Gearing up for the Olympics

HBomb and Manu Ginobli hooping it up

Later this summer, the Olympic games will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (probably - unless the Zika, pollution, impeached president, Russian doping scandal, or something else knocks it off course).  Obviously, in an Olympic year, everyone's competitive juices are flowing.  This was clearly evident on the trip back to the US.

Keep the feet together

Our first example was a head to head match up between HBomb and Uncle Coach in the Olympic event of trampoline.  What's that?  You don't think that trampoline is an Olympic event?  Well, actually it is.  Check it out.  Anyway, Hbomb was not ready for this level of competition and clearly biffed the landing.  The judges could not overlook the egregious face plant.

T-Bone makes the quick turn and change of direction.

Later, Mark got into the act, taking on his niece, T-Bone in a foot race.  Mark was proud of his close second place finish.  Despite a strong start, the race course itself gave him trouble.  The "touch the tree and come back" format does not favor those runners who can't change direction easily.  T-Bone made the quick turn and cruised home for the victory.  Thankfully, Mark did not take down the tree.

Mark was first out of the gate, just for the record....

This also had the effect of wearing out T-Bone, allowing Uncle Coach to pull off a victory in the later heats.....

T-Bone looks a little winded, thanks to Mark pushing her in the earlier heats.

While Mark, Anne and the HBomb were back in the states, they also had the chance to watch nephew/cousin Dr. J run in the sub-section track meet.  This was an historic event as Dr. J and his teammates set the school record in the 4x400 meter relay.  Nice work!

Imagine how fast he would be going if his feet actually touched the ground.

But the competition was not limited to Minnesota.  The spirit of competition burned in Iowa was well.  HBomb's cousin Stitchy used a strong finish to defeat Uncle Jim in the parking lot dash.  This took place after a vigorous bowling competition.

Face forward, Stitchy...

Who had the high game in the bowling match?  Funny you should ask.  That was all Mark.  174.  174?  Really?  Isn't that what the pro bowlers score?  Yeah, on a good day.....

But everyone seemed to have a good time.  HBomb's cousins enjoyed it..... 

But no one had quite as good a time as HBomb himself.....