Special Olympics State Track

I had my Special Olympics track team at the state event this weekend. This is the best kind of sports event. In fact, they really could get rid of all the other sports levels - pros, college, high school, junior high. Those are all about either being pompous when you win or the agony of defeat when you lose. There is rarely the agony of defeat in Special Olympics. After a loss, they shake it off pretty well. In fact, a lot of times during a loss, they shake it off. A person can be running dead last and smiling and waving to the crowd. The pros would probably get criticized, but they would be happier people if they did that, too. I just saw a headline that LeBron still has nightmares about losing the NBA finals. I couldn't even read the article because it would be so disappointing to me.

As a coach you also can't take losing to hard. One day we were practicing our relay. The first person started and ran counter-clockwise around the track. Perfect. Next person, handoff and ran counter-clockwise. Next, handoff and ran counter-clockwise. Anchor leg, took the handoff and ran clockwise and just kept running.

Billy, why did you do that?
I don't know.
Didn't you see the pattern we had going?
I don't know, Jim.
OK.

One time I had discovered a great way to beat a track video game. Running the 400 meters - 1.) Run all out until you have to stop. 2.) Rest until second place catches up. 3.) Start running again and win the race.

In the state 400 meters, Billy actually employed that strategy. He ran the first 100 like Usain Bolt, slowed way down, got passed and stopped. Didn't stop and walk. Just stopped. "Get going, Billy". He didn't get last, but he could have won if he had run smarter. But if they could run smarter, they probably wouldn't be in Special Olympics. Coaches can't get too attached to winning or you would get very frustrated.

We had good moments at state. 1.) Our female distance runner was the fastest in the state at the 1500 and the 3000. 2.) Our male was second fastest in those events. 3.) Everyone had a good time. 4.) We didn't lose anyone. That's always a concern. One time at a bowling event, one of our guys got mad and said he was leaving. I went with him and tried to talk him into coming back. We walked a couple of miles out of town until he decided to come back.

So, it's not all fun, but its about 90% fun, which is more than those other sport levels can say.