The inspiring ride of para-cyclist Todd Key

Todd Key likes to race other cyclists at a punishing pace. But unlike all of his competitors and friends, he rides using one leg, not two. Key has fought

SI.com Staff | Sep 2, 2014

The inspiring ride of para-cyclist Todd Key /

Todd Key likes to race other cyclists at a punishing pace. But unlike all of his competitors and friends, he rides using one leg, not two.

Key has fought against the odds for most of his life. When he was just seven years old, he fell from a tree and lost the use of his right hand and most of his arm. But even that setback wasn’t nearly as difficult as the challenge that would come 10 years later. At age 17, Key developed a form of muscle cancer called sarcoma and was forced to have his right leg amputated.

“At the time, I was unprepared emotionally and I ended up missing most of my junior year and was not at all interested in school or anything,” says Key, 53. “There was very little talk about college or a career, and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.”

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For several years, Key lost his way. He finally decided to get back to school at the age of 28, enrolling in engineering and design classes at Arizona State University, but it was a bicycle – not the classroom – that brought Key a new life and disposition. Because he lived off campus, Key used the bike as a means of quick transportation to classes, and eventually 30 to 40 miles to his job in Scottsdale, Ariz. To help tailor the bike to his physical needs and reduce pain while riding. Key made several adjustments, including a special seat and handlebars.

“I found a whole new incredible world, where I could be normal again,” says Key. “Cycling is a great equalizer. You really don't notice that you're missing anything.”

In 2010, Key completed the Pan-Mass Challenge in Massachusetts with his brother, Scott, and the 190-mile race inspired him to do more charity cycling events. That year he logged 30 more long-distance rides, and soon a recruiter from the U.S. Paralympic cycling team noticed Key's talent.

"When they first brought me into the training center, I was strong, but I developed muscles in all of the wrong places," says Key, who now competes in the time trials and road races for the U.S. Paralympic team. "I've spent the last six months doing rehab and getting back into shape."

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Because his two events require both speed (30-minute time trial) and endurance (two-hour road race), Key switches up his training and focuses on recovery tools, like massages, dry needling and physical therapy, to maximize his efforts. Velodrome training -- cycling on a heavily baked racetrack that allows riders to keep their bikes relatively perpendicular to the surface while maintaining speed -- adds another level of conditioning as well. The special machines at the training center in Colorado allow Key to isolate different muscles, such as the quadriceps and hamstrings, to help him build strength; steam baths allow him to condition his body for hot, humid weather. He completed long, three- to four-hour morning rides, full-out sprints up hills and interval sessions, all in preparation for the 2014 UCI Para-cycling world championships in Greenville, S.C., last month, in which he finished seventh in the time trials and 13th in the road race.

Since January, Key has left his job selling cars and started cycling full time while training in Colorado, and his goal is to get a spot on the U.S. team for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.

On top of training for those Games, Key is also raising funds and preparing for his fifth consecutive ride in the PMC alongside his brother, returning to the ride that he credits for refueling his passion and love of cycling.

"I'm a completely different person now," says Key. "I had no idea any of this was possible. It's hard to describe how incredible it has been."

Moment of Triumph: Crossing the Finish Line

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Said Regragui crosses the finish line in third place in his first ever marathon race at the Stockholm Marathon in June 2003.

Paula Radcliffe crosses the finish line to win the 2003 Flora London Marathon at the Mall in London, England.

Catherine Ndereba crosses the finish line at the 104th Boston Marathon.

Tony Iniguez (L) pumps his fist as he crosses the finish line to win the wheelchair division of the Chicago Marathon in October 2000.

Joseph Chebet crosses the finish line to win the Boston Marathon in 2009.

Irina Bogacheva #F8 crosses the finish line winning first place during the Los Angeles Marathon in 1999.

Moses Tanui crosses the finish line to win the men's division in the 100th running of the Boston Marathon.

Uta Pippig crosses the finish line to win the women's division in the 100th running of the Boston Marathon.

Jenny Spangler raises her hands in celebration just before crossing the finish line to win the 1996 Women's Olympic Marathon Time Trials held in Columbia, South Carolina.

Ibrahim Hussein raises his arms as he crosses the finish line to win the Boston Marathon in 1992.

Rob de Castella celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the marathon event during the World Championships at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland.

Rosie Ruiz is shown moments after crossing the finish line of the 84th Boston Marathon in April 1980. Ruiz was later stripped of the victory after it was revealed she hadn't completed the entire race.

Marathon winner Bill Rodgers crosses the finish line in Central Park.

Stanley Biwott crosses the finish line of the 36th Paris Marathon in April 2012.

Raji Assefa (L) crosses the finish line ahead of Sisay Jisa (R) during the 36th Paris Marathon in April 2012.

Silas Kipruto crosses the finish line to win the 2012 Jakarta International 10K marathon in May 2012.

South Africa long-distance runner Ludwick Mamabolo crosses the finish line to win the 89km Comrades Marathon between Pietermaritzburg and Durban on June 3, 2012.

Gold medalist Tiki Gelana (C) crosses the finish line ahead of silver medallist Priscah Jeptoo (L) in the women's marathon at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Jessica Augusto of Portugal crosses the finish line during the Women's Marathon on Day 9 of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich waves his national flag as he crosses the finish line to win the athletics event men's marathon during the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 12, 2012 in London.

Jeanne Collange celebrates with supporters after crossing the finish line of the 29th edition of the Embrun Man triathlon in southeastern France.

Kenyan runner Julius Kipyego Ketter crosses the finish line to win Medellin's Flowers Half-Marathon in the Colombian city of Medellin.

Jan Fitchen celebrates after crossing the finish line during the 39th Berlin Marathon in September 2012.

Gemma Steel of Great Britain crosses the finish line with Tomomi Tanaka of Japan during the 20th IAAF Women's World Half Marathon in Kavarna, Bulgaria.

Japan's Akinori Obara crosses the finish line of the 30th Athens Classic Marathon in Athens Panathenaen stadium in 2012.

Chelengat Viola Kimetto crosses the finish line of the 30th Athens Classic Marathon in 2012.

Adriano Bastos crosses the finish line to win the 20th Annual Walt Disney World Marathon at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Ethiopia's Tariku Jufar Robi crosses the finish line to win the men's portion of the Beijing Marathon in November 2012. A total of 30,000 runners took part in the race.

Kenya's Vincent Kipruto gestures as he crosses the finish line of the Lake Biwa Marathon in Otsu, Shiga in March 2013.

Yoshimi Ozaki crosses the finish line as she finishes 5th at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan.

Helena Kiprop crosses the finish line to win the 19th Rome Marathon on March 17, 2013.

Ethiopia's Tilahun Regassa celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14, 2013.

Priscah Jeptoo crosses the finish line to win the women's race in the 2013 London Marathon.

Tsegaye Kebede crosses the finish line to win the men's race in the 2013 London Marathon.

Kurt Fearnley pumps his fist as he crosses the finish line to win the men's wheelchair race at the Virgin London Marathon 2013.

Nicholas Kemboi of Qatar celebrates winning as he crosses the finish line in the Volkswagen Prague Marathon.

Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat crosses the line to win gold in the Women's Marathon during the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia.

Stephen Kiprotich crosses the finish line to win gold in the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow.

Stephen Kiprotich crosses the finish line at the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow in 2013.

Colombian runner Juan Carlos Cardona crosses the finish line to win Medellin's Flowers Marathon in 2013.

Rita Jeptoo crosses the finish line to win the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October 2013.

Ethiopia's Tadese Tola Woldegeberel (C) crosses the finish line to win the Beijing Marathon in October 2013.

Zhang Yingying crosses the finish line to win the women's race at the Beijing Marathon.

Wilson Chebet celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the Marathon of Amsterdam on October 20, 2013.

Geoffrey Mutai crosses the finish line to win the Men's Division of the New York City Marathon while former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (L) and New York Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly (R) hold the tape.

Marcel Hug crosses the finish line to win the Men's Wheelchair Division of the New York City Marathon on November 3, 2013.

Anthony Forte crosses the finish line to win the Foot Locker Five Borough Challange in Central Park during the 2013 ING New York City Marathon.

Meb Keflezighi crosses the finish line to become the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1983 on April 21, 2014.

Published Sep 2, 2014

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