Roller Derby Workout Challenge -- WEEK SIX

I've taken a bit of time off from updating this blog about my RDW Challenge progress. Which is apropos since there doesn't seem to be any progress.

It's the dreaded Plateau.

Waiting....waiting....waiting....waiting....When is SOMETHING going to happen?

Up until week six, I'd been following the workout plans pretty diligently and the meal plans exactly. I haven't seen any change -- no change in my endurance or speed, no change in my muscle tone, no change in my pant size or the way my clothes fit -- and it messed with my head a little.

I thought I had fallen off the wagon before, but it was nothing compared to this week.

• I didn't go to a SINGLE roller derby practice all week.
• I stopped following the meal plan about midway through the week.
• I didn't do any exercising AT ALL.

And on a personal note, I also didn't touch the dishes all week. My kitchen looked like a Tupperware party interrupted by Armageddon. Just plastic containers, rotting food, blood, and body parts everywhere. (All true, except for the blood and body parts.)

I want to justify this by saying, sometimes you can only break through a Plateau by changing things up. Which is true, but screeching to a halt during a challenge like this also makes you feel shit. I felt like shit ALL week. Consequences are a bitch.

I really didn't have a lot of time to make practice or exercise. My job as a basketball coach is sucking up all the time I used to give to derby, but this week made me realize that if I don't take care of my body it won't take care of me. EXHIBIT A: I woke up with a heinous cold. Thanks immune system.

Even with said heinous cold, I dragged myself to Fresh Meat tonight trying desperately to get back on the RDW track. I shaved 5 seconds off my 25-in-5 time on what could possibly the world's stickiest floor. During endurance drills, I found myself passing people that used to pass me. And I had a serious epiphany about pushing during my crossovers. I also threw up in my mouth twice, but I still feel amazing!!

So maybe I was wrong to think there hasn't been any change and that I've plateaued. I plan on continuing this challenge after it's over and I need to be prepared for days or weeks where I don't EXACTLY hit the mark. But as roller derby is always teaching me:

EVERYBODY FALLS DOWN AND IF YOU WANT TO PLAY,

YOU'VE GOT TO LEARN TO GET BACK UP.