditions would prepare me for draft, but this was unlike anything I've ever done before.

First off, no I did not get drafted, but that's ok. Really, it is. I remember how hard and scary training team practices were when I first started, and I know that as we get ramped up for the home season, the home team practices are going to get more like those first training team practices were. While I know now that I can handle it, I'd rather go into it feeling more prepared. I know I still have a long way to go in my training, and I'd rather join a home team when I've improved more. So next draft, look out!

Really, the hardest part of this has been seeing how upset my other non-drafted teammates have been. I've gotten so close to these girls over the last 8 months, that it's hard to see them hurting. But, as the league says, we're going to rub some dirt in it and get back on the track. We're going out to dinner Friday to re-group and get our heads on straight. There are only 5 of us left. We start regular practices on Sunday with the new girls, which will be an interesting experience. It will be good to get back to basics of form and strength. You can never practice these things enough, and they can only make you a better skater. It will be odd, though, to start over with a new group of people.

My focal points, this time around are strength, and form. Bring on the lunges and supermans, the one foot crossovers, the wall sits, and the sticky skate exercises! I'm going to be a derby machine.