Discovery Run-Starting My Subaru Adventure

Subaru/NSP Car at Discovery Run Milwaukee

"When a day passes it is no longer there. What remains of it? Nothing more than a story. If stories weren't told or books weren't written man would live like beasts, only for the day.  The world, all human life is one long story." - Isaac Bashevis Singer, Author

I groaned as the alarm went off at 6:30 am on Saturday morning. It wasn't just the early hour. It was 34 F in Milwaukee and I was signed up for the local running club 15K Discovery run.

It seemed like such a good idea when I signed up for the Super Strider Series. That meant I had to do 8 long distance races to complete the series. Finish all 8 and I would get a club jacket and free entry to the club Holiday Party.

I did race six, the Lake Front Marathon, just three weeks ago.  This would be my first race since then. I've marveled at how well I bounced back from the marathon.   So I was physically ready for the race Saturday.  I just would rather had stayed in my nice warm bed.

In a few months 34F will seem like a heat wave in Wisconsin. But the first cold snap always comes as a shock and takes a bit of getting used to.  For me it was flannel lined tights, a smart wool top over my Team CMT long sleeve shirt and a Lycra long sleeve top over it all. I also picked a headband and gloves.

Because this race was Halloween weekend, lots of runners were wearing costumes. I saw a group of six dressed like the group from the TV show Baywatch.  The women were wearing red lifeguard swim tops. I cannot imagine how cold that must of been. There was also a 5 mile race at the same event, hopefully they were in the shorter race.   Lots of people did wear shorts, including the 2nd place men's finisher. He complimented his outfit with a green tutu.

Well I was well dressed but not fast.   The course was an out and back on a bike path. The weather was clear and sunny with little wind. 

I had planned on running really easy to get a pace estimate for next weeks Turkey Trot prediction run. That went out the window as the race started. I felt strong so I pushed the pace a bit. It all started when a women ran past me with a walker. No way I was letting her beat me. Then a women that looked to be in my age group passed me. I sped up and kept pushing it to leave her far behind.

Even with pushing the pace a bit, I 'm still not fast. It is amazing how mush I've slowed down in just the past couple of years. When you are as slow as I am, the crowd really thins out. I was running by myself much of the time.  I even warmed up enough to shed my top two layers.
I finished in 1:41:03 which was good enough for 5th place.

This was my first event for Subaru. There were 10 ambassadors selected around the country. I was selected as a "story teller".  I will see what that means as the year unfolds. For now I will keep telling my story of trying to live an active life and raise awareness of CMT.

It is an honor to partner with Subaru and the National Ski Patrol.  I look forward to the experience, even if  I have get up on another cold dark morning.

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

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 228 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/

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