Day 1 of the skills clinic GMDD did a great job with the location. The Champlain Valley Exposition center had enough skating space on a nice smooth concrete floor and a large open area for bags, stuff, and lunch tables. After a waffle breakfast at our Days Inn, we arrived right on time, but since there were so many people (close to 100 I'd say, maybe 80ish) lined up to register and sign in and stuff, it started late Of course, don't all derby things start a little behind schedule?

Bonnie D Stroir and Bully Julie are both really good all around skaters, with some great skills advice and training. I'll do a better write up when I am less sweaty and tired, but I learned a lot of new drills, and after months off-skate, I learned it will take me a few more times doing derby to get my toughness back. I can take hits fine, but I was a little rough at giving them. I won't beat myself up too much though, I was skating with a swollen knee and made it until about 4 o'Clock before I had to pack in the skates and get an ice pack. I'll get the results of my Thursday Morning Ultrasound Monday or Tuesday.

All in all, it was a sweaty, tiring, dehydrating, painful day. But it was also fun, a great learning experience and a networking experience. Of course, there are those that want to talk to you that you don't care for, and your closer friends you gravitate to, but you still can hang with new people

I liked it and I am glad I came. It's very crowded though, and smaller training skills camps might be better in future. Note to self: Practice Practice Practice

Here is a little photo tour of the day, but remember, I can't very well take pictures WHILE I am training! :) I would like to send GET WELL wishes to GMDD's player (Puma) that broke her jaw and split her chin after performing a very good hockey stop demo, ran into a steel pillar and face planted into the floor. Stitches and jaw wiring suck, and I hope she recovers quickly.