Saturday, December 4, 2021

Wisconsin Senior Olympics 5K Turkey Trot

 



"Be thankful for what you have, you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have you will never have enough."- Oprah Winfrey

It has been since August that I participated in any race. Honestly lots of events were cancelled. The Senior Olympics did run events but I decided to stay away.

I am not vaccinated and did not want to upset people by showing up at an event.  Seniors are a high risk group and I did not want someone thinking I was going to get them sick. The swim events were inside which is more of a risk.

I thought this Senior Olympics event would be a good one to go to. I knew it would be small since there were three other runs in the area on the same day.  I was really looking forward to getting out and racing again.  I have to admit it felt a little strange to be driving to a race. What used to be a regular part of my life pretty much disappeared during COVID.

A 5 K race can be a good gauge of fitness.  I was curious to see what my fitness was after not much racing. The conditions were not ideal. It 40F, windy and raining.  I paid for the race, so I was going to do it.  It was a small group that lined up in Lake Vista Park in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. 

The course was right along Lake Michigan, so the wind felt extra chilly. By race time the rain had slowed to a drizzle. Still I had my rain coat on and was ready for any weather.

It was a small group of maybe 200 runners and walkers. I gave blood the day before which was probably not a good idea. There was a local appeal due to the injuries at the parade in Waukesha. I was happy to give.

So while everyone took off, I did not have much energy. I tried to do 2:00 repeats to keep going. There was one really large hill on the course that went from the bluff down to the lake and back up.

My finishing time was  35:34 which is terrible for me. All of the times seemed slower than normal so maybe the course was long.  I was a little upset with my performance. It is frustrating to be so slow. I finished 2nd in my age group, just 20 seconds out of first place. I had seen the woman pass me and just did not have the energy to match her.

I got to see my friend Yvonne, who is the director of the Senior Olympics. I was on the board for a bit so I apologized for missing events this year and told her why. She assured me I would be very welcome and no one would even ask about my vaccinated status. It was good to catch up with her and I look forward to getting involved again with this group.

When I got home I did my daily study in the Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz. It just so happened the lesson was on Jesus feeding the 5000.  Father Mike talked about how the 5 loves and fish did not seem to be enough for the big job of feeding all of those people.  My run felt like it was not enough. It felt like I am not doing enough and that I am not worthy of my mission. Yet God fed those people with that little bit that they had. God will see that we have enough to do the work he has charged us with. Father Mike often says "What is offered to God is never wasted."  So I have to remember as long as I do my best it is honoring God and to be thankful that I am still out there running.  That is something to be thankful for!

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











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 5th 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 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team 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”.

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 244 athletes in 42 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.


Iron Girl Duathlon- Routine Racing

 



"Everyone has a calling. And your job in life is to figure out as soon as possible what that is, who you were meant to be and begin to honor that in the best way possible for yourself." -Oprah Winfrey

I have not done a blog post about a race in ages. Some how it did not seem right during COVID. No one seems to have missed the post so sometimes I wonder if anyone even reads them.

I don't have much to write about the race because it was fairly routine. I love racing at Iron Girl. This all women's race in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin has such a great energy.  It attracts many women doing their very first multi-sport event and I love that. I love seeing the nerves transform into triumph by the end of the race. I have been there many times myself.

I came back to defend my age group title in the duathlon. It was tempting to do the triathlon since they have a para-triathlon division and the swim is really easy. Just straight across the race following rafts.

Doing a duathlon for me is really routine. I started my race career as a runner and have been cycling since I was a kid. The open water swim was always the fear inducing part of the race. Sometimes it still make me a bit nervous. So a duathlon seemed like a day off.  It would be a chance to have some fun, defend my title and spread some Team CMT awareness.

There is not much to really talk about with this race. The only exciting thing that happened is that I got nearly a full night of sleep before the race. That never happens. It felt so good to be racing fully rested.

The race is a run, bike and then a run to finish.  The course for the run is fairly flat along Lake Andrea. So while we did our first run, I could see the first wave of women swimmers.

Then it was off to the bike.  Because this is a race with lots of beginners, many do not know basic rules like keeping to the right except when passing.  I do educate as gently as possible so they learn the rules.   But mostly I just give a word of encouragement when I pass someone or when they pass me.

I finished in 1 hr and 37 minutes. My second run was over 33 minutes for a 5K. So disappointing that I am now so slow.  Still I am still running and living up to my mission of raising awareness of CMT and showing those with CMT that while I may have CMT, it does not have me. I zm doing the very best I can with the mission God has given me.

My time got me 2nd place in my age group and the lovely bracelet given to the top three women in each age group. Every woman crossing the finish line also got a rose and a finisher medal.

I had lots of fun and talked to lots of nice women.  It ended up being my last multi-sport event for 2020.  I was not able to go to Spain for the World Championships in September.

I am looking forward to lots of racing in 2022 and hope I continue to stay healthy!


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





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 5th 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 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team 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”.

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 244 athletes in 42 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.

 


Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Bumpy Roads

 


                      "Often bumpy roads lead to beautiful places."- David Martinez, Baseball Manager


Today country Western singer Alan Jackson disclosed in an interview on the Today show that he was diagnosed with CMT 10 years ago. He said he had been reluctant to discuss it which is common in the CMT community. He decided to disclose his CMT now because he is at the point where it is becoming obvious when he performs. He has started to have issues with balance when walking and even while standing.

CMT is a disease that progresses slowly. He acknowledged the CMT may eventually disable him. That is a future most of us with CMT face.

He talked about several challenges he has faced from his wife's cancer to his son in law dying recently in an accident.  He has turned these challenges and others he has faced his life into beautiful music.  Perhaps we will hear a CMT based song from him someday.

Those of us in the CMT community are glad to have Alan join the fight. It is so important to raise awareness. It is so helpful to know put a name to symptoms.  Knowing you have CMT is important to avoid drugs that could accelerate CMT.  Finally it is important so that we have others to join us in this fight. It is very difficult to raise funds for research for a disease no one has ever heard of.  Alan helps put a face and name to CMT. This kind of awareness he brings cannot be purchased.  

The work of Team CMT has had the same mission. We wear our shirts and singlets to bring awareness. We participate in events to put a face and a name to CMT. We run, swim, bike and do other fitness activities for those who cannot and to keep ourselves strong.

I remember talking to one of our members one night over dinner before a race in Arizona. He told me we are the lucky ones. He meant that having CMT has taken us places and has helped us to meet people we would not have met. I could not agree more. I would not wish CMT on anyone, but it makes all of use the people we are. The bumpy road of CMT can indeed take us to beautiful places.

I welcome Alan Jackson as he shares in our journey.

Here is the link for the interview
https://www.today.com/health/country-star-alan-jackson-announces-cmt-diagnosis-today-t232178


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



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 5th 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 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team 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”.

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

 


Tuesday, August 24, 2021

USAT Age Group Nationals- A Well Fought Race

 



" The most important thing is not to win, but to take part, just as in life the most important thing is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. " - The Olympic Creed


The USA Triathlon (USAT) National Age Group championships for Sprint and Olympic triathlon was held in Milwaukee on August 7th and 8th. The event would draw 7000 athletes from throughout the United States.  This is the only National Championship race outside of para-triathlon that has qualification requirements. This year I met the qualification criteria for the USAT age group race and the Paratriathlon National Championship.

Milwaukee is my hometown so I was super excited to welcome everyone and meet people I had interacted with via zoom call or on Facebook.

The race would be a different matter. My car accident in May really put a dent in my training and two weeks of vacation in Dallas the two weeks before the race also did not help.

I had qualified for the Sprint race and also signed up for the Open Water swim race. The Sprint race would have spots on the line for Team USA. The top eight women in each age group would be offered a spot on the team.  There was also an Open Wave for the Sprint with no team spots, that offered a Physically Challenged Open division.

I know from doing the AG race three times in Milwaukee how rough the swim can be. The swim start is like being in a washing machine. Fighting for position with a couple of hundred women is  like swimming with sharks. I've been there and one that. I wanted a more sedate experience.

So I decided to switch over to the PC division in the open wave. There were actually 25 athletes signed up. I recognized the name of a women from the Chicago area and we are pretty evenly matched. I was looking forward to racing against her.  I was more comfortable in this wave and not physically having to fight in the swim wave. I really just wanted to race and to enjoy the experience since there was no chance at a Team USA spot.

I also dropped out of the  Friday open water swim. I woke up with a sore throat the day of the race and out of caution I dropped out. I did not want to be too careful during COVID. I also cancelled out of a Foundation Ambassador meet and greet the same day.  I was fine by the next day.

I had missed out on volunteering on Thursday since my flight home from Dallas did not get in until 2 am on Thursday morning. I really needed rest so I could not volunteer.

So Sunday was my chance to redeem my race weekend.   One thing different about this race is I would not be wearing my Team CMT uniform.  I also race for the USAT Foundation this was one of the races I was committed to racing. Team CMT member Cheryl Kearney would be representing Team CMT at the race.

I did not get any sleep as is usual. I got up at 4 am and was down at the race site at 4:30. The good news is I got street parking really close to the event. I think I was the first one in transition at 5 am.  I was not even sure the race would take place because we had thunderstorms all night. It was still raining as I pulled into my parking spot. At the very least the transition area which was on grass would be a muddy mess.

It only takes mere minutes to set up my site in transition. I walked down the swim in, bike out, bike in and run out.  I had plenty of time to kill until my wave at 9:15 or so. I just found a nice shady sport and relaxed. I put everything in different plastic bags in case it rained any time after I set everything up. There was a chance for rain all during the day. The bike stuff went in one plastic bag and run stuff in another.

I saw triathlon friends from the Wisconsin Senior Olympics but did not see Team CMT member Cheryl Kearney until she came to line up for her wave. She was in the age group wave right before mine.

Swim

The swim takes place from the dock at the Discovery World museum on the Milwaukee harbor. They have a nice floating dock.  We were given time to get in on the right end of the dock to warm up and get used to the water. Lake Michigan can be cold, but this day it was 68F.  I had the long sleeve wet suit and was a bit worried about getting hot. It turned out all of the PC athletes except me were Team Triumph athletes in boats. I saw the boat pullers lined up in my wave at the dock and wondered who they were. They all looked like elite athletes.. Tall and fit, not like me. All of their athletes were waiting in boats they picked up when we entered the water.  It was a little tough as I hung on the dock waiting for the start trying to get the boats from blocking me. Kayla the PC athlete I know from Chicago did not show up. I was the only ambulatory athlete, which is often the case.

The swim went well. As usual it seemed to take forever. It was nice being the last wave and not having swimmers run over me. I was fast enough I passed swimmers from the two waves before me.  The Milwaukee course was a 750 meter swim it a sort of long rectangle. The water was calm due the protection of the harbor breakwater. I think I did the swim in about 22 minutes. That is slow for me, but considering all the swim training time I missed this summer I will take it.

Bike

Since I was the last wave, transition was a muddy mess. I was able to miss the worst sports for both T1 and T2.  Everything was pretty mud after the race and took some major clean up post race.

I used my road bike since the course goes up and back over the Hoan Bridge. This bridge goes over the Milwaukee harbor. It never allows bike traffic so it is a treat to be able to ride it. I think the elevation change was about  76 feet over a slow gradual climb.  The view of the harbor and the Milwaukee skyline makes the climb worthwhile. Because it is so high it is always windy on the bridge.

Because I was the last wave, there was not much traffic around me. I was worried I would be the last racer. The other PC athletes were being pushed by the elite athletes.  However I did beat a couple of them and the swimmers I passed.  The 12 mile bike ride was over pretty quick and was pretty routine. 

Run

Once I make it to the run the celebration begins, The swim always feels risky to me since I am not a strong swimmer. A couple times fear has caused me to drop out. 

The bike always has the risk of flat tires or other equipment issues that can end a race. 

But with the run, I feel like I am home free. It is just 3.1 miles between me and the red carpet of the finish line.  I started my racing career as a runner and have probably 30 years of running races. This part of the race is so routine. It was in the high 80's and humid. All that race experience means I know how to manage my hydration.  I was hot but comfortable as I cruised along. I talked with one of the male athletes that was walking because he had such bad muscle cramps. That happens when your body loses electrolytes on a hot day. I gave him some advise as I passed. Before I knew it, I was crossing the finish line of my fourth AG triathlon national championship.

Well the total time of 1 hr 57 minutes was not stellar. But I was glad all things considered to just be at the race. I was thrilled to cross both the starting and finish line. Just being out there again after COVID cancelled so many races was a thrill.  On to the next one!


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

The author and Team CMT member Cheryl Kearney at USAT AG National Championship Milwaukee

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 5th 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 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team 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”.

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

Friday, June 25, 2021

Leon's Triathlon, The Good, the Bad and the Uglt

 


"Be who you are and be that well, be who God made you to be and be that well." - St. Francis Desales

When I signed up for Leon's triathlon, I did so because it was a para-triathlon development race.  That means there were points towards Paralympic qualification. The current Paralympic champion is a 22 year old stellar athlete. She is the current gold medalist from Rio.  Five years ago the single leg amputee and neuromuscular categories were combined. Since then I have had no route to the elite competition in triathlon. There is no way anyone with a neuro impairment can keep up with someone with a single impairment.

 I know I have no hope of qualifying, but I wanted to keep competing with the hope of going through classification. If I am classified as having an impairment by USA Triathlon, I can compete as a para-athlete at a World Championship. I've already qualified as an age group athlete for two races in Townsville, Australia in 2022.

I am really tired of being locked out of a system that is supposed to include athletes like me with neurological impairments.  To even go to classification I have to meet a time standard of about 1:34 for a sprint triathlon. By luck last year I qualified at Leon's.  That meant I can if I want, I can go to the Para-triathlon National Championship in Long Beach in July. I would be able to go through classification.

There are two problems with that option. One I am now retired and living off of savings until I start to tap retirement investments.  When I added up the expenses of going to Long Beach it was about $4000. It did not seem worth it for a classification I might not make it through. So I decided not to go to Long Beach.

A few weeks before Leon's it was announced that the Pan American Triathlon Championship (PATCO) would be coming to the Pleasant Prairie triathlon.  That is only 30 minutes from home. There would be classification offered.  I got in all my paperwork and took the Safe Sport training module. I had just two hoops to jump through, a neurologist visit and some tests.  I asked for a couple day extension from USAT. I was turned down.  I had not done it earlier because the cost of the doctor visit and tests would have been close to $1000.  So I had been unwilling to take that gamble along with expenses of going to Long Beach.  It is doubtful I will make the time standard going forward. So dream of competing in para-triathlon at the elite level is done for now.  That is the bad news  at least for now. There is no telling what might unfold in the future.

It did not make sense  any longer to do a para-developmental race.  I was also only a month out from my car accident. I had not been able to swim much. I decided to drop down to the PC open sprint race which had a 500 meter swim instead of the 750 meter swim.  

The race itself was pretty routine.  I like this course because both the bike and swim are really flat.  The swim is in a small lake and is usually really calm.  It was a really hot and humid day. So while the race was uneventful, it was still a tough event. I used my triathlon bike and my back was still sore from the auto accident.  On the run I passed a young lady running in braces.  I asked if she had CMT and she said she was still being diagnosed.  

After the race I met fellow ambassador Kimee Armour and Sue Reynolds. I had talked with both many times on-line and it was nice to see them in person. The best part of triathlon is meeting old friends and making new ones.

The one hitch in the day came at the awards ceremony. The last time I did Leon's I took 2nd in the PC division and did not stay for the awards. I sat and waited for the awards in the hot sun. It seemed to take forever.  Then once they got to the awards, the announcement was made for my category and they mentioned one athlete but not me. I went up to the stage and was told by the volunteer if we did not read your name you did not win.  They were almost rude about it. I was directed to the room off stage where the timing and results were located.  The timer could not find me based on my number and then could find my name but no results.  It took almost 90 minutes to clear it up.  Then I found out after all that there was no medal for the age group and PC Open athletes.  To say the least I was not happy. I got no medal, and no chance to stand on the podium. I think I got a bit ugly with the timing guy. That fighter in me that helps me such a good athlete, showed itself in not the best way.  I am not exactly proud of it.  So Leon's and the events leading up to it were a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly. This time I was the source of the ugly and will have to do better next time.

I finished with a time of 1:38 which is 4 minutes over the current standard.

This weekend  I will be competing at Pleasant Prairie. I have decided to not do the PC Open race here either during PATCO. I felt better by changing over to Duathlon. I need three races to qualify for All American status.  I just would not have felt good not being able to race at PATCO since I have done so in the past. Even if I had gotten my medical records together, most likely I would not have passed through qualification.  I am looking forward to the race. Swimming is the one activity that still really bothers my back. So Duathlon will be a nice alternative to the triathlon for many reasons.

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



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 5th 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 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team 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”.

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 239 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


Saturday, June 5, 2021

Act Two-

 


"I'm happy about who I am and what I am. I can't wait to find out who I'll be tomorrow." - Joyce Dewitt, Actress


I have been thinking about retirement for months. Every time I met with my financial advisor he would say " You know you can retire".  The last time we met, I told him I was one bad day from retiring.

Well that bad day came the Thursday before Easter.  When you have enough money to retire it is difficult to put up with day to day work issues and to get up at 5 am each day.  It has been tough for me this past year because I started a new job right as the pandemic hit.  It has been really challenging trying to learn a highly technical job while being remote from my team.  One of the things that had been a constant in my career is work even with challenges was fun. This job was just not fun anymore.

It felt strange to turn in my notice to retire.  I figured out it was because I had not chosen to leave a job for over 20 years. I was laid off from my job with a local utility company after 19 years.  I was also laid off from the two jobs before that.   Those breaks in employment showed me I would have no problem finding things to do once I stopped working.

I started working the day after high school in 1976, washing glassware in a lab.  I continued working there through most of college. I had been promoted to a lab tech and there was a mix of full time employees and college students. All the other college students were engineering majors. They told me how fun the classes were. I had started as pre-med and for many reasons decided to give engineering a try. I loved it!  What they did not tell me was how much work it was.

I graduated engineering school in 1982 during the middle of a huge recession. Employment and inflation were double digits.  I ended up going back to work at the company I worked in college.  I was doing research on materials for humidity sensors for HVAC systems. My big accomplishment was working with an intern to develop a computer program that reduced the time we needed to analyze data from over a week of calculations to a few minutes.

The photo you see at the top of the blog is from my next position.  I was a research engineer working on semi-conductor materials.  I had a secret security clearance.  I helped to build the equipment in the picture. This photo was used on a cover of a brochure for our research center.  

The photographer entered it and won a contest at EPCOT. It was on display there for over a year. It also appeared on the cover of Design News. I loved this job until I got a new supervisor.  He was single and decided I should date him. I was only one of  five women working as engineers in a staff of 150.  It was my policy not to date anyone at work ever.  He did not take it well and took away all my work.  It was really a terrible situation.  His boss, the man that had hired me, asked me what was going on. To my regret, I did not tell him what had happened. It was something that was not talked about in those days. It was not the only incident of harassment that happened at this company. The women engineers would trade stories.  What made the situation even worse was he was my advisor for my master's thesis.  Right in the middle of the project he washed his hands of me. He would not ever read the thesis. He refused to help with anything. I was on my own. He also was on the committee when I presented my work.  It was as awkward as it sounds.

Early on in my employment one of my male co-workers pulled me aside to tell me he did not want a bunch of male visitors to the lab.  Apparently he viewed me as some type of distraction. In a meeting early in my career, the manager of my department stated in a meeting " When I look at a male engineer, I know he has to be here."  Wow, that really has to make you question your career choice and your place of employment. With that kind of leadership, it is not surprising the work environment was not great for female engineers. At the time I think less than 5% of engineers in the U.S. were female.

So I was transferred to a different work group. I had spent years getting my graduate degree in semi-conductor materials. So now I was going to be working in a pilot production facility to assemble circuit boards.  The guy running the lab was very dis-organized and I was brought in to turn around the quality. He refused to train me. He tried to set me up to fail. This time when the manager who had hired me asked about it, I told him what was going on and that he was telling anyone that would listen that I was incompetent.  I took matters into my own hands and started a local chapter of the professional society governing the work. I attended many seminars and got up to speed. I turned the lab performance around.  By then I had a new boss and the day I hit my quality goals, he took me out of the role and gave the management of the facility to one of his hunting buddies. I took my skills and moved on to another company.  I learned quite a bit in the 9 years, but it was time for a change.

I then worked as a production manager for company that did contract circuit board assembly. They had 50 employees and 30 of the employees reported to me. The place was not making money and their quality was a mess. I wore many hats there, safety officer, trainer, production manager. Without going into all of the details I used my knowledge and experience to help the company make a profit for the first time.  The problem was I was single and in my 30s.  The President of the company was also single.    He used the company as his playground. He made it very clear his interest in me.  At the end of a record production month, I was fired. It was shortly after turning down his last advance.  I chalked it up to experience and was ready to move on. The problem is they were giving me bad reviews that I knew cost me at least two jobs. A friend inside the company told me she overheard several of the managers talking about doing it and laughing about it. I filed a discrimination suit with the EEOC and they found cause. We settled.  The problem was that my reputation was now so damaged I feared I could not find a job in my field.

So I ended up working as a Product Safety engineer for two years until the company ran into financial trouble. I learned so much about risk and the legal world.  I did training about product safety and liability.  It was because of that experience that I decided to transition into training as a career.

I used my technical background and experience doing training to a job as a technical trainer. I helped them set up a program for their designers. We were able to lower the training time from 5 years to 2 years.  I went onto to be a supervisor of training and procedures.  The role of the department was to deal with outages and hazards on the electrical system.  I felt like it was such important work. I developed all of their training programs, helped develop 125 procedures. The people were just the best, but my fellow supervisors engaged in outright harassment of my employees. When someone came to me, I felt the accusations were try based on what I had experienced.  I knew reporting it would hurt my advancement. I felt morally my obligation was to my employees. Things needed to change and they never would unless someone reported it.  Things were better for a bit and again the same problems occurred. I again took a stand for better treatment. I am sure I was branded as a troublemaker.  The employees being harassed were all women and it was done by men.

I moved on to become a manager of performance and improvement for a group of power plants. I led the effort to update over 3000 procedures over four years. I trained many writers and proofreaders using course materials I developed. It was another assignment were there were few women.  I think less than 10% of the staff was women. That as always leads to challenges.    I compared working there being a serf. The Lords were the plant managers. What they said was the rule and no one should challenge it. Sometimes that silence put the company at risk and I felt when it put safety at risk I had to challenge it. That did not make me popular. After 19 years I was downsized when three of the large plants I supported closed.

I was lucky to find work as a Technical Writer at American Transmission Company. I saved the best company for last. They end up on best places to work in Milwaukee for a reason. They really care about their employees. Every person I worked with was talented and nice. They truly hire the best and create a great environment. My last position was as a System Protection Specialist work with sub-station relays.  My boss was extremely nice, my co-workers could nor have been nicer. It was hard to leave but it was time.

My career went by so fast.  It seems it was over almost as soon as it started. I faced many challenges. When I had a toxic boss, I vowed to be better and got the training I needed to be ready when my turn came. When one career option disappeared, I retooled and got ready for the next opportunity.  

I could still work, I continued to interview right up to the very end. I just sensed for now it was time for Act 2.  There have been my highs in my career and also incredible challenges being a woman in a mostly male occupation. I wondered many times if I made the right career choice. On whole I think I made the right choice and I proud of the work I've done.

I will still be busy with training, travel and projects around the house. I am also thinking over self-employment options using my training and technical skills. I am excited about Act 2, act 1 will be a tough one to beat!

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



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 5th 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 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team 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”.

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


Sunday, May 30, 2021

Quick Chicken Skillet

 


Quick Chicken Skillet





















3 chicken thighs
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons coconut oil

Combine all the spices in a bowl.  Rub the spice mixture on all sides of the chicken. Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet.  Brown the chicken on all sides.  Put the skillet into a 350F oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Check to be sure the chick is cooked by cutting one of the pieces to the bone. There should be no pink meat.

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



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 5th 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 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team 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”.

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.

 


Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Duathlon National Championship-Falling to My Training

Duathlon National Championship in Tuscaloosa, Alabama


" In battle we do not rise to our expectations, we fall to our level of training." - Archilochos, Greek Poet

I have not done a blog entry for almost a year. It didn't seem right in the middle of COVID.  I did race a few times last year, but most of my races were cancelled leaving me with little to write about.

Things are starting to get back to normal in the U.S.  Races are also back on for this season including USA Triathlon National Championships.

This would be my first race since doing a sprint triathlon in August in Michigan last year. I knew I would have some rust to knock off.   A duathlon is a bike and run race.  May is a bit early for those of us in the Midwest.  We have had very little weather where we could cycle outside.

Miles on the trainer are not great training miles, so I knew I might not have a great race. Plus two weeks before the race, my car was T-boned sending me to the emergency room with neck and back pain.

I missed a week of training and am still under doctors care for on-going neck and back issues. I always have high expectations for my performance.  I want to have a good race more than anything. I want to feel strong and fast.  The weather forecast for race day was humid and 90F.  We have not seen those kind of temperatures here in Wisconsin since August.  So for a lot of reasons I knew I had to adjust my expectations a bit.

I had signed up for three races:

  • Standard distance of 10K run, 40K bike, 5 K run
  • Sprint, non draft of 5 K run, 20 K bike, 3 K run
  • Sprint draft legal of 5K run, 20K bike, 3 K run
The first two races the standard and non draft sprint were on Saturday with the draft legal on Sunday.
Spots were on the line for the age group Team USA and All American designation for the top 10 in each age group.

I decided to drop the standard race and do both the sprint races. I would race as a physically challenged athlete on Saturday and an age group athlete on Sunday. I was going to do that so that I could qualify for the US Team. I cannot do that currently when racing as a PC athlete.

I was really proud to be representing Team CMT and with my#1 race number. Lots of people asked me about it.


 Normally I am nervous about racing, but with no swim and the short distances, I was excited to be racing. The race was held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama which is about a 13 hour drive from Milwaukee. My brother came along to help with the driving and to keep me company.  We split the drive over two days and arrived in the early afternoon on Friday for packet pick up. No race day pick up.

The other thing that was different this year was that masks had to be worn at all times when not racing. That included while waiting for the race to start and in transition. There was hand sanitizer everywhere.  We were urged to practice social distancing.

Race day is pretty routine. I got set up, looked for friends and sat in the shade to keep cool. The PC wave on Saturday was the last wave.  That meant I would spend parts of both run legs and the bike by myself. I hate that .

The first run was super hot because it was on blacktop. There was an aid station every mile with ice cold water and towels dipped in ice water. I don't know how they managed to keep it so cold on such a hot day. The volunteers were just awesome.  The water was in bottles and the volunteers were not supposed to hand it to us.  I poured one over me and took one with me.

When I got to transition I had trouble changing into my bike shoes. I touched my foot on the black top in transition and it was burning my foot. I was afraid to sit down. It seemed like it took forever to get set and be off on the bike.

The bike course was supposed to be flat but it was really a set of very long and fairly high hills. It seemed like it took forever. Usually it takes me about 40 minutes and with the wind that day it took me almost an hour. I think my race really suffered due to my lack of outdoor training. I am hoping for better results later in the year.

The 2nd run went well and I ended up the National Champion for the PC open female division. At first I felt a bit funny about that since I was the only one. But there were many age group athletes that were the only one in their division.  I came home with a nice national champion shirt and a gold medal.



I was supposed to race on Sunday.  Well Saturday night my body felt like it was on fire and my whole body was jumpy. At about 3 am I made the decision to skip the Sunday race. I did not want to risk over-doing it.  That gave us a chance to get an early start driving back home.

My overall race time was 20 minutes slower than my last duathlon. I was hoping for much better. I have to say I was disappointed in my performance.  As I get outside for more riding, I am hoping I can get back to where I was in 2019.  Something to look forward to.

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



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 5th 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 2nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team 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”.

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