You should be able to start/rec/stop using a midi pedal board. Not sure about continue.
Default transport cc's are Play: CC54, Rec: CC50, Stop: CC51.
I've had to change these as they interfere with certain synths (Waldorf tends to use CC50 for cutoff level, CC51 for filter env amount and various uses for CC54), but apparently those CC assignments are standard with certain computer-based DAW's.
You won't be able to change patterns with a midi pedal board, or any midi controller. Hopefully this will change as it would be so much easier to change the patterns with feet while twisting knobs with hands.