Motovational Photos

Chris Sadowski is a father, a triathlete, and a project manager. He's not an average triathlete. He competes in IronMan events. In 2004, during IronMan Hawaii, he ran into some problems. This is his account in his own words:

It was an 'official' Ironman motorcycle that rear ended me at mile 105 of the 112 bike leg. The 'official' driver was carrying a red-shirted 'referee' that was observing the bike course at the time. I guess they wanted to make a right turn into Energy Lab to see the pro's (who where running already) when they smashed into me after I moved 6" to the left of the white shoulder line to avoid hitting the upcoming staggered cones & pedestrians in the shoulder. I was pulled out of the peddles, flew over the bike, fell on my back and avoided hitting my head but badly scratched both arms and rear. As soon as I rolled over, the medics were freaking-out and wanted to put me on a spine board and tape me up like a mummy. After their initial exam, I had to tell them all to settle down and tell me my options. If they would have helped me, I would have been DQ'd. My rear tire was destroyed and my carbon Giant TCR Zero frame was cracked at the rear diagonal. My only option was to pick it up and walk it in.

It was a long 2-1/2 hour walk with the bike on my shoulder and, amazingly, my bike socks didn't have any holes afterward. It's a good thing that I fully hydrated in anticipation of a grueling marathon because I went without water the entire 7-mile walk and barely made the bike cut-off time. My heels, left calf and rear hurt extremely bad once I started the marathon. My ankles swelled up too. I had to alternate between running and walking and was afraid that I wouldn't make the 17 hour finish mark. The NBC cameras wouldn't leave me alone. Now I know what it feels like to be a pro on film. I've been told that NBC will show me on the November 20th Ironman special at 4PM.

I was so tired after I finished the race that I didn't have the energy to sit up and drink a beer (that means I was deathly tired). Plus, the road rash on my rear prevented me from sitting. I am recovering with no broken bones and a lot of scrapes. I can, of course, drink beer now. It's helping.

Cannondale presented Chris with a new $1,700 tri-bike during the awards ceremony.