My name is Mark Weber, I am a 28-year-old firefighter from Greenville, SC and I have taken on the challenge to become an Ironman. I've embarked on this immense undertaking as a tribute to the most incredible person I ever knew, my Dad. Over the next year I will share my experiences, training sessions, fundraising efforts, and thoughts about the goal of becoming an Ironman. I've created this blog to chronicle my journey towards the finish line in Louisville, Kentucky in August of 2014.

Becoming an Ironman is a long arduous journey filled with many roadblocks and obstacles along the way. Preparation for the most demanding athletic event known to man will test me beyond anything I've ever experienced. 2.5 miles of open water swimming, 112 miles of back breaking cycling, and 26.2 of pure running stand between me and the title of Ironman. I am Strong As Iron and I am ready for the challenge.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Guess My Finish Time Contest


As most of you know, I am raising funds through the IRONMAN Foundation, to benefit the American Cancer Society. As a creative way to raise funds, my fundraising team and I have come up with a unique approach to collect donations.  

Built into my training regimen, there are 2 additional triathlons that I am suggested to complete in order to train for IM Louisville: an Olympic Distance Triathlon & Half-Iron Distance Triathlon. Through “Guess My Finish Time Contest” each race (Olympic, Half-Iron, & Ironman) will give you the opportunity to donate money towards the American Cancer Society and enter your guesstimated time that I will finish each event.

The person with the closest time per race will receive a prize, with the IRONMAN winner receiving the GRAND PRIZE (TBD).

Week #9 Progess
Swim 100 Meters - 1:48
Bike Average Speed - 17.5 Mph
Run Average Pace - 8:28/Mile 
 (**Average AG Finish Time ~ 2.5 - 3 hours**)

 
 

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Crashing into Week #7

Well, I think I may have hit my first bump in the road... literally.


This morning, while riding my bike along Perimeter Rd near Greenville's Donaldson Center, my front tire hit a small indentation in the street which sent me flying through the air. No it wasn't the sudden separation between my bike and I or the complete loss of control that caused my road rash and bruised hip, it was the landing.


Thankfully I was only cruising downhill around 30mph. If I was going any faster, I might be writing this post from an emergency room hospital bed. The wreck happened in a split second and before I knew what had happened, I was sliding on my right hip staring at the ground beneath me. It was my right hip (love handle) that took the brunt of the hit. My right shoulder, arm, and thigh all have some pretty impressive road rash but, all seem to be in working order. Yes I am pretty sore and a little shook up but, I am ok and relativley uninjured. Most importantly my awesome Bontrager Specter helmet that I bought last summer did its #1 job, protecting my noggin. I've never wrecked my bike before, even as a kid, so I've never seen a helmet actually do its job but, this is impressive. My head doesn't hurt whatsoever and I never "blacked out", even for a second. Just goes to show how far helmet technology has come and why they really do save lives


Finally, I would like to express my extreme appreciation to the Good Samaritan, pilot Craig Carter from Air Charter Express, who came to my aid only moments after I wiped-out. He was kind enough to help me off the ground, load my bike into his SUV, and drive me almost 8 miles to my truck. To him, I am truly grateful.

I was riding too fast in aero position for my own good, plain and simple. I should of taken it easy on the downhill and saved my energy for the remainder of my 1:45 ride... Clear cut rookie mistake. Although I feel fairly confident with my cycling skills as of late, I am definitely no Lance Armstrong or George Hincapie... Obviously