2019 Year in Review

"Diabetes has to live with me, not me live with it."- Sir Steve Redgrove, 5 time gold medalist in rowing.

I love this quote and I feel the same way about my CMT. I may have CMT, but it doesn't have me.

I continued this again this year to raise awareness by running races both locally in Milwaukee and around the country.  Here is a summary of some of this year's highlights.

2/9          Cullen 8 K run         4th Female 60-64
3/17        Winter Triathlon      3rd Female 60-64, qualified for Team USA and World Championship
4/6           Half Marathon        5th Female 60-64
4/29        Deer Run 5 K          3rd Female, 60-64, 31:07
5/5          Powerman Du          Frankenmuth, MI 1st Female 60-64
6/2          Leon's Tri                 Hammond Indiana, Regional Para-Championship, F 60-64, 3rd
6/19        Super Run 5K          4th Female 60-64
6/22        Hart Half                  7th  Female 60-64
7/4          Firecracker 4 mile    11th Female 60-64
7/30        Aquathlon                 3rd Female 60-64
8/10        WSO 5K                   1st Female 60-64
8/11        Iron Girl Du              1st Female 60-64
9/1          ET Triathlon              3rd Female 60-64  ( Qualified for Age Group National Championship)
10/6        Lakefront Marathon  Boston Marathon qualifying time
10/26      Discovery 15 K         4th Female 60-64
11/03      Turkey Trot 15K       4th Female 60- 64  ( I won a turkey for predicting my finish time)
11/10      Aquathlon Nationals Miami, 15th and qualified for Team USA and World Championship
11/11      Long Distance Du     Miami, 3rd Female 60-64, qualified for two World championship races

I had a number of things I managed to accomplish this year.

• Selected as the National Ski Patrol and Subaru ambassador. I get to raise awareness with a whole new audience as I drive the Subaru awarded to me for the next year.
• I continue to serve as a USAT ambassador and a Wisconsin Senior Olympics ambassador
• I finished my running club Super Strider series. I had to complete eight long distance races.
• I finished my 10th marathon with a Boston qualifying time. Another run in Boston may be in my future in 2021.
• I qualified for 4 World Championships this year in Italy, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
• I finished ranked 10th in the country for Aquathlon.
• I finished 2nd in my age group for my running club short race series.
• I attended the Hartford Ski Spectacular Race camp in December where I got to try biathlon and worked on my Nordic Skate skills

The best thing that has happened this year has been the continued growth of Team CMT.  We have grown to 230 athletes in 41 states and 10 countries. We have many athletes with CMT in our group. That is amazing since when I was first diagnosed, I was told by medical professionals that people with CMT can't run. Not only do we run, but we cycle, walk, kayak, do martial arts, swim, ski and do a variety of activities.  CMT patients used to be told not to be active. Our members have proved that is not true by leading active and full lives.   I continue to be inspired by our athletes.

Looking forward to another great year in 2020.

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

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

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, #kneedeepinwork

Hartford Ski Spectacular-Finding Our Place

"Our thoughts and beliefs are the blue prints from which we create our physical realty." Loraine Mueller

I recently attended the Harford Ski Spectacular in Breckinridge, Colorado.  I signed up for the Nordic Race camp hoping to improve my skating ski skills. More about that in a future article.

The camp has been around for over 30 years and is sponsored by a number of groups that work with impaired athletes and veterans. It is sponsored by the Hartford Insurance Company.

I've gone to clinics for the impaired before and races with Physically Challenged athletes. Sometimes the reception is chilly. I see other challenged athletes completely look me over trying to figure out what I was doing there.  I've had several race directors give me a hard time. I always take these as teaching momemts. Not every impairment is visible.

I once asked if I would be welcome at a triathlon clinic being run by the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). The answer was no, the clinic was only for amputees.


So before I even signed up for the Hartford Ski Spec as it is called, I emailed the sponsoring organization.  I was assured I was of course welcome.  I explained that I had CMT and my challenges are not visible.

When I checked in, the head coach for the Nordic camp was at the check in table. I told her I was nervous about the camp. She asked if I was worried about staying warm.  I told her I was worried about being accepted.  I was part of a triathlon group out of Chicago for impaired athletes for a bit. I quit because I felt unwelcome.

There were 10 athletes that were in the camp all week. A few others came and went. They must have also been doing the Alpine camp.  That camp had 800 participants, almost 200 in the learn to ski program.

The Nordic program had athletes with a range of impairments, including a young women like me with no obvious impairment.  I was worried I would be the oldest and was not.

I could not have been made to feel more welcome. Everyone was fantastic and friendly.  There was even a young man from Wisconsin and we bonded over our love for the Packers and Badger football teams.

The coaching staff was impressive.  I was assigned a person to coach me on the first day and be my contact person for the week.  Mark is an adaptive instructor from Sun Valley,
He started our coaching session by asking about my limitations.  He said he does that even when teaching able bodied skiers, because there are so many hidden challenges.

Many of the coaches are either on the US Olympic team or are past team members. Most of them were wearing Team USA kit.  Several were Olympic biathlon team members.  I think I counted more coaches than athletes.  I got to work one on one or in small groups with each of them.  All of them were encouraging and made me feel very welcome.

I'm very excited for the CMT community.  I've already connected the HNF with one of the sponsor groups.  At the very least I am hoping opportunities for camps like this can be advertised through the HNF.  I would certainly recommend this camp to anyone that wants to learn to ski.  Adaptive skiing is what groups like the Disabled Athletes of America do.

These groups do more than skiing, I know some of the other athletes talked about rock climbing. I am hoping the HNF can get a camp or seminar put together for just those of us with CMT.

Based on the welcome I got, I am hoping to return to the Hartford Ski Spec next year and maybe try some of the other camps.

In the past I felt like I lived in a gray area as an athlete. Not able to keep up with able bodied athletes, but not welcome at camps and clinics for those with challenges. That all changed with the Hartford Ski Spectacular. Thank you to all the sponsors.  Hopefully this will be the start of greater involvement for those with challenges like CMT.

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

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

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, #kneedeepinwork

Soup Sunday-Chicken Soup with Lemon Celery Dumplings

I think I've mentioned before how much I love the supermarket roast chickens. They were on sale last week and I could not resist. They make a really easy and tasty meal when I'm busy.  Everytime I buy one now, I make soup with the carcass. I leave some meat on the bones and the drumsticks.

I put the carcass in my slow cooker and add a 32 ounce carton of chicken broth. I then add enough water to cover all the bones. I then cook for 24 hours on low heat. I remember the carcass, strain the soup and take the meat off of the bones. I then use the broth and meat to make a soup. Hope you enjoy today's recipe

Chicken Soup with Lemon Celery Dumplings

6 cups chicken bone broth
2 cups of cooked chicken
1/4 white onion finely chopped
2 carrots sliced
2 stalks of celery thinly sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Dumplings
1 1/3 cup unbleached flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cayene pepper
3 tablespoons celery leaves finely chopped
1 egg beaten
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Put all of the soup ingredients into a Dutch oven.  Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes to cook the carrots and celery. In the mean time put the flour and baking powder in a bowl.  Add the pepper, leaves, egg, milk and lemon juice.  Blend all of the ingredients. Bring the soup to a low bowl.   Fill a soup spoon with dough. Using a knife, scrape into the soup.  Add all of the mixture to the soup. Cook for five minutes.

Serves 6

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

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/

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, 

CMT Patients and Athletes- Learn to Ski

This seminar is advertised for those with MS, but I've cleared it is Ok for CMT patients to attend.
If you want to ski, these people are experts in doing adaptive programs.

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

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

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, #kneedeepinwork

Soup Sunday- Beef Barley Soup

I don't know about most cooks, but recipes are just suggestions and inspiration for me. Sometimes like in the case of today's blog, I don't even use a recipe.  When making soup it's easy to do.
I open up the refrigerator to see what I have and go to the pantry to see what's in there.
Plus I also keep a supply of bone broth in my freezer.     I put today's recipe together from things I had on hand.

Beef Barley Soup

6 cups beef bone broth
2 cups of cooked beef (sliced into bite sized pieces)
1/2 white onion chopped
4 ounces of white button mushrooms sliced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 carrots chopped
1/2 pint of grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup of frozen green beans
1/4 cup purple barley ( can use any kind of barley)
salt and pepper to taste

Put the beef broth into a large stockpot. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring the soup mixture to a simmer. Add the barley and let cook for 20 minutes to cook the barley.

Makes 6 servings

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

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 para triathlete 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 CMT.We 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.

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, #kneedeepinwork

Serves 6

Rest and Recovery

"All that is important is the one moment in movement. Make the moment vital and worth living. Do not let it slip away unoticed and unused. - Martha Graham


Rest is just as important for an athlete and working out.  I've fought with both a running and triathlon coach about taking a day off each week for rest or at least active recovery.  With active recovery I might do something fun like kayaking or hiking, but no running, swimming, weights or cycling.

Long distance runner Ryan Hall,  took every Sunday off. I've read many elite athletes take a day off each week.

Every month I have one easier week where I cut back on my mileage. Hard workouts stress the body.  Cutting back gives the body a chance to recover and get stronger. 

Some athletes do push it all the time.  They risk injury and mental burnout. 

I also take an easy month once a year.  It usually comes right now after my triathlon season.  December is so busy for me,  taking some time off helps give me time to get ready for the holidays.
I also get to really enjoy the holidays with my family. I don't have to stress about getting in a swim, long run or a ride. It is a nice change of pace.  I'm still working out, I just take it day by day and do what I feel like doing.

I get to enjoy sleeping a bit more, catching up on my reading and this week traveling.

As I end my rest month, it is time to gear up for my next season. I'll be training for the Winter Triathlon National Championship in March in Minneapolis.

To get ready I going to a nordic ski camp at the Hartford Ski Spectacklar.  The camp is for para-athletes and is in Breckinridge, Colorado.  This will be my first vacation this year.  Breckingridge is a former mining town at the base of the ski resort. I've been there several times to down hill ski.

I am really excited to get a chance to work on my skate ski technique this week  under the guideance of a paralymipic coach. I'll also get to try biathlon. That is a ski and shooting sport. There is a league here in Wisconsin and I am hoping to be able to enter some local races.

The fun of working on my ski technique in such a beautiful setting is all part of my rest and recovery. It is going to be so much fun to meet the other athletes and be in such a beautiful place.

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

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 2020 she qualified for World Championship age group teams in Denmark, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands.  She has been a USA triathlon ambassador since 2018, is an ambassador for the Wisconsin Senior Olympics and in 2019 was selected as a storyteller ambassador for the National Ski Patrol and Subaru.

 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.

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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Salad Sunday- Red Cabbage Citrus Salad

Red Cabbage Citrus Salad

I get home delivery of organic produce from a company called Imperfect Produce.  The selection varies every week.  When I get my box, then I have to figure out what to make with the contents.

This week I decided to do a salad from the box contents and some things I had on hand.  Cabbage is great with citrus.  The pomegranate sees also have a citrus flavor.  I complemented the salad with a lime based dressing.  I took this along to Thanksgiving dinner. It was a big hit and went well with turkey.  I also ate this for lunch at work, topped with some roasted chicken.  It makes a great main meal as well as a nice side salad


1 small head of red cabbage coarsely chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
Two carrots, sliced into bite sized coins
Seeds from two pomegranates
2 oranges peeled, sliced into bite sized pieced


Put all of the ingredients into a large salad bowl.
Mix together the dressing ingredients and pour over the top.

Dressing
Juice from one small lime ( about 2 tablespoons)
Equal amount of Olive oil
2 teaspoons raw honey

Serves 6


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

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 para triathlete 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.

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, #kneedeepinwork