Team CMT News

" Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking."- William B. Sprague


It has been awhile since I posted an update on the team. We now have 138 members in 31 states. I don't mean to leave anyone out in this update, I am just going to hit a few high points from the last few months.

Team CMT-Missouri

First up is CJ Charbonneau.  CJ not only ran a Boston qualifying marathon time. She was accepted for the 2014 race. The race was expanded this year to 30,000 runners because of the high interest in the race. Even with the increased field size, a Boston race number was tough to get.  Team CMT will have a number of members in the race including Chris Wodke and guide Cheryl Monnat. CJ is also going to use the Boston event to raise money for the HNF for CMT research.  She is going to do all this training while also working on a graduate degree.  Proud of you CJ, I cannot wait to meet you this April in Boston.

Team CMT-Arkansas

Erin Truitt is the sister of long time Team CMT member Megan Seebeck.  It seems like just about every week Erin is representing Team CMT in a race. She and sister Megan did a half marathon in Chicago earlier this year. Just a few weeks ago Erin raced for Team CMT at the River Valley Half Marathon. You can see in the photo that Erin is wearing not only her finisher medal, but a 1st place in her age group. She told me she is getting faster in every race and if I remember right she was under 2 hours for this race.

Team CMT-Florida

In October Joy Von Werder competed as a para triathlete at the Great Floridian. This was a 2.4 mile swim and a 112 mile bike. I do not know how Joy is able to bike so far. I find it amazing.  Any USAT certified race must now offer a para category if asked. As athletes with CMT we are eligible for this option, no classification is needed.  Like Joy you can request to be scored separately and ask for any accommodations you need like an in water start. I am very proud of Joy.  Joy has recently returned to school for a physical therapy assistant degree. Joy was my coach for the last 18 months and has taken me from tri newbie to seasoned veteran. Because of her new commitments I have changed coaches to someone local. I want to thank Joy for her wisdom and friendship.


Team CMT Wisconsin

Well every update seems to contain news about our Wisconsin team because most of our members are from Wisconsin.  Big news is Team CMT member Robert Kearney completed the Ironman Arizonia course last weekend.  This event is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run. It is a long day for any athlete. From watching Robert's bike splints it looks like it was a windy day in Tempe. It is so awesome to see a Team CMT member doing such a high profile event. A great day for the team!  Congratulations Robert!

Kathy Stultz continues to be an active member of our team. She has announced she will be running the Green Bay Marathon this spring. Kathy and her son Lincoln shown here race to raise awareness for family member Regan.  Thank you guys for being so active.

I know just about every weekend we have Team CMT members racing, riding, swimming or cycling to raise awareness for CMT and funds for CMT research. I am so proud of all of you. I expect it will be a busy Thanksgiving weekend for Team CMT.  Keep up the good work and keep those pictures and race stories coming you are making a difference. You inspire those affected by CMT! I know you inspire me!!!


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Oro Valley AZ at Duathlon National Championship 2013

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

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 137 members in 27 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland and Iran. 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.