I have said repeatedly on this blog the its mission is to promote HS distance running through out Stanislaus County. Well honestly, in the past couple of weeks I have failed at that mission.
I have always struggled to accurately communicate what I "mean to say." This is one of my greatest weaknesses. It is something that I am acutely aware of also. Often I read and reread through my posts trying to assess the accuracy, tone, and meaning of the words that I am using. Also I must do a better job of predicting the inferred meaning vs my intended meaning.
Recently two different coaches have taken exception with something I posted. This is not a new circumstance for me. As I reread what I posted, in each case I felt like the words were still accurate; but that is irrelevant. If my posts are taken negatively (especially by the athletes I am trying to promote) then I have failed. As with sexual harassment and bullying, it is not how a word, comment, or action is intended...it is how it is taken. In both cases I changed the post, but the damage was already done.
To top that off, my mouth gets in the way also, as words come out of my mouth before I have fully thought about them. Today, I verbally said the both the Turlock and the Pitman boys' teams were "weak" this year. That is a negative term no matter how you slice it. What I meant was it was they were rebuilding (weak as in not as strong/fast as they are in some years). The Turlock Boys' coach turned and looked at me. Being a classy guy he didn't say anything, but I knew I had failed again. I have to do better.
I want to APOLOGIZE to all the coaches, parents, supporters, and distance athletes of Stanislaus County, especially the Turlock, Pitman, and Beyer teams. It is and has always been my intent to support and promote you. I know that all distance runners work hard. Some are faster, and some are slower--but those miles hurt just the same. I respect the time and effort you commit to the sport that we all love.
If I misspeak in the future--please let me know. I will do my best to make it right.
I simply must do better. You deserve nothing less
P. Scott Durham
screaminscott64@yahoo.com
209-404-1683
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