UNMC Decathlon – Time for recess!

A confession: Every time I hit a kid’s birthday party or an elementary school carnival, I have to fight off the urge to dive, myself, into the bouncy house.

Likewise, it’s tough to pass an 8-foot basket without running out to block some poor first-grader’s shot, or bust out my best Teen Wolf moves.

I miss recess.

There, I said it.

These days, it seems like most everyone is in training for some half-marathon or “fun” run or some kind of “dash” where they throw mud on you or spray you with colors or make you leap through fire. That is not my thing. (Like I need another T-shirt.)

Get ready to play Tuesday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Center for Healthy Living court. Who doesn’t love recess?

In my life, I’ve done a lot of running, too much running, most of it at the behest of large, too-loud men wearing whistles and too-short shorts. I don’t miss it. I’ve probably logged the same number of miles as your average “Hey, I’m doing a half-marathon!”-er – the only difference is, I got all of mine out of the way early. Then I dedicated my time to more important things. Like eating Cheetos.

Running is not my thing. But I do miss the playing.

Thankfully, my oldest kid is at the age now where we can do some fun sports stuff together, and I can magically recapture a little bit of that old spirit.

And thankfully, in Week 5, halfway through, we’ve finally reached the highlight, the very best part, of the UNMC Winter Decathlon. Recess.

Cue the infomercial: the decathlon is a 10-week challenge, designed to increase activity among UNMC employees, and to show us activity options available on campus.

OK, yes, it’s nice that they’re doing something to help someone like me, someone who hasn’t exercised regularly since the Clinton administration (first term), get moving. And group walks and ice skates are nice.

But now we’re talking my language. Now we’re talking RECESS. The bell rings at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5 at the Center for Healthy Living court and lasts until 1 p.m.

“We have basketballs, footballs, soccer balls and dodge balls to play with,” said Peter Pellerito, CFHL fitness specialist. Ping pong. Tag!

I will be there. I will play. I will probably hurt myself.

It will be awesome. Happiness is a red rubber ball.