"The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success, but on significance and then the small steps ANd little victories along your path will have greater meaning."-Oprah Winfrey
The Ugly Dog race was the first gravel race I did. I remember being nervous about the bike portion on gravel roads. I really had nothing to worry about since gravel is much less technical than doing a mountain bike race.
For the first two years, I did the aqua bike. This year I would be racing as a para-triathlete in the sprint triathlon. I signed up for the triathlon for two reasons. I need a timed triathlon race to qualify for next year's National Senior Games in Des Moines. Since it is driving distance I want to participate.
Second I wanted some experience running on trails. I am registered for the Gravel Triathlon National Championship race in September in Michigan. Doing this race would be a great practice run. I can take what I learn to improve for that race.
The weather this summer has not cooperated with doing trail runs. It seems like it has rained 4 to 5 times per week keeping the trails ready. House project kept me from the gravel trails.
My training this summer has been rather relaxed. I have drastically reduced the number of races. My training has been for an hour or two each day doing whatever I feel like doing. I have not been following a training plan. I had not been to the pool for two weeks due to family visiting.
My teammate Cheryl Kearney's brother lives on the lake where the race is held. So it has become a family and friend weekend. She was just out of a cast for a wrist break and would be doing the duathlon. We both looked at this as a training race.
I lined up for the swim feeling totally relaxed. I chatted with the other women around me. They asked about the roads and I told them not to worry because they were great. The start was a time trial, with swimmers in the water every 3 seconds. I remember a time when the swim really stressed me. Not anymore.
The swim buoys looked longer than the reported 750 m distance. The water temp was reported to be 76F but felt colder. I wore a sleeveless wetsuit. To help me concentrate I swam 50 easy strokes and then 50 hard. I passed quite a few swimmers and soon I was out of the water.
Next was the bike portion on gravel forest roads. I got on the course and reached down for my water bottle. I had forgotten to load it on my bike. The same mistake I made last year. At the turn around I begged half a bottle of water off of a volunteer. The road was really sandy. Much different from the last two years. I had to walk up one hill due to sand. The course conditions really slowed me down. It was however a beautiful ride in the shady woods that was welcome on a hot day. So much better than riding on a hot road.
Next was a 5K trail run. Trail runs have lots of roots, rocks, and uneven surfaces. With my foot drop and weak ankles, I was worried about falls. I fell twice last year on the run during the National Championship in Arkansas. I tried hard to pay attention. I had a couple of trips from roots. I had a sudden fall where I was face down in the dirt. I saved several other runners stumble and Cheryl said she had a fall. I finished in one piece at time of 2:45 I missed a turn on the bike so I hope to do better in my next race. I was the only adaptive athlete so I took first place.
I made a few mistakes I need to fix for the National Championship race in September. Hopefully, the weather cooperates and I get in some quality training on the trails.
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1st Mobility Impaired Division Boston Marathon 2012
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.
She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in
Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua Bike, and Winter Triathlon. She was the national
champion in her age group in 2023 for gravel duathlon.
In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas.
She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69
age group.
She has won state championships as an age-group athlete in cycling
and triathlon. She has represented America as an age group athlete at world championships
in Chicago, Denmark, Cozumel, and Norway. She earned a bronze medal at the
Winter Duathlon World Championship in 2023 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
awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 257 athletes in 43 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 website; 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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