# So.... I might be running away from home to join the roller derby.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-might-be-running-away-from-home-to-join-the-roller-derby/518219>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [November 19, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-might-be-running-away-from-home-to-join-the-roller-derby/518219 "2009-11-19T23:31:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-might-be-running-away-from-home-to-join-the-roller-derby/518219/21 "2009-11-20T16:29:11Z")

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> [@Zsofia](#):
>
> Himself spent a good hour yelling at me about it - he offered to sell his motorcycles if I would agree not to go. WTF?

Now that’s true love!

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**Author:** ![Constant\_Reader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8edcca/32.png) [@Constant\_Reader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Constant_Reader)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-might-be-running-away-from-home-to-join-the-roller-derby/518219/22 "2009-11-20T17:36:42Z")

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Do it. Seriously, do it and don’t let someone else make the decision for you.

Stop telling yourself that you’re fragile and just do it. It’s a great sport for building confidence, strength and agility. Plus, once you get the pads and helmet on and learn how to fall the fear leaves you.

Almost ALL roller girls I’ve talked to hadn’t skated in 10-20 yrs or at all before signing up for derby. Skating for derby is much different than skating with your friends. You are taught how to skate, how to fall, how to not hurt yourself.

I just started training to try out for my local team this year. I’m 34 yrs old, in no shape, clumsy as all get out and prone to bruising. I LOVE it. I have muscles in my legs that I never knew existed, I’m standing taller, I don’t fall as much as I used to and just have so much more physical confidence. The woman involved are all incredibly supportive and I aspire to their athleticism and confidence.

Please just try 🙂

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**Author:** ![Rack-a-Bones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rack-a-Bones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rack-a-Bones)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-might-be-running-away-from-home-to-join-the-roller-derby/518219/23 "2009-11-20T18:02:01Z")

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> [@Zsofia](#):
>
> Himself spent a good hour yelling at me about it - he offered to sell his motorcycles if I would agree not to go. WTF?

WTF indeed. Well, like I said before I doubt you will be mixing it up on day one. Go and first see if you can skate. I’m sure they have some kind of process for easing you into it. You’ll probably know within minutes if it’s something you can do or not. Check the thread **twickster** linked to and maybe PM one of the roller ladies who posted there. But at least go and check it out.

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