Monday, May 30, 2011

The Pacer Invitational in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The reason why Daniel’s mother and coach Stephanie Ann Tulloch sent Daniel to Pittsburgh over 200 miles from home was to get experience running his races. We had no idea how Daniel will do in competitive situations and what his problems will be. We had no idea what our problems with Daniel would be. The Pacer Invitational Meet in Bethel Park, a southern suburb of Pittsburgh, Pa. had people as far west as Youngtown Ohio and as far east as Greensburg, Pa.








The reason why we picked Pittsburgh is because this area is part of the Three Rivers Association. That is a sister association to our USATF Med-Atlantic Association. Daniel can qualify for either Associations or just one of the Associations for the Region 2 (North East United States) Track and Field meet. Pittsburgh is the “City of Champions.” Knowing from experience, children living in the Pittsburgh area are born running up and down the mountains. Daniel’s Great Uncle William Jackson Williams III walked and ran these mountains until he was 18 years old. He went to the Pennsylvania state championships.








Pittsburgh is the place where we can find out the problems before he runs in the Delaware Invitational next weekend.



Daniel’s mother, Stephanie Tulloch ran the 200 Meter, 400 Meter, and 800 Meter before I figured out that she was too slow to run these events in National Competition. So I switched her to the 80 Meter Hurdles, the 100 Meter Hurdles, and the 400 Meter Hurdles. Stephanie went to nationals twice and was ranked 11th in the country at age 12 years old.



Daniel's Grandmother, Amanda Ann Williams III, applying cream to his legs before the 800 Meter Run.







Going to the bathroom.








Daniel’s grandmother took Daniel to the bathroom within one hour of the 800 Meter Run but because of his excitement, he had to go to the restroom on the starting line in the 800 Meter run. That caused the meet to change the running order of the divisions in the 800 meter run. After that, I took Daniel to the bathroom when they announced “first call” before every event that he participated in. I will do that from now on until he reaches 30 years old.










http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-DA9dZrN4w








Running the 800 Meters








Daniel continued to look around while running the races. That has to stop. This may be because of his age. He is more concerned with just running this race and playing with the opponents behind him instead of trying to keep pace with the opponent in front of him. He ran this race in 4 Minutes 1.1 Seconds, receiving second place.








http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJlqZwuZlgk








Running the 400 Meters.








Here, it is obvious that Daniel does not have the concept of winning. All he wants to do is run. He ran with his best time ever with a time of 1 minute and 54 seconds. But in Pittsburgh, 6 and 7 year old run with a time of 1 minute 29 seconds. In other areas of the world they run in times less than that. One of the sub-bantams that beat him here had to face Daniel again in the 1500 Meter Run later in the day.








http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITV-bawAH2s








Running the 1500 Meters (Camera ran out of memory)








It was said that God created sprinters and individuals created distance runners. In Pittsburgh, the mountains created the sprinters but sprinters cannot turn into distance runners without a great deal of work. In this race, Daniel played with his opponent from the 400 Meter Run. His opponent tried to pass him several times. Several times, Daniel did not let him pass but ran just fast enough to stop him. In the last 200 meters, his opponent tried to pass him one last time. Daniel responded by looking at him then waving “good-bye.”






At that point, Daniel sprinted to the finish line. His opponent was too tired to respond and came in 4 second later. Daniel can get away with “show boating” in Sub-bantam but as he gets older, Track officials will not put up with this type of behavior. Again, this may be because of age but he still needs counseling about this.










We have two practices before the Delaware meet. At this point we will go over some of the problems that I seen on Saturday in Pittsburgh and have him run distance with at least one 6 mile run, sprinting most of the way.









My Complaints



My job as coach is to find the problems and try to correct them before it causes Daniel to lose races. Yes, I am proud of him.



As I told two of the Pacer Couches, I am very proud but I am also impressed. Daniel is the 2nd indoor Seed in Region 2 in the 1500 meter. He came in third in the indoor 800 Meter. Daniel won this 1500 Meter Race and came in 2nd in the 800 Meter here. He qualified for Indoor Nationals in the 1500, 800, and 400 Meters. He can run 6 miles without getting tired.



He is known by the Athletics department in the Central Dauphin School District and High School athletes know him. People come to the track and run with him. And he has done all this before he graduated from Kindergarten.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Creating Harrisburg State District

State Senator Jeffrey Piccola is the Pennsylvania State Senator for the City of Harrisburg. This State Senator is a high ranking senator in the State Senate and is very influencial in the Republican Party.

Below you will find a note from State Senator Jeffrey Piccola to me regarding the financial situation in the City of Harrisburg. As we all know, the City of Harrisburg is in deep financial trouble. This situation has just been made widely known since Mayor Linda Thompson took office but I found out about this worsening situation in 2004. Over the years, I have discussed this situation with Senator Jeffrey Piccola. However, with the Democrats in power and a very strong Mayor Reed in office, Jeff did not want to take a public action to correct the problem.

Now that the Republicans are in power in State Government and the City of Harrisburg has a new mayor, it appears that Jeff is going to try to do something about the City’s worsening financial crisis. This is a crisis that is starting to affect his entire Senate District.



In my opinion, the City of Harrisburg lost its ability to control its finances in the late 1970s and early 1980s. That is when the City had a mass exodus of tax payers to the suburbs. Add the fact that City leaders cannot agree on a course of action and you have a situation where remaining homeowner’s property title, values, and residency is in serious danger. Renters could see their City rents double if the apartment complex is hit with major tax increases to save the City. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a stake in maintaining a functioning Capital.

This is why in 2006, I first proposed to Senator Piccola to make the City of Harrisburg a “State District.” But we have no municipal charter that fits a “State District.” That is why I want the state to create one. Under this municipal charter, Harrisburg would fall under the financial control of the state. The everyday operation of the City would still be under the control of the Treasurer, Controller, Mayor, and City Council. I first propose that the City file for Act 47 in 2006 but the City only recently seen that it was in such a crisis to start the process. It is to late in the game for Act 47 to be effective plus City leaders still may not take Act 47 recommendations.

Since the City will not take the obvious way out, “Bankruptcy” to save its citizens, Jeff’s “back door” ACT 47 Proposed bill is the only game in town. To me, the Senator’s idea looks like the back door to creating a “Harrisburg, S.D.” Few of any Act 47 Cities have ever gotten out of Act 47 once they entered into it.


*************************************


From: Williams, Darnell L
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 3:02 PM
To: Piccola, Senator Jeffrey
Subject: Act 47 for the City of Harrisburg

Dear Senator Piccola;

I read in Pennlive that you are drafting legislation that would place the City under a three member board appointed by the governor and the Dauphin County Commissioners. As you recall, I discussed with you about 5 years ago, my plan to create Harrisburg City as a “State District” or “Harrisburg S.D.” Under this plan all revenue and expenses would have to be approved by the board that you are calling for. The Mayor and City Council will have to receive approval by the three member board for any funds spent. The board will have to approve any taxes and fees raised or lowered.

The board will be responsible for putting in place, the ACT 47 Plan. This board will have to restructure the City and authority debt for the City to become financially solvent.


Sincerely,

Darnell L Williams
-----Original Message-----

From: Piccola, Senator Jeffrey [mailto:jpiccola@pasen.gov]


Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 9:29 AM


To: Williams, Darnell L


Subject: RE: Act 47 for the City of Harrisburg

Thanks for writing, Darnell. My proposed bill would put a management board in place to do exactly as you say – that is, enact the Act 47 plan and make other financial decisions for the city. The board cannot approve any tax increases or decreases, however, since only elected officials are legally allowed to perform that duty. If you recall, that’s how we structured the Special Board of Control for the Harrisburg school district. They could do everything except raise/lower/collect taxes – but they no doubt controlled the entire process.
*********************


If you think that placing Harrisburg in a “State District” is a good idea, call or write Senator Jeff Piccola or your state senator and representative and let them know how you feel. The property and apartment that you save maybe your own.




Senator Jeff Piccola
Harrisburg Office
Room 173
Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 787-6801


Fax: (717) 783-37221-888-PICCOLA


TTY: 1-800-364-1581


Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Monday through Friday



http://piccola.org/contact.htm
Contact Senator Jeff Piccola by email.






Monday, May 9, 2011

Summer Track 2011 for the Jamaican Flash

Six year old Daniel Lamont Tulloch (see Indoor Track picture) is training for his first Outdoor Track and Field Season. Daniel is graduating from Kindergarten at Paxtang Elementary School in the Central Dauphin School District in June and will start first grade in September. He has 6 years to prepare for Middle School Track and Field and 8 years to prepare for High School Track and Field. Then in 12 to 20 years, it will be off to NCAA and a shot at the Olympics!

NOTE: USATF make changes to meets and event with little notice. Please come back to this blog for changes to the USATF Calendar.


Daniel will specialize in the 400 Meter, 800 Meter, and 1500 Meter Runs. His 2011 schedule is listed below.
Fun Meet (A). May 21, 2011 Saturday 10:00 AM at Harrisburg High School -- Hershey Youth


Meet #1. May 28, 2011 -- Preliminary Meet #4 at Bethel Park HS, near Pittsburgh, Pa.

Meet #2. 6/4/11
USATF Mid-Atlantic Association Preliminary (Delaware) Junior Olympic T&F Meet
in Newark, DE.
The Top 6 athletes in each event will advance to the USATF Mid-Atlantic Association Junior Olympic Meet at West Chester University, PA..
Contact: Sharnette Handy-Hall




e-mail: shall36@verizon.net
phone: 302-750-0354





Meet #3. June 18, 20011 Preliminary Meet #7 Penn Hills HS near Pittsburgh, Pa.

Meet #4. June 25 and 26, 2011 USATF MidAtlantic Association Junior Olympic Championship at West Chester University, PA. Top 6 finishers will continue on to the USATF Region 2 Track & Field July 7-July 10, at California University, Pennsylvania.
Fun Meet (B). July 5 at 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Jim Thorpe Meet at Echer Field Boiling Springs High School.


Meet #5 -- July 7-July 10 USATF Region 2 Track & Field Meet at California University, Pa. Top 5 finishers go to Nationals.

Meet #6. July 26 - 31, 2011 National Championships in Wichita, Kansas
http://www.usatf.org/events/2011/USATFJuniorOlympicTFChampionships/index.asp
If Daniel goes to nationals and depending on what events he will participate in, this may be his schedule;


  • Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 1:45 PM, the first round of the 800 Meter Run.

  • Friday, July 29, 2011 at 8:00 AM, Semi-final of the 800 Meter Run and at 1:00 PM, the first round of the 400 Meter Run.

  • Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 3:45 PM, Semi-final of the 400 Meter Run.

  • Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 11:30 AM, the finals of the 1500 Meter Run and at 12:45 PM, the finals of the 400 Meter Run.
Except for the two Preliminary Meets in Pittsburgh, all other meets and events are contingent on "placing" to move on to other meets and rounds within meets. If Daniel places on the National Level, he will earn a National Seed in USATF Outdoor Track and Field in the Sub-Bantam Boys age category (born 2003+). In 2011 "In Door Track and Field," Daniel is the NorthEast Regional seed in the 1500 Meter run and the fourth seed in the 800 Meter Run.

Timing and Drill Assistant Coach Kathy Sue Derr has been a volunteer to train Daniel for about 8 months. We are happy to have her as an Assistant Coach to help Daniel. Kathy cannot make it to his meets but she has been very helpful at his practices. Darnell Williams is getting up in age and is having a hard time with his workouts.

Daniel’s Training Program:



Daniel’s Training Program is written for long distance and endurance.

Distance and Endurance RunningDaniel runs up to 6 miles nonstop usually at Central Dauphin High School’s Track.

Speed DrillsDaniel runs up to 2 ½ Miles nonstop at high speed. He runs latter’s (100, 200, 400, 800 and 1 mile then back down again).

Weight DrillsDaniel ways about 60 pounds but runs with 6 pounds of weights on his legs for 3 miles nonstop. Sometimes he runs with another 6 pounds on his arms in addition to his legs. He also runs the bleachers at Central Dauphin’s track as well as the hills at Central Dauphin Jr. High and in his neighborhood.

Length of Practice
His practice can last from 45 minutes to 2 hours, twice a week. He only practices twice a week because of his age. We do not want to disturb his growth development, keeping his strength of his bones in mind for his teenage and early adult years.

Why Daniel is not trained for the 100 Meter and 200 Meter Dash?




We are not training Daniel to run the short races such as the 100 and 200 Meter Dash because everyone and anyone are running these races. It takes very little training to run these races and the field of athletes is crowed in short races. It takes years of development to run the longer races. In the next 4 years Daniel will probably drop the 400 Meter in favor of the 8000 Meter Run.

When Daniel reaches Middle and High School, his school track couch will place him where they feel he is needed to win the schools track meets. The same will happen in college. These coaches may give Daniel the opportunity to run the 100 and 200 Meter Dash depending on team need.

Watching Daniel’s meets on the Internet!
http://www.usatf.org/store/showProductDetail.asp?item=PPV-004-028
Tips for you!




http://www.ehow.com/how_2307517_be-good-long-distance-runner.html
If you want to running like Daniel, here are some running tips!




Donations
Daniel has been blessed with the running movements of the Browns, Walkers, Blues, and Cherokees. Daniel inherited African endurance. He has been given the quickness and speed of the Jamaicans. Now all he needs is training and development. You can help Daniel with his long distance track development by donating to his effort. Track and Field is a very expensive sport especially if the athlete has to travel all over the country to compete. You can be a part of his future plans by sending a check or money order to Daniel Tulloch;

I/O The Daniel Tulloch Track Fund
3748 Vista Terrace
Harrisburg, Pa. 17111

You can send a note along with your donation asking that the money be spent in the following categories;
1. Gas and travel expenses for track meets – this goes toward gas to get him to Baltimore, Western Pa., the Philadelphia area, or for plane tickets to Nationals.




2. Track shoes and uniforms – Daniel is still growing and he will need track shoes every year. Plus he will need track clothing for summer and winter.
3. USATF and AAU membership and entrance Fees. Track Meets are not free for children. They must pay USATF and AAU membership fees as well as meet entrance fees.
4. General fund that can be used for all three areas.

Be a sponsor of his track meets and be recognized on his future blogs. In the future, you can say when watching him on TV, IPAD, Note Pad, or other future media devices that you played a part in making the “Jamaican Flash” dream possible.

Contributors
Kathy Derr – Washingtonville, Pa.
Damine Tulloch – Harrisburg, Pa.
Stephanie Tulloch – Harrisburg, Pa.
Darnell Williams – Harrisburg, Pa.