EXTRA EFFORT WHEN IT MATTERS

Extra effort often gives a big win in sports, at work, in life.

Or you get lucky.

After a big win you don’t need to do anything extra.

So why do people ask, “What’s next?” after a big victory?

If someone is basking in the glory of an accomplishment, leave them alone.

Too many sports reporters get their story from an athlete right after competition when they’re trying to catch their breath.

It looks awkward, but we need to know all about feelings and plans and we can’t wait.

What are the chances of someone choosing a sport that wouldn’t tax them so they could do a good interview afterwards?

Not very likely, but what are the ‘less taxing’ sports?

Shooting guns, bows and arrows; some field, definitely not track.

The new ‘sports’ for 2024 are not equally taxing with breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, and 3×3 basketball.

Of the sports dropped from 2024, karate, softball, and baseball, only one looks like it would be breathtaking unless you were stealing home from second base on the last out of a tied game.

Reporter: What were you thinking out there rounding third base.

Player: I was hoping my coach knew what they were doing when they sent me.

 

Know What You’re Doing

Extra effort is easier when an authority figure like a coach has confidence in you.

They give you permission to let it fly.

Now, if there’s one thing kids find annoying, it’s some old codger saying, “Sports are like life; what you learn in one guides the other.”

Sports wants you to show up on time, in shape, and ready to roll.

They don’t want you checking in when you feel like it, short of breath, and complaining about getting there.

The sports added to the 2028 Olympics in LA:Baseball/Softball, Lacrosse and Cricket, along with flag football and cricketet.

No word yet on marbles and mumbly-peg for 2032, but at least the athletes would give a relaxed interview after a gold medal win.

Reporter: What’s next after this huge victory?

Athlete: More marbles and mumbly-peg. That’s the entire point of life.

 

The Point Of Extra Effort

This is one of my favorite family pictures.

We had everything in front of us on Pioneer Square in downtown Portland Oregon, c. 1992.

Our marriage would last and our kids would grow up and be Olympians.

As a district wrestling champ in high school, I was just the coach to guide them.

The right way.

From kindergarten rec-league soccer and basketball and indoor soccer, to sixth grade, I had a run.

My last team was high school rec-league basketball with some of the same guys I’d had earlier.

There was a circle of life feel to it. I follow one of the guys on twitter, NBA sports writer David McKay.

My kids learned competition the right way.

One night we had a big game against a team of ringers from the classic basketball league and their ringer lady coach, a former McDonald’s all-American.

Me and my rag-tag bunch of fifth or sixth-graders started out with a pep talk.

Me: We all know this team. They are your friends and neighbors, but tonight they are here to show off, to show their Classic league skills for their all-American coach.

We know them, but they don’t know you. You are a team who works together, who plays together, not some collection of superstars and their superstar coach.

You guys are all the superstar I need, and you’ve already shown it. Now let’s go out and show them.

 

Sports Are Like Life

Yesterday my wife asked me why I need to take things to an extreme.

I don’t know what she was talking about.

The Olympics were on and I was cheering and trying to get her to chant, “U S A, U S A, U S A,” as one does from time to time.

It was during the break-away win in the women’s road race won by the woman from Homer, Alaska.

Wife: I’m glad our kids aren’t like that.

Like I’m the loose nut?

My kids didn’t like wrestling, didn’t love the mats, but they still did it when the time came to choose between basketball and wrestling.

The wrestling team had mediocre head coaching from a guy who last wrestled in eighth grade, and shared the room with the girls’ dance team and skin infections.

They wrestled through injuries and losses and learned how to compete, how to manage themselves.

After high school wrestling they played intramural basketball in college followed by years of Saturday games at 24Hr and city leagues.

They won wrestling medals and a city league basketball championship.

And I’m the nut?( Oh, my marriage has lasted.)

 

Last night I watched the table tennis finals and felt the old glow warming up.

I texted both young dads that we should get a nice table and coach up their kids for the Olympics.

It might take a little extra effort, but we’re not the nutty ones.

 

This is me on the way to the Olympic road race pedestal, stopping for a picture with a fan, then changing back into my biker outfit.