"One of the most difficult things in life is to appreciate where you've been, yet still driven enough to get where you want to go." - Scott Welle, author
A couple of weeks ago I was notified by USA Triathlon (USAT) I was award All-American status in two sports for the 2019 season. That designation is given to only the top age group athletes participating in sanctioned events.
I didn't get the award because I'm such a great athlete, although I did finish in the top 10 among all athletes in my age group for Aquathlon. I just had to sneak that in there.
I think I might be the only para-athlete competing in these two sports to qualify. In order to qualify I had to particpate in two events for each of these sports.
I am grateful because this is just more evidenc of how USAT supports not only me as a para-athlete, but participation by athletes like me in multi-sport.
One of the reasons that I am one of the only athletes competing in aquathlon and duathlon is that pretty much the rest of the para-athletes compete in triathlon because it is a paralympic sport.
USAT supports an elite program to get those athletes ready for international competition. I cannot compete at that level because the ITU really does not know how to classify my condition. So I have been shut out of this avenue.
I don't write that to complain, because USAT goes far beyond supporting athletes at the elite level. Unlike most sports USAT provides opportunities for athletes like me to complete at any sanctioned race. As an athlete I can request any accomodations that I need to compete.
Recently at National Championship races, larger athletes designated Athena's and Clydesdales are scored seperately. This means they have a chance to be National Champions. They also have their own national championship.
Sometimes there may only be one athlete competing. Just like I am often the only para at a national championship race. These athletes start with the athletes in their age group and their times are compared for National Championship slots. I asked USAT to treat me as a para-athlete the same way. A request they have granted multiple times. I hope that encourages other para-athletes to compete at all levels. I am so grateful for the opportunities. USAT allows me to fight for equal status with other athletes.
I was given a National Championship award and a slot on Team USA for Aquathlon this September in the Netherlands. Initally the race dirctor did not want to do this, but when I alerted USAT they made things right.
Sometimes I have not treated very well by race directors. I try to prevent that from happening from contacting them ahead of time. I get that I don't look impaired. Part of being a director at a sanctioned race means know how to treat para-athletes. When that does not happen, I contact USAT and they have made it right every single time.
The last time I went through classification at an International Triathlon Union race, the manager of the para program from USAT went with me to the classification. They made sure I got a fair assessment. I have never experienced this level of support from any other sports organization.
They have also chosen me three times to be first a USAT ambassador and a USAT foundation advisor. I have been able too represents the sports I love and encourage others to become active.
USAT has provided opportunities for me as an athlete to complete at some of the highest levels of the sport and be recognized. They enable me to carry out my mission of raising awareness of CMT. They help me to inspire others with CMT to live their best life.
They also keep me motivated and inspirted to keep competing. This will keep me stronger and help me to retain function. I am so grateful for their support of para-multisports and me as an athlete. I know there is still alot I can achieve in sports. Thank you to USAT for being there for me on my journey.
************************
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 TeamUSA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015i, Cozumel
in 2016 and Denmark in 2018. In 2018 finishing 5th in the 60 to 64
age group.
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
In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American
Triathlon Championship in Dallas ,
Texas USA
for the World Championship.
In 2020
she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon
Foundation Ambassador.
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”.
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.
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