Soup Sunday- Refried Bean Soup

Refriend Bean Soup

Refried Bean Soup

I love refried beans and eat them often at home in burritos and tostadas.  I was really excited to find a soup recipe featuring refried beans.

Of course I made a few changes to make it my own.  I used tomato juice as the base instead of the chicken broth called for in the original recipe.  If you want a thicker soup use a bit less juice.

It goes together really fast and only needs to be heated long enough for it to be the right temperature for eating.  I did not cook the onions because I wanted them to be crispy. That is how I like them when I eat refried beans.  If you want them softer, then boil the soup for 10 minutes to cook them.


1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
1 can ( 15 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can  (15 ounces) black beans drained
3 cups tomato juice
2 cans ( 14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
1/3 cup salsa
Half of a white onion coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
Tortilla chips

Put the first seven ingredients into a soup pot.   Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer.  Add the chili powder and red pepper flakes  Simmer uncovered until heated all the way through, about 8 to 10 minutes.  Serve with the tortilla chips.  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 233 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

USA Triathlon Ambassador Announcement

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The roster for the 2020 USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Team Powered by Newton Running was announced today, featuring 49 age-group ambassadors and three U.S. elite athlete captains. Team members will raise awareness for the mission of the USA Triathlon Foundation and encourage triathlon participation in their local communities, all while serving as brand representatives for Newton Running.

The ambassadors, some of the top age-group athletes in the nation, hail from 23 states and bring a diverse set of experiences and backgrounds in the sport. Through local service projects, community outreach activities and beginner triathlon clinics, ambassadors will embody the mission the USA Triathlon Foundation: to transform lives through sport by opening pathways to swim, bike and run to those for whom it might not otherwise be possible. 

The team is powered by Newton Running, the exclusive running shoe partner of USA Triathlon and the USA Triathlon Foundation, which has emphasized social responsibility and community giveback as part of its business model since being founded in 2006. 

“In its second year, the USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Team has doubled in size as we hope to bring more awareness to the Foundation than ever before,” said Caroline Condon, Fundraising Programs Coordinator for the USA Triathlon Foundation. “This incredible group of athletes is prepared to make transformative change across the country by inspiring and supporting their local multisport communities, all while sharing the values of the Foundation. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve as a team in 2020.”

“Newton Running is proud to be in our second year of partnership with the USA Triathlon Foundation and Ambassador Team,” said Wendy Lee, Director of Global Sales and Philanthropy for Newton Running. “We’re excited to have such a worthy group of athletes and philanthropists running toward their goals with Newtons on their feet! For us this partnership is the perfect match, using the sport that connects us to make a difference in our communities.”

Outreach activities will support one of the Foundation’s three key focus areas: encouraging every child to participate; inspiring every paratriathlete to compete; and igniting young athletes’ dreams of competing at the Olympic or Paralympic Games.

Ambassador team members will participate in service projects onsite at the Legacy Triathlon and Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships in Long Beach, California, on July 18; and the Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships in Milwaukee on Aug. 8-9. Service projects will support local triathlon communities and multisport-focused charities in each host city.

Additionally, ambassadors will raise a minimum of $1,000 each for the USA Triathlon Foundation. That funding will go toward deserving individuals and organizations in the multisport community in support of the Foundation’s three focus areas.

Throughout the triathlon season, ambassadors will also share the mission and vision of the Foundation through personal stories on their social media channels and in multisport-focused media outlets.

Three U.S. elite triathletes will serve as captains of the ambassador team: 2016 U.S. Olympian and current USA Triathlon Collegiate Recruitment Program Manager Joe Maloy (Naples, Fla.); 2016 U.S. Paralympic silver medalist Hailey Danz (Wauwatosa, Wis.); former U.S. Triathlon National Team member Erin Storie (Fort Bragg, N.C.); and current U.S. Triathlon National Team Member Renée Tomlin (Ocean City, N.J.). Captains will help lead community service efforts while using their social media platforms to advance the Foundation’s mission and vision. 

For more information about the ambassador team, or to make a donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation, visit usatriathlonfoundation.org.

2020 USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Team Powered by Newton Running

Age Group Ambassadors
Malek Amrani (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Pete Anderson (Portland, Maine)
Kimee Armour (Auburn, Ill.)
Corey Bell (Godfrey, Ill.)
Lyndze Blosser (New York, N.Y.)
Susan Brashear (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Nicole Brown (Winter Park, Fla.)
Avery Chapman (Wellington, Fla.)
Madeline Consuelos (Schnecksville, Pa.)
Carol Coram (Seattle, Wash.)
Becky DiSorbo (Henderson, Nev.)
Scott K. Endsley (San Diego, Calif.)
Ronnie Fields, Jr. (Haynesville, La.)
Jamila Gale-Agans (Jber, Alaska)
William Gates, Jr. (Maryville, Tenn.)
Thomas A. Giannettino (Auburn, N.Y.)
Gail Gottfried (Sierra Madre, Calif.)
Susan Haag (Jacksonville, Fla)
Jill Hamilton-Reeves (Shawnee, Kan.)
Suzy Heffernan (Cutchogue, N.Y.)
Jason Henry (Midland, Mich.)
Wesley Hollero (Henderson, Nev.)
Donnelly Howard (Mobile, Ala.)
Jillian Jacinth (Babylon, N.Y.)
Leah Kaplan (Spokane, Wash.)
Kenny Knittle (Orwigsburg, Pa.)
Caryn Kusleika (Omaha, Neb.)
Noah Lam (Stony Brook, N.Y.)
Dana Locken (Bath, South Dakota)
Magui Martinez-Pena (Boulder, Colo.)
Cristin McDermott (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Emily Morrison (Griffith, Ind.)
Jen Myers (Chesapeake, Va.)
Cheryl Perry (The Woodlands, Texas)
Steph Popelar (Elizabeth, Colo.)
Sue Reynolds (Bloomington, Ind.)
Sybille Rex (Boston, Mass.)
Michael Salsgiver (Henderson, Va.)
Rosalind Jarrett Sepulveda (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Jerry Shere (Cleveland Heights, Ohio)
Tove Shere (Cleveland Heights, Ohio)
Janessa Schulte (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Kearci Smith (Plano, Texas)
Khem Suthiwan (Denver, Colo.)
Kim Townsend. (Evansville, Ind.)
Ross Young (Austin, Texas)
Nicole Wan (Elgin, Texas)
Christine Wodke (Milawukee, Wis.)
Joshua Woods (Woodinville, Wash.)

Team Captains
Hailey Danz (Wauwatosa, Wis.), 2016 U.S. Paralympic silver medalist
Joe Maloy (Naples, Fla.), 2016 U.S. Olympian
Erin Storie (Fort Bragg, N.C.), Former U.S. Triathlon National Team Member
Renée Tomlin (Ocean City, N.J.), U.S. Triathlon National Team Member

Team Manager
Caroline Condon (Colorado Springs, Colo.), USA Triathlon Foundation Fundraising Programs Coordinator

About the USA Triathlon Foundation
The USA Triathlon Foundation was created in 2014 by the USA Triathlon Board of Directors as an independent tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity. Under the leadership of its Trustees and Committee members, the Foundation serves as a means to create a healthier America through triathlon and seeks to transform lives by opening up new pathways to the sport for all, especially those who are otherwise underserved. The USA Triathlon Foundation operates with the belief that every child should have the chance to participate, every paratriathlete should have the opportunity to compete, and every aspiring elite athlete should be able to chase his or her Olympic dream. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $3 million has been provided to worthy causes and organizations that support its mission. Donations to the USA Triathlon Foundation ensure America's youth are introduced to the benefits and fun of a multisport lifestyle, athletes with disabilities receive the training, support and gear to be able to participate and excel, and the best aspiring young athletes have a chance to pursue their Olympic Dreams. Visit usatriathlonfoundation.org to learn more and donate today.

About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

About Newton Running
Newton Running creates performance shoes specifically for runners and outdoor recreationists. The brand, which is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, was built and is operated by runners for runners and strives to help athletes improve their form and abilities. Newton Running is a purpose driven company with a commitment to social and environmental accountability. Learn more about Newton Running at newtonrunning.com.

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 233 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- Shrimp Chowder

I eat soup for lunch at work every day.  I like to try new recipes to keep things interesting.  If I like what I have in my lunch, I am less tempted to eat from the vending machines, go out to lunch or eat from the food vendors that come in twice a week.   The soups I pack are much healthier than any restaurant food.   I am doing something a little different this week. I haven't made a chowder for quite a while. This one features shrimp instead of the usual fish.


Shrimp Chowder

2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons minced garlic
1 small white onion coarsely chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
2 small Yukon gold potatoes, cut into bite sized chunks
4 cups chicken bone broth
2 bottles (8 ounce) clam juice
2 cups corn kernels
1 tablespoons Fisherman's Wharf seasoning
10 ounces shelled and peeled shrimp cut into bite sized pieces
1 cup 2 % milk
2 medium tomatoes chopped


Melt the butter in the bottom of a 6 quart Dutch oven.  Add the onion and garlic. Cook until soft.  Add the celery, broth, clam juice, seasoning and potatoes.  Cook for 20 minutes until the potatoes are very soft.

Remove the mixture from the heat.  Let it cool for a few minutes. Blend with a hand blender until smooth. Return to the heat and add the corn and cook for 5 minutes.  Add the milk and shrimp.  Cook for about 5 minutes until the shrimp is pink. While this is cooking, seed and finely chop the tomatoes.

Use the tomatoes to top each bowl of chowder. Serves 4.


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

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 233 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-Tomato Gnocchi Soup

Today is playoff day here in Wisconsin.   We got snow last night, so it is perfect soup weather. Playoff day means special food to celebrate the game.  It is early in the year and I am still trying to eat a bit healthy. So instead of my go-to treat of pizza for game day, I came up with a soup with pizza flavors. Feel free to add the ingredients you enjoy on pizza.  Go Packers!

Tomato Gnocchi Soup

1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup spaghetti sauce
46 ounce can tomato juice
1 cup sauteed button mushrooms
1 14 ounce can of diced tomatoes
1 cup chopped red pepper
1 tablespoon Italian spices ( or mixture of oregano and basil)
17. 5 ounce package of potato gnocchi


Prepare the gnocchi according to package directions. Drain and drizzle with olive oil. Put into a covered casserole dish while the soup is being prepared.

Saute the sausage in the bottom of a heavy Dutch oven.  Add the onions and garlic. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink.  Add everything else except the gnocchi.  Bring almost to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste. To serve put 1/4  cup of the gnocchi into a soup bowl. Top with the soup and shredded Parmesan cheese. Serve with garlic bread.

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 233 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- Biathlon

"It always seems impossible until it is done"- Nelson Mandella

I think it's good sometimes to do things that make you uncomfortable.  I was really out of my comfort zone when I went to the Hartford Ski Spectacular in December in Breckenridge.

I would have been fine if I had gone to the alpine race camp. I've been an alpine skier since I was a freshman in college.  I have been on a local ski patrol for 30 years.  Downhill skiing is second nature.
I've also skied in the mountains many times. I could have gone to the alpine clinic and been very proficient.  I've even done a bit of racing.

I decided to go the the Nordic camp because I have been trying to master skate skiing for 3 years. I thought a week of intense clinics and racing would be just what I needed. I didn't think it would be easy and it wasn't, but by the end of the week I saw some significant improvement.

The second reason I sent to the Nordic camp is biathlon was included.  The sport of biathlon combines Nordic skiing with shooting.  We have a local league, but did not want to show up for a race unless my skiing got much better.

All of the coaches at the clinic were paralympic development coaches. It was a great opportunity to try the sport.  For the clinic we used laser rifles to shoot at the target. 

When I was trying it out, the coach told me to look through the site at the tip of the gun and then the one closest to me.  I could never hit the target until I figured out the coach meant to look at the two sites at the same time.  I'd used shot guns as a kid, but they never had scopes.

Once we got that mis-understanding cleared up, I hit every target. Not only that I did it time after time. Wow something I was good at.  Marksmanship may be in my blood.  My younger brother was on the marksman team in high school. I also have a great grandfather that was a sharpshooter in the Prussian army.

We even did relays were we had to ski, then lay down and shoot. It's called coming in hot.  I did almost as well. Finally here was something I did as well or better than the other students. I kept saying I can't ski, but I can shoot. The head coach told me to stop saying that because my skiing was fine.

My contact coach for the week, Mark said he saw lots of improvement in my skiing. Now I am excited to try some biathlon races here at home.  I still need to keep improving my skiing, but I am excited by the progress I've made.  I am looking forward to get even better. It was well worth the risk to look a bit foolish by all my falls earlier in the week.


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

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.

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Hartford Ski Spectacular-Nordic

"Make sure your worst enemy doesn't lie between your ears."- Laird Hamilton

In early December I attended the Nordic Race Camp as part of the Hartford Ski Spectacular or the Hartford Ski Spec as it is known.  The camp was for disabled athletes.  I made sure before I signed up that I would be welcome as an athlete with CMT.  I was made very welcome by all the coaches and other athletes.

I had been looking for some time for a week long clinic. I have been struggling for the past few years to master the skate ski technique for Nordic racing.  Taking a lesson here and there has not helped me make the progress I would have liked.  A week long clinic with coaching would be just what I needed to improve my skiing.    My goal is to be able to race locally first and then maybe progress to a para national championship race.

There were 10 athletes that were in the clinic all week.  A few others dropped in for part of a day during the week.  There were more coaches than athletes.  I was assigned coach Mark for my first day and to be my point person for the week.  Every day he stored my skies at the end of the day and had them ready each morning.  Mark started our lesson by asking me about my limitations  as a skier with CMT.  Mark is both an alpine and Nordic instructor at Sun Valley Idaho.  He works with able bodied and challenged athletes.  He has the same discussion with anyone he teaches because so many impairments are invisible.  My lack of flexibility in my calves would prove to be a challenge all week.

To skate on skis, you have to be able to bend at the ankles and the knees. I have very little bend in my ankles.  Balance on skis is a challenge because of this. It also takes me much longer to develop the muscle memory needed to learn an athletic skill.    There were lots of falls as Mark worked with me that first day.

Most of the coaches were current or former Olympic athletes. I worked with most of them one on one over the course of the week.

The second day we did drills and I continued to fall.  Sometimes I needed help getting up. I was out of breath due to the altitude and the cold.  Once after I fell and I laid in the snow, I had the thought maybe I should have gone to the Alpine clinic.  I've been Alpine skiing since I was 18 and I am pretty good at it.  It is really tough to endure the frustration of trying to learn a new skill.  It was also humbling. I kept saying I was a bad skier and the head coach kept telling me to stop saying it.

During some of the drills we were video taped. I was not bending my knees and ankles nearly enough.   I heard the same thing every day from the coaches. It is something for me to work on.

One day the coaches decided we should do relay races. That brought back bad memory from gym class. I felt sorry for anyone getting me on their team.  We had to carry a football through an orange cone lined course down a hill, then back up a hill and hand it off.  I was doing great until right before the finish line. Then I had trouble getting up. I felt bad until I saw others fall at different times too.

Despite my frustration, I made huge progress. The last two days, I only fell once each day.   Early in the week, I was able to go downhill with no problem.  The uphill and level needed work.  By the last day I felt pretty confident in my skiing.  Mark my contact person had been busy with other skiers for a few days. When I saw him on the last day he commented on how much I had improved.  I owe it all to the work of the wonder coaches, Beth Ann, Mark, Don,Maggie, Paige, Nick, Kristina, Bitt and Russ

The last day I was a bit tired, so while the group went on a longer ski, I went with a coach. I even got a lesson in ski waxing. The snow was sticking to my skis and I could not move.  We took the skis inside and the coach showed me how to wax them.

I am really glad I went to the clinic. My skiing improved so much. I have not been on skis since then due to the holidays. Once I am back home, I will be out working on improving even more.
I will also be skiing in a Wednesday night Nordic league.  I am looking to put all my new skills into practice


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

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.

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