Patty is the narrator and protagonist of Patina. Patty is strong and determined on and off the track, although she struggles with anger and places immense pressure on herself to succeed. This pressure to succeed mostly plays out on the track. Patty uses her involvement in running and the track team both to honor her parents who can no longer run, but also to avoid addressing her problems. In this way, Patty serves as her own antagonist.

Patty has a strong desire to be considered “regular” and fit in, although nothing about her upbringing has been regular. Patty experienced multiple intense traumas at a young age: She lost her father suddenly, and her mother’s legs were amputated due to diabetes. Although she is cared for by her aunt Momly and Uncle Tony, these early traumas cause Patty to depend only on herself and to feel the need to take care of others. This is especially true in the case of Patty’s younger sister, Maddy, for whom Patty feels she needs to care for. Despite her devotion to taking care of others, Patty acknowledges that the pressure is “too much” (182) for her at times.