Winner Winner Turkey Dinner

"Joy is only known in this momemt now!

So feel the flow of yourself,

And not how you are not running for some future reward,

The real reward is now!- Fred Rohe- Author of the Zen of Running

Alot of runners, myself included sign up for races because it keeps us running. I know having a race is great motiviation for me to stay in shape. I think thats why I signed up for the Badgerland Striders Super Strider series way back in early January. 

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Finish eight mostly long distance races and I would get a wonderful jacket ( valued at $100) and free entry to the Holiday Party. It was a challenge sometimes to get out of bed and race when it was cold and dark. It was a challenge to take on another marathon when I had not done one in 4 years.

Well the last race was this morning. It was 31 F when I got up, but thanks to daylight savings time it was already light. The start time was a really civilized 9:30.  There would be two races, a 2 mile and the one I was doing, a 15K.  This was a prediction run. So there were 25 full size turkeys being given away for the runners that came closest to running their predicted time.  

I got the last spot in the parking lot at the park for packet pickup and I was only there an hour before the race start. I didn't want to be too early since there was no warm place to wait.  By start time the temperature was 34 F with a little bit of wind.  My goal was to really hold back and run very easy. I have a national championship race in 6 days and I was not really supposed to be running this far.

Holding back is not easy when the gun goes off.  No watches or timeing devices were allowed and there were no mile markers.  I decide to not even use my iPod. I can't use one next week since they are not allowed in USAT sanctioned races. I thought it would be good practice.

The course was very flat on park roads.  The athletes really spread out so I usually run pretty much on my own. I decided to use my zen technique I've learned to count steps. It engages my mind. Instead of thinking about hurting, being tired or wanting to walk, I count to 60 and just keep repeating that process.

For once I was dressed just about right. It was a multi loop course. I was dressed perfectly when running into the wind. I had on my Team CMT long sleeve shirt and a Smart Wool zip top with tights , gloves and a headband. When out of the wind, I would adjust by taking off my gloves and headband and if needed the Smart Wool layer.  I felt strong and the miles went by pretty fast.  Even though I tried to run slowly I finished in 1:45:49.  

That was good for 4th place in my age group and a turkey since I was just over a minute off in  my prediction time. All in all a good day and a great practice run for next week in Miami.

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

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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