The bigger kids went on the green trail at Swan Creek while the smaller/slower kids just stayed in the meadow and did one lap. Coach TD set up a quick little relay game by the time everyone got back and then he released them to me.

While we walked over to the area where the final game was set up, I explained that we were going to play an American Gladiators type of game. The goal of the kids was to run to each of three different stations. At two of the stations, there were water weapons for the kids to use on us coaches. The first station was just a tree to hide behind. The second station had a basket full of water balloons. The third station had big one-shot squirt guns (like the ones we had at the pool in Florida). While the kids were running from station to station, two coaches were throwing water-soaked sponges at them. One coach, me, was positioned between station one and station two for the kids. They got to throw the water balloons at me while I tried to hit them with dripping wet sponges. Then, a girl who couldn't run today was stationed near the finish line taking the place of one of the coaches. Some kids squirted her with the water-sticks while she tried to hit them with sponges, some decided to backtrack and squirt me with the water-sticks. The ones that got me REALLY got me because I was focused on the kids running the first two stations. Everyone got to go through at least once. Most went through the gauntlet twice or three times. EVERYONE had a blast. The other coaches and some of the kids, including Bubbles were running around grabbing and returning the sponges that we had launched at the contenders.

When the game was over, I told them to use up the last of the water balloons and meet me at the top of the hill for some stretching. I think we got everyone out of there on time. If not, it was close. I didn't have a watch, but I didn't hear anyone complain about taking too long.

Wednesday is bring-a-friend night and Pizza-party night! This is going to be a fun summer of running and friends!