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| Chris Wodke and Cheryl Monnat after the 2014 Boston Marathon |
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to lead a life which he has imagined, he will meet success unexpected in uncommon hours." -Henry David Thoreau
I've got a tentative race schedule for this race season. This schedule was set after a lot of thought and discussion with my coach.
2014 Race Schedule
April 21 Boston Marathon, Boston ,
MA
June 2 PATCO,
Sprint Triathlon, Dallas
June 29 ITU
Sprint Paratriathlon, Chicago
July 19 Paraduathlon
National Championship, St. Paul
August 10 USAT
AG National Sprint Championship, Milwaukee
August 17 Mid-east
Regional Championship, Indiana
August 24 Chicago Para-triathlon
Sprint
Sept 21 Paratriathlon
National Championship, Tempe ,
AZ
For those who have been following my blog, you may notice the Age Group Duathlon World Championship in Spain is absent. I struggled to get the planning done for the Spain trip. Planning a trip is second nature to me.
It sounded cool to make the U.S. team and would have made for great stories and pictures. The trip had become a bit about ego and is not really in line with my goals. Originally the National Championship was going to be Memorial weekend and I was going to fly to Spain from Dallas mid week for the race in Spain on Sunday. It also seemed like lots of expense and energy expended for a race that would not get me closer to my goal. I figured it would cost about $4000 to do this race and there has been enough money out of my finances going to triathlon. An overseas race to start the season was also probably not a good idea. In Spain I had a chance of maybe finishing in the top half in my group. In Dallas I have a chance for a podium finish.
I knew PATCO, the Pan American Triathlon Championship was going to be in Dallas the same day as the Duathlon World Championship. If I raced there I would be racing as a paratriathlete, much more in line with my long term goals. So I gave up an opportunity to race for Team USA as an age group athlete for a chance to race as a paratritathlete in Dallas.
I had to present a performance resume and apply for a spot. I was accepted and if I clear the medical classification I will be a member of Team USA. The new classification system will be used for the first time in the U.S. at this event. I am hopeful that this time my CMT will be accepted as an impairment. A manager for the U.S. team will be coming with me to the classification appointment. If I am not accepted there will be no women representing our country in our category. So all my fingers are crossed. If I do not classify in then I will compete in the Physically Challenged Open Division. This division is now also eligible for World Championships.
Every race selected is to help me get just a bit closer to my goal of competing at the World Championship for para-duathlon and para-triathlon All my race times go onto my performance resume. To participate in any ITU World Championship, U.S. Nationals or even the Paralympic team in 2016, I will have to apply and present a solid record of performance. As my coach said to me this week, "Every race counts."
These races also prepare me for the U.S. Paratriathlon Sprint Championship in September. That is my A race for the season. My coach and I will be working all summer to be ready. She has her work cut out for her turning a long distance runner into a true sprint triathlete. She tells me she sees potential and lots of up side. I hope she's right.
The one race that is the exception is the Pewaukee Sprint Triathlon, it is an non USAT race, but it is the Wisconsin State Championship for the Senior Olympics. I hope to advance to the National Games next year in St. Paul. I am doing it to keep Team CMT member Louise Gerhardt company. She particpated in past games in tennis. It would be great to see her there since I may not do the Boston Marathon next year. That is the one time of year I get to see her. So even my fun races have a purpose.
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Chris
Wodke
Founder
& Manager Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com
Chris is
a triathlete and long distance runner. She is three time participant of the
Boston Marathon. She was the 2012
National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division. In 2013 she qualified as a
member of the Team USA Duathlon Team. and was eligible to compete in 2014 at
the Age Group World Duathlon Sprint Championship in Pontevedre Spain . She chose instead to represent the U.S. at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas , Texas
She is
the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a
CMT affected athlete.
Team CMT is
a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure
for CMT. We have 150 members in 28 states. We also have members in Australia , Canada ,
Vietnam , Turkey , Finland
and Iran .
If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com
or www.hnf-cure.org
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.
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