Mark Fischer-Colbrie, 53, of Cupertino earned the title of Ironman on Saturday, October 10, 2009. Mark completed the Ford World Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii in 16 hours, 17 minutes and 22 seconds. He returns to the Bay Area a champion. Australia’s Craig Alexander, 36, added a second consecutive World Championship title to his resume, finishing nearly 8 hours earlier than did Mark. Craig Alexander joined the exclusive group of three other men who have ever managed to repeat as winner of Ford Ironman World Championship.
As the world watched Alexander’s incredible drive to the finish line, Fisher-Colbrie was looking strong, although he would not finish the cycle portion for more than an hour. Weather conditions for the 31st Ironman were hot, with temperatures reaching well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the bike and run portions. Once he completed the 112 miles of biking, Mark still had to run a full 26.2 marathon.
Fischer-Colbrie’s wife, Lisa, was on hand as Mark crossed the finish line after swimming 2.4 mile in the Pacific Ocean in 1 hour and 20 minutes; biking 112 miles in 7 hours and 55 minutes and running 26.2 miles in just 6 hours and 31 minutes. Sixteen hours and 17 minutes earlier Lisa yelled “good luck” as Mark plunged into the ocean. I was not there but I imagine Lisa yelled something.
The Fisher-Colbrie’s return to the Bay Area as champions and unsung heroes. Mark has earned a title that most of us can not even consider. He is an Ironman at age 53. He adds Ironman to his impressive list of titles that includes corporate president, founding family, board president and, of course, head of household. Mark is not a professional triathlete as are the Ironman elite. Mark trained when he could find the time — in the evenings and weekends; between his role as husband and father; after serving in a demanding role as captain of industry and as community leader on the JDRF Greater Bay Chapter Board.
I completed the Chicago Triathlon in ’90s (or was it the ’80′s?). I remember asking myself, “what were you thinking?” as I pulled myself out of Lake Michigan and transitioned to cycling. After swimming nearly a mile, the last thing I wanted was to get on my bike. I can not remember my finishing time though I do remember that others crossed the finish line after me. I remember distinctly saying, “never again.” I am humbled as write this and as I do the word hero comes to mind. Mark is a real life hero and I am proud to staff his charity.
The Fischer-Colbrie family is a JDRF Family which means they are heroes of JDRF. For nearly a decade they have brought countless benefits to JDRF in the hopes of finding cures for diabetes. Mark and Lisa are heroes to those who benefit from research aimed at finding cures for type 1 diabetes. They are heroes to many they are not likely to ever meet: people who wear CGMs and have lower A1Cs, people enrolling in CD3 Trials who are enjoying prolonged good health, people who look forward to wearing the artificial pancreas; people who are encourage by the therapeutic potential of ATG and people who have hope that one day there will no longer be type 1 diabetes.
Part of Mark’s motivation for competing in the Hawaii Ironman was to increase awareness of type 1 diabetes by raising funds for JDRF. The mission of JDRF is find cures for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. While he completes the ironman, as if this is not enough of an accomplishment, Mark also raises $25,000 for diabetes research and JDRF.
Did you know that Craig Alexander has his own iPhone App to give fans the unusual “spur of the moment” personal access to a professional triathletes’ life? With that same iPhone, I can reach Mark by just giving him a call. I can’t wait to hear all about the Ironman from a professional, a triathlete and a hero.
As I bring this blog entry to conclusion, I am reminded what Mark said as he looked forward to the grueling competition. “What I continue to be amazed about is how well people who happen to have type 1 diabetes deal with adversity ever day and in a manner much better than I ever could.” Mark continued, “an Ironman may be tough to do, but dealing with type 1 diabetes is way tougher.”
I have not met Mark and Lisa’s son, Tyler. I am certain, however, that his parents are his personal heroes. Just as they are to all of us at JDRF.
