Democratic delegate, running – literally – from St. Paul to Philly, was in La Crosse Tuesday

Bino for Bernie is looking to raise awareness for a political revolution

Michael Gibino may have been spoiled as he began his 1,200-mile jog.

When you decide to run from St. Paul to Philadelphia, it’s hard to imagine anything but your legs being spoiled, but Gibino will find out soon enough.

Who is this Gibino guy?

He’s a Democratic Delegate, a supporter of Bernie Sanders’ political revolution, a volunteer coach and a manager at Trader Joe’s.

And, in support of that, he decided in late April to jog to the Democratic Convention (runners are crazy), hoping to raise some money for ridiculously priced hotel rooms for delegates ($350 a night and they’re four to a room), along with a nonprofit group he coaches called Mile In My Shoes.

What he may not have heard, as he sat down to talk Tuesday evening, is that Sanders put out the call to help raise money for delegates like him. OK, there are no other delegates jogging to the convention – unless they live in Philly, and even then, it’s unlikely. Regardless, Sanders asked his supporters to help the nearly 1,900 delegates make it to the convention. 

You can follow Gibino’s journey here.

Anyway, back to Gibino being spoiled. What that means is his journey along the Mississippi River ends today as he leaves La Crosse. 

Most of his trek, so far, was along the river and, as we all know, it’s scenic. Now, he heads to and through Wisconsin, away from the bluffs with only the road to look at.

“I wish I was running along the river the whole way,” Gibino said from a Sanders supporter’s home in La Crosse.

That’s kind of how Sanders people work. There’s a network. A Sanders supporting delegate puts the word out, and boom, a nice meal and bed for the night.

Gibino runs in about 6- to 8-mile shifts. His friend (and “crew”) Emily Denny – also a runner – rides ahead in the Bino mobile and waits, updating all the social media sites, no doubt. Or she backtracks on foot and runs with Gibino back to the car (runners are crazy).

He runs about 40 miles a day and really takes it in two shifts – 8 a.m. to noon, then 1-7 p.m. or thereabouts.

On his run, he, of course, has the entire Rocky soundtrack. He’s hoping word will spread enough that entire towns will accompany him through the streets (but not up any large stairs).

If not Rocky, he no doubtedly is listening to Bernie Sanders speeches and certainly picks up the pace as his words thunder through the headphones.

“That’s funny,” Gibino said of the notion.

He is not listening to Sanders speeches. But he does pass the time with podcasts. And a lot of deep thoughts. The scope of running to Philadelphia, however, is one he tries to avoid thinking about too much. His strategy is to compartmentalize the runs into those 6- to 8-mile stretches, otherwise it might get overwhelming.

The 1,200-mile journey to Philly is a long one (thanks Capt. Obvious), but Gibino is an avid runner. He does about 100 miles a week (Runners. Crazy. OK, you got it). He’s run in multiple marathons and done four ultra-marathons (over 50 kilometers).

But, Gibino didn’t give himself much room for error on this journey. He started 30 days before the convention and he’s set to arrive one day early. 

He’s not worried. He’s on a mission – raising awareness to changes needed in politics, hoping for some hotel money and, more importantly, the group Mile In My Shoes.

What that is, exactly, is a nonprofit that works with homeless shelters in the Twin Cities to get people there out and running.

Around 10-15 homeless run in each group, along with about 15 other volunteers. They go out three times a week – a longer run on the weekends. If runners stick with it, they earn things like shoes and other items (and if they need gear, it’s provided).

So, as you read this, Gibino is jogging down the road, sucking on some chia seeds, most likely. 

He’s got the trek all mapped out but still needs a couple Sanders supporters to help him along the way. As of this writing here are the cities he’ll hit where he could use a rest stop:

• 7/6/2016 Plymouth, IN
• 7/9/2016 Kalida, OH
• 7/11/2016 Plymouth, OH
• 7/12/2016 Creston, OH
• 7/13/2016 Alliance, OH
• 7/14/2016 Bever Falls, PA
• 7/16/2016 Latrobe, PA
• 7/17/2016 Indian Lakes, PA
• 7/18/2016 Everett, PA
• 7/19/2016 Fort Loundon, PA
• 7/20/2016 Biglerville, PA