Here’s a little anecdote for you.
Back in my day (2007! time, where hast thou gone?), we didn’t have to pass the 27-in-5. It wasn’t a 25-in-5 either. Nope. We had to be able to skate 20 laps in 5 minutes in order to be bout eligible. I knew this going into my tryout for the Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls. I also knew that we didn’t really need to be able to pass it in order to be taken in for training. (Like many leagues in their second year of existence, their criteria were 1) did you show up to the tryout and 2) did you make it through without screaming obscenities at anyone.)
When I tried out, I got 19 laps in 5 minutes.
Including falling down.
And I felt great about it.
The thing is, I *almost* got 20! I only fell down because some other girl was flailing near me! If that hadn’t happened, I might even have gotten all the way to 20! Sure, I should have been able to handle some flailing, but still – I felt great about my accomplishment.
Obviously, it’s something I remember to this day. Actually passing my 20-in-5? No recollection.
Small victories: it’s all relative.
Photo by Joey Cannon via Flickr creative commons
What’s your favorite small victory? Maybe you jammed against your hero and forced a calloff? Or not losing a game by as much as you thought you would? The first time you did a hockey stop and spun yourself around in a 360? Let’s us know in the comment.
I am really, really bad at this.
At commenting? At roller derby?
My first bout ever was a few months ago. I played in one jam during the entire game, but in that one jam I DIDN’T FALL DOWN! Staying upright on my own two skates (and being able to participate in the game at all) may seem small to more seasoned vets, but they were victories to me nonetheless
Nice! I felt the same way about my first rec league practice back after baby. Sure, it wasn’t anything too hardcore, but I didn’t fall down! My first scrimmage back? Different story.