Duathlon National Championship-Falling to My Training

Duathlon National Championship in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

" In battle we do not rise to our expectations, we fall to our level of training." - Archilochos, Greek Poet

I have not done a blog entry for almost a year. It didn't seem right in the middle of COVID.  I did race a few times last year, but most of my races were cancelled leaving me with little to write about.

Things are starting to get back to normal in the U.S.  Races are also back on for this season including USA Triathlon National Championships.

This would be my first race since doing a sprint triathlon in August in Michigan last year. I knew I would have some rust to knock off.   A duathlon is a bike and run race.  May is a bit early for those of us in the Midwest.  We have had very little weather where we could cycle outside.

Miles on the trainer are not great training miles, so I knew I might not have a great race. Plus two weeks before the race, my car was T-boned sending me to the emergency room with neck and back pain.

I missed a week of training and am still under doctors care for on-going neck and back issues. I always have high expectations for my performance.  I want to have a good race more than anything. I want to feel strong and fast.  The weather forecast for race day was humid and 90F.  We have not seen those kind of temperatures here in Wisconsin since August.  So for a lot of reasons I knew I had to adjust my expectations a bit.

I had signed up for three races:

• Standard distance of 10K run, 40K bike, 5 K run
• Sprint, non draft of 5 K run, 20 K bike, 3 K run
• Sprint draft legal of 5K run, 20K bike, 3 K run

The first two races the standard and non draft sprint were on Saturday with the draft legal on Sunday.

Spots were on the line for the age group Team USA and All American designation for the top 10 in each age group.

I decided to drop the standard race and do both the sprint races. I would race as a physically challenged athlete on Saturday and an age group athlete on Sunday. I was going to do that so that I could qualify for the US Team. I cannot do that currently when racing as a PC athlete.

I was really proud to be representing Team CMT and with my#1 race number. Lots of people asked me about it.

 Normally I am nervous about racing, but with no swim and the short distances, I was excited to be racing. The race was held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama which is about a 13 hour drive from Milwaukee. My brother came along to help with the driving and to keep me company.  We split the drive over two days and arrived in the early afternoon on Friday for packet pick up. No race day pick up.

The other thing that was different this year was that masks had to be worn at all times when not racing. That included while waiting for the race to start and in transition. There was hand sanitizer everywhere.  We were urged to practice social distancing.

Race day is pretty routine. I got set up, looked for friends and sat in the shade to keep cool. The PC wave on Saturday was the last wave.  That meant I would spend parts of both run legs and the bike by myself. I hate that .

The first run was super hot because it was on blacktop. There was an aid station every mile with ice cold water and towels dipped in ice water. I don't know how they managed to keep it so cold on such a hot day. The volunteers were just awesome.  The water was in bottles and the volunteers were not supposed to hand it to us.  I poured one over me and took one with me.

When I got to transition I had trouble changing into my bike shoes. I touched my foot on the black top in transition and it was burning my foot. I was afraid to sit down. It seemed like it took forever to get set and be off on the bike.

The bike course was supposed to be flat but it was really a set of very long and fairly high hills. It seemed like it took forever. Usually it takes me about 40 minutes and with the wind that day it took me almost an hour. I think my race really suffered due to my lack of outdoor training. I am hoping for better results later in the year.

The 2nd run went well and I ended up the National Champion for the PC open female division. At first I felt a bit funny about that since I was the only one. But there were many age group athletes that were the only one in their division.  I came home with a nice national champion shirt and a gold medal.

I was supposed to race on Sunday.  Well Saturday night my body felt like it was on fire and my whole body was jumpy. At about 3 am I made the decision to skip the Sunday race. I did not want to risk over-doing it.  That gave us a chance to get an early start driving back home.

My overall race time was 20 minutes slower than my last duathlon. I was hoping for much better. I have to say I was disappointed in my performance.  As I get outside for more riding, I am hoping I can get back to where I was in 2019.  Something to look forward to.

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

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 2015i, Cozumel in 2016 and Denmark in 2018. In 2018 finishing 5^th in the 60 to 64 age group.

 

 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 2^nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Championship.

 

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” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Eating”.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

 

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 CMTWe currently have 233 athletes in 41 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 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.

 

 

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, #kneedeepinwork

 

Wisconsin Senior Olymics-Cycling Time Trials

 

"Exercise is the most powerful performance enhancing drugs on the planet." -Scott Welle

I absolutely love the Wisconsin Senior Olympics (WSO) cycling races.  I look forward to them all year. 

The races have become more competitive every year. Some years I don't even place in my age group.  

Almost every one of my races this year has been cancelled.  Even many of the WSO events I particpate in like running and swimming have been called off.  The cycling road race was not held, but the 10 K and 5K races were a go with COVID precautions.

Last year I missed it because I was too tired from the WSO track meet.  This year I skipped the track meet and was ready for the two time trial races.  

Lots of precautions were taken. When I wanted a water bottle after the race, the volunteer used a pair of tongs to hand it to me.  The volunteer handling our race packets wore gloves and masks. All of the athletes wore masks.  One of the things I like about this race is seeing all my WSO friends. It was different this year. There was not as much socializing as we kept our distance.

For the awards ceremony the names of the winners were read. You went up to the table with the medals to pick up the award. I felt it was all very safe. 

The 10K race was first.  That was four laps on the closed course inside of Menomonee Park, here in the Western suburbs of Wisconsin.  I love this course because I can race the tangents.  That means I do not have to stay on the right side of the road. I can cut the corners to take the shortest route. It is really great practice for bike handling skills. I would be riding my triathlon bike. I have not raced much with it, so that would also be good practice.

We lined up six feet apart and were started one at a time, 30 seconds apart. In a time trial race, you race against the clock, but also the other athletes in your age group.  I raced as fast as I could. That is what is so fun about it. It is a real test of an athlete,  The balance is quite different on a triathlon bike compared to my road bike. I feel every bump in the road. I also have to pay close attention for pot holes and cracks in the road. If I hit them wrong I could lose my balance.  The race went well and I gave it everything I had.

I finished with an average speed of 17.6 mph. I was about a minute behind the 2nd place finisher.

The 5K was pretty much the same, just half the distance. This time I averaged 17.8 miles per hour. I went as fast as I could and finished just 30 seconds behind the 2nd place finisher. I will take my double bronze day.  I would not have cared if I had gone home empty handed. The race is just that much fun.  

Next year I am hoping we can add back the road races. It is great practice at drafting. I'll need that practice as I race in the draft legal national duathlon championship in October

Thank you to the WSO for running a great and very safe race. I look forward to being back again next year.

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

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 2015i, Cozumel in 2016 and Denmark in 2018. In 2018 finishing 5^th in the 60 to 64 age group.

 

 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 2^nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Championship.

 

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” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Eating”.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

 

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 CMTWe currently have 233 athletes in 41 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 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.

 

 

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, #kneedeepinwork

Recruiting Athletes for Team CMT

Ever see the big name athletes in  races and triathalons wearing their team uniforms. Wish you could be sponsored too or part of a team?  You have a chance to join Team CMT. Team CMT is now recruiting Triathletes, Runners, Duathletes, and fittness nuts to become members of Team CMT.
I am seeking team members to help me raise awareness of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease. 2.6 Million people worldwide have this disease and most medical professionals of never heard of it.

A few facts about CMT

• It is the most common inherited neuropathy, affecting 150,000 Americans.
• Is a slowly progressive, causing deterioration of peripheal nerves that control sensory information and muscle function of the foot/lower let and hand/forearm.
• Causes degeneration of the peroneal muscles (located on the front of the leg below the knee.
• Causes foot drop, walking gait problems,  high arches, hammer toes, problems with balance, problems with hand function, loss of normal reflexes and curvature of the spine.
• There is no effective treatment, although physical therapy and moderate activity are beneficial.
• Can in rare instances cause severe disability.
• Affects all genders and races.
• If one parent has CMT there is a 50% chance of getting the disease.
• The gene that causes CMT has been identified.
• STAR- the Strategy to Accelerate Research- is the effort to fund research. The goal is to find a treatment in 3-5 years.

I have set up a web site (http://www.run4cmt.com/) to raise funds for reasearch and raise awareness. The main function of the Team CMT is to raise awareness.  Team CMT members will get a high quality Eastbay running singlet with the Team CMT logo.  We only ask you wear the singlet when competing, then send a picture. Pictures will be posted on the Run 4 CMT Facebook page.  Take a moment to visit the website at http://www.run4cmt.com/ to learn about this effort. Select the Team CMT tab to see the singlet and join the effort. Our goal is a world without CMT.   What keeps me going is we are so close to a cure. Please help us get closer.  Visablity means awareness. Awarness will be better diagnosis by the medical community and more funds for research.