Hit the track

Roller derby is a love-it or hate-it sport.

Almost every woman I've talked to for stories about the sport either loves doing it every week or hates that she sprained something and can't skate right now.

And you can catch the addiction this weekend.

Nearly a full year after its inception, the Cape Girardeau Roller Girls are looking to suck more women into flat track roller derby. They organized Fresh Meat practices for 6 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Arena Building.

The practices are an open forum to learn more about the sport, the women who do it and how you can participate, too. You can come whenever you want for as long as you want. The group's first bout packed the Arena Building, so I know there's an interest out there.

You'll be able to try on pads and gear. Bring a mouth guard and you can skate -- or try at least. Some of the current roller girls didn't even know how to skate before they joined the group. Others hadn't been on eight wheels since their teen years.

Boil it all down and the main ingredient of roller derby is building relationships with other women.

When we're young, we have Girl Scouts. As we get older, we have school groups and extracurricular activities. But career-aged women don't have many opportunities to meet others in an active setting.

Roller derby is a chance to meet strong women, have fun and be active. Now is your chance.