Thursday, January 31, 2019

Looking Back on 2018



"Work at allowing more things to unfold in your life without forcing them to happen without rejecting the ones that don't fit your idea of what "should be" happening," -Jon Kabat Zinn

I like this quote because it was really tested this year. It was a year that at its highs and lows.

Here is just a few of the highs and lows from 2018

Low
On January 25th I was laid off from a job I held for 19 years.  It was expected and I was mentally prepared for it. This was the third time in my life I've been laid off so I know how to cut expenses and do a job hunt. I recently read an article that said 56% of all American workers over 50 will be laid off at least once before they retire.  Many never find a job. Some take jobs for less money or experience several more layoffs.  I worked hard at finding a job and within six months I had a 18 month contract position. I am hoping that I can turn it into permanent employment since I like the company and the work.

Highs
With extra time on my hands, I had some time to do things I don't have time to do when I am working:

  • I was awarded All-American status from USA triathlon.  I qualified in para-aquathlon.  The designation is only awarded to the top 1% of athletes. It was a nice surprise early in the year.
  • I coached the spring season for Girls on the Run. This organization teaches character skills and prepares young girls to run a 5K.  I fell in love with the girls in our group. It was a thrill to cross the finish line with them this June at Miller Park.
  • I published my second book pictured above called Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Living.   I was able to use the book as a fundraiser for the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation. The book is still available on Amazon and Ebay. It is free for Kindle Unlimited users.
  • In July I traveled to Denmark to complete in the ITU Aquathlon World Championship. It was my third time as a member of Team USA.  I had a great race through jellyfish infested waters. It was a victory just to finish the swim in very cold water. I was beyond thrilled to finish 5th in my age group and be the 2nd among the American women in my age group.  I had a great time traveling with friend and Team CMT member Cheryl Kearney in Denmark and Sweden.  I was surprised by how much I loved Denmark.  There are bike paths everywhere which is my idea of paradise.
  • I had to cut back on the number of races due to finances, but I had some great success in both running and triathlon. I place 3rd in the PC Open Division at the Para-triathlon National Championship and 1st in the PC Open Division at the Iron Girl Triathlon.
  • I continued to run finishing 2nd in the local running club championship for my age group.  I had several first place age group finishes in 5K races and had my first every placement in my age group in a 1/2 marathon.  Every race is a victory for me.
  • I got two workouts a day in when I was not working, so I have a great base going into the 2019 season. I also got lots of home improvement projects done which will free up my time in 2019.

Low
I spent many months training for the New York Marathon.  In mid October I fell down the last three steps of my basement stairs.  I had to give up the idea of running NY. I tried to run the Fort Worth Marathon a week after I was scheduled to do NY. I thought the knee might be healed.  The knee was not up to the challenge and I had to drop down to the half marathon.  Because I had committed to run New York I had to skip the Aquathlon National Championship in Miami. So there will be no World Championship for me this year.

All in all it was a good year and I am looking to have a great 2019.  I am planning 2019 races and am contemplating another try at a marathon. In any case I am going to keep up the long distance running and of course triathlon.

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


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 5th 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 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Championship.

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”.

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 218 members in 39 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, France, Ireland, Poland, Iran, Norway 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.

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/


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