I haven’t been doing derby for very long to date. I started mid November 2008. This is meant to be a running list of things I’ve noticed along the way and thought other people new to roller derby would like to know.  Feel free to comment and add to it.

So here they are, in no particular order:

• Derby girls love them some stickers, knee socks, tights and fishnets.
• If you are a big girl, or your shit bounces around when you work out, invest in Spanx! And a good sports bra. Trust me on this.
• Stretch properly; pay special attention to ankles, shins and other leg muscles. Don’t forget the rest of your body though, especially your neck and back. Hold stretches for at least a minute.
• Don’t skip a good warm up or cool down. Your muscles will make you PAY, they will make you PAY DEARLY!
• Don’t curl your toes while skating; it contributes to uber painful shin splints.
• Invest in a ton of Ibuprofen, Icy Hot and ice packs.
• Ask for assistance when buying your first pair of skates, try someone else’s on so you get a proper fit. I can’t stress this enough. Skates are an investment; you get what you pay for.
• Don’t use brute force to take the bearings out of your wheels. You’ll screw them up (I learned this the hard way). Save old bearings for outdoor skates.
• Bearings; the larger the number the faster the bearing, the faster you’ll go. Weeee!
• Wheels; the higher the rating number the harder the wheel. The best choice is based on what surface you are skating on.. DO YOUR RESEARCH!
• You can get your old wheels re-grooved to save $$.
• Get the mouth guards that strap to your helmet, otherwise there will come a time you have to chase your mouth guard down, and put it back in your mouth after it bounces across the dirty, disgusting, germ infested rink.
• The more time on your skates the better. Besides at practice wear your skates around the house; go to open skates at your local skating rink, trail skate on nice days.
• Skate with your pads, always. Even when you aren’t at practice.  I don’t care if you feel like a total douche bag, DO IT! (Knee pads, wrist guards minimum)
• Eat enough good carbs a few hours (depending on your metabolism) before practice or a bout, so your muscles have enough glycogen stored up to get you through a grueling 2 hours.
• Eat protein or drink a protein shake after practice to help repair muscles.
• Squats, lunges, push ups and sit ups are your friends, do a ton of each daily. DAILY I SAY!
• The louder you belch or fart, the better.
• Strategy, Strategy, Strategy
• Drink a lot of water, all day, everyday.
• Never give up, keep on pushing.