Weekend Warriors – Orli Weisser-Pike, Runner – Eric Bourgeois, Runner

Orli Weisser-Pike, Runner

55; Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center

I f RUNNING: IRunning long distances gives me the grit and mental endurance that I wouldn’t have otherwise, and it teaches me that I can overcome adversity.

GO-TO GEAR: Men’s ASICS Cumulus shoes, a running belt to carry my phone, and a visor are absolute necessities.

FAVORITE MEMORY: Running the Jerusalem half marathon in 2018. I was in Israel visiting my parents. My father was dying. Thinking of his life, his struggles to survive, his own “marathon” helped me up those steep hills. I had no excuse to give up. My father broke his neck in a car accident when he was 31. He exercised every day of his life. He fought to stay mobile and understood the importance of exercise. He was a role model for discipline.

BEST EATS: La Michoacana. All the ice cream flavors are yummy, but my top three are RumRaisin, Tres Leches, and Strawberry Cream.

MY GROUP: I’m a member of the Memphis Runners Track Club.

PET PEEVE: People who use exercise as punishment for overeating.

UP NEXT: The 901 series culminating in the Germantown half marathon; the Little Rock half marathon the following weekend; Great American River Run; and the Suzuki Midnight Half Marathon in Iceland in June. Whenever a half marathon shows up in Memphis, you’ll find me there.

INSPIRATION: My parents were great role models. My father’s example gives me no excuse not to exercise.

ON MY NIGHTSTAND: Beloved by Toni Morrison

BUCKET LIST: I want to run half marathons in some of our National and State parks, like Yosemite, Zion, and Yellowstone, as well as in other countries—South Korea, Japan, and Paris. FAVORITE FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENT: Running half marathons. I’ve only been doing this for the past eight years. In July 2015 I had hip surgery to remove bone spurs from the head of my thigh bone (femur) and to repair a torn seal around my hip joint (hip labrum). I was not allowed to put weight on my right leg for about 7 weeks after surgery and had to use a walker. I continued going to my favorite boot camp (Sgt. Tony Ludlow) while recovering and as soon as my skin incisions healed I got myself a membership to the YMCA so that I could run while partially submerged in the pool. I was signed up for the SJ half marathon that year and was adamant to do it. I was able to run on land by the end of October. My first race after surgery was the 4 mile Turkey Trot. It’s one of the few race shirts that I want to keep as a reminder. I did complete the SJ half that year and every year since.

Eric Bourgeois, Runner

28; Marketing Director at Packed House Productions; Ambassador for Greater Memphis Chamber; Heroes Local Ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Visionary Ambassador for Memphis River Parks Partnership

I f RUNNING: I love running because the end result is entirely dependent on what you put in. As much as I love team sports, there are no excuses in running if you don’t get the job done or if you don’t achieve your desired time because it’s completely up to you. I also enjoy the meditational aspect of it. Being on a run is one of the few moments I have where I can collect myself and get in the zone. My favorite route is across the Big River Crossing and along the Mississippi riverfront. I’m pumped for the redesign of Tom Lee Park and believe it will inspire even more people to come to the river to run, walk, and play. GO-TO GEAR: The newest and fastest Nike shoes on the market!

FAVORITE MEMORY: Setting a PR in the 2021 St. Jude Marathon and raising almost $27,000 for St. Jude was incredible. While the conditions starting out were about 20º warmer than I would’ve preferred, I gave it all on the course and really picked it up over the last few miles. I picked people out that were ahead of me and once I passed them I would set my sights on the next person. I loved the final turn when you just turn on the jets, block everything else out, and exhaust everything you have to gun it for the finish.

BEST EATS: I’m a foodie so fried Buffalo chicken sliders w/ lettuce wraps from Slider Inn (can’t forget the Jameson Slushie), spicy pad Thai from The Nine, the wings at Good Fortune Co., anything from Rizzo’s By Michael Patrick, and the Caesar salad or Amazing Island Club from Bardog Tavern.

MY GROUP: I’m normally a solo runner, but I recently joined HIGHER Memphis workout studio and have been loving the weekly group Run class.

PET PEEVE: When people find excuses not to be the best version of themselves. There’s always going to be a million reasons why you don’t have to do something – being disciplined means finding just one reason to do it, then running with it.

UP NEXT: The 2022 St. Jude Marathon!

INSPIRATION: We’ve only got one life to live, and I want to feel my best for as long as I can. I know that I feel at my peak when I’m challenging myself physically. It just feels natural.

DREAM DINNER COMPANY: Martin Luther King, Jr. – his impact on the world has been so widespread, and it all started right here in Memphis. I would want to pick his brain on the divisiveness we see all around us and help find solutions to the problems in today’s society.

BUCKET LIST: A sub-3 hour marathon would be crazy. I know I’ll have to train hard to make that happen.

FAVORITE FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENT: My first St. Jude Marathon (in 2018) was big because it was my first time attempting 26.2 – a couple of 5Ks were the only other competitive runs I had participated in up until that point. I collapsed after the finish line!