Racing Against Time follows your journey from a defeated teenage runner to a 56-year-old endurance athlete, revealing how relentless effort, humility, and heart can reshape the aging curve and one’s sense of purpose. Why was this an important book for you to write?

In the first years after I got started in endurance sports, I read everything I could about running and triathlon.  I especially enjoyed fitness memoirs.  I found these to be a source of inspiration – convincing me that I could take on challenges that had always seemed out of reach.  They were also filled with good practical advice, which was important to me during those early years when I was still so inexperienced.  

Now, 15 years after I started on this fitness journey with a first 10K at age 48, I look back with amazement at how endurance sports have enhanced my life.  They turned the decade of my 50s into one of discovery and adventure.  And I credit my exposure to the world of ultramarathons and Ironman for much of my success in the challenging world of start-ups.  

Writing Racing Against Time was my way of trying to do the same for others who are just getting started.  Especially because I started so late (I ran my first 10K at age 48) and because I am not an especially fast runner, I hope my story can persuade others who are approaching mid-life and are concerned about their fitness to give endurance sports a try. I would love to see others experience the things I have in recent years – to surprise themselves, to gain confidence, and to find the joy in climbing new mountains in all spheres of life.  

What finally pushed you to confront the sting of that first failed 10K after letting it simmer for thirty years?

It was a combination of things.  My father had passed away the year before and that caused me to think about my own health and well-being.  Before that, I had, like a lot of us, always pushed off to the future thoughts about getting serious about fitness – telling myself that I would start once I had more time.  At age 48 and with my father’s passing still fresh in my mind, I decided that this was not something that I should put off any longer.  

Around that same time, I met Jason Schwartz, who was only a few years younger than me and had recently started running.  He had already progressed to the marathon and had really been transformed by the experience.  That planted the idea that I should specifically consider making running a centerpiece of my effort to finally make time for fitness.  

You write openly about fear, ego, and self-doubt. Was there a particular race or training cycle where those emotions almost stopped you?

I found the prospect of taking on a full Ironman race (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run) to be extraordinarily intimidating.  For years I had entirely ruled it out as impossible for someone like me.  When I did finally decide to take one on, it was only after years of training (including multiple marathons, my first two ultras, and a number of shorter distance triathlons) – and even then, I set the goal for some two years later so that I would have ample time to build up to it.  For the entire period of training I was anxious about my ability to finish the race – yet at the same time excited and energized that I was chasing something that was challenging and that would have the potential to redefine me as an athlete and change me as a person.  

If someone in mid-life feels stuck and overwhelmed, what is the smallest, most doable first step you hope they take after reading your book?

I would recommend taking the crucial mental step of deciding that the time to begin is now, and to make the firm commitment to yourself that you will train a specified number of days per week virtually no matter what – and to start today.  The ideal number of days per week to train is 6.  You can start with fewer if absolutely necessary (for example 3 or 4 days) – you should never let the perfect be the enemy of the good – but you need to start now and to be consistent.  Over time you should try different fitness activities to find the one(s) that work best for you.  It will take some amount of experimentation and you don’t need to have all the answers at the beginning.  

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