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| Fox Lake Triathlon June 7, 2026 |
"Once you choose hope, anything is possible." Actor Christopher Reeve and activist
I had just one goal with this race. I needed a sprint triathlon to qualify for the National Senior Games in Tulsa next year. Wisconsin does not have a triathlon event in our State Games. So to qualify, I just needed to complete a sprint triathlon this year.
I cannot remember the last time I did a road-based sprint triathlon. I skipped the National Senior Games last year due to broken ribs. I was saving myself for the Para-National Championships in Milwaukee, but they were canceled due to massive flooding. Many of my races now have been off-road races.
I would be happy to race a sprint. That is how I got started in the sport. I went into this race, being so happy for the chance to race. I realize every race is a victory for someone with CMT. Racing is a privilege when so many with CMT struggle to even walk and do simple daily tasks.
Venue
The race was held in Fox Lake Park, in Fox Lake, Illinois. It is just a 50-minute drive from home. No hotel stay was needed. The park and the surrounding area were so beautiful. The surrounding area is very similar to the lake counties in my State. The park and lake were beautiful. Packet pickup was easy the morning before the race. It gave me a chance to figure out parking.
Swim
The air temperature on race morning was around 60F. The water on race morning was 78F. What a change from the 55-degree temperature at the National Multisport Championship in May in South Haven. I decided to do the swim in neoprene capri pants. That gives a bit of buoyancy. They keep the body level without overheating while wearing a full wetsuit. It turned out to be the perfect choice. The water felt warm during the swim warm-up. was ready. I lined up in the very last wave. I do this because I hate being run over by other swimmers.
I am used to that wave because that is where I usually start as a para-athlete.
Since this was a small race, I decided to compete as an age-group athlete rather than a para-athlete. I wanted to save the race directors a medal. That is an extra expense for a small race. This race had about 150 athletes in 2025. Plus, sometimes I just want to be a face in the crowd and not answer lots of questions about my impairment. I did not expect to place in my age group, even in a small race.
The swim was beautiful, but a little choppy. No problem for me. I have come so far since my early racing days, when I had to wear a wetsuit for the swim. I finished in 19:38, which was a good swim for me.
Bike
I took forever in transition, trying to get into a jacket. It was 61°F, just a bit cold for a bike ride when you are wet. There is some room for improvement there. The 20 K bike course had a giant, and I mean giant, hill right after a sharp turn, after transition. There was no chance to gain any speed. I ended up walking. The rest of the course was gentle rolling hills. It was well-marked and well-staffed with volunteers. My bike time was around 55 minutes. Lots of room for improvement there.
Run
Then it was time for the 5K run. I was tired and wanted to walk. But I counted steps. I alternated 100 faster-paced steps with 100 slower steps. Again, the course was well marked with no chance of taking a wrong turn. I appreciate all the effort it took to make that happen. I finished in around 39 minutes. Better than the 42-minute stand-alone 5K I had last year. I've lost about 7 pounds, and that has helped.
It was a good day, made even better by winning 3rd place in my age group. I had not pushed the pace at all because I was just hoping to finish. I am now qualified for the National Senior Games next year in Tulsa.
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| World Championship in Cozumel, Mexico |
Chris Wodke
Founder Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com
Chris is a triathlete, Nordic skier, and long-distance runner. She is a three-time participant in 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.
She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in
Aquathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike, and Winter Triathlon. She was the national
champion in her age group in 2023 for gravel duathlon.
In 2014, she represented the U.S. as a Paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.
She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69 age group.
She has won state championships as an age-group athlete in cycling and triathlon. She has represented America as an age-group athlete at world championships in Chicago, Denmark, Cozumel, and Norway. She earned a bronze medal at the 2023 Winter Duathlon World Championship in Norway.
In 2020, she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.
She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.
She is the author
of the book “Running for My Life,” which details her experience as a
CMT-affected athlete, and
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 find a cure for CMT. We currently have 257 athletes in 43 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico, Wales, Ireland, and Sweden! If you wish to join us, visit our website: 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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