Backyard Olympics

I love to compete. I've got great memories of doing battle on the gamefield time and time again. Growing up I played on lots of organized teams -- from peewee baseball all the way up to college football. Those activities provide me lots of fond memories. Still, looking back, the fondest memories of all are the times I went to war with my brother and friends in the backyard. We were rough, we were tough, we were backyard warriors! It didn't seem to matter what the game was (it sort of varied with the season), we tried them all and we always played hard. Smear the queer, tag-team wrestling (Mom said no more on that one after I broke my arm), home run derby, one-on-one driveway basketball on the 8 foot hoop (dunking was an important part of that game!), the man's game (one-on-one hoops with no fouls. First one up to ten wins. Don't have to take it back; just pound on each other). Having just coached my high school track athletes through another state meet, I think back to another good time I had in the backyard. It didn't have the drama state meet, but it sure was fun. When I was in high school, our student intern pastor Steve was sort of a track nut. He loved to compete, and even more, he loved to run. He challenged a few of us young bucks to a track and field event -- sort of a Backyard Olympics. We discussed the ground rules, decided on events, and thoroughly prepared for the challenge. The preparation was almost as much fun as the event itself. We found the perfect rock to be our shot put. Each participant secured their own tree branch to hurl like a javelin. We fine-tuned our discus form with our glow-in-the-dark frisbee. We jumped, we hurdled, we ran sprints, we ran the mile. When it was all over, we layed exhausted on the grass, each having done our very best. We congratulated each other and talked about each event, and what we'd do different next time. Looking back it all seems kind of silly. Some might call it a total waste of time, but you know, if I could, I'd do it all over again. For you see, there is real satisfaction in laying it on the line, competing as hard as one possibly can. Yeah, I'd do it all over again in a second, 'cause down deep, I'm still a backyard warrior! Hints on having your own Backyard Olympics: Be creative in making up events. An obstacle course and relay teams are fun variations to the more traditional individual track and field events. Form teams if you have enough people. A little team comraderie goes a long way. Do your best and just have fun -- remember, you are backyard warriors!

About the Author:

Barry Holmen is a Christian educator and familyman from Minot, ND. He enjoys running, golfing, and being with hi wife and two boys. Barry serves as webmaster of Immanuel Online.