Shay rips Shorter, deservedly so

I walked up and talked to Shorter in Ottawa and he was sweet as pie.

One day, I walked into my local running store the day before a big race in town (4th of july to be exact.) Frank was brought in to sign autographs and show his face to all the local runners. Well, as I walked in the store to get some gel, Frank was sitting at a table with a bunch of pictures he was signing of himself and asked me "Hey, would you like an autograph?" I just looked at him and said "no, that's alright." He was stunned and looked mortified!

That's my Frank Shorter story

When Shorter was in Dallas for that famous Cooper's Clinic study in January 1974, I approached him just as he was about to enter a banquet room for lunch. He was scheduled to speak and was running a little late for the event.

But he stopped and talked to me before entering the room. I briefly described my training and asked him for a few pointers. He was as generous with his time as anyone could be in that situation. Sure, he is somewhat reserved, but he graciously gave me about five minutes before going into that room. He struck me as a very nice guy.

Based on some of the negative comments posted about Shorter, one would have expected him to say, "Sorry kid, don't you know I have to give a speech? Talk to me after lunch."

I didn't stick around for the speech, because I was not invited. So I can't really comment on his public speaking skills. But the encounter left me with a positive impression of Frank Shorter.

When I was in the infantry they used to make us memorize important Generals names.

One day an old CSM said if they were that important you wouldn't have to memorize thei names.

We don't need to memorize Frank Shorter's name.

I met Frank Shorter once and he did not act in any way as an aloof or arrogant person when we talked. I mentioned to him how I was more of an x-c fan than track and he told me about his races in the World Champs.

He then signed his autograph and even took the time to write on the piece of paper that I should remember to do speed intervals during x-c season.

He didn't have to take that extra step by writing some advice with his autograph but he did. Just for that act alone, I will always be a fan of his.

- Philip Passen

LITP, would you want to be bothered by some punk kid when you were about to give a speech? I certainly wouldn't.

My Frank Shorter story. I was at the New Jersey (Atlantic City) Boardwalk Marathon. It was one of those silly events that had a 'thon, 1/2 'thon, 10k & 5k.....bloody ridiculous. And, of course, it was a bloody shambles with events finishing at all different times, etc. And, of course, the awards ceremonies & results coming in at all different times, etc. Needless to say there were delays...long delays...and a lot of grumbling. However, it was Frank who kept things lively, friendly, and convivial during all that negativity.

Just thought I'd share.

Hello Rodent. No, I would not want to be harassed with stupid questions by some nobody high school punk right before I had to give a speech. In fact, I would have told the kid not to even bother training.

And by the way, the Cooper study was in January 1975, not 1974. I can't believe that no one pointed out my error.