Racing against Time: On Ironman, Ultramarathons, and the Quest for Transformation in Midlife

by Jeffrey Weiss

Racing Against Time is the inspiring true story of Jeff Weiss's incredible transformation in midlife. At 48 years old, out of shape and searching for new purpose, Weiss took on his first 10K-an event that would spark a profound personal evolution. What began as a simple challenge soon turned into an extraordinary journey of endurance, perseverance, and self-discovery. Within a decade, he pushed beyond perceived limits, becoming an Ironman and ultramarathoner, proving that age is no barrier to strength and ambition.

Kirkus Reviews:
“An engaging and reflective life journey that captures the grit, grace, and quiet triumphs of endurance sports.” “The memoir’s honest reflections on physical challenges and mental resilience resonate alongside classics like Haruki Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, blending the physical demands of sport with introspective growth.”

New York Times Bestselling Author and legendary ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes:
“If you’re looking for inspiration and motivation, Racing Against Time will get you going!”

Travis Macy, author of The Ultra Mindset: An Endurance Champion’s 8 Core Principles for Success in Business, Sports, and Life.:
“Part memoir and all inspiration, Racing Against Time has it all: family, life, midlife transformation, tragedy with triumph, and, thankfully, a whole lot of UltraRunning. I’m stoked about another book from Jeff, and I think you will be too.”

Chip Conley, bestselling author of Learning to Love Midlife and Founder, Modern Elder Academy:
“Weiss’s story illustrates the power and joy of mid-life transformation.”

279 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who took to running late in life and recently completed my first marathon, I can relate to Jeffrey Weiss. There is something about training for long distances that focuses your mind and life and brings an energy and excitement to your life. At any given time during a run or race you might not feel that way, and may be questioning your life choices, but when you are able to reflect that's what motivates you to keep going.

Racing Against Time is a sort of memoir and reflection on pushing your physical limits. Basically, Weiss takes you along on his journey from signing up for a 10K to deciding to become an Ironman, run Ultramarathons, and other boundary pushing activities.

The book provides both a narrative about how this happened and why but also motivation for those nervous about challenging themselves to attempt outrageous things. Weiss takes the reader through the process of how and why for a host of things. Which training plan to follow, which races to enter, the ins and outs of everything from working with a coach to how injuries and physical therapy impact training; plus, what is truly possible and what is not. If you ever wondered what the mind of an marathoner or ultramarathoner was like, this will give you a taste.

For Weiss, pushing his limits is all about the journey. He loves how training and setting outrageous goals makes him feel physically and mentally. But he also shares the struggles and failures; the times he doubted himself and the times he was unable to achieve his goals. As he got older he had to wrestle with physical limits but remains committed to pushing himself.

As noted at the start, I am on a similar path. Although, I am not sure I will attempt an Ironman. I have gone from using the Couch to 5K app to running two marathons, a 25K trail race, and more shorter races than I can count. I am contemplating 50K races and other long distance trail races. And I have to admit, I smiled to myself a few times because at 55 I am a little faster than Weiss and I am not sure I would ever want to be on my feet, on a bike, or in the water that long (i.e. Ironman, Comrades, Tahoe Midnight Express).

For me, what was interesting was to see it through the eyes of another athlete as they approached training, racing, thinking about goals and possibilities, etc. What makes a person do what they do, what does it feel like to take on these crazy challenges, and what keeps them going.

If you don't have any experience with the doubts and fears that accompany distance running, Weis provides an interesting narrative and reflection on his experience that will give you a glimpse of what that feels like and what goes through the athlete's mind. From Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles as the Pandemic swept the world, from South Africa to Lake Tahoe, Weiss pushed his body to its limits and he takes you along for the ride.

Racing Against Time is an approachable and engaging reflection on what it means to push yourself and achieve unthinkable goals not at the peak of your physical condition but later in life. It really does show that what is possible if you put in the time and effort.

[Graeme Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Racing Against Time is the kind of memoir that meets you exactly where you are and then quietly dares you to go further.

Jeffrey Weiss begins his story not at a finish line but at a familiar crossroads: 48 years old, out of shape, and searching for something he cannot yet name. That honesty is immediately disarming. There is no pretence of natural athleticism, no backstory of former glory to reclaim. Just a man, a 10K, and the slow dawning realisation that the challenge he signed up for was far larger than any race distance on a registration form.

What follows over the next decade is genuinely remarkable not because Weiss becomes an Ironman and ultramarathoner, impressive as that is, but because of how meticulously and honestly he documents the interior journey running alongside the physical one. He is a thoughtful, self-aware narrator, equally comfortable sitting with doubt and failure as he is celebrating hard-won milestones. That balance gives the book a credibility and emotional richness that sets it apart from the crowded field of endurance sport memoirs.

The comparisons to Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running are well earned. Like Murakami, Weiss understands that the real subject of running writing is never the running itself it is what the miles reveal about the person covering them. His reflections on midlife, purpose, physical limitation, and the relationship between suffering and growth are rendered with genuine literary care.

Endorsed by legends like Dean Karnazes and praised by Kirkus, this is endurance memoir firing on all cylinders. For anyone navigating midlife with a sense that there is still something extraordinary left to attempt, Racing Against Time is both permission and roadmap.
Inspiring, honest, and beautifully paced.

[Aditya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Racing Against Time by Jeffrey Weiss is an honest, motivating, and deeply relatable memoir about redefining what is possible in midlife. Rather than presenting himself as a natural athlete, Weiss writes as a regular person who felt stuck, out of shape, and unsure of what came next. His decision at forty eight to run a simple 10K becomes the starting point for a decade long transformation that leads him to Ironman races and ultramarathons, but more importantly, to renewed purpose and self belief.

What makes this book stand out is its sincerity. Weiss does not gloss over injuries, self doubt, failed races, or the mental strain of balancing training with family and work. He shares the moments when quitting felt reasonable just as openly as the moments of triumph. That balance makes the journey feel real and attainable rather than intimidating.

The writing is reflective and engaging, blending endurance sports with thoughtful insights about aging, identity, and resilience. You do not need to be a runner to appreciate this book. At its heart, it is about choosing growth over stagnation and meeting time with curiosity instead of fear.

This is an inspiring read for anyone wondering if meaningful change is still possible later in life. It proves that it absolutely is.

Thank you,
Happy Reading

[Charles Magesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Inspiring Memoir on Fitness and Resilience


RACING AGAINST TIME: On Ironman, Ultramarathons, and the Quest for Transformation in Midlife by Jeffrey Weiss offers an insightful reflection on resilience and determination, reminding readers that with resolve, age doesn't prevent achieving life's goals. Jeffrey shares his fitness and marathon journey with humility and realism, resonating with many and inspiring them not to give up or stay in a comfort zone.

The author is not boastful; he talks openly about his triumphs and moments of fame, as well as his times of weakness and failures to meet targets. This makes his story truly inspiring and motivating, especially since many people feel discouraged on their first try and sometimes give up, but Jeffrey keeps pushing and later surpasses his goals.

His storytelling skills are excellent, capturing the reader's attention and immersing them as if listening to a friend narrate. The memoir is engaging and well-written, with professional editing and no grammatical errors. It contains no profanity or explicit language, making it suitable for readers of all ages. 

[Gauraa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Racing Against Time is a profoundly honest and motivating memoir that proves the "decline" of aging is anything but automatic. At 48, Jeffrey Weiss was out of shape and haunted by past failures; by his 50s and 60s, he had transformed into an Ironman and ultramarathoner. What sets this book apart is Weiss’s refusal to portray himself as a superhuman. Instead, he writes as a relatable professional and family man navigating injuries, anxiety, and the physical realities of a maturing body.

Drawing comparisons to Haruki Murakami’s running reflections, Weiss explores the "double entendre" of his title—literally racing in events while figuratively battling the clock of aging. He shares his triumphs alongside his "DNF" (Did Not Finish) moments with equal vulnerability, offering a powerful meditation on how consistent effort can reshape both the body and the mind. Ultimately, the book is a call to action for anyone feeling stagnant in midlife: it’s a reminder that while we cannot stop time, we can choose to meet it with adventure rather than excuses. It is an essential read for anyone looking to reclaim their vitality and redefine their limits.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Racing Against Time is a compelling and deeply human memoir that proves transformation is not reserved for youth, but earned through courage, consistency, and self-belief. Jeffrey Weiss chronicles his midlife reinvention with honesty and humility, turning what begins as a modest 10K into a decade-long journey toward Ironman and ultramarathon finishes.

What makes this book resonate is not just athletic achievement, but reflection. Weiss captures the physical strain, mental doubt, and quiet triumphs of endurance sports while weaving in questions of purpose, aging, family, and resilience. The result is a narrative that feels both intensely personal and widely relatable.

Balanced, inspiring, and grounded, Racing Against Time stands comfortably alongside modern endurance classics, offering readers motivation without bravado and inspiration without exaggeration. It is a testament to what is possible when curiosity replaces fear and commitment replaces excuses.

[Jan Geerling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobooks during my runs. The fact that the writer was eying ultraruns at my current age adds that little bit of extra interest. Sometimes I got a bit irritated by the fact that the writer seemed to have a bit of a negative mindset, the moment something goes wrong his confidence seems to unravel in a heartbeat, even after the miles he has put in during training. Maybe he should have taken a leaf out of his brothers book. During an impressive ultrarun the writer is irritated by his younger brother’s apparent lack of training and loose attitude towards the event. But as it turns out the brother manages to put in a very decent performance and makes it to the finish. The writer does not. But on the other hand, the writer is honest about his doubts and fears.

But all in all I liked the meditations of what it means to become older and still chasing dreams.

[Purnima Khanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The majority of people in their late 40s and early 50s struggle with lethargy, weight gain, and exhaustion. But in his memoir "Racing Against Time," Jeffrey Weiss describes how he became an ultramarathon runner in his 50s.
The theme is reflective and motivating.His story is straightforward, unvarnished, and sympathetic. Unquestionably, his journey to become a late-life athlete was fraught with fear, weariness, and frustration. But his perseverance and resolve kept him inspired. His experience shows us that it's never too late to accomplish the appropriate objectives. The author also stresses the need to listen to one's body. We may, of course, learn from his experience, but we must be careful not to become overly ambitious.

[Charles Malumba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Weiss' Racing against Time is a self-reflection that explores the difficulties and endurance required for distance runners. Having been involved in sports in one way or another since childhood, Weiss reflects on the increasing grit, discipline, and endurance needed to continue those pursuits, whether casually or professionally, in adulthood. Weiss does a lot of self-reflection throughout this novel, focusing not only on the highs, but introspecting, learning from setbacks in life, and finding meaning throughout his fitness journey.

[John Obi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeffrey Weiss presented a down-to-earth tale of perseverance over the years. Through this memoir which spans from his high-school/college years, to his mid life, Weiss makes it clear that he was not born a talented sportsman. Instead, he adopted a lifestyle to steadily improve his fitness and skill, carrying us along through the highs and lows of his journey. It's this brutal honesty that makes Racing Against Time a compelling read. Weiss humanizes himself, as opposed to glorifying his achievements, prompting us all to improve ourselves despite whatever setbacks we may face.

[Bob Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeffrey Weiss's Racing Against Time is a down-to-earth memoir that chronicles Weiss' life through the lens of his fitness journey. It's a relatable story, full of perseverance through downtimes and struggles. Through this book, Weiss encourages us to maintain focus on our fitness and goals in general, not relenting regardless of our personal feelings of lethargy or tiredness. Weiss espouses fitness through discipline, showing us times when he wavered. All in all, it's a very humble, self-aware memoir delivered with grace.

[Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

One recurring theme throughout Jeffrey Weiss’ Racing Against Time was the merits of avoiding complacency. From his younger years where he constantly reminded himself not to coast off strength gained during his powerlifting seasons, to the final chapters where he explicitly warns against complacency, Racing Against Time is a memoir that exposes fitness, but also the consistent, steady work it takes to maintain that fitness over decades.

[Phin Ejike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Racing Against Time: On Ironman, Ultramarathons, and the Quest for Transformation in Midlife is Jeff Weiss’s personal memoir on his journey with running and fitness at large. It’s an honest piece, not a glorification of his athletic career, but a true reflection on his failures, pitfalls, highs and lows. Weiss writes an engaging story that’s not idealistic, but relatable, perfect for athletes and readers who have an interest in sports.

[John Gensel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. So many running memoirs come from the elite who few can emulate and really truly understand. To hear (I listened to the audiobook) the struggle of a non professional not-runner who becomes an ultra marathoner hit home. I enjoyed the level of detail as a runner myself while also appreciating all the thought and dedication it takes to find out how to eke out every minute one needs to finish.

[Jonathan Roseland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring!

An incredible memior of an insane series of endurance feats - from Tahoo to South Africa. I did not convince me to take up endurance racing but inspired my own fitness journey.

[Nancy Mcclenathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeffrey Weiss is an amazing person and his journey for better fitness is very interesting and inspiring. His participation in races like ultramarathon and ironman in his 50s should inspire anyone who reads this book to become more fit.

Thank you goodreads and the publisher for this book.