In all of the fall racing mayhem, we failed to bring you a September Athlete of the Month - so this month we are doubling up with one of our favorite endurance couples. Meet Pat & Marge - two of the hardest working, most inspiring athletes that we know!
Pat: I have been racing since 2009, my first triathlon was the Chicago Triple, in 2010 I did my first Ironman (Wisconsin).
Marge: I have been racing since 2011 - I did my first Marathon and in 2012 I did my first Triathlon.
Pat: I wanted to be a more well-rounded athlete, I figured training for and entering a triathlon was the way to go.
Marge: In 2011 I watched my boyfriend compete in Ironman Louisville. It was the 1st triathlon I had ever witnessed. It was love at 1st sight. I was in awe and full of amazement on how incredible these athletes were. I thought to myself I would love to do this one day. I was training for my 1st marathon and at that time had no idea on how to swim and hadn't been on a bike in over 20 years. So I knew I had a very long road ahead of me. As the day progressed and I watched the finishers I thought to myself...who I am kidding I can never do this. Just then an 84 year old man crossed the finish. He inspired me to believe in myself despite your age or your doubts. I still have not crossed that ultimate finish but I have been working hard the past four years and have finished numerous Sprints and Olympics and 2 Half Iromans.
Pat: My first race was the Chicago Triple in 2009.
Marge: My 1st triathlon was Big Foot in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. It was a comedy show. I had literally bought the bike that Monday still did not know how to ride a Tribike let alone be clipped in and I could barely swim across the pool without stopping in panic. I ran to see Ed Dailey at Element and with shame asked him to change my clips out so I would not kill myself at the race, bought a few things I thought I needed for the triathlon and off I went to race. Well I nearly drowned, crashed my bike and could not get my legs to run but I managed to finish my 1st Triathlon. After that I was hooked and I have been giving it my all since then.
Pat: My favorite distance is the 1/2 Iron, the longer distances, especially the bike get a little boring to me…
Marge: I would say it's the 70.3 distance. It allows me to push myself without hating myself for doing it...lol!
Pat: Why don’t I stick to halves! I like the “sprint” aspect of racing better.
Marge: I thank God I have the best training partner. Jennifer Rivera has been with me since the start. Her and I use those long bike rides to catch up on everything from gossip to making plans for our next race or long training day.
If I am riding alone, I think positive thoughts and reassure myself that the final result is worth all these long and extraneous training days.
Pat: My least favorite workout would be long bike rides. I don’t like the amount of time it takes to bike somewhere where I can safely complete a long bike ride and then drive back.
Marge: Open water swims...no matter what body of water I am in , I envision Jaws waiting for me...lol
Pat: My favorite post-race meal would be a chocolate milk shake or two, if you can consider that a meal! lol
Marge: It's not so much a meal, I prefer a really thick strawberry or mango shake.
Pat: I think my proudest accomplishment was completing the Los Angeles Marathon in SWAT gear. Not only was it challenging but we raised a good amount of money for charity.
Marge: Becoming a mom is probably my proudest accomplishment. Having children was very challenging for me so being blessed with two beautiful and loving children is definitely my proudest accomplishment. Race wise, it would have to be finishing my 1st half Ironman. I couldn't believe I was able to push myself to finish something that was so challenging to myself.
Pat: If I have a secret weapon I think it would be my strong will. I believe I can accomplish anything, it may take a while but I know I can do it.
Marge: I really did not have a secret weapon until this year. Becoming a member at Edge and being a part of such a supportive and caring community has really boosted my confidence. This new found confidence has become my secret weapon!
You see I am not one of the "fast ones", I will never win a race, make it to podium, make it to Boston or Kona for that matter...lol, and I hardly ever PR...
But the wonderful thing about being a member of such a supportive community is that my 6 hour marathon time is cheered on as much as the ones that did make it to Boston or make it to the podium. Don't get me wrong I wish I was just as fast but unfortunately my little body just can't do any more than I push it to do. So the fact that I have finished every race I have ever started is a huge accomplishment for me!
Pat: Me! LOL
Marge: Me! LOL!
Pat: I have two Mantras,
“Mind over matter, I don’t mind and it don’t matter.”
“If you quit in training, you’ll quit in a race.”
Marge: I do not really have one but my 11 year old daughter McKenna chants "If I want it, I can do it and I WILL do it!" when she is competing.
Pat: My favorite part is watching Margie complete something she didn’t think she was able to complete. I love the way people look after accomplishing a goal!
Marge: Patrick and I have very different work schedules so it makes it difficult to spend time together. By training and racing together we get to do activities we love to do and stay active and fit while doing it is also a plus.
Pat: My goal for 2016 was and is to improve my running.
Marge: To finish every race I start!
Pat: Socializing! I like the community at Edge, there are some great people, I love to be around positive, goal orientated people.
Marge: Coach Jesi's recovery yoga.
Pat: Leaving, I wish I had more time to recover and talk with people, but training and life calls…
Marge: Super long rides on the kicker....zzzzz
Pat: Free coffee!
Marge: I can honestly say everything...I am so happy to be a member of such a wonderful and supportive community.
Pat: This one is stumping me…
Margie: I love to listen to Gangsta Rap! I just have to be careful not to sing out loud when I am running and have my headphones in!
As I trained for the Rio Paralympics, EDGE was the perfect place for me to recover in between my grueling workouts so I could perform my best day after day. It all paid off when I earned a bronze medal in Rio! Whether it's for bike, run or strength training, recovering in a pair of recovery boots, drinking a cup of coffee or chatting with the members about their past and current races, it is one of my favorite places to go - EDGE Athlete Lounge has become my second home!
I use EDGE for both training and recovery… having the Woodway treadmills and a room to do weights and other-related strength exercises when I need them is very helpful and convenient. Without question, utilizing EDGE on a consistent basis has helped me stay injury-free. In fact, as someone who has a history of being injured, since joining EDGE, I have yet to experience a significant injury. I attribute that largely to having ready access to state of the art recovery tools that EDGE provides its members with.
I will be racing the Boston Marathon in April, a race in which I am targeting a sub-2:30. Bearing that Boston goes according to plan, I intend on attacking a 2:25 clocking at the 2017 Chicago Marathon! Furthermore, I am planning on breaking 15:00 in the 5K and 1:09 in the half-marathon
EDGE helped me fight my way to the title of North American Cycle Courier Champion in 2016 and I’ve got 2017 in the crosshairs. As a full time bike messenger and a professional cyclist, my schedule allows very little time to give my muscles a break. The amazing staff and facilities at EDGE have allowed me to give my body the much needed recovery it needs between rides and have helped me ride farther, ride harder, and ride stronger than ever before. Fresh legs TRULY bring FAST TIMES!
