In prep for Brandywine Roller Girls’ league play-offs this Saturday, October 20th at Caln Skating Center, we’ve lined up the fierce-and-flawless local derbying pack to chit-chat about what fuels the females pre-bout, what keeps them focused and “in-the-game” at the rink, and what energy-packed snacks they can’t live without.
But, before we dive into our county’s fearless gals’ food rituals, here’s a briefing on their background: The Brandywine Rollers Girls were founded in 2010 as Chester County’s first (and only!) all-girl, skater-owned, flat-track roller derby league. Now, two years later, they’re rocking a roster of over 60 roller-skating participants, beaming with extreme confidence and encouraging feisty, fresh meat to join in each week. The BRG league consists of three teams — Brass Knuckle Betties, Fallen Debutantes, Spell Razors — which collectively fields two travel teams (The Belligerents and The Brawlers) that feature a fine lineup of the league’s all-stars.
After hydrating all day with gatorade and water, I carb-load like crazy the night before the bout — love the mac and cheese from Jimmy’s BBQ in Malvern. Early breakfast the day of usually involves scrapple — personal favorite of mine is “The Telly” from the Market Street Grill. I eat light the rest of the day — banana, granola bars, etc. Before the whistle blows… I eat some Clif Shot’s Bloks, stretch and listen to my iPod.
—Crash Bansheekoot (Jill Azorlosa)
Everyone laughs at my pre-bout ritual because it starts 2-3 days before game day! Because you never know what kind of rink or conditions you’ll be skating in, my biggest concern for game day is hydration. So 2-3 days before a bout, I make sure I consume 90-120 ounces of water a day. On the actual day of the bout, I eat a hearty breakfast; usually a fried egg and cheese sandwich on spelt with a greek yogurt. For lunch, I stick with something light like hummus, veggies, and pita bread. I continue to hydrate with water and by 4 p.m., I make sure I’ve had 32 ounces of pomegranate juice (a GREAT source of potassium!). Seconds before the bout… I can’t eat large or heavy meals within 2 hours of skating, so I always make sure I have a stash of nuts on hand. I like to keep a tupperware full of almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries around; I grab a handful or two of this mix and it’s enough to make me feel full and fueled. —Cutthroat KC (KasCandra Dougherty)
I usually eat a big dinner filled with homemade pasta. Spaghetti, clams, mussels, scallops and shrimp. I usually eat a large amount like three giant plates! Seconds before the bouts? I honestly down a protein shake and run to derby. —Chuck Her Norris (Michelle Norris)
I don’t believe in carb-loading. To truly carb load, it’s a week-long process with rest from activity. Many people think you can just eat a lot of carbs the day before competition. Prior to a bout, I like to eat a balanced diet with a good source of protein. I also make sure that I eat three square meals that include a protein in each… that’s something that I don’t always do with a 4-year-old at home. I can feel the difference in my performance if I accidentally skip a meal in the 24 hours before a bout. Bout-time snacks? Glucose blocks and Gatorade during a bout. —Fear N. Loathin’ (Laura Orfanelli)
The night before, my husband takes me out to Teca for their penne alla vodka. YUM! I also have a glass of wine to cool the nerves. The day of, I’m a ball of nerves, so if I eat at all, it’s a big breakfast at Market Street Grill — typically something carby and sweet like Texas toast or pancakes. Then, I have nothing until after the bout at about 9 p.m. when everyone is starving! That’s when Jimmy’s BBQ (one of our sponsors) brings us delicious ribs, chicken, mac & cheese and more! During bouts? Clif Bars (I can’t eat too much during a bout — it’s just too stressful and my stomach can’t handle it). —Dame Thrower (Jessica Parker-Smith)
I like to go to BJ’s and get steak, and cook that for the family the night before. I don’t believe in carb-loading, so the day of the bout, I try to do what my Sensei told me before testing for my green belt in Cuong Nhu: “Eat a little bit of everything (for breakfast). Eggs, fruit, veggies, bagels!” I eat a huge breakfast at home and make sure I have loads of stuff like eggs, veggies, fruit. It’s always worked for me for any event, and it’s what I stick with. For lunch, I usually wait to eat until about 2-3 p.m. and then eat a salad or a small sandwich — usually from Wawa! Bout-time grub? Bananas. I’m not sure why this does it for me, but it takes the “shakes” out of my legs, makes me feel energized and ready to take on whatever! —Emma D JennaRat (Jennifer Ratkowski)
I’m often working at my retail job up until the call time for bouts, when we need to prepare the track, set-up the penalty box, and more. I’m eating a Clif bar (or two) for breakfast/while at work. I like these protein bars because I’m allergic to nuts, and many of their flavors are safe for me to eat. Between work and the bout, I do need to eat something to get me through the bout, but I can’t eat anything too greasy or heavy (so fast-food is out). At the rink, a hot dog works well while I’m preparing the bout paperwork. If I can eat before I get to the rink, it’s a slice of pizza from Peace a Pizza or Sbarro. During bouts? Mountain Dew. —SmackTavish (Kelly Schmitt)
Hi, my name is Anya and I am addicted to food. I can’t help it, I love food. My digestive tract and I have a love-hate relationship. I can’t eat junk on a regular basis because my stomach will slap me around. As a result my pre-bout routine doesn’t really change from my normal daily diet. My approximate water intake is that of a small lake and I make sure I have protein with every meal. I eat lots of carbs all the time — but 95% of the time they are whole-grain. I eat at least one piece of dark chocolate a day to keep me from going postal. For home bouts I ALWAYS go to Jimmy’s BBQ the night before because I have to have cornbread (hence the 95% comment above). The morning of is usually homemade pancakes with natural peanut butter, Greek yogurt and honey — basically because my five-year-old can eat her weight in pancakes it is required we have this on Saturday mornings. I have a sandwich of some type for lunch and once I have peed for the 5 millionth time, I start drinking either a PowerAde or Gatorade around 2 p.m. And since my metabolism rivals that of a 15-year-old boy, I eat something light again around 4 p.m. Game-time snack? Clif Protein Bars. —Anya Alnight (Buffie Vaught)
I like to eat pasta before a bout along with a protein, which usually is sausage when I eat pasta. Otherwise I make sure to load up on carbs and protein. Seconds before the whistle blows… The one thing that gets me energized for the bout would have to be a protein shake, I usually use Muscle Milk, but will use protein powder that I have at home. —Lacey Deecee (Trisha Will)
Learn more about Brandywine Roller Girls by visiting them online by clicking HERE. Be sure to also follow them on Facebook by clicking HERE. You can snag your tickets to Saturday’s intra-league play-offs’ bout by clicking HERE, which will feature the Fallen Debutantes facing off against the Spell Razors.
Photographs courtesy of Brandywine Roller Girls and credited to David Galajda Photography.
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