"I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences."- Sonia Sotomayor
I finally made it to a Winter World Championship. I've qualified at least three times. Sometimes I did not go because of finances. One year it was COVID. Another time I paid my team deposit and never heard another thing. I know at least one year I worried I was not a good enough skier.
When I first qualified I was a classic skier. That is the technique where you shuffle along. It is similar to walking. To be competitive I thought I needed to be a skate skier. That has been a project I have been working on for more than five years. Despite being told in a lesson this year that I belonged with the beginners, I thought technique-wise I was ready
This won't be a race report, I will cover that and some of the challenges of going to Norway in a couple of future blogs. There were some ups and downs on this trip. I only did the Duathlon race due to some logistical challenges.
I will take away a couple of really wonderful memories from the experience. I got a ride to the race venue with one of the other ladies. As our car moved down the access road we passed dozens of busses unloading school kids. Since Nordic racing is a big event in Norway, the kids were given the day off of school to attend. I found out later that many of them were refugees from Ukraine and Syria.
The elite races were held before the age group race in which I would participate. Norway pretty much had a clean sweep of the podium, so the kids had much to cheer about.
There was a little bit of time between the elite and age group races. The athletes were all set up for our race so we mingled with the crowd waiting to watch our race. A couple of kids asked to take a picture of one of my Team USA members. Then they started asking me and other athletes to sign their jackets. They begged for my headband and sunglasses. I needed them for my race.
As I signed countless jackets I laughed to myself. They thought I was some kind of star. Little did they know that as one of the oldest women in the race I would probably finish last. Still to them, I was a rock star. I will always remember their smiles and eager faces as they begged me to sign my name.
The second member has to do with my Team USA teammates. I had so much kindness from the. I had endless questions answered by team captain Sheri Sherlock and a much-needed ride back from the race venue. She also encouraged me on the ski lap reminding me all I had to do was finish. There was a podium spot waiting for me.
I had a ride to the venue by teammate Rose. We had a large group of athletes from Alaska. As they were taking a picture before the race, I stepped out of the picture. They insisted I join the group to be part of the picture. Alaska teammate Heather was handing out glitter and included me in the fun.
The very best memory thought happened at the end of my race. I was indeed last out of the field. As I trudged around the last laps of the ski course I expected a quiet and uneventful finish. Little did I know that every one of my Team USA teammates doing the race was waiting for me and cheering for me at the finish. As I struggled down the finish chute they were screaming my name.
I was so tired at the finish they removed my finisher chips and skis. Then we got a picture of all of us at the finish. I finished about 30 minutes after most of them. They stood in the cold waiting for me. Their kindness brings a tear to my eyes. It was so thoughtful. As challenging as the race was, I will always remember my teammates cheering me in. My victory was a team victory and their presence made it even sweeter. Thank You Team USA for making my first winter world championship race memorable.
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Chris Wodke
Founder & Manager Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com
Chris is a triathlete Nordic skier and long-distance runner. She
is a three-time participant in 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 Para Triathlon National
Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Para
triathlon 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 Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas. She has won state championships in
cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2nd in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship. In 2023 she was the PC Open National
Champion for Winter Triathlon in Anchorage and will represent the U.S. in
Norway.
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” which details
her experience as a CMT-affected athlete, and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey
Toward Healthy Eating”.
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 awar
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