Every month we're going to feature one of our badass EDGE Athletes. This month we bring you Joon Park - who also happens to be our very first EDGE Member! And apparently he is a champion karaoke singer too (read on!)
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I was a social runner but I really started serious training in 2011. Brian and Robyn peaked my interest when they started training for their first Ironman. In 2011, I took a year off of work to focus on family, health and to find balance in my life. I haven't looked back since ... Basically it's Brian and Robyn's fault...
JPM corporate challenge 5k in 2005. I remember training for a 5k! We all start somewhere.
Ironman Melbourne
Morning swims during Chicago winters
Deep dish pizza / Italian beef
Outside of my son Ethan, I think the ability to compete in long-distance endurance events while training 2-4 times a week. Although I wish I could train full-time, I'm blessed that I'm able to leverage my base training over the years to compete in races while balancing family and work commitments.
"just one more hill"
Ironman South Africa, Chicago Marathon
Drinking a Kong while booting
The Ice Bath
The best part of being an EDGE athlete, outside of the state of the art facilities that make you a better athlete, is the EDGE community. Training is hard and some of our race goals can be daunting. Having a group of athletes to support you and challenge you to achieve those goals is what the Edge community is all about.
I am the 1996 employee only Midwest region Benihana Karaoke champion
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!
