Failure is an Option

Don't fight with yourself when failure, the teacher pays an unexpected visit. Open up to learning from it." - Jerry Lynch, Author of Running Within

About three years ago I bought a racing mountain bike.  My intention was to do an off road triathlon.
There used to be several of these races in Wisconsin, but before I could do them, the races were no longer offered.

I've been mountain biking on vacation and really like it.  I've noticed that at the National and World Championships there were hardly any athletes in my age group.   The off road cycling is also good practice for the fat tire biking I have to do for Winter Triathlon.

I prepard by taking a mountain bike clinic both this year and last with Wisconsin Women's Cycling.  I did not get much chance to practice my skills becasue the spring and early summer were so cold and rainy here in Wisconsin. The trails were not really ridable.

I found a race in Elkart Indian on July 13th. It would be an 800 meter swim,  16 mile mountain bike and a 5K trail run. It was supposed to be a beginner course.  This was a USAT sanctioned race and if I did two this season I would be elibible for the World Championship in Hawaii.  The race I picked was the DINO XTERRA.  I decided to see how this race went before I signed up for race #2.

Things did not start out well on the night before the race. The race was in Potato Creek State Park. I camped the night before.  I didn't have room for cooking equpment so I packed a couple of PBJ's for dinner and breakfast.  Unfortunately the plastic bag they were in was packed in a cooler full of ice. The bag leaked, soaking my dinner and breakfast.  So I had only some fruit and a energy bar for dinner and the same for breakfast.

The camp was great and wonderfully quiet after dark.  As I tried and failed to sleep, I worried about the swim. It would not be wet suit legal.

Swim
I was the first one to set up in transition.  I was a small race, maybe a couple of hundred. There would be two waves. I lined up in the second wave that was deemed a survivor wave. It was meant to be smaller for the slower swimmers.  The water was weedy and 85 F.  I really should not have worried.
The swim was uneventful.

Bike
This would be the real challenge. The course would be two loops of 8 miles.  The first quarter mile was on grass and really easy.  Then it got tougher. First up was a rock garden. I got off my bike and ran around it. There was lots of ups and downs.  The trial was single track. That means just wide enough for one bike. Many racers especially men were flying past me and I constantly had to pull over. That made it hard to keep up momentum.  There were lots of tight corners and roots and rocks.  Going up a small high I lost momentum and fell to my left. It was not far and I reached out with my hand to stop the fall. My elbow popped out and then back in. I fell to the ground in pain.  I was not sure for a minute if I could keep going. I think the only way out was to bike out. So with a painful elbow I continued.  Athletes continued to pass. Many called out encouragement.  I felt like the course was beyond my skills. I did get better as I biked, but people continued to pass me and I had to keep moving over. Once when I moved over, my pedal caught on a rock and I stopped. The athlete plowed right into me. Neither of us was hurt. I saw other athletes fall going up hill and heard about other crashed.  It seemed like it was taking forever to finish the first lap. I was feeling a bit shaky.  I was debating whether to do the second lap.  I finally decided to drop out.

Another fall on the elbow could have caused a break. I was lucky it popped back in as painful as it was. It just killed me to drop out.  There was a volunteer at the end of the first loop tracking numbers. I told him I was dropping out. I went to the finish line to hand in my timing chip and to ice my elbow.

It is the first time Ive ever dropped out of a race and I did not even feel that bad about it.  I have many races to do yet this season including my A race in Miami in November. I couldn't risk an injury that would keep me from training. I won't be doing another race this season and may not have allot of time for mountain biking as I concentrate on preparing for my fall races.

It was tough to find time and place to mountain bike and I went into the race a bit under prepared. Still I am glad I did it. I know I have some work to do before I try another off road race.  The elbow is sore, but no break and the injury won't keep me from training.  Let's hope things go a bit better next time.

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

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.

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 225 athletes in 41 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico 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/

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

Salad Sunday- Veggie Pasta Salad

I made this salad on the 4th of July to go with the steaks I cooked on the grill. If you want to serve this at a picnic or cookout be sure to keep the salad at 40 F because of the sour cream and eggs that are a part of this salad.  Make it your own and add yoiur favorite veggies.

Veggie Pasta Salad
 12 ounce box of bow tie pasta
8 ounce carton of sour cream
1 cup miracle whip salad dressing
1 pint grape tomatoes cut in half
3 carrots chopped
4 stalks of celery chopped
1 bunch of green onions thinly sliced
3 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
2 table spoons fresh dill, finely chopped

Make the pasta according to package instructions.  Running under cool water after the pasta is drained.  Add the pasta and vegatables to a large salad bowl. Mix the sour cream, miracle whip and the dill.  Add a little milk to thin the dressing if it seems too thick. Add to the pasta and mix well. Add the eggs and gently fold into the mixture. Chill for several hours before serving.

Serves 8

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

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.

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 225 athletes in 41 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico 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/

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

Super Strider- Half Way

"Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can." - Arthur Ashe

In January I signed up for my local running clubs Super Strider Series. That meant I had to pick eight races to complete over the course of the season.  Most of them are long distance races.

I signed up because I also signed up for the Long Distance Duathlon National Championship in Miami in November.  This race is a 10 K run 56 mile bike and 13 mile run.  This is my A race for the season.   Many of the races I'm doing this season are to prepare me for this A race.

That means lots of long distance running and racing.  I did three road races this month and I'm now half way to my to finishing my road race goal.  If I get all eight races done, I get a lovely run Badgerland Strider jacket and free admission to the club holiday party.  

Here is a short re-cap of all three races

Super Run 5K- June 19

There are a couple of short options in the eight races.  This one is in Lake Park in Milwaukee. even though it was mid June it was raining and in the mid 50s.  I had to run so I lined up and ran in the cold rain.  This is an evening run which I love. No early morning wake-up call. This course has a long gradual down-hill and a giant hill climbing a bluff from the lake., I used the race as a tempo run.  I finished in 30:25, good enough for 4th place in my age group

Hart Fest Half Marathon- June 22
Just three days later I had a half marathon on the schedule. This race was a bit different for me because most of it was on trails around a local city park.  The course had lots of twists and turns but there were lots of volunteer to keep me on track. Despite being cold and rainy early in the week, it was warm and humid for this race. I had forgotten my visor and was worried about being sunburned.  Lots of the race was in the woods and on shaded roads.   I did a very long ladder workout during this race to pass the time. I started at 1 min on and 1 min off and went up 1 minute until I got to 10 minutes, then went down the ladder. It really helped to pass the time. I finished in 2 hr  30 minutes. Not very fast. My running has really been struggling this year.  I am hoping all the hard work starts to pay off soon with faster times.  I finished 7th in my age group

Fire Cracker 4 Mile
This race in Hales Corners a local suburb of Milwaukee drew 800 runners and walker.  The course is not too exciting. A couple of small hills. It goes through sub-divisions around a city park. The fun thing is lots of the residents sit in their driveways and cheer. It was in the high 70s for this race and many of the resident put out sprinklers for the runners. It ran through several of them. It was warm enough I was taking three cups of water at every stop. One in me and two on me.  I finished in just over  42 minutes. That is about 3 minutes slower than a few years ago. I was 11th in my age group, but I passed a women in my age group walking up a hill that had beat me in a 5 mile race last year.  I got points for the club championship and one more race done for the Super Strider series.

I am hoping I race into better shape soon. I have quire a bit of work to do before I'm ready for Miami.   All of the Super Strider races going forward are all long distance. I have a half marathon in  August, a full Marathon in October and two 9 mile races in November.   I am hoping to qualify once again for Boston.  I've already started training for the marathon. I just hope my body holds up to all the work. Time will tell.

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

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.

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 225 athletes in 41 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico 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/

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

Leon's Triathlon-The Race That Almost Wasn't

"The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." - Sandy Armstrong, Rowing Coach

This year the USAT Paratriathlon Championship for the North Centeral Region was held on June 02 in Hammond Indiana.

This year I'm racing both age group and as a paratriathlete. I race as an age group athlete so that I can qualify for National Championships, Team USA and the World Champsionship.

This year I am racing all my triathlons as a Physically Challened athletes. I need three races to be eligible for national ranking. The Marquette Indoor Triathlon was my first race this season. Leaon'w would be my second.

Hammond is just outside of Chicago.  Chicago is the home of Dare2Tri one of the biggest organizatoins for paratriathltes. They would have a huge turn out of athletes for the evetn.

June is pretty early to do a race in the midwest. We had a really cold winter followed by a cold and rainy sping. I was worried about the lake water being cold for the swim. I've had full blown asthma attacks twice in races with cold water.  One race I had to drop out and the other I probably should have.

The pre-race email said the water temperature was in the low 60s.  I started to worry and remember the bad experience in the cold water races.  I am a nervous swimmer at best. It is my weakest event and the first open water race of the season is alway stressful.

When I picked up my packet I was told the water temperature was still in the low 60s.  Add into that a race volunteer told me my hotel was in a bit of a questionalble area. It was on the recommended list and only a few minutes from the race venue. It was a Ramada and seemed nice. It was much better than my hotel from my race in Michigan.

We got lots and lots of rain inthe later afternoon and evening.  As usual I did not sleep well . I only felt at peace when I decided to pull out of the race.  It did not make me feel good since I drove three hours from Milwaukee and spent the money for a hotel.  I just did not want to take the chance of any problems on the swim.  There would be other races.

I had to turn in my timing chip, since race organizers fine you if you don't return it. The packet pick up had be in a raised stage in the park. I was climbing the stairs to the stage when I stopped. I decided to go feel the water for myself and see how cold it was.

To my surprise it felt really warm.  I decided to do the race. As I was setting up in transition, the race announcer told us the water temperature was 68 F. That is actually preety warm for this time of year.

This race honored fallen militariy heros. There was a display at the race venue of all the members of ther service from Indiana that have lost their lives since 911.  There was a very moving ceremony before the race.  Melissa Stockwell, founder of Dare2Tri presented flags flown over the White House to several veterans. Melissa lost a leg due to a bomb explosion while serving in Iraq.

I lined up with all the other para-athletes. There must have been 60 of us. I started out near the back and just took it one stroke at a time.  I had to go around some athletes, but it was a routine swim.

The bike and run were both fast and flat. I had a decent race finishing in a time of 1:33:05 for 3rd place. I did not stay around for the awards since I had a long drive back. I'm glad I pushed through my swim fear.   Giving in would not have moved me toward my goals. Every race finished is valuable experience in growing as an athlete. Facing my fears is vital for my growth as a person.
Giving in to fear is worse then having a bad race. I feel terrible when I give into fear, especially when there is no reason to.  So two trithlons down of the three or four I will do this year.  A race well done is always a good feeling.

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

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.

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 225 athletes in 41 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico 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/

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.

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