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| Cheryl Monnat, Robert Kearney, Chris Wodke, Kathy Stultz |
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| Kathy Stultz and Lincoln Stultz |
To be successful as an athlete you have to be consistent in your training. That means working out even when life throws you a few curve balls. Working out even when you don't feel like it. This week definitely had its ups and downs.
My boss is retiring and a few weeks ago I applied for her Training Manager position. On Monday the hiring manager pulled me aside to tell me I wasn't even going to get an interview. I 've spent the last 12 years of my professional life getting ready to take this position. To not even get an interview was really devastating. I can honestly say I am still not completely recovered. I did not expect to get the job, but at least expected a shot at it. Not sure what the future will look like in my professional life or what will happen next. I am certain there will be some significant changes sometime soon.
Then Thursday I got the news the Charcot-Marie-Tooth organization has decided to start an athletic team. The team was formed by one of our Team CMT members. I can understand the desire to form a team, it was just some really negative things were said about me and inferred about our sponsor. It was hurtful to try and divide the CMT communitywhen we are fighting the same fight. A few members have left the team and that is sad as well. I will miss them, but wish them well.
Honestly some days it was tough to run, but I did get through the week. Saturday was the high point because 5 Team CMT members raced at the RACC Big Chill 10K in Pewaukee. Racing felt good after a tough week. It is so awesome to see Kathy and Lincoln racing together. Lincoln is in 4th place in the points series for his age group. Lincoln races for his sister Regan who has CMT. Lincoln did not want to wear his new singlet yet because he is waiting for his mom to customize the back with "Linco is a running fool."
The day did not start well for me because I had a fall in the parking lot.LEave it to me to find the one icy patch in the parking lot.
It was a sunny and relatively warm 28F day. Cheryl Monnat took 2nd in her age group, just 20 seconds behind the winner. Lincoln medaled and I took 6th in my age group. My hamstrings were hurting the whole race. Robert completed the entire race on an injured heel. Kathy finished right along side Lincoln.
I was too sore to do my long run on Sunday, so I did a run of 2hr and 10 minutes in the pool. I do occasionally have to substitute a pool workout when fighting an injury. It's OK, as long as it doesn't happen too often. Considering the week I had, I'll take it.
The workouts aren't going to be any easier this week. On the plan this week is a 9 mile tempo run, some speed work and a long run of 20 miles. Hopefully the rest of my life is a little calmer this week.
Chris Wodke
Founder & Manager Team CMT
http://www.run4cmt.com/
Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have almost 100 members in 17 states. If you wish to join us visit our web site.
CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS). It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.
Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.
Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.
Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.
Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.
Running, triathlons, impaired athlete, paratriathlon, USAT, running and CMT
Chris. I so know your feelings on being passed over for a position you feel you have worked so hard to get for so long. Been there, done that, and almost 2 years later, it is still raw.
ReplyDeleteAs to your feelings on the new team, well now you know how all of us felt when you dropped the CMTA and went over to the HNF. It is the HNF that is dividing the CMT community!
Actually all the negativity has come from the CMTA side. They showed zero interest in this team until I started talking with HNF. The members of HNF has never said one negative thing about HNF. Never. I cannot say that from the CMTA side. I look at this as partnering with someone that shares our mission. We are both fighting the same battle. For anyone to say we have been negative or they are disappointed in my working with HNF is only seeing the story from one side.
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