The Weathered Athlete Podcast

Mile #19 - Sue Aquila ( Business owner, Running/Triathlon Coach, Ultra Runner, Triathlete and 3 x Kona Finisher)

Today I am honored to be joined by the owner of Blooming Bagel company, Running and triathlon Coach, Ultra Runner, Triathlete and fellow Buffalonian Sue Aquila for mile #19.  http://fewoman.com/coaching/
It was great to find our we grew up 20 minutes from each other outside Buffalo and that we both survived the legendary Blizzard of 77.  So much fun!!  She has a pretty impressive race resume including Women’s 45-49 Age Group Champion at Ironman Louisville and Texas.
She is a 3-time Kona Finisher, her last in 2014 finishing with an impressive time of 11:52:27.  Along with running Bloomington Bagel company she has multiple other business ventures.  We discuss how she has managed this Covid environment as business owner, triathlete and coach.   We talk about her humble beginnings at her  first sprint triathlon.  We discuss how she has been filling her time during Covid with training and learning to play pickleball with her wife.  She details what has made her successful over the years both in business and in life, including those individuals that provide guidance.  She provides great insight into how she has dealt with failure, and how she deals with any bad thoughts with racing and how she plans to continue to move forward and not go quietly into the night. 
I hope you enjoy

Sprint Interval Workout- Sue Aquila

Today’s Sprint interval session is led by business owner, Running and triathlon Coach, Ultra Runner, and Triathlete Sue Aquila.  She is a 3 time Kona Finisher, her last in 2014 had an impressive time of 11:52:27.  She is the owner of the Bloomington Bagel company as well as other businesses as you will hear.  We discuss how she has managed this covid environment as business owner, triathlete and coach.   We talk about her humble beginnings at her 1stsprint triathlon.  She details what has made her successful over the years both in business and in life, including those individuals that provide guidance.  She provides great insight into how she has dealt with failure and how she continues to move forward and not go quietly into the night.  I hope you enjoy.
Sue's Bio and contact info here: http://fewoman.com/coaching/
 

Mile #18- Gene Dykes-World Marathon Record (unofficially) of 2:54:23 at Age 70

Today I am honored to be joined by Marathoner and Ultra Runner Gene Dykes for mile #18. Gene has such an impressive resume.
His philosophy: “Just Run”
“I never stretch, never do flexibility exercises…No weightlifting, no strength, no core, no cross training, no special diet.”
2:54:23 - his fastest marathon time (age 70)
That is a per-mile pace of 6:39. He ran it at the Jacksonville Marathon on Dec. 15, 2018
I encourage you to check out his website www.ultrageezer.com.   
With the assist of his daughter he has set up a great timeline of the amazing things he has been doing. 
What is hard for me to believe is that he never thought he was any good at running and to hear that his racing career did not start until age 56.  To the outside observer one may take a look at all his accomplishments and think he is fortunate to have great genetics.  Surprisingly, he feels all those years of just running and not racing has allowed him stay fresh and healthy.  You will soon find out he has put the extensive work that is necessary to attain the accolades that he has so rightfully deserved.  His “Just Run” philosophy provides the foundation and his willingness to never miss or cut back on a workout his coach prescribes has helped him attain some pretty remarkable feats as he has aged.  I can promise that if I can look at training and racing with the same “have Fun viewpoint”. Who know what I can accomplish!! 
I hope you enjoy todays conversation as much as I did.

Sprint Interval Workout - Gene Dykes-World Marathon Record (unofficially) of 2:54:23 at Age 70

Today’s Sprint interval session is led marathon and Ultra Runner Gene Dykes.  We spend time discussing his start into running and how he made the transition to marathon and Ultrarunning.  How he views his time off for any injuries.  His credo of having fun with all activities, no matter the length and how a "Just Run" mindset provides the foundation for his training and race plan.  He is quick to admit that his attitude and the addition of a coach has helped him reaching a goal to shatter all conventional wisdom.   I hope you enjoy.
 
For more details on Gene's amazing accomplishments!
www.ultrageezer.com
 

Mile #17 - Pat Okker (7x Boston Marathon Finisher, 2x World Record Holder in Powerlifting, Olympic Style Weightlifter)

Pat Okker began her athletic journey at the age of 51. She now competes in three admittedly unconnected sports: powerlifting, Olympic style weightlifting, and running (with an emphasis on the marathon). She’s completed nine marathons, including seven consecutive Boston Marathons (with a PR of 3:37). She holds two world records in powerlifting for her age and weight class with the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation and numerous American and national records with the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation. She has also competed in regional and international weightlifting competitions, including the Pan American Weightlifting Competition. When she isn’t training, she serves as Dean of the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri, Columbia. 

Sprint Interval Workout - Pat Okker (7x Boston Marathon Finisher, 2x World Record Holder in Powerlifting, Olympic Style Weightlifter)

Pat Okker began her athletic journey at the age of 51. She now competes in three admittedly unconnected sports: powerlifting, Olympic style weightlifting, and running (with an emphasis on the marathon). She’s completed nine marathons, including seven consecutive Boston Marathons (with a PR of 3:37). She holds two world records in powerlifting for her age and weight class with the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation and numerous American and national records with the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation. She has also competed in regional and international weightlifting competitions, including the Pan American Weightlifting Competition. When she isn’t training, she serves as Dean of the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Mile #16 - Matt Clancy - Triathlete, Triathlon Coach and Director of E3 Endurance

Coach Matthew Clancy is the Director of Endurance Performance at E3 Endurance. Having been a professional endurance sports coach since 2002, it was his dream to put all his knowledge, abilities, and services under one roof. At E3 Endurance, he develops and facilitates the training, testing, and coaching of endurance sports athletes from ages 5 to 75 within a state of the art training center that includes an Olympic-sized pool, CompuTrainer multi-rider cycle studio, a Retul innovative Fit Studio, VO2 & Metabolic Testing Lab and other equipment designed to make any athlete better.
 
At E3 Endurance, Coach Matt will determine your current fitness levels through physiological testing of VO2, Lactate, Body Composition, and Resting Metabolic Rate. Then he will determine baseline sport-specific abilities before designing personalized training protocols to help athletes achieve their desired outcome, whether that is to complete their first triathlon, qualify for the Boston Marathon, make a UCI cycling team, or improve swimming efficiency. His mission is to help all endurance athletes reach their goals by providing them with the best coaching, training, products, and equipment the endurance sport industry has to offer.
 
coachmatt@E3endure.com

Sprint Interval Workout - Coach Matt Clancy

Today’s Sprint interval session is led triathlete, Triathlon coach and owner of E3 Endurance Matt Clancy. http://www.e3endure.com/
We spend time discussing his decision to enter a 10k race while in college and how that helped him reignite something inside him.  We take a deep dive into his journey over the years including the things that made him a better athlete as he worked towards getting his Pro card and how his sports psychology degree provides a foundation for self growth and as he works to assist those athletes he trains.   
I hope you enjoy.

Mile #15-Andy Leighton (Pickleball over Parkinson's)

Andy Leighton, 73, of Arlington Virginia was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 10 years ago and continues to play competitive pickleball in nationwide tournaments.  He has a coast-to-coast group of supporter’s called “Andy’s Army.”  You can follow his progress on the website www.pickleballoverparkinsons.com.   Andy retired from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (Organization Development) in 2016.  He continues to volunteer as a mediator in Arlington General District Court.
For local pickleball court locations, go here: www.usapa.org.  Scroll down to the red box on the right and click on “Find a Place to Play.”  At the next screen, click “Places to Play,” then enter your zip code.  You’re on your way!  Let me know if you have questions.

Sprint Interval Workout -Andy Leighton ( Pickleball over Parkinson's)

Today’s Sprint interval session is led 73 year old pickleball player Andy Leighton.   For those unfamiliar with Andy he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years ago and is the leader of Andy’s Army, which continues to grow and provide support with his mission of Pickleball over Parkinson’s.  We discuss how his decision to choose movement and playing pickleball has positively impacted his life and disease process.  He provides great insight into how pickleball challenges everything that Parkinson’s is trying to take away from him. 
He describes the role that music plays in his life including his time playing French horn at National Airport in DC
His attitude towards life and competition is inspiring and can be a lesson for anyone going through any challenges.  I hope you enjoy.