My 2010 Running Review (thus far)

Yeah I know we have just north of 2 months to go in 2010, but it is time to look at progress made toward the goal of the 2013 Myrtle Beach Marathon, this year I was hoping to make it to doing a 10k with the half-marathon in sight for  2011.  So far so good, I was hoping for a sub-20 5k, I came close at the Run Downtown (Greenville) in January doing a 20:12, after staying in the 20 minute range, I did get the reminder from Sherry..'well you ARE 33..'   But after a relatively un-challenging Boy Scout 5k with a 20:50 and winning my age group, it was time to up distance.   June was the wonderful Sunrise 8k in Simpsonville which I surprised myself by knocking down a 34:18 (aiming for a 36 minute time), July was the Gaffney PeachFest 10k, which was a good bit disorganized but if you did your homework and studied the course you were in good shape, knocked down a 42:23 (hoping for a 45 minute time) and that got me a second place in my age group.  I will be upping mileage (again) in a week and a half when I trek to Paris Mountain for the 11k (7.2 miles), gulp, I have changed training routes to get my mileage in while also doing hills in the run to prepare for 1100+ foot elevation gain!  I am hoping for an 1:05 time, then have to haul it back to Spartanburg for Michael's award celebration (but not before enjoying some Stax pancakes, a signature of this race).  Finally I will end my 2010 racing with the Thanksgiving day 8k in Spartanburg, I have wanted to do event since I started re-training in 2008, however injury forced me out last year, so I want this one, and do good on it...bad.

I have been pleased with my progress thus far, but as the immortal Jerry Reed reminded us "We got a long way to go and a short time to get there.  I'm eastbound just watch ol' Bandit run."

Sorry couldn't resist a Smokey and the Bandit Reference

Just call me Bandit,

D

Fine the coach for criticizing refs and Happy seventh Michael!

Upon my gazing of espn.com, I found the headline of Coach Childers of Minnesota fined for criticizing the refs (really he had time to do that post-game after throwing Favre under the bus) which as an Upward Soccer referee can we fine coaches and parents who decide to step out of the circle of affirmation (check that out on http://www.upward.org/)?  I am not painting all parents and coaches with a broad brush, 95% of the parents and coaches are very kind, affirming people who get the whole Upward message of sharing Christ on the playing field and teach kids soccer all in one, however you get the bums who criticize your every call and interpretation of the rules, so as a referee how do I deal with it?

1. The yellers usually are losing the game and want something-this was the case when I had a coach run acroos the field to fuss at my calling and a moment later grab the back of my shirt, funny thing then happened, no I didn't bend to him, his team tied the game and he well was quiet.

2. Explain your calls if you think a coach would have an issue, at least they know what you saw and why you did/didn't call something.

3. Let it ride, if you have kids you develop thick skin and chances are if you referee anything half will think you are great and half will think you are a bum...such is life, just think Congress would kill for that kind of ranking.

4. When you do mess up, after the game be a man and apologize.  In our culture the words I''m sorry go a long way. 

5. Before and after games do not be afraid to shake hands with the coaches and be friendly before and after the game.

just a few tips....

I would be remiss if on this day I didn't say Happy 7th Birthday Michael! 

D

Who am I?

I am Dan Steadman and I live in God's Country...commonly refered to as Upstate, SC and hour from the mountains.  Have two boys (currently, third child a due in April).  Go to Southside Baptist where I am currently on the Budget and Finance team (translation I have no friends), and promised to less this year, but I now teach third grade boys on Sunday night ( I have never had any inkling to teach kids, but God had other plans!), and for this season referree three soccer games for first-third grade boys a Saturday.  It's a good way to do speedwork training for my marathon I plan to do in 2013 and watch my kid's soccer game all in one.  I am a runner, hiker, outdoorsy type who loves going to Mount Mitchell and doing things that people say diabetics can't do. 

I am married to Sherry Steadman who homeschools our first grader, keeps our 22 month old at home and puts up with my stuff...speaking of the 22 month old, he is my mellow child who is my mini-me, oh yeah he does get upset with me at night if I don't sing the jammy song (it is a take off on Bob Marley's 'Jammin') 

Finally, I am a huge Chicago Cubs (baseball) fan- I watch games at work. Atlanta Falcon's fan (NFL), Georgia Bulldogs fan, and while not quite back into basketball, have been known to cheer for the Charlotte Bobcats.  I have tried to brainwash my son with limited success, he does cheer for the Dawgs, Falcons, Colts, Clemson, and the Atlanta Braves.  He is also a rabid Denny Hamlin fan...I prefer Smoke.

That should be it.

Dan