Rest and Recovery

                                          Big Portage Lake, in Land O Lakes Wisconsin

"The body and mind are organically one." - Huxley

Recovery from a marathon is serious business.  Running 26.2 miles is not only a physical challenge, its a mental one as well.  Recovery for both is important to avoid injury and burnout.

The weeks after a marathon workouts should be limited. For a first time marathon runner, it is suggested to recover one day for every mile run. Some recovery plans say to repeat the last few weeks before the race when effort was tapering to practically nothing.

Since this was marathon #10 and I did train for NY last year, I thought I would be flexible in my recovery plans.  My A race for the season will be in Miami. Well two races really, the Aquathlon National Championship ( 1000 meter swim, 5 K run) on November 9th and the Long Distance Duathlon National Championship (2 mile run, 56 mile bike, 13 mile run) on November 10th.

I have a chance to again qualify for Team USA and races in Europe next September.  The Aquathon race will take the top 18 in the age group. Twenty one women have already signed up so I will have my work cut out for me. The duathlon race will be a physical challenge, but since only 4 women are signed up, I just have to finish to earn a team spot.

My recovery plan was to go the the Northwoods of Wisconsin to Big Portage Lake. My friend and author Jon Helminak has a home there. If you get a chance check out some of his books. My favorite is a book called "This Token of Freedom".  It tells the story of the evacuation of children out of England during  WWII. He's written a number of history and travel books.

I've been to 43 states and I think Wisconsin, especially Northern Wisconsin is one of the most beautiful spots in the country. The American Legion Forest Area which I think includes Land O Lakes has the highest concentration of lakes in the world. They are every where. At this time of year there is almost no one around.

Because Land O Lakes is a 5 hour drive it is tough for me to work a trip up there into my workout schedule.  It can mean losing a day of working out because of the drive.  So this week was perfect for a visit.  I was taking the two days after the marathon completely off.  Fall is also the perfect time for a visit. As you can see from the picture the colors are stunning. They were at their peak this week.

It would be a week to recharge mentally.  My friends house is peaceful and restorative. It is absolutely dead quiet at night.  I always sleep really well there.  The place settles my soul.
 From the comments left in the guest house where I stayed other guests feel the same way. It was a chance to eat good food, sleep in late and have a nice visit with my friend.   I get to hear about his work, what he is writing and hear about his latest travels. 

I even got in a bit of biking.  I bounced back from this marathon faster than any marathon I've done.  On Wednesday I did a two hour bike ride in the morning. There is a great bike path that goes by several lakes. Later in the afternoon, I did a bike ride around Big Portage Lake with my friend.  I was also able to get out the next day for a bike ride.  I got to sit and look at the lake and enjoy it's beauty. I even heard a loon. I helped my friend with a few chores, like putting away canoes and raking leaves.
The week ended a bit early when the weather changed.  A cold front with rain moved in so it was time to head back to Milwaukee and back to training.

By Friday  I did an easy run and on Saturday a 5 hour ride on my trainer. I'm sure my short visit to the Northwoods helped me to bounce back so quickly.  I am mentally prepared now for the push this month to be ready for my A races in November. It just took a bit of rest and recovery.

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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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