 

[caption id="attachment_274" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Me with Olympic Gold Medalist, Frank Shorter"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-274" title="dsc_3114" src="http://giveyoursole.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/dsc_3114-300x246.jpg" alt="Me with Olympic Gold Medalist, Frank Shorter" width="300" height="246" />[/caption]

The incredible thing about attending the expo before race day is not all the cool gear you get to see and buy...not to mention all the freebies.  It is the experience to see and interact with running legends in an environment they thrive in.  To know as much as they do in the field they have lived and breathed for years makes them EXPERTS.  Some people would let the all the fan attention and that knowledge go to their head....not Frank Shorter.  

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Shorter at the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.  Here is a man who put running on the map in the 70's.  A Yale grad who has too many accomplishments to list.  He is best known for winning the gold in the Marathon at the 1972 Munich Olympics. After being inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame, the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, and the National Distance Running Hall of Fame and running for the better part of his life you think the last thing he would want to do is talk about running to complete strangers.  

Mr. Shorter and I not only talked a little about running but more about children in sports. His idea of letting children gravitate to the sport they prefer on their own is one that many parents need to get on board with, especially in this day and age.  Having two sons of my own I have to agree with him and this quote from Mr. Shorter says it best, "When you are caring about your children perhaps you always have to remember at what point you can become over involved because of something you need rather than something the child needs."  

No doubt about it, Frank Shorter is a legend and a man of humility.  Thank you for your time Mr. Shorter.