Former Transcontinental Record Holder of 46 Days (1980-2016) Frank Giannino Interview - Episode 22

Frank Giannino attempted to run the fastest time across the US in 1979. He finished, but didn't break the record. So, he went after it again in 1980. This interview means a ton to me as I grew up buying my shoes from Frank when I started running in 1990. To have such a great running idol in my home town definitely shaped not only my running, but my life! Frank can be reached at [email protected] His shoes website is https://shoe-fitter.com/author/frank9090/ If you'd like to learn more about Frank, Kevin Gleason's book "46 Days" can be purchased online on amazon   My Socials, Channels, & Newsletter: https://www.facebook.com/MRRUNNINGPAINSEVENTS/ https://www.instagram.com/mrrunningpains/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ6J512qA34z_N0KJSU4jfw   To sign up for my Newsletter - https://www.mrrunningpains.com   Email - [email protected]   Thanks to Scott Socha for the Intro & Houston Hamlin for the Transition & Outro music, and thanks to all of you for listening! Please share the Podcast and please leave a review, rate, & subscribe if you haven't done so already! THANK YOU! Aaron Saft MR Runningpains   Discounts: Fuel100 Electro-Bites - https://electro-bites.com/ Kogalla - http://kogalla.com/?aff=runningpains    The following is my Facebook Post I read in the introduction: I need to expound for a moment on the road ahead... In 2020, not much has gone to plan or followed the script I had laid out as many of us have found! But here’s part update, and part what I feel in my heart... Tomorrow I had planned to chase the FKT (Fastest Known Time) on our local 30-mile Art Loeb trail surrounded by friends and family. As my body had other plans (hip & calf injuries), I’ll be postponing those plans to a later date to be determined (maybe spur of the moment so I can surprise my body). In a time where running has been a welcome relief to everything around me, I thought I would be more frustrated, but I find myself enjoying the moment with my kids, my wife, my friends, and living vicariously through the athletes I coach. I’m looking long term and realizing a break right now isn’t a bad thing, and coming back with a solid base will only make my plans for the Fall that much better. Is the glass half full or half empty? I don’t know and I honestly don’t care! I’m going to drink whatever is in it, refill the glass, drink that, fill it up half way again, pass it to the next fellow that comes along and put my next foot forward into whatever the future holds! For those that don’t know and for those that have read this far, life has had some big changes for me. I’m no longer an owner or employee of Foot Rx Running. I felt for the business to survive it could only have one salaried owner/operator, so I signed my portion over to one of the best friends a guy could have in Scott Socha. After that, I analyzed what was causing stress and what was adding fulfillment and enjoyment to my life. I decided race directing was too much for me and coaching was giving me so much joy, so I’ve resigned from Race Directing (for now) & have become a full-time coach. I have just over 50 adults I coach right now training for distances of 5K to ultramarathon and I’m truly happy!!! It’s tough in this time frame to imagine training for running as race after race is cancelled or postponed. I think those that truly love running (like myself) haven’t skipped a beat. Those that train for the extrinsic reward of the race have really had to refocus on their why and make sure it was ok to train. And yet others have found reward in their own persuit of fast times and PR’s at distances that they haven’t run in years. It’s amazing to not only see the physical transformation of these individuals, but to witness their mental growth and comprehension of what drives them to be not only a runner but what makes them human. In my own reflection of running, I find myself entranced by the primal and instinctive nature of the physical activity. There are no parameters when you go out for a run. You can run fast or slow. Short distance or long. It doesn’t matter if you turn left or right or simply turn around and go home. It’s simple in a world of complexities. I don’t know if anyone else finds this truth evident, but when I do go to a race and I line up, I don’t see race, gender, or ethnicity. I see humans of a kindred spirit. If someone is down or hurt, there’s no thought as to should I help, it’s how can I help. I’ve tried to make this transition to daily life and my daily interactions with everyone. It’s not easy, to love everyone and be non judgmental. But I’m trying! I’ll continue to do my small part and I’ll even say this first...I love you! No need to say it back, I just hope it makes you think about your daily interactions and makes you feel something, if only for a moment it gives you pause and a moment to reflect. I’m here for you if you need an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, arms to hug, a back to work, and two legs (hopefully soon) to run with!!! I’ll say it one more time, and I mean it... I LOVE YOU!!! I need to let that out! Thanks -Aaron Saft