Thursday, September 28, 2017

Running 4 CMT and September Awareness Month




"Expect the best; convert problems into opportunities; be dissatisfied with the status quo; focus on where you want to go, instead of where you're coming from; most importantly decide to be happy knowing it's an attitude, a habit gained from daily practice and not a result or a payoff."  - Dr. Denis Waitley

There was a time when I ran but I didn't race.  I had been a competitive runner for years. I got a coach and worked hard at it. The pay off was big. I was able to run a 7:30 mile and would often finish at the top of my age group.  I even won the entire division of a women's race once.

Then I had a bike accident and after surgery to repair an injured shoulder I could suddenly manage only a 10:30 mile.  I remember the race where I quit running. My feet were burning and it wasn't fun anymore.  But I never stopped running because I loved it so much. I would still do a couple of speed workouts and a long run every week. In the back of my mind I wanted to be ready to compete again someday.

That someone day happened 5 years ago when I was diagnosed with CMT.  When I learned about CMT I realized how lucky I was to even be able to run when so many with CMT struggle to walk.
I knew right then that I had a gift, a gift of being able to run. I decided to dedicate that gift to raising awareness of CMT. I could not believe that I had never heard of CMT and that most medical professionals were not even aware of it despite the fact it affects 160,000 Americans.    I knew that had to change if there was any hope for a cure for me, my affected family members and everyone else living with this condition.

Racing during CMT awareness month in September is always special for me. It helps me to remember what all the hard work is all about. I did two 5 K races recently, the Milwaukee River Challenge on September 14th and the Wurst Beer Biathlon on September 24th.

Milwaukee River Challenge 5K
This 5 K race is a kick off event for a rowing regatta held here in Milwaukee. I was a member of Milwaukee Rowing Club the host of the event for many years.  As I warmed up for the race I ran along the River Walk and past the rowing club. I got to see crews out practicing. It brought back lots of memories because not only did I row, but I was a coxswain and trained crews. It was really my first experience at really intense training and competition.  I did 6 miles before the race even started because 9 miles was on the training plan. The race was pretty uneventful.  There were several long hills and I remember just feeling really strong despite the heat.  I cruised into the finish and jumped in my car and drove to swim practice.  I placed 2nd in my age group, but have not gotten the medal yet.

Wurst Beer Biathlon 5K
The race is called a Biathlon because it combines beer and running. I am not a beer drinker but the race organizer puts on a nice race. This race would be run in Frame Park in Waukesha along the Fox River. We would do two loops of the river course. It was completely flat. I did a one hour bike ride before the race because a 45 mile bike ride was on the training plan for the day.  That means 3 1/2 hours of riding. The temperature was expected to climb into the high 90's so I wanted to get in at least part of the ride in the cooler part of the day. When the race started the temperature was in about 84 F and really humid. The plan was to do an easy job, since I had a long bike ride to do and a 12 mile run to do the next day. I stuck to my plan. I took a water bottle along so I could stay hydrated and pour water over myself to stay cool. The course was beautiful and it was quickly over.  My time was not great, but I was trying to keep it easy. It was good enough for 2nd place in my age group. After a series of 4th place finishes early in the season, I have been on a good run.  A few months ago I made a few changes in my training and it has really paid off.

Of course I wore my Team CMT kit to help raise awareness.  The team continues to grow. We've reached 217 members in 36 states.  The members of Team CMT turned their challenge into an opportunity. Now 5 years later we have made great progress. There were currently two drugs in clinical trails. So while there has been no treatment or cure, we now have great hope. I and our team members will keep racing for our cure.

**************************

Chris Wodke
Founder & Manager Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 217 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. 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.

Additional Link
Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/


Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Wisconsin Senior Olympics

My haul from 2017 Wisconsin Senior Olympics

"A lot of times people look at the negative side of what they can't do. I always look on the positive side of what I can do." - Chuck Norris

This quote really sums up my feelings about racing at this years Wisconsin Senior Olympics.  For anyone not familiar, every state has athletic competitions for people 50 years and older.

Wisconsin has over two dozen sports including the two I participated in this year cycling and swimming.

Cycling
The cycling races were on August 28th and 29th at Menomonee Park in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. I love this race because the course is closed to traffic. That means racers can go full out and ride the tangents with no worries about traffic.

The race is growing every year and is pretty competitive on the men's side. I knew I would have my work cut out for me this year. One of the women who aged up into my age group was training for Ironman Wisconsin. From racing against her in triathlons, I knew her cycling was faster than mine.

The first day was a 10 K time trial and a 20 K road race. For the time trial you line up and one racer goes off every 20 seconds. Women start first with the oldest riding first.  There were only three of us in my age group at the start. I relaxed thinking I at least had third.  Turns out someone in our age group was late to the start that none of us knew about. She ended up finishing 1st. I finished in 4th with the fastest time I have ever turned in for a 10 k at 20:21. 

Next up was the road race. Last year I was not able to catch up to any group and ended up riding by myself. This year I connected with a small group and we took turns drafting. It was so much fun, I felt like a real racer.  My time of 36:33 was my best ever but only good enough for 4th place. We were the only age group of women with more than three riders. Just my luck.

I came back for day two. The weather was humid and in the mid 80's. Perfect weather for racing.
First up was a 5 K time trial.  I sprinted from start to finish and got a time of 9:42. I missed out on 3rd place by 14 seconds.  I had one more chance to medal.

The 40 K race was up next. I was able to ride with the same group from day one. I watched the one of the women in our group go out fast.  I thought there was no way she could hold that pace. Our
group started working. We were doing 22-23 mph and it felt easy. It is like that when you have a pace line. The only fly in the ointment was one of the guys kept sticking his front wheel between me and my team member in front of me. I yelled at him to either get in or stay out. The half way in was dangerous. When he would get in he was too far off of the back wheel of the rider in front.

I was in 3rd place at that point, but it did not hold. The group got passed. When they sped up to cover, the guy in front of me did not hold to the back wheel of the rider in front like he was supposed to. So I got too far back of my group and could not catch them. I had a miserable last 6 miles of riding alone. My time of 1:25:37 was not too bad. 

Although I had four 4th place finishes I had a blast. I was able to keep up with the other riders. I was so close to 3rd. I was really happy with how well I rode. I cannot wait till next year when I move up to the 60-64 age group. I will be the fastest one in that group.

Swimming
The swim meet was held at Shorewood high school on September 9th.  I was surprised at how nice the facilities were. They had a hot tub, sauna and warm-up pool. It was a great place for my first ever swim meet.  I competed in the novice division to get some experience for next year. Next year if I want to qualify for the National games I will have to race in the master's division.

You can do as many as five events. I did the following

100 backstroke  (2:13)
100 free style  (2:02)
50 side stroke  (1:17)
50 backstroke  ( 56:20)
50 free style  (54:12)

Most of the athletes were experienced swimmers, they started from the blocks and could do flip turns. My times will have to improve a bit if I want to compete at the national level. Everyone was really nice. I won three gold because I was the only one in my division and silver when I had some competition. I had a really close race in the novice 50 meter backstroke. For that race you all have an in water start.  I briefly talked to my competition at the start. It was her first swim meet as well.  I gave her a good race but she just edged me at the wall.  She was so excited she hugged me when we got out of the pool.

Everyone was so friendly, I got a chance to talk to many of the other athletes between events. The hot tub was a great place to stay warm between events and visit with the other swimmers. I know I have a lot of work to do to be ready for next year. I am excited to work on my swim and see how much I can improve. I was really please at how well I fit in as an athlete and that I could compete as well as I did.


***********************

Chris Wodke
Founder & Manager Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 217 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. 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.

Additional Link
Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/


Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA


















Sunday, September 24, 2017

Soup Sunday Shrimp Potato and Corn Chowder



It seems like lately I am too busy training to write my blog.  I am only a week away from my first of two National Championship races. So my training has to come first before writing.

It has turned really hot here this week.  Today it was 96 F and humid when I was driving home from the pool. Not really good soup weather, but I had bought all of the ingredients already.

I sure it will taste good when I eat it for lunch in my air conditioned office.  Hope you enjoy it.

8 ounces raw shrimp
3 cups chicken bone broth
1 large carrot chopped
1 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 large white onion chopped
3 cups of baby potatoes cubed
1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
4 cups frozen whole kernel corn
3 cups skim milk
2 tablespoons Marsala wine
3 tablespoons cornstarch
4 slices bacon, crisp cooked and crumbled
1 tablespoon fresh Rosemary
Cracked black pepper

Put the chicken broth and shrimp into a large soup pot.  Place over medium heat and simmer until the shrimp turn pink.  Remove the shrimp leaving the broth in the pot. Peel the shrimp and cut into bite size pieces. Set aside.

To the pot with the chicken broth, add the onions, potatoes and Old Bay Seasoning. Simmer until the potatoes are tender.

Add the celery and carrots and cook for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender crisp.

Take about 1/4 cup of the broth from the pot and mix with the cornstarch. Add the milk, shrimp and corn.  Cook for 3 to 4 minutes to heat the corn through..  Add the cornstarch mixture.  Simmer until the soup thickens.  Add the Rosemary and season with black pepper to taste. 

Serve in bowls sprinkled with crumbled bacon.

Serves 6

***********************

Chris Wodke
Founder & Manager Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 217 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. 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.

Additional Link
Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/


Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA



Sunday, September 17, 2017

Soup Sunday Shrimp and Crab Soup



Shrimp and Crab Soup












2 cloves of garlic
1 cups Roma tomatoes Sliced
2, 14 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies.
2 cups yellow cherry tomatoes. divided
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
5 tablespoons olive oil
2 green onions
1 avocado chopped
1 can crabmeat
1/2 lb shrimp
1 teaspoons chili powder
salt and pepper

Place the oil in a heavy stockpot. Add the onions and cook until tender. Add the diced tomatoes, half of yellow tomatoes and Roma tomatoes and peppers. Bring to a simmer. Add the shrimp and crab. Simmer for 20 minutes.  Add the chili powder. Add the rest of the yellow tomatoes. Salt and pepper to taste.  When serving top with chopped avocado.

Serves 6

**************************

Chris Wodke
Founder & Manager Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 217 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. 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.

Additional Link
Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/


Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA




Monday, September 11, 2017

Wurst Beer Biathlon 5K

Wurst Beer Biathlon 5K

"Limitations live only in our minds, but if we use our imaginations our possibilities become endless." - Jamie Paolinetti

I've not written much lately because I've been busy racing and training.  My national championship race keeps getting closer and closer.  As the weeks go by the runs and bike rides take up most of the day on the weekends.  I am not sure anyone even reads my blog, so I have gotten a bit lax about writing.

I am still busy racing. On August 17th and 24th I did two 5 K races in the Wurst Beer Biathlon. It is a biathlon because it is a run with free beer at the end. I don't even drink beer, but I like running in new places. 

I don't like routine and have gotten bored with running in my neighborhood.  This race series was in  Waukesha a suburb of Milwaukee. Like the beer garden series I did in Milwaukee these are in local parks where the traveling beer garden is making a stop.  The race finishes near the beer garden.

I've made a habit of warming up by biking before my races. I got to Rivers Crossing Park and found out the Fox River bike trail goes right through the park. The trail includes a wooden board walk over a swamp.  I saw plenty of wild life including a fox, deer and a blue heron.    The trail runs for miles along the Fox River through several parks. I think it also joins up with the Glacial Drumlin trail that goes over 60 miles to Madison.

I was heading back to the park and stopped to ask a couple of people if I was heading in the right direction. None of them had heard of the park. No worries I was headed in the right direction and got back in plenty of time for packet pick-up and do a run warm-up before the race.

The race was much smaller than I expected. The races in Milwaukee had over 400 runners. This race drew only 40. So I finished 1st in my age group.

The 2nd race was in another local, kind of the same story. I had to get in a 40 mile bike ride and 10 miles of running for the day. A triathlon scheduled for the weekend meant I had to do my high mileage workout during the week. So I got to the park super early and just biked around the city of Waukesha. I  had a great time exploring the historic downtown and again found the Fox River trail.

I did four miles of running before the race. Again it was a small group of about 40. The course was flat and fast. I ran three miles after the race and finished just in time to pick up my first place award.
I know it is silly, but I like placing in a race, even if I am the only one in the age group.

It is fun for me to bike and run in a new place and see friends at the race.  All just part of a week of training.

************************


Chris Wodke
Founder & Manager Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 215 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. 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.

Additional Link
Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/


Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA