Meet our Athlete of the Month for August, Marc Arseneau. Marc is a married father of two, business owner, and a generous man in his community. He just finished his first Ironman, Lake Placid, while battling a few nasty injuries along the way. For now his goal is to stay healthy through IMFL and to set a PR at the Ironman distance.
Enjoy the interview with Marc:
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your sports background? Which sports did you do as a kid and as you got older?
A: As a kid I loved every sport but I did not excel at any of them because I was a late bloomer and I was lazy. As I got in my later teens, I started to develop passion for everything. I Alpine skied, I scuba dived, played hockey, tennis, wrestled, soccer and everything else I had a friend involved in. I just didn’t want to miss anything. In my 20′s, I started to play a lot of Golf. I got down to a 4 handicap. Later in my 20′s I started to play Bowling. I have 9 perfect games, I was a teacher for the “International Bowling Professional Instructor” and played 2 times on TV. In my 30′s, I started my business and got fat. Sport was not an option for me. In the middle of February 2005, I started to run like Forest Gump. I got into Ocean rowing and won the Bay of Chaleur 20 mile crossing once and finished 3 times in second position.
Q: What was your motivation to get started in triathlon?
A: About 2 years ago, I got a motivational email from a friend. It was the story of Rick and Dick Hoyt. Before it was over I turned to my wife and told her I was going to do an Ironman. I had to buy a bike and find someone to help me get into this sport, and so I did.
Q: When and where was your first race?
A: My first race was a few weeks after I got that email of Rick and Dick Hoyt. In the race I had a mechanical problem with my bike and had to quit. Before my bike was ready again for training, winter was back… Because I had one more rowing race the next summer, I kept the triathlon out of my mind. I finally did my first triathlon last July 18th and finished 20th out of 80. I registered for the Lake placid Ironman one week later.
Q: What is your current job?
A: I am a General contractor. We do building for restaurants to car dealerships.
Q: How does it affect training?
A: At the moment we are really busy and I find it difficult. I try to schedule around the training and not around the work.
Q: Tell us about your family?
A: My wife Nathalie is a nurse and she is very supportive of anything I do. We got married very young and got 2 kid soon after. My daughter Gabrielle is 21 and is currently studying at McGill University. My son Eric is almost 18 and will be starting University this fall.
Q: What award did you recently receive?
A: In 2005 I received the Entrepreneur of the year award
in 2007 I was named in the New Brunswick Ambassador group
in 2011 I was given the Provincial Outstanding award for my local business contribution.
Q: Who is your coach at D3 and how has your coach helped you with your goals?
A: Mike Ricci is coaching me. I have the greatest of confidence in is ability to bring me to my goals. I don’t think I could have finished the IMLP without him. He has helped me get thru my downs, and tame me at my peeks.
Q: Have you done any races that you’d traveled for?
A: Most of the races I have to travel. From Montreal, Moncton and Lake Placid
Q: Best Triathlon moment?
A: The last 200m of the Lake Placid Ironman. It was worth all the work and more.
Q: What is your favourite race and why?
A: I have to say Lake Placid because of it’s challenges and spectacular scenery.
Q: What are your long term goals in triathlon?
A: I love the Ironman distance. My wife loves the races and we would like to incorporate race and vacation together. Like every triathlete, I would like to get to Kona.
Q: If you could spend a day training with anyone, who would it be?
A: Lance Armstrong without a doubt!!!!!!!!!!
Q: What’s in your race future?
A: I will do a half Ironman in september and prepare for Ironman Florida in November.
Q: What’s your favorite workout?
A: Group workouts are my favourite, but I also love the recovery runs and the intensity workouts.
Q: What your least favorite workout?
A: the 4th swimming workout of the week!
Q: Tell us something interesting about you!
A: I have been climbing mountains in the past few years. Last winter I climbed Kilimanjaro in Africa with my son. This January, I will be climbing the 22,800 ft mount Aconcagua in south america. Finally, my bucket list is too long for one lifetime!