tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16160385261820480502024-03-13T22:40:22.136-07:00Run 4 CMTSite to raise awareness for Charcot Marie Tooth. Discuss my quest to run the Boston Marathon while having CMT. Talk about training and doing marathons, half marathons, triathalons and duathalons. Discuss being an athlete with a disability.Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.comBlogger925125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-28782450647710950372024-03-11T06:56:00.000-07:002024-03-11T06:57:14.558-07:00Winter Duathlon National Championship-Breckinridge Colorado<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RVgXk4XXEF7bUiX8AipC4fw50IaD9rPHE02F1KAJItexAaRsuRQU5c5GdkuMcgSELOjEDMSh4-SN6L-n40iQ13LPoqZkclvgejI1WZ_jgMz2gxZQtuvhBUTC68VEvt6L2VEyll2L5e69Sfc4-EoAbsnDlTI_RnFausUmuDlgUMS3hNDcHi8lXJU9UJw/s640/thumbnail_IMG_2203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RVgXk4XXEF7bUiX8AipC4fw50IaD9rPHE02F1KAJItexAaRsuRQU5c5GdkuMcgSELOjEDMSh4-SN6L-n40iQ13LPoqZkclvgejI1WZ_jgMz2gxZQtuvhBUTC68VEvt6L2VEyll2L5e69Sfc4-EoAbsnDlTI_RnFausUmuDlgUMS3hNDcHi8lXJU9UJw/s320/thumbnail_IMG_2203.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>"<i>Sometimes what seems like a push backward can actually be a leap forward</i>."- Janice Kaplan</p><p>I did my first race of the season on February 22nd in Breckinridge, Colorado. I participated in the Winter Duathlon National Championship. The race was a 4 K run and a 4-mile Nordic ski</p><p>Right from the start this race was a challenge due to the lack of snow in Southeastern Wisconsin. The only place I had to ski was a loop with manmade snow in a State Park. </p><p>My original plan was to head to Northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Michigan if needed to travel and maybe take a few lessons. No one in the Midwest had snow on the ground. Snow had to be trucked in for the annual Birkebeiner race this year which is the biggest race on the North American calendar.</p><p>So I was stuck training on a circle loop. There is one hill on the loop and it was often icy or rutted. Often I did not want to risk injury skiing it. So I had to be content lap after lap in a circle. It honestly got boring. I would have trained longer if I had trails to ski.</p><p>I had signed up for all three races on the weekend; a ski half marathon of 9 miles and a winter triathlon race. Even before I left for the race I had decided I had not trained enough to do the ski half marathon.</p><p>Breckinridge is at 9,600 feet. Last year when I went to Breckinridge for a ski camp I had trouble breathing and headaches. It got so bad I almost left early to go back to Denver. I did not feel better until I got some oxygen.</p><p>I tried to prepare by wearing an altitude training mask during my weight training. Perhaps I started too late because it did not seem to make much difference. training I purchased a can of oxygen at one of the local stores and used it often during my stay. It seemed to help with headaches but not with shortness of breath. I drank lots of water with electrolytes. That did not help enough either.</p><p>I decided to check out the race course the day before the race. A couple of inches of new snow had fallen. The race venue was the Gold Run Nordic Center. It is a golf course in the Summer. The venue was closed to set up for the race, but we were allowed to ski the course. </p><p>High-altitude snow is often dry snow. My skis would not glide. I fell on my face trying to skate. I ran into this once before at ski camp. Classic style seemed to work a bit better and my plan was to use that on race day if needed. There was a ski shop on site and I took my skis there and explained the problem. The skis would be ready for pick-up on race morning.</p><p>Race day dawned with 12 F temperatures. All week the weather report had been for temperatures in the mid 30's. I did not bring clothes for colder temperatures. It was a short race, but I do hate being cold during a race.</p><p>I attempted to do a pre-race run warm-up and knew I would be in trouble. My body did not want to run. I could not breathe and had no energy. Good thing the run was only 2 miles.</p><p>As the race took off everyone around me struggled to run. I had not seen so many walkers since I did the first Boston Marathon in the 90F heat. I finished the race with a combination of a little running a mostly walking.</p><p>The 4-mile ski was next. I had only one fall when I tried to skate up a hill right at the start and slipped. The course was rolling, but not technical at all. I have come a long way with my skiing. I remember when I was a classic skier, I could not go down most hills without falling.</p><p>The was on my skis was perfect and I thanked the shop guys after the race. The course was beautiful with the mountains in the background. I was out of breath on the ski portion. I had to stop many times.</p><p>I finished in 1:32:44 for 1st in the adaptive division. I would have been 3rd in my age group. I earned a spot on Team USA for the World Championship next year.</p><p>I skipped the Sunday race because of breathing issues. I struggled to breathe even lying in bed. I felt like a fish out of water. By finishing one race I qualified for all races at the World Championship. I accomplished my goal and did not need the race.</p><p>I have lots to learn and I have made lots of progress in the sport. I like the challenge of working on skills. Having a winter race keeps me working out. I am hoping for more snow next year so that I can properly train.</p><p>I am also excited about going back to the World Championships. This year I could not attend because they were on the same weekend as the National Championship.</p><p>********************************</p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pzE9lyila0JlLSv7LsoWTtPF9Um3OPlmE4CCQ4bSGf7Cj9chsujbYU0pAzG9rx8vLo5DPGY8v71R8L5JS8EVc089EwWH8w8OILcLWd2g9kuzupNIk58wxjvyf5xKe-40T9yckZzU2EzytRYmK2mkA3DNDs21BqNH8jX1naY6N_5srB-juvKDEH4_KSk/s4200/KahNDmFf3aJ73EslVlJIEkyng%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3150" data-original-width="4200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pzE9lyila0JlLSv7LsoWTtPF9Um3OPlmE4CCQ4bSGf7Cj9chsujbYU0pAzG9rx8vLo5DPGY8v71R8L5JS8EVc089EwWH8w8OILcLWd2g9kuzupNIk58wxjvyf5xKe-40T9yckZzU2EzytRYmK2mkA3DNDs21BqNH8jX1naY6N_5srB-juvKDEH4_KSk/s320/KahNDmFf3aJ73EslVlJIEkyng%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69
age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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
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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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-80174460666383406702024-01-14T07:13:00.000-08:002024-01-14T07:13:28.640-08:002023 Was a Very Good Year for Racing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_-S774oszk86UiTBt5o24dgEPpBt6EBA3OFmr1Z8Add_jhV-YAUCpWl8LkrLQ9FtjeAE4_myASFCcQXCvaWEFL4s2yDQU90vP17yWz_O2EUA4YIdBznhzbnzv93I7j0Xb955chyYVisBUqK3YiCfb8v98pFxD0r78UaF02BDldKgztBMQJd7SE0mjQA/s320/337389017_722321336342401_1857082336276742739_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_-S774oszk86UiTBt5o24dgEPpBt6EBA3OFmr1Z8Add_jhV-YAUCpWl8LkrLQ9FtjeAE4_myASFCcQXCvaWEFL4s2yDQU90vP17yWz_O2EUA4YIdBznhzbnzv93I7j0Xb955chyYVisBUqK3YiCfb8v98pFxD0r78UaF02BDldKgztBMQJd7SE0mjQA/s1600/337389017_722321336342401_1857082336276742739_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><i>"To uncover your true potential, first you must find your limits, then blow past them</i>."- Picabo Street, Olympic Alpine Ski Gold Medalist</p><p>I had a great year of racing in 2023. The highlight of my year was my 3rd place finish in my age group at the Winter Triathlon World Championship in Norway. I finished last in the race which was a first, but the entire U.S. team met me at the finish line and cheered me in. That kind of support was wonderful.</p><p>I won three national championships in Gravel Duathlon, Winter Triathlon, and Aquathlon. </p><p>I had also set a goal to qualify for the USAT Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year. To be considered I had to complete two sanctioned aquathlons, aqua bike, and duathlon races. I had to travel to Michigan, Arkansas, and Texas to get it done. I finished with a race in Plano, Texas on Labor Day weekend. Now the rest is up to USAT to make the selection. Even when racing as an age group athlete I did not finish lower than 3rd in any race. Here are my results</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Tri Flake Winter Triathlon National Championship</b><br />January 21, 2023<br />Anchorage, Alaska<br />1at PC Open Division</p><p><b>Winter Duathlon World Championship</b><br />Norway<br />March 24, 2023<br />3rd F 65-69</p><p><b>Gravel Duathlon National Championship</b><br />Fayetteville, Arkansas<br />6/2/2023<br />1st F 65-69</p><p><b>Multisport National Championship</b><br />Irving, Texas<br />April 2023<br />Open Water Swim, 3rd F PC Open<br />SS Triathlon 2nd F PC Open<br />SS Duathlon 2nd F PC Open<br />Aquathlon 1 at F PC Open</p><p><b>Dirty Mitten Gravel Aquabike</b><br />September 24, 2023<br />1st F PC Open</p><p>I had a great time racing, traveling and meeting other athletes. I am looking forward to another good year in 2024. I have decided to cut back greatly on national championship races next year to travel more for fun.</p><p><br /></p><p>************************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5S7_XHFdAchmhka4GvEIdLGUR1m6tiJFPmi8S2u3K77u_ZlDXUVOwlTxvMn22y32F4lidubEuHOn7rx90Jrl0FJbsQ9TNe_nYwo-GQLQOuPPEE6oIE1FD8Q73XfxfLa5vnFVp1LnU6wPK-sQTKJbMKFNwO_5sA77mFOphiHlSL_Y8VJg7ioEYT67qzo/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="320" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5S7_XHFdAchmhka4GvEIdLGUR1m6tiJFPmi8S2u3K77u_ZlDXUVOwlTxvMn22y32F4lidubEuHOn7rx90Jrl0FJbsQ9TNe_nYwo-GQLQOuPPEE6oIE1FD8Q73XfxfLa5vnFVp1LnU6wPK-sQTKJbMKFNwO_5sA77mFOphiHlSL_Y8VJg7ioEYT67qzo/s1600/thumbnail_IMG_0867.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69
age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-89945063560299301612023-09-25T07:23:00.011-07:002023-09-25T07:27:25.694-07:00Dirty Mitten Shorty Aqua Bike-Final Piece of the Puzzle<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMe1deUg7OPlBlDU0E9MxaZ_OlQOy1v-dhZ7WF4RBw7iHh3MZjWcdJPDq3FS0Y8juTy-BvTO-49GfRM8gTseizRaj09GQQAJI0Fs8IcQiRF1RmO8SeEdNt7yHVBWpfT6plrn1jY3v48BUh3iLB9wfsx6Qo08vuzTueSTbVU4nWddv8eBxen64buR2ERc/s640/thumbnail_IMG_1137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMe1deUg7OPlBlDU0E9MxaZ_OlQOy1v-dhZ7WF4RBw7iHh3MZjWcdJPDq3FS0Y8juTy-BvTO-49GfRM8gTseizRaj09GQQAJI0Fs8IcQiRF1RmO8SeEdNt7yHVBWpfT6plrn1jY3v48BUh3iLB9wfsx6Qo08vuzTueSTbVU4nWddv8eBxen64buR2ERc/s320/thumbnail_IMG_1137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>"Be so good they cannot ignore yo</i>u."- Steve Martin</p><p>I always do best when I have a goal. At the beginning of the season, I set the goal to qualify for the USA Triathlon (USAT) Multi-sport Athlete of the Year.</p><p>An athlete is selected every year to complete two events in three of these four disciplines; Off-road triathlon, aqua bike, aquathlon, and duathlon.</p><p>I completed the last requirement by competing in the sprint aqua bike at The Dirty Mitten gravel event in Middleville, Michigan.</p><p>I had thought on the Thursday before the race, I was not going to make it to the event. I had planned on combining the race with a few days of camping. I was looking forward to some off-road riding and hiking.</p><p>After the 5-hour drive to Michigan from Wisconsin I arrived at the campground. I had thought I had booked a site in a State park. It turned out to be a private RV campground. The sites were full of huge RVs just a few feet apart. I have nothing against RVs. It was how close they were together. I did not see any tent sites. The map when I booked made it look like the campground was on a lake. There was a lake, but no access from the campground. All of the access was private property. I went to the office and no one was going to be there for 2 hours. I decided I could not stay there.</p><p>I guessed a hotel room would be about $150 a night. I did not want to have to pay for 3 nights. So I decided to drive back home. I thought that meant I would just give up on the race. It was a long day of driving. </p><p>When I got home I checked the USAT site to see if there were any other aqua bike races close to home I could do before the end of the season. There really were not any. I decided to see if I could just get a room for the night before the race. Most were in the $185 range. There were few hotels near the race site and they were booked. I found a Wyndham Hotel for $88 near the Grand Rapids airport. It was just a 30-minute drive. Since I am always up early on race morning this would be fine.</p><p>The second drive had a couple of challenges. My GPS kept insisting I drive to the ferry terminal here in Milwaukee. It took a call to OnStar to fix the issue. Then in Michigan, the GPS completely stopped working. It kept telling me I was off-route. It took another call to the provider to straighten that out. I also hit really bad traffic in Chicago. The drive normally takes five hours and it took seven hours. I was really tired by the time I got to the hotel.</p><p>I know September weather can be cold, especially in the morning. Because of that, I have been closely watching the weather. The prediction was for a morning low of 68F with an afternoon high of 76F.</p><p>Well, race morning it was 50 F. I did not have clothes for cold weather. I arrived at the race site at 6 a.m. and the transition area did not close until 8 a.m. My race started at 9 a.m. So I spent several hours trying to stay warm. I hid out in my car with blankets I kept in the car.</p><p>Just before the pre-race meeting, I put on my wet suit, and even that did not keep me warm. I did the pre-race swim warm-up. The water temperature was 64 F but it felt warm compared to the air. I was even colder when I got out of the water and my feet were getting numb. Everyone around me was cold.</p><p>I was so glad when the race started. I felt too buoyant in my full wet suit. I had not worn one since April. The sun was really strong as well. I am glad I can breathe on either side so I can look away from the sun. Swimming on the last leg toward shore was right into the sun. I had trouble seeing the course markers and the swim exit.</p><p>The next part was the bike. It was on gravel roads. They were very smooth with little gravel. There were a few gradual hills. I drafted off one of the other riders for a bit. It was a beautiful ride in the woods. I also like that gravel races are closed courses. They are smaller races, so there are not fast riders constantly passing me.</p><p>I had so much fun on this ride. The volunteers on the course were great. I had a goal to finish in 2 hours and finish in 1 hour. 36 minutes and 49 seconds. I raced as a physically challenged athlete. My finishing time was good enough 2nd overall among women.</p><p>So now the rest is up to USAT. I am not sure how they select the award winner among the athletes that qualify. I hope my performances all of my performances will make me hard to ignore. Time will tell.</p><p>While I wait, it will be time for me to take a bit of a break before starting to focus on my winter season. I will again be competing at the Winter Triathlon World Championship. The dates and times have not been announced yet.</p><p>****************************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrE4tSaXqr7rokIroSMSaEaPvtHLLPgLfNUT35199uhVFNFBhGACuDeUYIktxjqdkrd2_eS3dOsOBbU2A04KAR_3NkFJ8LrWVtUDTA_YYPyZlPYi37nN74TvQVRHJinZbBhzM7zsDtF9ct2fac21ecmm8D40dEv4Lxha9DZ9_BHcFEL2EA0Rxztqe-ns/s5184/Boston%20Duck%20Run%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrE4tSaXqr7rokIroSMSaEaPvtHLLPgLfNUT35199uhVFNFBhGACuDeUYIktxjqdkrd2_eS3dOsOBbU2A04KAR_3NkFJ8LrWVtUDTA_YYPyZlPYi37nN74TvQVRHJinZbBhzM7zsDtF9ct2fac21ecmm8D40dEv4Lxha9DZ9_BHcFEL2EA0Rxztqe-ns/s320/Boston%20Duck%20Run%202.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69
age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-17440390618678570062023-09-15T07:07:00.008-07:002023-09-15T07:08:57.642-07:00Blackland Aquathlon- A Piece of the Puzzle<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EixOgnJjf-wTFqjEnynaUvLDGhQiHAy4JXSabMKzFB70V1X2kiZbL0wMjnbZErlv4sst___clthB3ymGGjLaJu42C2JcYTwGvAFJbCsJA3T1GIZH29nhUQz8ttjjnCeSVXi9_0v9ZahdOiM9sI8DcOJMq8APcv0-fGsVYcLd4pvw28_h3ONL2wX3-FM/s640/thumbnail_IMG_1130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EixOgnJjf-wTFqjEnynaUvLDGhQiHAy4JXSabMKzFB70V1X2kiZbL0wMjnbZErlv4sst___clthB3ymGGjLaJu42C2JcYTwGvAFJbCsJA3T1GIZH29nhUQz8ttjjnCeSVXi9_0v9ZahdOiM9sI8DcOJMq8APcv0-fGsVYcLd4pvw28_h3ONL2wX3-FM/s320/thumbnail_IMG_1130.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i>"Sometimes God puts a Goliath in your life to wake up the David in you</i>."- Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller</p><p><br /></p><p>I kicked off CMT awareness month by racing in Plano, Texas to the Blackland Triathlon. I would be doing the aquathlon. I needed a second aquathlon race to qualify for the Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year award. To qualify I have to do two races in three of the following disciplines: duathlon, aqua bike, off-road triathlon, and aquathlon. </p><p>This race was unusual in that they had a triathlon, aqua bike, and aquathlon. The closest aquathlon to my home was a nine-hour drive. So I decided to make a visit to my Texas family. The Plano race was a 45-minute drive. Thanks to my brother for driving me so early in the morning.</p><p>I know my chances are earning the award are slim, but it gives me a goal to work for. Having races on my schedule gives me motivation to keep working out. It is so important to stay active with CMT to retain function. Awareness month gives me even more incentive as I continue to fight to raise awareness and be a role model.</p><p>The race itself was pretty easy. It would be a 300-meter pool swim and a 5K run. The only challenge would be the forecasted triple-digit heat.</p><p>There was a kid's race before the adult event. It was really fun to see the kids and their parents racing. I also got to catch up with a few triathlon friends from the area.</p><p>The race organizers could not have been nicer. There was no drop-down box to choose Physically Challenged when I registered. I contacted them since this was a USA Triathlon-sanctioned race. They are required to offer this. I was asked for my 300-meter race time and where I wanted to be placed in the swim order. We would be lined up in pace order from fastest to slowest with one athlete in the water every few seconds. I told the race director to place me anywhere in the field that they liked.</p><p>I was surprised to see I was assigned the first starting position. I have lots of questions about it. I might have been intimidated if I had less experience. We would be swimming up the right side of each line for six lanes. The left side was for passing. I told the young and fast guys behind me I would keep tight to the right and leave plenty of room to pass.</p><p>I was passed by many swimmers which is what I expected. The great thing about being first in was that I would be out on the run early. The earlier the better to avoid some of the heat.</p><p>The short swim was over fast. It was a run up the stairs and a long path to the far side of the transition to get to my spot to get ready for the run.</p><p>The 5K run was well marked. I so appreciate that. Ice water-soaked towels were given out at the two aid stations. They were dry by the time I got to the next aid station. I carried a water bottle with me and used it to hydrate and stay cool. </p><p>I felt strong on the run on the very flat course. I am not a fan of hills although I am strong on hills. </p><p>I finished the race in about 48 minutes. If I had been doing the full race, my pace would have probably put me in second place.</p><p>Still, there are some things I can keep working on. I have one more race to complete my requirements for the award. That race will be a gravel aqua bike in Michigan at the end of September.</p><p>This was such a great event. I hope to come back another time. Now on to Michigan</p><p><br /></p><p>**************************</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD75JWWO78Cls168gEILIzeD0US5WStil5z-4UFPOmXpv9y7WASyfoYSNPm9k8BCYibdkKw5M-R236jG5gaeqAf4CloLCwTEzKw2LU7kj9mnBHbeZv_fNpfZNCMmveEUFOjVW1-1Q8KsSCm2cfefoEYCjGSuKtA-gggq8dzoaU3tY_6fvmLlVmJjU5NgI/s480/Firecracker%204%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD75JWWO78Cls168gEILIzeD0US5WStil5z-4UFPOmXpv9y7WASyfoYSNPm9k8BCYibdkKw5M-R236jG5gaeqAf4CloLCwTEzKw2LU7kj9mnBHbeZv_fNpfZNCMmveEUFOjVW1-1Q8KsSCm2cfefoEYCjGSuKtA-gggq8dzoaU3tY_6fvmLlVmJjU5NgI/s320/Firecracker%204%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheryl Kearney and Chris Wodke</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69
age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-85943871559288074652023-08-19T06:08:00.000-07:002023-08-19T06:08:16.890-07:00Ugly Dog Gravel Race-Racing Strategically<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI05_7iNcA9JbWnQUrJ2FlJHGk4TcdmRupRxWRxNjXvdutRyTWsHdX-XGOhM1G8kON9im_WwDiru9q9iBU7b2pnJ7vHhdhn4w0S4SzIs9U3FkGw202xnAUTyJ9Jw4rEMohkrXLq1pO4yvRnofPhyUIe2lELCuMsuNrPjSoh33kGsMDHgUDSHn6gVW50Nc/s2048/362297994_10230738518795751_2790954127679658761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI05_7iNcA9JbWnQUrJ2FlJHGk4TcdmRupRxWRxNjXvdutRyTWsHdX-XGOhM1G8kON9im_WwDiru9q9iBU7b2pnJ7vHhdhn4w0S4SzIs9U3FkGw202xnAUTyJ9Jw4rEMohkrXLq1pO4yvRnofPhyUIe2lELCuMsuNrPjSoh33kGsMDHgUDSHn6gVW50Nc/s320/362297994_10230738518795751_2790954127679658761_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p> <i> "Do not let your happiness depend on something you may lose</i>." -C.S. Lewis</p><p><br /></p><p>On July 24th, I did the Ugly Dog Gravel race in Grass Lake Michigan. This race is part of USA Triathlon's gravel series. Gravel races are off-road races and are relatively new at least for me.</p><p>The swim, bike, and run format is s a bit different from a traditional triathlon. The bike and run are on trails. The bike portion is on gravel roads and the run is on hiking trails.</p><p>Earlier in the year, I did the gravel national championship in Arkansas. It was the physically toughest race I have ever done. I had done the Ugly Dog the year before and knew it was an easier course. I would be doing the aqua bike, which was half the distance with no run.</p><p>The strategy was one of the reasons I chose this race. I am working on qualifying for the USAT multi-sport Athlete of the Year award.</p><p>Two qualify for this award I need two races in three disciplines of each of the following race:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Duathlon</li><li>Aquathlon</li><li>Aqua bike</li><li>Off-road</li></ul><div>This race would be my first aqua bike, I will do my second and last race of the season in September at the Dirty Mitten race in Michigan.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have triathlon friends that race almost every weekend. Even not racing that often, I was getting burned out on traditional triathlons. Doing off-road and winter triathlons have kept things fresh for me. Winter triathlon has become my focus for my training since I will again be competing at the World Championships. I have been riding my fat tire bike all summer. Doing off-road races will help me get ready for my winter races.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had lots of strategic reasons for doing this race. It is also just fun and my college friend has a family with a house on the race venue lake. He uses as the race as an excuse for a family reunion weekend. </div><div>I love the swim at this lake. The lake is always like glass in the morning.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbRNVrA6eOgsWIvyX4OdJcwT-uH5yh9_n0lIB71_cvv6593RMv5jA6yYQupxA9d9Yvh3NvyGxx59I0NrpF2vgDIFtO6xfjERbyuve9SsSKtj6UI3_-_xp9S8JwsJ4w3EsEInfgaMRUr57aTzeQwjjUxZKwXel4OoBoSf-uhBNjJ16QaYL6RDCPyMAwNM/s2048/361643535_10230738526115934_3478315501408442833_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbRNVrA6eOgsWIvyX4OdJcwT-uH5yh9_n0lIB71_cvv6593RMv5jA6yYQupxA9d9Yvh3NvyGxx59I0NrpF2vgDIFtO6xfjERbyuve9SsSKtj6UI3_-_xp9S8JwsJ4w3EsEInfgaMRUr57aTzeQwjjUxZKwXel4OoBoSf-uhBNjJ16QaYL6RDCPyMAwNM/s320/361643535_10230738526115934_3478315501408442833_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This water was so warm I did not need a wet suit. I just wore neoprene Capri pants. The swim was routine and I beat my friend Cheryl who was doing the full triathlon and the other woman in my age group out of the water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They both passed me on the bike. The out-and-back course was really well-marked. The 12-mile ride was cool and shady. It was a beautiful ride and so much fun. Since there is no run with an aqua-bike my day was done when I finished the bike ride.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I raced as an age group athlete and finished 5th since all the aqua bike athletes are scored together regardless of age. Next year I will make sure I check that PC athlete box.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friend Cheryl took 2nd place in her age group in the triathlon. It was a really fun day and I look forward to racing again next year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I need just two more races to complete my qualification. Next up is an Aquathlon in Texas and then Dirty Mitten at the end of September to complete my season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">***********************</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRJvR3tXEnpK3MpT8LWXQH34uMrkFuIUj5rxJUCPCb5RpsHvGaDo_1xA15x0uQPI_HeWOE9vpMk5mzcz0zr8aK3gvcHBGAy2Gx23OnQHEACNYZdlCGeox-raRABh5xb96275MaT2zScZ39LE4iQQ-8UrCYyvghlXMaxN7DdiPTI3_JKGkx24FgRy5BTQ/s4000/007%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRJvR3tXEnpK3MpT8LWXQH34uMrkFuIUj5rxJUCPCb5RpsHvGaDo_1xA15x0uQPI_HeWOE9vpMk5mzcz0zr8aK3gvcHBGAy2Gx23OnQHEACNYZdlCGeox-raRABh5xb96275MaT2zScZ39LE4iQQ-8UrCYyvghlXMaxN7DdiPTI3_JKGkx24FgRy5BTQ/s320/007%20(3).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></blockquote></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69
age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /></div>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-20725347600496236292023-07-03T07:08:00.002-07:002023-07-03T07:08:09.030-07:00Pleasant Prairie Duathlon -It's Always Something<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xQ-NYVCAzRivd2HTjQV43y_ZDxE1HaxtdH5H10RIKxSt9XmG2sw_h87ntaL24V-7GMQaIySgTBqjOjHnN3xtyfbDtblQ2c-K9I-eU720m41OGxLgEanXDRUjlbxNluU1GUKDXUeaba2a7rGoEO8ymguvRCbffDxgfGtQuQGcPchYl339xQurfB1AcZ0/s640/thumbnail_IMG_1029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xQ-NYVCAzRivd2HTjQV43y_ZDxE1HaxtdH5H10RIKxSt9XmG2sw_h87ntaL24V-7GMQaIySgTBqjOjHnN3xtyfbDtblQ2c-K9I-eU720m41OGxLgEanXDRUjlbxNluU1GUKDXUeaba2a7rGoEO8ymguvRCbffDxgfGtQuQGcPchYl339xQurfB1AcZ0/s320/thumbnail_IMG_1029.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>"<i>You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no result</i>s." -Gandhi</p><p>I used to watch the TV show Saturday Night Live many years ago when it was still funny. One of the stars Gilda Radner often played a character called Rosanne Roseannadanna. One of the things she would say was "It's always something." </p><p>I felt like my race at the Pleasant Prairie Duathlon on June 25th matched that quote. You never know what is going to happen on race day and it always seems like something unexpected happens.</p><p>I picked this race because I needed a duathlon to try and qualify for the USA Triathlon Multi-Sport Athlete. To qualify I need two races in the following disciplines: Off-road, duathlon, aqua bike, and aquathlon.</p><p>I did a duathlon in Irving in April and needed one more. I will be doing an aqua bike in Michigan this month, and need another aquathlon. I have a couple off-road races, but they are winter races, so I am not sure if they count.</p><p>It felt a little strange to be racing the duathlon since this race had a para-triathlon developmental category. I remember when I was on that track, but I have different goals right now. I am slowing down as I age. I am not sure I would even be competitive with the young kids competing now.</p><p>I have found that I can still be successful if I am strategic about the races I pick.</p><p>The duathlon would be a 2.5-mile run, a 12-mile bike, and a 5 K run. All pretty easy distances.</p><p>I have been racing for 12 years now so I think I could do a race like this in my sleep. It is so routine.</p><p>The biggest challenge for me with this race is the early start time. The triathlon's first wave was scheduled for 6:15, my race at 7:15. Transition opened at 4:45. Despite a night of little sleep I was the first one in line when transition opened. I got set up, took a few pictures, and posted them to Facebook.</p><p><b>Run 1</b><br />I chatted with other athletes as we waited for our start. There was an hour of waves for the triathlon. There was an Olympic and Sprint waves. The duathlon start was along the shore of the lake. We had a very close view of the swim. I could see several swimmers struggling. No one seemed to be paying attention. One of the fire fighters on duty said they would be flying drones over the swim. That was good to hear since an athlete died during the swim last year. The duathlon start was at the race finish. There were three staff members there. They did not notice when a swimmer climbed out of the lake and climbed over the rocks at the shore. I told the staff to report the race number of the athlete. Otherwise, the race officials would think the swimmer had drowned. The start of the sprint race would have been delayed until they figured out what happened. At 7:15 our race was off. I felt strong in the first race. Since I was wearing my Team USA kit, I would my matching red, white, and blue, Newton shoes. I felt kind of fast. I wore the uniform because all of the races I was going to do wearing the uniform were canceled due to COVID. The uniforms are different now, so this was a chance to wear them. My goal for the race was to take it easy since I was only a few weeks out from my gravel race. I took it easy and finished in a time of 25:04.</p><p><b>T-1</b><br />Here is where the hitch occurred. When I got to T1 to change over to the bike, I found my bike on the ground. Someone had knocked it off the rack. There is no excuse for that. Damage to the bike derailleur could have ruined my race. I put the bike on the race to access my shoes and helmet and the entire rack collapsed. I was not hurt, but I had to dig around to find my stuff. As I biked out, I told one of the volunteers what had happened. T1 was 28:34</p><p><b>Bike</b><br />I lost my bike computer in Texas and have not replaced it yet. When I do not have a computer my bike time is always slower. I only averaged 14.1 mph. That is terrible, but I have not done much road biking. I have been riding my fat tire bike to keep in shape for this next season of Winter Triathlon. Those races have become my most important races. I also was not pushing it. Just easy cruising and enjoying the race. Bike time of 31:20</p><p><b>T2</b><br />When I got into transition, now there was a wet suit on top of my stuff. Several athletes' stuff was mixed in with mine. I had to dig around to find my running shoes and gel. I switched to my Hoka shoes. It took forever to find my stuff. T2 was 1:33. This is a race with lots of beginners and they just do not know race etiquette and how things are done. Since I was taking the easy approach to the race this did not bother me. T2</p><p><b>Run 2</b><br />I had forgotten to take off my bike gloves. It was a hot and humid day so I took them off and attached them to my race belt. I lost one somewhere during the race or the aftermath. My Hoka shoes felt like running in marshmallows. Soft, but really slow. I will keep that in mind for other races. It was hot and humid. I was pouring water over myself at the ad stations which seemed to shock some of the volunteers. I was much slower the second run which tells me I need to work harder in training. My second run time was 37:51 which is my slowest ever. </p><p>My final time of 1:35:36 . Still, since I was the only athlete in my age group. I will take the first place finish. What was nice is none of the stuff that happened in the transition stressed me at all. I just dealt with it and kept racing. A good life lesson. You never know what life is going to throw at you. You just have to keep going.</p><p><br /></p><p>**************************</p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01EFCcBweCS8XdOZbOVDptmKGrHv-VEpvVtrvUCIUoPZajHurNzWzzJbULRY6nznNxWKBLjZa8Y9QfHBi5vEkue43IalBUtWdLR4R32wFnsYSzI7Gt5fErlAZ_9JlCSXajJOmOckEsfWnSjtzXTQ-rxDV1jHUFtXET7EBRPlYT86Uzv8XmDPvaKg2tQU/s4608/COOLPIX%20L261523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01EFCcBweCS8XdOZbOVDptmKGrHv-VEpvVtrvUCIUoPZajHurNzWzzJbULRY6nznNxWKBLjZa8Y9QfHBi5vEkue43IalBUtWdLR4R32wFnsYSzI7Gt5fErlAZ_9JlCSXajJOmOckEsfWnSjtzXTQ-rxDV1jHUFtXET7EBRPlYT86Uzv8XmDPvaKg2tQU/s320/COOLPIX%20L261523.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69
age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<br /></p><p><br /></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-66089186968797718012023-06-13T14:41:00.004-07:002023-06-13T14:41:49.567-07:002023 Multi-Sport National Championship Irving, Texas- Lessons Learned<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE0aBu2oHL_tucwhG2Lk4-PsuOtL-GWBa75SadzZECgMulOT5UwM39Flu1uUmvM-I0Phq7EX5P3u5DiFNCAHXcyB-3YHc6fhM6nRQKqiAmTAphXH6cXnlhiTqKDjVNmTL951ky08x9VbPUC3IKWnSm4iEE1W8gwBv0Qbft14lSaObJgUnpxLMRuAh/s640/IMG_0913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE0aBu2oHL_tucwhG2Lk4-PsuOtL-GWBa75SadzZECgMulOT5UwM39Flu1uUmvM-I0Phq7EX5P3u5DiFNCAHXcyB-3YHc6fhM6nRQKqiAmTAphXH6cXnlhiTqKDjVNmTL951ky08x9VbPUC3IKWnSm4iEE1W8gwBv0Qbft14lSaObJgUnpxLMRuAh/s320/IMG_0913.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>" The one thing that seems to separate winners from losers more than anything is winners take action." -Jack Canfield</p><p><br /></p><p>I raced at the Multi-sport National Championship in Irving, Texas April 19th -23. My writing is a bit out of order since I already posted a story about the national gravel championship race that I did the first weekend in June.</p><p>This race was pretty routine. My focus had been on training for Winter Worlds in Norway. I was only 3 weeks out from that race. Plus with such an early season race, I had done little road cycling.</p><p>A race in Irving meant a chance to visit my Texas family. The races are a bit of an afterthought which makes for a generally stress-free experience.</p><p>The last year I have had a pretty unstructured training program in regards to triathlon. I have been keeping workouts to under an hour. I had no long races scheduled and would take my training day by day. I would do what I felt like doing. So how did that work out? </p><p><b>Open Water Swim-750 Meters</b><br />This was the first event. Texas can get windy in the afternoon. This day was no different. As I waited for the race to start I could see what looked like current. Plus the water temperature was only 68F.<br />I thought about not doing the race. It really does not mean much, but it is a good primer for the rest of the week.</p><p>It seems like every year, more physically challenged athletes are showing up for this race. There were three women this year. The course was windy, but nothing too terrible. I was worried for no reason.</p><p>I finished 2nd out of 3 with a time of 23:21. When I took off my wet suit, the 1st place athlete shared she had CMT. That was a nice bonding moment. She shared with me her four-year journey to get through classification. She is in a wheelchair and it took her many attempts to be classified. Her goal now is the Paralympics. She is very talented and I am sure she will do great things.</p><p><b>Super Sprint Triathlon</b></p><p>Again there were three female athletes in this race. Same athletes same result. I finished 2nd with a time of 34:54. I finished just ahead of athlete Whitney Bennefield in this race and the open water swim.<br />My bike time is slower than it has ever been. I really need to do longer sessions and work a bit harder.</p><p><b>Super Sprint Duathlon</b></p><p>This time it was just Whitney and me in this race. I had her on the first run and relaxed. I was surprised when she was at the finish line when I finished. She had a spot right by the bike and run out. She beat me right there. My transition spot was much farther away on the opposite end. She was racked with the other PC athletes. I was told there was no PC area. This gave her the advantage. Next year, I will fix that. My run is also slower than I would like. I have been struggling with my weight and the extra pounds have really slowed me down. I really need to get that fixed before next year.</p><p><b>Aquathlon (1000 meter Swim, 5 K run)</b></p><p>I was the only PC female athlete in this race. Caleb the other athlete in the race, races with his mom as a guide. It was not planned, but we swam together the whole race. It was nice to have some company for once. All I had to do was finish and I was a national championship. It was really an easy race for me.<br /><br />The lack of competition shows me I need to go longer. I had signed up for the aqua bike but felt I did not have the training for a 24-mile bike and 1600-meter swim.</p><p>My medal haul was three 2nd places and one national championship. Not too bad for the little training I was able to do.</p><p>Once I got back to Milwaukee I started doing longer workouts to be ready for longer distance duathlon and aqua bike races next year. This also should make me more competitive in the shorter races. It was fun having some competition. It made me work header during the race and is going to make me train harder and longer the rest of the year. Lesson learned!</p><p>The races were fun. I got a chance to visit with family and make some new triathlon friends. I cannot wait for next year. Next year's race will be in Omaha in early June!<br /><br />*********************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UQ81vXPiQslyYPdka6u5GsH6B3TfIAbEcSJxvi24CPKk6YokSdddb-S37Lqrj5jFl7zNroN1a_he0gHuzduRpGl9ZsxpQUHHPYN_0UVsGsOaj1frA0eNTIIGOq8J9UafLrf9bkUhBRjzDq6inNoPr1AsCEZU98I55Clhx4BK9M_xa53ZBcitMZeU/s960/pic%2065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="643" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UQ81vXPiQslyYPdka6u5GsH6B3TfIAbEcSJxvi24CPKk6YokSdddb-S37Lqrj5jFl7zNroN1a_he0gHuzduRpGl9ZsxpQUHHPYN_0UVsGsOaj1frA0eNTIIGOq8J9UafLrf9bkUhBRjzDq6inNoPr1AsCEZU98I55Clhx4BK9M_xa53ZBcitMZeU/s320/pic%2065.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in
Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua bike, and Winter Triathlon. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-47900528902101861162023-06-04T12:46:00.006-07:002023-06-05T09:15:36.931-07:00Gravel Duathlon National Championship-Getting By with a Little Help from My Friends<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfQv8z4Sj_jDOnDgqKuUwu639p2Dr2F6jzE8Qlv3IUZ-UPJtmfa6WSaz1MmqOFSvWBFm7s1GXJhmptL4W8g9QYSF2hOqnQ78QOnoFCNwHiwpxJQg0b65nCXktnXZvM_4UdhGiRS9p3qIGPp-28POYgY7BqBgdweSuwJTPYaeYIF-NBpP3EmgOKi2r/s640/National%20Championship%20Medal%20and%20Shirt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfQv8z4Sj_jDOnDgqKuUwu639p2Dr2F6jzE8Qlv3IUZ-UPJtmfa6WSaz1MmqOFSvWBFm7s1GXJhmptL4W8g9QYSF2hOqnQ78QOnoFCNwHiwpxJQg0b65nCXktnXZvM_4UdhGiRS9p3qIGPp-28POYgY7BqBgdweSuwJTPYaeYIF-NBpP3EmgOKi2r/s320/National%20Championship%20Medal%20and%20Shirt.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"<i>The only sin a writer can make is not to write.</i>" -Ray Helminiak, Author</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I love this quote and I've actually met this author. He is the dad of a very good friend of mine that is also an author. It makes me think the only sin an athlete can make is not to complete. Anyone that is an athlete understands the need to compete. For me, it is also about testing myself and seeing how much I can push against the limitations of my CMT. I got a chance to do both as </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I raced at the Gravel Duathlon National Championship in Fayetteville Arkansas on June 2nd.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The race was a 5K trail run, a 19-mile gravel trail ride, and a 10 K trail run. I knew the distance alone was going to be a challenge. This is a longer race than I've done in recent years.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I was really worried about the trail runs. The rocks, roots, and uneven surfaces would be risky. Because I have little forward foot flex, my ankles can collapse sideways on uneven surfaces. It happens more when I am tired. I also have a foot drop as well, making roots and rocks a great place to catch my foot and trip. Even running on a normal day I have to pay attention to every step. I have not done much trail running. I have to drive about 30 minutes to get to a trail, so I do not get a chance to practice. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pre-race</b><br />I got a text from fellow athlete Sheri when I was on the road. She was signed up for the off-road race on Saturday. She asked if I was racing para. I was racing as a physically challenged athlete. I knew the question meant she was thinking of also doing the same gravel race I was doing. I originally signed up for the gravel triathlon.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I had some intuition despite the fact I sent an email to the race direction that I was a physically challenged athlete, they would score me in my age group. Since Sheri is the same age group she did not want to interfere with my winning a national championship. That was really nice of her. I decided to switch to the duathlon. I was pretty sure I would not sleep the night before. Because the swim would not be wet-suit legal, the 1500-meter distance seemed far on no sleep.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I ended up not sleeping even one minute the night before the race. I could not even relax, My mind and body were fully alert. I think both my brain and body had some inkling of what I was going to put them through. I got up at 3:30 and was at the venue by 5:00 am</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">That gave me plenty of time to catch up with friends also doing the race.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>1st Run-5K</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">About a dozen women lined up at the duathlon starting line. I lined up in the back and there was some talk about some of us staying together. I hear that often and then everyone takes off and I am left alone. My plan was to run at an easy pace. I did not want to burn up too much energy in the first run. As I ran, fellow USAT ambassador Susan Felicissimo was running at the exact same pace. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We chatted, well mostly I talked and the time went by really fast. I remember Susan telling me about three bears that almost kept her from finishing her race at Toughman triathlon. I told her I had been to the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Alaska, and Yellowstone and had not seen a bear. We laughed about the brother who traveled with me to Yellowstone being terrified of bears and finding a grizzly bear faintly visible in the tall grass of a picture he took.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We walked a few of the dodgy spots. Almost took a wrong turn at the waterfall, but were saved by three people ahead of us. One of them Ruth Albright would become my friend later in the race. I heard about half of the gravel triathletes took a wrong turn on this same course. Some ran more than 6 extra miles. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">No falls and it was a fun 5K that went by pretty quick thanks to Susan. I finished the run at 47:10 which was about 10 minutes faster than I had hoped.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">T1<br />Nothing much here. I was in and out in 1 minute and 24 seconds. For the run, I used regular running shoes and would keep them on for the bike. I have trail shoes but really have not had a chance to run trails. My mantra is nothing new on race day. Shoes are so important and a wrong choice of footwear makes for a miserable day. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Bike 19 miles Gravel</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I beat Susan out of T1, but she caught me on the bike. She was gone quickly so there would be no second run with her.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I saw the woman that helped us on the run and decided to catch her. Since drafting is legal, I pulled up behind her and asked if it was ok to draft. I drafted off of her for a bit. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I had done one other gravel race. This surface was much rougher, with lots of soft patches, and golf ball size rocks. I just was not sure it was safe to draft. It was too likely I would not see a pothole or other issues. In some spots, the sand made the back wheel of my mountain bike slip. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So I pulled beside the rider and we started talking. Ruth and I rode together for over an hour. The first part of the ride was not too bad. The hills kept getting steeper and I lost Ruth on one of the hills. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I passed a rider carrying her bike because she had a flat. The sharp stones can cause flats on narrow tires. No problem with my mountain bike. It rolls over everything. The gravel was loose because it was dry. Dry meant lots of dust. My whole bike was covered. I also had a bike bottle with a sports drink. It was also covered in dust every time I took a drink.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Now I am the last rider and I am by myself. The roads were in the woods and really beautiful. The shade was nice because it was hot and humid. I wore a hydration pack and was using some of the water to splash on my face.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The woods were all starting to look the same and it seemed I would never finish. I remember as I rode wondering if there were bears in Arkansas. I thought I would google it when I got back to the hotel.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As I finished that thought I saw a large dark object in the distance. It looked like a bear but almost did not seem real. I thought it might be a decoy for hunters. It was staring at me and it was really big. Then it moved and ran across the road. I did not expect to see a bear during the race. It was at most 40 yards away. That was a bit scary. That is what happens when you are last. You risk being eaten.....lol.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I had expected the bike let to take 2 hours and I finished in 1 hr and 55 minutes. I had to walk up a couple of hills because my thighs were burning. Next time I need to be better conditioned. The running shoes were not a good choice. The ball of my left foot hurt and I could feel a couple of blisters. I had not gotten blisters since I was running long distances.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When I am tired and bored during a race I start to make bargains with myself. I told myself that maybe I would just quit after the bike part. I had lost both Susan and Ruth and was not sure I wanted to do a 10 K trail run after almost three hours of racing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Run 2-10K trail run</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As I got into transition, I saw Ruth was just leaving. So she had not been far ahead of me on the bike. I know from talking to her during the bike, she has some limits that make doing a trail run a bit risky. So I decided I would get out of transition and turn to catch her.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The run felt good and I caught up with Ruth who was walking. I asked if she wanted company. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Talking for me makes time go faster. I asked what she did for a living and found out we were both chemical engineers. So we had lots to talk about. I was so glad to have her company.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So by this time, my legs are getting tired. First, my foot caught and I fell hard face first on my right elbow. My feet were hurting from the blister. Then a bit later my left ankle collapsed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I fell face first again. It hurt so bad, I just paused for a second. I know from experience that while it hurts, I will be ok. I had at least one more fall. So I was concentrating really hard at this point to keep from falling again. Other than that I felt like I had good energy.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ruth was struggling from the dust and I think was getting a little dehydrated. She wanted to stop and rest a few times. I did not mind a break either.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Two volunteers on mountain bikes were sweeping the course. They would follow us and check on us until the end of the race. They also offered us water and Gatorade. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We finally finished with a run time of 2:08:58. If I had run a 10 K on the road it would have taken at about about 70 minutes. So we kept up a good pace walking.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It felt so good to be done. I ended up as the National Champion in the 65-69 group. I was supposed to be scored as a PC athlete, but the medal is the same. No big deal. So good thing I had switched to the duathlon. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It was the most physically challenging race I have done. That includes the 10 marathons I've completed including three Boston marathons.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Post Race</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Thanks to the first aid people that cleaned up my scrapes and gave me ice for my ankle. They also brought me food. I am used to being the one giving first aid. It is the first time I've ever been given first aid.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When I came off the course I thought I would never do another trail run because of the falls. After the race, I talked to one of the guys. He is an experienced trail runner and thought the course was pretty tough. I think with trail running shoes and some additional practice I would do better. I also found out other athletes fell on the trail. I felt better about my efforts after that.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Recovery</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I was sore and exhausted after the race. I pretty much laid around the rest of the day and watched videos. Just like after doing a marathon.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I drove home the day after and was pretty stiff every time I got out of the car. It took a few extra Tylenol to get me to sleep. I heal pretty fast. My ankles were so sore on Sunday I had trouble walking when I got out of bed. Then I discovered wearing PR soles or trail running shoes made a world of difference. I could walk fine with just a slight soreness in one ankle. Biofreeze and BenGay have also helped. Guess I should have used the trail shoes at least on the bike portion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This race has shown me once again just what a great community we have in triathlon. I had help and company from friends during this race and it made the difference. Thanks to trail sweepers, aid station people, first aid helps, and on-course friends. You each had a part in my success!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">************************</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoqy9vJJxE2hFBKev2-Rd29SXwrLGZNqm1bYxwetMGJoQWwyLA0ZoeaklHNWMvszOsrPdIvX7jBzRZqbnELFwTQaDBHkQZ7dXv3pFOUEVf2dXVk-pFt8Gl_FGFrgw2N7vdm3I5t1GMR69XFLnXJ0gQpsbvu2TOFgRR6hJgm7R5txUHntuRhx-E7Tt/s4000/008%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoqy9vJJxE2hFBKev2-Rd29SXwrLGZNqm1bYxwetMGJoQWwyLA0ZoeaklHNWMvszOsrPdIvX7jBzRZqbnELFwTQaDBHkQZ7dXv3pFOUEVf2dXVk-pFt8Gl_FGFrgw2N7vdm3I5t1GMR69XFLnXJ0gQpsbvu2TOFgRR6hJgm7R5txUHntuRhx-E7Tt/s320/008%20(4).JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in
Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua bike, and Winter Triathlon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She has won state championship 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-69695599744963328792023-05-10T07:17:00.002-07:002024-01-14T06:56:57.651-08:00Winter Duathlon World Championship Norway Race Report<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBIY522xa8M6Q0jGb5RwyHVGVjCQn_scE57rPD_zjyDcD0xlm4WuflymzLzaBZJJCvAnSLrD1KJpqlnlFGWrgFMAN3OXW1pFYGbDFHyuSdfhkEw8__RzUYDGwe0yq-1DWfy_qyACso3R-9ufm6JrZ3g9sauxbL8_EIbsVDiMAk-g4PBwcjxc8tdpV/s720/337389017_722321336342401_1857082336276742739_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBIY522xa8M6Q0jGb5RwyHVGVjCQn_scE57rPD_zjyDcD0xlm4WuflymzLzaBZJJCvAnSLrD1KJpqlnlFGWrgFMAN3OXW1pFYGbDFHyuSdfhkEw8__RzUYDGwe0yq-1DWfy_qyACso3R-9ufm6JrZ3g9sauxbL8_EIbsVDiMAk-g4PBwcjxc8tdpV/s320/337389017_722321336342401_1857082336276742739_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> World Championship Finish Line, Skeikampen Norway<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> "<i>There is no such thing as failure, only steps to success</i>." - Gianas Antekoumpo, NBA Player</p><p><br /></p><p>I always seem to be behind in my blog posts. I have been back from Norway for over a month and I feel like I am still catching up. I did want to do a race report because a chance to race at a World Championship is always special.</p><p>Just getting to the starting line was a six-year process. I qualified at my first National Championship in St. Paul. At that time I was a classic Nordic skier that could not go down a hill without falling. There was no way I was going to show up at a World Championship with that skill level. For the next few years, I was doing a mix of skate and classic. My skate technique was a work in progress. I took a few lessons, went to a few ski camps, and spent many hours on the trails.</p><p>I was ready to give the World Championship a try and COVID hit. So my goal was again delayed.</p><p>The national championship race in Anchorage in January was a dual qualification. It qualified athletes for races in 2023 and 2024. By the time I raced in Anchorage, I was skating the entire course and had only one slight fall from a slip on ice the entire course. I was not fast, but I was ready.</p><p>The 2023 Winter World Championship race was held in Skeikampen, Norway a rural area 45 minutes from Lillehammer the site of the 1984 Olympics. Winter sports are serious business to the Norwegians. I expected a good turnout from them with athletes and spectators.</p><p>As I arrived at the venue, busloads of kids were arriving. The 200-plus kids included a large number of Ukrainian refugees. As I was waiting for my race to start, many kids asked me to sign their coats or to take a picture. That would never happen in America. Here in Norway, we were a big deal. That was kind of fun. I laughed to myself as I signed coats thinking these kids have no idea how slow I am.</p><p>The rest of the pre-race time was spent setting up the transition, trying to keep warm, and chatting with my teammates. Most of them were from Alaska. Transition is grouped by gender and age group. So I knew the two athletes I was racing against. One from America Sheri Sherlock beat me by an hour at the National Championship, and the other was from Austria. All I had to do was finish and I would have a bronze medal.</p><p>The race format was pretty simple. First was a 4-mile run followed by an 8K ski. <br />I lined up in the back and was off at the gun. Right from the start my legs felt like lead. Every step was a struggle. Struggles early in the race mean a long day. The surface was packed but very hilly. Not an easy run at all. It was well marked with plenty of volunteers to keep me on course.</p><p>I was right with Sheri until my shoelace came untied. We were the oldest women in the race and when I got back to transition, everyone else was out on the ski course. It would be two loops. It was a series of very large hills. My legs are not strong enough to skate up the hills. I have to herringbone. I just kept plugging along. I would have racers doing the second lap pass me. I knew I would be alone for the last lap. The course was beautiful. The temperature was in the high 30s which meant the course was getting sticky. There was a very large hill right at the end of the loop. I cursed the race director. Why do they all love hills?</p><p>As I finished the first lap I saw teammate Sheri. I was tired and must have looked discouraged. She reminded me all I had to do was finish to claim a podium spot. I pushed on and tried to forget I was going to be the last finisher. That is something that has never happened. Race officials encouraged me. Racers on cool-down runs cheered me on. After I climbed that list giant hill I knew I was near the finish. There was one small hill before the finish. There was a race volunteer there who had encouraged me on the first lap. I paused for a moment so that I could look strong as I crossed the finish.</p><p>Since I was the last finisher I expected a quiet finish line. To my surprise, every one of my Team USA teammates was waiting for me at the finish line. They loudly cheered me into the finish. They got off my skis and timing chip. Then they snapped the picture you see at the top of this post. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think about the wonderful gesture. </p><p>I was not happy about being the last finisher, but I did not have a single fall and skated the entire course. I have come so far in the last six years. I came into the race under-trained but I finished. to</p><p>My reward was having the bronze medal placed on my neck by the President of the ITU.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm8iR1VWDQWkhdfJ6wf6SUnHKy03rB38I4zREPYHWovLn5Xhd3uBH7gQDrNkxFOCFTgdLWyBXhaWYrSsfumrl2URGHYxyoZBw-J81skes7v7_bLPiT-6SBqPD9XBgwIXWPpSxzuPa8lC547rrwaE0o4TN4sE7GDNM6aUdQNx-Kl-1km9ch_ttGd7E/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_8522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1280" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm8iR1VWDQWkhdfJ6wf6SUnHKy03rB38I4zREPYHWovLn5Xhd3uBH7gQDrNkxFOCFTgdLWyBXhaWYrSsfumrl2URGHYxyoZBw-J81skes7v7_bLPiT-6SBqPD9XBgwIXWPpSxzuPa8lC547rrwaE0o4TN4sE7GDNM6aUdQNx-Kl-1km9ch_ttGd7E/s320/thumbnail_IMG_8522.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>There were only three in my age group, I think I earned it with all the time and work just to get to the starting line. I look forward to a much better performance next year. It was my first-ever medal at a World Championship and it was well-earned.<div><br /></div><div>************************************************</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7gkZLSbAdrDCBkzWEHGaeZ_TWgGpwOBwIQ3vY-lmcy9ap7rLlHCWXgekrEJi_VDMkHYMDkFJwYod4mMpgSVpZtpgouxmIaP5nvayPQ1-8durqSqmXiwUwUEmkXZrTZgIZdmqZsDVhkTVoXoTeEBubjnFCLy7WLP4EeIADQtqawT3vC5JCjyA__L4/s640/thumbnail_IMG_0867.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7gkZLSbAdrDCBkzWEHGaeZ_TWgGpwOBwIQ3vY-lmcy9ap7rLlHCWXgekrEJi_VDMkHYMDkFJwYod4mMpgSVpZtpgouxmIaP5nvayPQ1-8durqSqmXiwUwUEmkXZrTZgIZdmqZsDVhkTVoXoTeEBubjnFCLy7WLP4EeIADQtqawT3vC5JCjyA__L4/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0867.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in
Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua Bike, and Winter Triathlon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para
triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship
in Dallas, Texas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p></div>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-11497043033437563932023-04-11T12:50:00.001-07:002023-04-11T12:50:43.802-07:00Norway World Champsionship- Challenges and Disappointments<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3eVK-J3mqqOb7JPLeIt422NemRwPZ4oV9hI_LT3bVvxPixnvd-nery-qvQkZzIqkaejVYEpFWJiuiu-as11n9O1jIt-Hg5PYX_8cHDDVgPKL1kLkYK8n6ZV4o-df-5CXOOPJgYqYsVRsUnt3AnUJ7jsSdl-mjTf7wLi7ARvmW3CTzcRaBD0n7eh5/s2048/336674376_587935940027521_738002161387102624_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3eVK-J3mqqOb7JPLeIt422NemRwPZ4oV9hI_LT3bVvxPixnvd-nery-qvQkZzIqkaejVYEpFWJiuiu-as11n9O1jIt-Hg5PYX_8cHDDVgPKL1kLkYK8n6ZV4o-df-5CXOOPJgYqYsVRsUnt3AnUJ7jsSdl-mjTf7wLi7ARvmW3CTzcRaBD0n7eh5/s320/336674376_587935940027521_738002161387102624_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> "<i>The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me.</i>" -Ayn Rand</p><p>I could not interest any of my friends in traveling with me to a winter race in Norway. Because of that the challenges started well before the race.</p><p>There were lots of logistics to figure out. Rent a car or public transit? Where to stay the first night. How would I get to my hotel with a large ski bag? Would that fit in a taxi? Should I spend any time in Oslo? Should I stay up at the race venue or in Lillehammer? What would I do about a bike?</p><p>I worked it all out. I stayed at a hotel right at the airport for the first and last nights. I rented a car right from the airport. I stayed in Lillehammer at a small hostel right at the train station.</p><p>There was no public transit to the race venue so I had to rent a car. The next problem would be navigation. My cell phone does not work overseas. I ordered a card to put in my phone on arrival that was supposed to make it work in Europe. I was counting on it to have google maps for navigation.</p><p>Well, the phone never did work, despite numerous exchanges with the card company.</p><p>I had also purchased a Garmin navigation device that promised to have maps of Europe. That never worked either. After watching several YouTube videos I determined that the device I was sold had only North American maps. So strike two. The car I rented had a navigation system, but it only spoke Norwegian to me.</p><p>I finally figured out that if I connected to the hotel WiFi I could load directions for the 50-minute drive to the host hotel. The GPS never did locate the race venue which was about a 5-minute drive from the host hotel. So when I wanted to go home, I connected to the WiFi at the host hotel and loaded my directions to go home. That went well until I made a wrong term on the way back to my hotel. The phone kept trying to connect but could not. I got lost in Lillehammer. It took several stops to try and connect to an open WiFi which I was never able to do. I finally got directions from a clerk at 711. Thankfully my hotel was at the train station. Everyone always seems to know where that is. Three right turns and I was back to my hotel. That episode made me decide to just race one of the two races. I was afraid of losing a signal up in the mountains. There really were just a few houses and farms on the route. No there to ask for directions.</p><p>All that challenge navigating was exhausting, Before I took the rental car back, I was supposed to fill it with gas. I could not get the gas cap open. I was really concerned I was going to run out of gas going back to Oslo. So it was probably good, that I skipped the second race since that saved on gas.</p><p>The biggest disappointment was that I was not allowed to compete as a physically challenged athlete.</p><p>USA Triathlon promised me that I would be able to do so. When it was time to register, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) turned down the request. I have not been classified by the ITU or USAT. I never seem to pass the screening. It was disappointing to be excluded by a system that is supposed to include me. There was a male PC athlete from Romania. I was forced to compete as an age-group athlete.</p><p>It was a bit of a stressful trip. Hopefully, I can convince a friend to come along next year to help with navigation. I am already qualified for next year's race. Not sure where it will be, but I plan on being there. I also plan to keep pursuing the opportunity to race as a PC athlete.</p><p>**********************************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf8gJ2LZRmcT5qL1zUdzWX6QBE4nmOT85MBmIuNMO4YgjlpCJ_hZwapGQQD_QkSapExE05tcCVAXmmmnXxcy1EDXhVuiQS-1xgfTsUHQt04MVHjJezdR0komtEq9LlrKQMElaMSqlf1dalb78efWi5g52-Dy5kDr2fq2VT-dV22xGfpBvVSNhrMr8/s640/IMG_0752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf8gJ2LZRmcT5qL1zUdzWX6QBE4nmOT85MBmIuNMO4YgjlpCJ_hZwapGQQD_QkSapExE05tcCVAXmmmnXxcy1EDXhVuiQS-1xgfTsUHQt04MVHjJezdR0komtEq9LlrKQMElaMSqlf1dalb78efWi5g52-Dy5kDr2fq2VT-dV22xGfpBvVSNhrMr8/s320/IMG_0752.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise
awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250 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 website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-4191925994820358642023-04-07T08:13:00.005-07:002023-04-07T08:14:52.529-07:00Winter World Triathlon Championship- I Will Always Remember<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenZzWC2vtK0rlmSiH2r9nvDBhlLJKB1Xu2k-rMuEPfTdENlCorPGwEfmDb5p63S6wa9sVcauPG6NOA8EkLFO6jFTn5NWC-Fo91_e5l__1cCT_M_pjSCrtrxERNV4Kp40z0Vwr-NEFtKSg1btXdIUkOI5ZTajZy9QBxyPjNXGf5t_buiM8qRaHI3ja/s720/337389017_722321336342401_1857082336276742739_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenZzWC2vtK0rlmSiH2r9nvDBhlLJKB1Xu2k-rMuEPfTdENlCorPGwEfmDb5p63S6wa9sVcauPG6NOA8EkLFO6jFTn5NWC-Fo91_e5l__1cCT_M_pjSCrtrxERNV4Kp40z0Vwr-NEFtKSg1btXdIUkOI5ZTajZy9QBxyPjNXGf5t_buiM8qRaHI3ja/w360-h270/337389017_722321336342401_1857082336276742739_n.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finish Line at Winter World Championship, Norway</div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i>"I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences."- Sonia Sotomayor</i></p><p>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.</p><p>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</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>************************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCo_a2VHHQh9SZiHLqaRqAzUBHymxzIwtyXFrkG_qi3r1gou30ksEaC3BaW2CRAkpxbo1SWjguuNx7HJtJI5SjLZchxMIkD2w5bielKWwlXSp6mjXtI59UmAJnWotqsILahqigJjSjduOyaSbPPa87JK7DmwGr7sTmrewy4NptlpQ5XiPNFqubJW_G/s640/IMG_0752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCo_a2VHHQh9SZiHLqaRqAzUBHymxzIwtyXFrkG_qi3r1gou30ksEaC3BaW2CRAkpxbo1SWjguuNx7HJtJI5SjLZchxMIkD2w5bielKWwlXSp6mjXtI59UmAJnWotqsILahqigJjSjduOyaSbPPa87JK7DmwGr7sTmrewy4NptlpQ5XiPNFqubJW_G/s320/IMG_0752.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> Winter Duathlon World Championship Bronze Medal<br /><p><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters
working to raise awar</span></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-59202332457707838292023-03-17T08:28:00.000-07:002023-03-17T08:28:10.361-07:00Subject to the Weather<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59nc9Ttf5qJhQGu_mFwfM7_J0c-M9vCqjIfpKYsIyM7Fx_7tFQG2QahsuCHzjfzLxfg3CVScxrM_FlZfc26qrggWE6BjweIcdkqekeP3bSJ4IZkPixHqmlCq9NtvX96mmT43c4IaEE99ybearQa_Tbi0JwrwT3uPggmJwW0pGKBpkPYnkTzhWZ83I/s640/thumbnail_IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59nc9Ttf5qJhQGu_mFwfM7_J0c-M9vCqjIfpKYsIyM7Fx_7tFQG2QahsuCHzjfzLxfg3CVScxrM_FlZfc26qrggWE6BjweIcdkqekeP3bSJ4IZkPixHqmlCq9NtvX96mmT43c4IaEE99ybearQa_Tbi0JwrwT3uPggmJwW0pGKBpkPYnkTzhWZ83I/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0698.jpg" width="241" /></a><br />Lapham Peak State Park Delafield, Wisconsin</div><p><br /></p><p>"<i>You can't get much done if you only work on the days when you feel good."-</i>Jenny West</p><p>This winter I've also been subject to the weather. Many seasons winter is a bit of a down time from training since the racing season for triathlons does not ready start until June.</p><p>This year I have five races in April at the USAT Multi-sport National Championships in Irving, Texas. I have been trying to train for those races while also getting for the ITU Winter Triathlon World Championship races in Skeikampen, Norway on March 24 & 26th. </p><p>I have been trying to juggle swimming, biking, running, and the weight-lifting workouts needed for April with the Nordic skiing I needed to be ready for Norway. </p><p>The races in Norway are a ski/run duathlon and a run/bike/ski winter triathlon. Both of the bike legs are on snow.</p><p>To say the weather has not cooperated has been an understatement. We had very little snow until March. The snow we did get in March was wet, making for icy ski trails. The picture above is from Lapham Peak State park in Wisconsin. It is about a 45-minute drive. I am glad it was open but often conditions were not great.</p><p>I also got a really bad cold after I got back from Alaska in January and lost a week of training.</p><p>I did a time trail race there every Tuesday in January and February. Several of the races were canceled because it was either too icy or there was not enough snow. I got out skiing once or twice a week and I managed to get first place in my age group for the skate division. I am a little proud of that because I can ski using only the skating technique. That has been a project years in the making.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vmtMkpRuYgknCuMnUoBmmHrCFtON6F5_7ksxHOTNGvUeBvmEX-PRTKbfEzR6eVjfKOTwaaWwCa0X8L14kYhwOYA7Jw0JQ8DhS1g-7xRIRM_isSUWj19BYz2CqhZms2RenS_pDQyoab_TnAlGYbG7zhZ6QgZ4A4USkmtbo3XZHV4jPNN-c8g-a9Tc/s640/race%20nedak1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vmtMkpRuYgknCuMnUoBmmHrCFtON6F5_7ksxHOTNGvUeBvmEX-PRTKbfEzR6eVjfKOTwaaWwCa0X8L14kYhwOYA7Jw0JQ8DhS1g-7xRIRM_isSUWj19BYz2CqhZms2RenS_pDQyoab_TnAlGYbG7zhZ6QgZ4A4USkmtbo3XZHV4jPNN-c8g-a9Tc/s320/race%20nedak1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I did get out on my bike for an outdoor ride a couple of times a week. This is a big step for me because that meant going out when it was in the 30s. I never used to bike outdoors if it was under 30 F. I was only able to bike twice on actual snow. I do hills in the park across the street.</p><p>The only consistent bit of my training has been my running. To say I feel under-prepared is an understatement. My April race has suffered as well because some weeks I only get to the pool once.</p><p>I had to balance that with trying to figure out the logistics of booking flights, figuring out hotels, renting cars, deciding how I will navigate around, what to pack, and a million other details It has crossed my mind the last few days that maybe Norway was not a great idea. I have been pretty stressed trying to pull everything together. The biggest stress has been the worry of navigating around on my own. I am a bit direction impaired.</p><p>So today I did the last few trip duties. Ready or not Norway here I come! </p><p>There are 21 of us on Team USA. I met some on a Zoom call. I am looking forward to meeting some new friends. </p><p>I am treating this as a learning experience. I feel ready for the duathlon. There are only three women in my age group and we are the oldest in the race. I just have to finish making the podium.</p><p>Depending on how tough the course is and how I feel, I may just skip the triathlon due to my lack of training. I also have the April races to consider and do not want to risk injury.</p><p>I hope it goes well since I qualified for next year's races as well. I am going to use this as a learning experience and have fun. Now that I am ready, I am excited. I love to travel and Norway will be new for me.</p><p>**************************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef_ADX2xq8vilcTXRLpIShT7wXGc2zfhdsvkq_daCLfSN_x66EB_YSzJrscJVRciVDCj1ATt6LYy4I7HXlCYUS7uMRQaFE1Ts3D8M0HK2wHKE016ZpvzCf1hIUeClcGkF5CiWlnW7Y4NBxQ7OK-Orj63kbOX2hAfQQ71-_-4SLoGZAe9sj3R8Kl9W/s640/IMG_0296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef_ADX2xq8vilcTXRLpIShT7wXGc2zfhdsvkq_daCLfSN_x66EB_YSzJrscJVRciVDCj1ATt6LYy4I7HXlCYUS7uMRQaFE1Ts3D8M0HK2wHKE016ZpvzCf1hIUeClcGkF5CiWlnW7Y4NBxQ7OK-Orj63kbOX2hAfQQ71-_-4SLoGZAe9sj3R8Kl9W/s320/IMG_0296.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters
working to raise awareness </span></p><p><br /></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-87037275652124283852023-03-12T11:57:00.002-07:002023-03-12T11:57:51.321-07:00Soup Sunday-Vegetable Beef Soup<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>We got nine inches of snow late this week. For me, nothing is better after shoveling than a hot bowl of homemade soup. I basically threw a whole bunch of stuff I had around the house into the pot. I thought about adding gnocchi to go with the Italian spices, but honestly, there was more than enough already in the pot. Adjust by changing up the type and amount of the vegetables.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Beef Vegetable Soup<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlX0BrS9hu1VzDcdKL_mj8wWB87Od7YKkiip1lZd9vD5QsZ0bg3dkdaJamnLBa-RFI7nn5IDYzsmXSMh4a5ryKcNG8BkrCnePsxGU90IEXze1OMywUBPYJyHQR_cVDEvP9C3510tVnNlRSOAW4FYYZprfmrXRBPEHaK4V8XVajQeVnHBROV7Sl39C/s640/thumbnail_IMG_0695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlX0BrS9hu1VzDcdKL_mj8wWB87Od7YKkiip1lZd9vD5QsZ0bg3dkdaJamnLBa-RFI7nn5IDYzsmXSMh4a5ryKcNG8BkrCnePsxGU90IEXze1OMywUBPYJyHQR_cVDEvP9C3510tVnNlRSOAW4FYYZprfmrXRBPEHaK4V8XVajQeVnHBROV7Sl39C/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0695.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil<br />
1 tablespoon minced garlic<br />
1 medium yellow onion, diced<br />
4 cups beef bone broth<br />
1 (15-ounce) can of Italian tomatoes<br />
1 tablespoon dried Italian spices<br />
1 can French green beans<br />
2 cups frozen corn<br />
1 can (15 ounces) peas<br />
1 small can of mushrooms<br />
2 medium carrots sliced<br />
3 stalks of celery diced<br />
1 can white or butter beans<br />
1 lb. beef stew meat<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion and garlic.
Cook until the onions are softened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add
the rest of the ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring to a
boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.<br />
<br />
Makes 6 servings</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">*********************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWRYirOCszI0YKx-YnuTxlBGYSJrZbYvQGA6zHPc14DTU68w0JKeg0dU6ypi15dAqiS7a3NgYu3ydLp3nKTzlE_cXDMQo5TGt-w5TXHXRpEjQF7o4Yerdj9lzJCLYKKFnTn34_8ofH6RqZMy0YuX5E25USg2f1zLopA8NeZRA-VCs-Z9I6ohHXos7/s4608/COOLPIX%20L263629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWRYirOCszI0YKx-YnuTxlBGYSJrZbYvQGA6zHPc14DTU68w0JKeg0dU6ypi15dAqiS7a3NgYu3ydLp3nKTzlE_cXDMQo5TGt-w5TXHXRpEjQF7o4Yerdj9lzJCLYKKFnTn34_8ofH6RqZMy0YuX5E25USg2f1zLopA8NeZRA-VCs-Z9I6ohHXos7/s320/COOLPIX%20L263629.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship. In 2023 she the PC Open National
Champion for Winter Triathlon in Anchorage and will represent the U.S. in
Norway.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise
awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250 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 website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-86806873547184921322023-03-05T12:29:00.002-08:002023-03-05T12:29:25.324-08:00Soup Sunday-Mexican Bean Soup<p> </p><p>Today's soup is a little bit spicy. I made a few changes to the original recipe because it seemed a bit bland. I swapped water in the recipe for diced tomatoes and in stead of the cumin and oregano the recipe called for, I used chili powder and dried red peppers. Reduce the amount of the spices if you want a milder soup. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mexican Black
Bean Soup<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSwP6JO6KTEGjtltH3PAOUM01Ck_ybM5phgJeq46t4Kj-754wPPLh8PqPSpojAj43kGaGoQzNoQTJeCyjkBTU63XBYZGAreT1ot6IpxoWzCwvF6LQoSU-DxZ1xuyoatFyj2oPA9C3NZTiUp0LpCmqOMFXIv-4oBbXzYBnoDhOwSPULcrCNXuwmtyy/s640/Bean%20Soup7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSwP6JO6KTEGjtltH3PAOUM01Ck_ybM5phgJeq46t4Kj-754wPPLh8PqPSpojAj43kGaGoQzNoQTJeCyjkBTU63XBYZGAreT1ot6IpxoWzCwvF6LQoSU-DxZ1xuyoatFyj2oPA9C3NZTiUp0LpCmqOMFXIv-4oBbXzYBnoDhOwSPULcrCNXuwmtyy/s320/Bean%20Soup7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2 tablespoons
extra virgin olive oil<br />
1 large yellow onion, chopped<br />
1 large carrot, chopped<br />
2 celery stalks chopped<br />
1 tablespoon minced garlic<br />
1 tablespoon hot chili powder<br />
1 teaspoon dried chili peppers<br />
3 cans (15-ounce) black beans, drained and rinsed<br />
3 cans (10-ounce) diced tomatoes with green chili peppers<br />
Juice of one lime<br />
Fresh Cilantro and sour cream to top the soup.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Heat the oil
in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, and celery. Cook
until the vegetables are softened.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Add the
tomatoes and black beans. Add the garlic, chili powder and dried chili peppers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bring the
mixture to a boil, and then lower the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add the lime juice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Using an
immersion blender, puree the soup to the desired texture. Pulse longer if a
smoother soup is desired. An alternate method is to use a blender to puree a
few cups at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To serve
ladle the soup into bowls topped with sour cream, and chopped cilantro.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Makes 6
servings<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>***********************<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5VrWIkbWQQTg0I2iHjklrtLTcQZMr02D1y-lbPigyfvO7etSk0tMrCe5qf-ZXhJiUCZ6Ux-doiNmXgkAF9aLymHwWOmBgeHkrbGCSDZyo7N7TAyh_McmuG2d6nXE6uDj2UtqrRfeiEhQauTXNP02CXvdI2yLVvpu9YNs8UNUk_qEku_l_fgtaNmY/s640/IMG_0296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5VrWIkbWQQTg0I2iHjklrtLTcQZMr02D1y-lbPigyfvO7etSk0tMrCe5qf-ZXhJiUCZ6Ux-doiNmXgkAF9aLymHwWOmBgeHkrbGCSDZyo7N7TAyh_McmuG2d6nXE6uDj2UtqrRfeiEhQauTXNP02CXvdI2yLVvpu9YNs8UNUk_qEku_l_fgtaNmY/s320/IMG_0296.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship. In 2023 she the PC Open National
Champion for Winter Triathlon in Anchorage and will represent the U.S. in
Norway.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters
working to raise awareness </span></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-60392820321947072412023-02-26T14:38:00.000-08:002023-02-26T14:38:16.201-08:00Soup Sunday-Beef Goulash Soup<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>I like to try out new recipes to keep my menu fresh. This was a new recipe for me. It was really good and I will make it again. I am used to having goulash when it is more of a stew. This soup is just a thinner version. Feel free to change up the ingredients to make it your own.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hungarian Goulash Soup</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VYWDSpzHXpmeZFkmrWQVzialGgQkK_vQqss1YQfWUDDBqDLF9_wGNEC7Jikw6_Uxt2ucGQuYOsEVjOBdu7wQGhTvsW4lGICM5uoYz7ssu3AVZnV58uPERVVyrCiGUvTAilbksMcSMMeo95YfE9ac7PxNQ0YzfwmxSThiQ5MJxFVhwo9zzjf0BydK/s640/thumbnail_IMG_0673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VYWDSpzHXpmeZFkmrWQVzialGgQkK_vQqss1YQfWUDDBqDLF9_wGNEC7Jikw6_Uxt2ucGQuYOsEVjOBdu7wQGhTvsW4lGICM5uoYz7ssu3AVZnV58uPERVVyrCiGUvTAilbksMcSMMeo95YfE9ac7PxNQ0YzfwmxSThiQ5MJxFVhwo9zzjf0BydK/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0673.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2 tablespoons
extra virgin olive oil<br />
1.5 lbs. chuck steak or roast cut into bite-sized pieces<br />
1 yellow onion finely chopped<br />
1 tablespoon minced garlic<br />
1 tablespoons all-purpose flour<br />
1 can (14 ounces) can tomato sauce<br />
1 (14 ounce) diced tomatoes<br />
1 medium carrot finely chopped<br />
1 red bell pepper finely chopped<br />
1 tablespoon Hungarian Paprika<br />
1 teaspoon caraway seeds<br />
4 cups beef stock<br />
8 ounces wide egg noodles<br />
Sour cream to garnish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Heat the
olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the beef and cook over
medium heat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until the meat is brown.<br />
<br />
Add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions are soft. Add the flour.
Stir and cook for a minute.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Add the
tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, carrot, red pepper, stock, paprika and caraway
seeds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bring to a
boil. Reduce head. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">While the
soup is cooking, bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the noodles and cook
according to package directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drain
when cooking is complete. Rinse with cold water, the add a small amount of olive
oil to coat the noodles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Taste the
soup and adjust the seasonings as needed.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif";">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Serve with noodles with a dollop of sour cream in each bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Serves 6<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> ************************</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFinCCZzTfngiVNafnywa7A66Y2Ww5KnKQdnqnO1hngmSR1U9gMGcf7Kl9owB3_N0kUMZ0REANsJhZIwUbFBbVeildco7zAoPWvS9vI3xTh_X3vAgofzPvWxbOeih5jg8QYbG-VEuO2nLSZwF8UEHDL-aQMBydAHO_sYhiPUYCvNptJjHpUag3HaG/s640/Texas%20Nationals%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFinCCZzTfngiVNafnywa7A66Y2Ww5KnKQdnqnO1hngmSR1U9gMGcf7Kl9owB3_N0kUMZ0REANsJhZIwUbFBbVeildco7zAoPWvS9vI3xTh_X3vAgofzPvWxbOeih5jg8QYbG-VEuO2nLSZwF8UEHDL-aQMBydAHO_sYhiPUYCvNptJjHpUag3HaG/s320/Texas%20Nationals%202022.jpg" width="241" /></a></div> Medal Haul from Multi-Sport National Championship, Irving 2022<br /><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /><o:p><br /></o:p></span><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise
awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250 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 website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-62897411545845838222023-02-19T07:55:00.002-08:002023-02-19T07:55:29.759-08:00Soup Sunday Hai Red Curry Noodle Soup<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup<br /><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVwJ478333ZxleqVX4QgAG3_xHzEx0sGADlyZGgmBgZqJEHMdmrhWGBGBLCmIW981ExBCoNdyEpQZj666ZwTg7qxqb6aBTQ43hgWbAQA1FkpewKmvTP52RYycbMa-53tfdA6EWAJZcSWTQT17RjE1SEH7HHrBOyzvkIfGgQbb1ZNvOoNIPDVroQ1ZE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="547" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVwJ478333ZxleqVX4QgAG3_xHzEx0sGADlyZGgmBgZqJEHMdmrhWGBGBLCmIW981ExBCoNdyEpQZj666ZwTg7qxqb6aBTQ43hgWbAQA1FkpewKmvTP52RYycbMa-53tfdA6EWAJZcSWTQT17RjE1SEH7HHrBOyzvkIfGgQbb1ZNvOoNIPDVroQ1ZE" width="174" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>This is the second red soup I have done this month. I know it is February, but that was not intentional.</p><p>My older brother loves Asian food, especially soups. I was having him over for dinner and wanted to try this recipe. I had pretty much everything on hand which is a plus. I used avocado oil for this recipe. Seed oils like corn and canola cause inflammation in the body so should be avoided.<br />The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of the red curry paste.You can find this at any Asian grovery store or Asian section of the grocery store. The same is true for the fish sauce, and coconut milk.<br /><br />The soup was not spicy. Adjust the amount of curry to a level that suits your taste. I also took a short cut by using minced ginger and garlic from a jar. I get this at the supermarket. That way I do not have to keep the fresh version on hand..</p><p>3 tablespoons avocado oil<br />1/2 of a medium yellow onion diced<br />1 red bell pepper diced<br />1/2 cup shredded carrots<br />1 tablespoon minced garlic<br />1 tablespoon minced ginger<br />1/4 cup red Thai curry paste<br />6 cups beef stock<br />1 (14 ounce) can full fat coconut milk<br />3 tablespoons fish sauce<br />1 1/2 cup shredded cooked beef<br />4 ounces rice noodles<br />Juice of one small lime<br />1/2 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for serving<br /><br />In a large soup pot heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, bell pepper and carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes or until softened.<br /><br />Stir in the garlic, ginger, and red curry paste. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.</p><p>Add the beef broth, coconut milk, and fish sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the cooked beef.<br /><br />Cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Stir in the noodles and simmer until tender. The cooking time may be longer if using a thicker noodle.</p><p>Stir in lime juice and cilantro.</p><p>Add additional cilantro as a garnish when serving.</p><p>Serves 6<br /><br /><br />********************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3BtTH5BO53a8eDm_I9oJ16uYFQzzL0eztbd40KHm7iwWivRIFUzxxux6kX9ydlgKl1CNbVWXVdgSZi82hg7yR0NWKfQEjk6nMfxYkSs8nvvymEYYwK38oNcI_gnhOGJ1peq_3vyQu8ZPBV0LuFCP0onF8VEhoUctXZ-thxBMHYQbW6m2gMKi-9uU/s640/Irving%20Texas%20National%20Championship%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3BtTH5BO53a8eDm_I9oJ16uYFQzzL0eztbd40KHm7iwWivRIFUzxxux6kX9ydlgKl1CNbVWXVdgSZi82hg7yR0NWKfQEjk6nMfxYkSs8nvvymEYYwK38oNcI_gnhOGJ1peq_3vyQu8ZPBV0LuFCP0onF8VEhoUctXZ-thxBMHYQbW6m2gMKi-9uU/s320/Irving%20Texas%20National%20Championship%202022.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise
awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250 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 website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<br /><br /></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-14841882720844640212023-02-12T05:30:00.001-08:002023-02-12T05:30:49.684-08:00Soup Sunday- Stuffed Pepper Soup<p> </p><p>I still make soup most weekends in the Winter. I just don't always have a new recipe or time to post here. This soup was perfect for a cold winter day. It was 10F the day I made this soup. It really does taste like stuffed peppers.</p><p><br /></p><p>Stuffed Pepper Soup</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze_ocDOgwMpAOcq63XRHtPdYKtxdKq0y3XWIiB6dAvm22brFXj5uNmMI03ibSvBimUJqhsQ67SjScD7Ce6g92exc8n5ufgaiq1lusPdRrxVw_rBGK2UnU0QwyJl92qIUjPygjK75bJGknoY53LuNpTgnhyzX4ZieCENssza1pY8yuI_Tk6QXNDYgA/s640/thumbnail_IMG_0655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze_ocDOgwMpAOcq63XRHtPdYKtxdKq0y3XWIiB6dAvm22brFXj5uNmMI03ibSvBimUJqhsQ67SjScD7Ce6g92exc8n5ufgaiq1lusPdRrxVw_rBGK2UnU0QwyJl92qIUjPygjK75bJGknoY53LuNpTgnhyzX4ZieCENssza1pY8yuI_Tk6QXNDYgA/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0655.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>1 lb ground beef<br />1 small yellow onion<br />1 red bell pepper diced<br />1 green bell pepper diced<br />1 tablespoon minced garlic<br />1 teaspoon Italian seasoning<br />1 teaspoon crushed red peppers<br />2 (14.5-ounce) cans of diced tomatoes<br />1 (15-ounce) can of tomato sauce<br />2 cups beef broth<br />1 cup cooked brown rice<br />salt and pepper to taste</p><p><br /></p><p>Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the hamburger, garlic, and onions. Brown until all the meat is brown. Pour off any excess fat. Add the broth, tomatoes, sauce, and spices. Stir well and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Add the peppers and cook for 5 minutes. Add the cooked rice. Serves 6. A serving size is 2 cups</p><p><br /></p><p>************************</p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmvrzbOcAXkqJgq_VlJVq-Tczs-Ayt6_c4KsON03SFritnzC30wIqlR5HNPg5N3t5WGGo14Rrc0QcOyWZJGW6SRTRXlzCF5IUF3bF3cOVMTfVBDqoqpJ0MOkfS_7qoFj5CA7Gf6aI4RFmOHB7-hrJD0Drg5I-26AZGkCzU304W0Lal7XPBDjOExdC/s640/Irving%20Texas%20National%20Championship%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmvrzbOcAXkqJgq_VlJVq-Tczs-Ayt6_c4KsON03SFritnzC30wIqlR5HNPg5N3t5WGGo14Rrc0QcOyWZJGW6SRTRXlzCF5IUF3bF3cOVMTfVBDqoqpJ0MOkfS_7qoFj5CA7Gf6aI4RFmOHB7-hrJD0Drg5I-26AZGkCzU304W0Lal7XPBDjOExdC/s320/Irving%20Texas%20National%20Championship%202022.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise
awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250 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 website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-33265792278686670252023-01-23T08:38:00.003-08:002023-01-24T04:11:23.117-08:00Winter Triathlon National Championship 2023- Not What I Expected<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vRaZ536_Fnfvuir7kXm9G0GYf5L38L1B-gPEtWklokxXP97eCOR2inkdecXddahJA1jDTsXY7QhRRPWLxJpFQWyeZ9-MRTulXlJtZP6UHGQP-T7QCmDfpjI-B1ZYtW8sW1S9OTusNMwbJM-K8yt2A78_EC3Jlc0VS8a1AaZsQXlJ-emombqvFSYR/s640/thumbnail_IMG_0652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vRaZ536_Fnfvuir7kXm9G0GYf5L38L1B-gPEtWklokxXP97eCOR2inkdecXddahJA1jDTsXY7QhRRPWLxJpFQWyeZ9-MRTulXlJtZP6UHGQP-T7QCmDfpjI-B1ZYtW8sW1S9OTusNMwbJM-K8yt2A78_EC3Jlc0VS8a1AaZsQXlJ-emombqvFSYR/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0652.jpg" width="241" /></a></div> Tri Flake Winter Triathlon National Championship 2023<p></p><p><br /></p><p><i>If I cannot do great things, I can go small things in a great way</i>/" - Martin Luther King, Jr.</p><p><br /></p><p>You just never know what is going to happen on race day. Every race and every venue has challenges and events that reveal themselves during the race. The Tri Flake Winter Triathlon 2023 race in Anchorage, Alaska was no different.</p><p>I've done the Winter Triathlon National three times when it was in St. Paul. So this was not my first rodeo. This would be my first time racing the event as a Physically Challenged (PC) athlete. I qualify to be a PC athlete because I have CMT, a genetic neurological condition that is much like MS.</p><p>I raced as an age group athlete in the past because the rule at the time was you had to compete as an age group athlete to qualify for the World Championship. This is not the case any longer and I am hoping to also compete as a PC athlete at the World Championship in March in Norway.</p><p>Because I've done this event before I had certain concerns and expectations. The funny thing is the things I worried about were non-issues and some things happened I did not expect.</p><p>First off let me say what a great event this was. All three courses were so well marked. For someone that has taken multiple wrong turns on courses, this was so appreciated. There was no way to get lost on this course. I appreciate the effort and care it took to do this. Bravo to the race organizers.</p><p>I cannot say one negative thing about this race. The venue was beautiful It was held in the Kincaid part. There was no entrance. Although I did not see any, the resident moose population often shows up on the trail. There were beautiful mountains in the background.</p><p>Going into the race, I was worried about the fat time bike course being too difficult and I was worried about staying warm. I was not concerned about running since I have been running for years. It is the one discipline that I do consistently all year. My skate skiing has gotten good enough to handle pretty much anything.</p><p>I was concerned about the cold because I was cold when in my hotel room. I wondered how I would stay warm on race day. Also, the last time I did Winter Triathlon in St. Paul, my feet got so cold they were numb for a week.</p><p>Well, my concerns were unfounded. I figured out the right amount of layers to stay warm. The bike and ski loops were pretty protected from the wind which helped. Plus we had sun and a race start temperature of 21 F.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Run</b><br />The run was not what I expected and the biggest surprise about this race. The 6K run was an out-and-back course. We went down very several hills and got to go up the same set of hills on the way up. I remember one that did not seem to end. Hills are not usually a problem for me since I am really strong on hills. The problem was the entire course had ankle-deep snow. I was like running on deep sand. One part early in the course had a dip where the snow came up to mid-calf. </p><p>I had three falls during the race. Two on the mid-calf deep dip. One was in a random hole on the course that I did not see.</p><p>The deep snow was really tiring. I was not winded but could not make very fast progress. I was also concerned about the uneven surface. Since my ankles do not flex like a normal person they sometimes collapse side to side. The soft surface was not something I anticipated.</p><p>I was really worried about turning an ankle and ending my race. I made it through with a time of 58:18. I usually cover a 5K course in about 31 minutes. Not only was a slow but now my legs were super tired.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Bike</b><br />I should not have been worried about the bike. The course was changed away from having any single-track sections. A single track is just wide enough for a bike to get through. Fat tire bikes are used because the course is on snow. The route was run on the multi-use trail. I was on a rental bike and was not sure how it would perform. The course was pretty hard-packed with rolling hills. It was in the woods and was a fun course. I actually got too warm on the bike and had to take off my top layer.<br />My legs were shredded from the run. My quads were burning on hills that normally would not have been a problem. I ended up walking up a couple of hills. I think it was just faster and I was trying to save my legs a bit for the ski portion. I finished in 1 hr 27 minutes. I had hoped for a 1 hr 30 time.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Nordic Ski</b></p><p>There has been very little snow in Southeaster Wisconsin this year. The only skiing available has been on an icy man-made loop in a local State park. I was glad I had some time on snow in Colorado at a ski camp in December.</p><p>I was expecting this course to be so hilly. It was a beautiful course. But hills are not my strong suit on skis. I have to herringbone up steep hills. My legs and current technique don't allow me to get up anything too steep by skate skiing. Still, I can get down even the steepest slopes now without falling. My skin really has improved since the first time I did my first Winter Triathlon race.</p><p>My legs were so tired I was worried about being able to hold a snowplow to get down the hills.<br />I got the two loops done in 1:09. I typically do a 5 K loop in about 20 minutes here in Wisconsin. So that is how tired my legs really were. I am glad I got through it. </p><p>I finished the race at 3:35:32. I know that is not fast. I was hoping for around 3:30. On an easier run course my time would have been better.</p><p>Since I was the only PC athlete I won a National Championship. I would have been second in my age group. I qualified for the World Championship in Norway.</p><p>Better yet, I met so many great people including four that had only been on skis once. They all did just fine and I look forward to seeing them in Norway. The venue was beautiful There were plenty of helpful and friendly volunteers. Such a great event!</p><p>Thank you to the race organizers. You put on a great event. It was a physically challenging race, but it is a National Championship. I feel confident going to Worlds after doing this event. I do belong there!</p><p><br /></p><p>********************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbmFon15xw1RSuqewwM6u_82QjQXf9kwi9TkhKGybvqMoIiZkACBKLEC7CwuckkePFwgUmlQWKe9XdkzPnxNILZELtr9kXtcoi0dU6Coxk5ryYOyEYcdVO7ZfGqCeT2LwqzQBaO9Z8SCTahwk8yh60LmXxQevgBQQ-PsDUZxVaZzTaVB8THQhxwtQ/s640/IMG_0296.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbmFon15xw1RSuqewwM6u_82QjQXf9kwi9TkhKGybvqMoIiZkACBKLEC7CwuckkePFwgUmlQWKe9XdkzPnxNILZELtr9kXtcoi0dU6Coxk5ryYOyEYcdVO7ZfGqCeT2LwqzQBaO9Z8SCTahwk8yh60LmXxQevgBQQ-PsDUZxVaZzTaVB8THQhxwtQ/s320/IMG_0296.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise
awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250 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 website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-34327085473512165472023-01-23T07:50:00.001-08:002023-01-23T07:50:09.678-08:00Trying So Hard to Improve<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmeEntU1twg4KuVZluY4K1sMWFeKfVXiux6Jxy-TChr3loxTcJI2MPF8OF8SQt47e8y8pCdwk-BXIUYoYB1fZL5gKHAIbwEZEygpiYwyz9XjPR8jwQ86nCiPK-RbIW52SqcAyqdozvuJkNIohZv7_0qA6V_E6AiFnfutahlunrntOAIxiPj12aJA8/s640/thumbnail_IMG_0603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmeEntU1twg4KuVZluY4K1sMWFeKfVXiux6Jxy-TChr3loxTcJI2MPF8OF8SQt47e8y8pCdwk-BXIUYoYB1fZL5gKHAIbwEZEygpiYwyz9XjPR8jwQ86nCiPK-RbIW52SqcAyqdozvuJkNIohZv7_0qA6V_E6AiFnfutahlunrntOAIxiPj12aJA8/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0603.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nordic Center Breckinridge Colorado</div><br /><p></p><p><i>"Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come."</i></p><p><br /></p><p>I put the Winter Triathlon National Championship in Anchorage on my schedule as soon as registration opened.</p><p>I take every race seriously and always want to do my best. That meant looking at my current skill level in all three of the disciples of Winter Triathlon. The race would have a 6 K run, a 12 K fat time bike, and a 5K Nordic ski. </p><p>I am confident in my running since I have been competing as a runner since my college days. I have a fat tire bike and have had clinics in bike skills. My real focus for improvement has been lessons and camps to improve my Nordic skiing. </p><p>I saw from competing at past Winter Triathlons that the best athletes were skate skiers. If I wanted to be competitive I would need to master skate skiing. Besides, it just looked like fun and more of a workout. I have been working on my skating technique for the last six years. I took a two-prong approach this season. I signed up for the Hartford Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge in December. They run Nordic a ski camp for physically challenged athletes. The second approach was to sign up for group ski lessons with the Lapham Peak ski club.</p><p>I had high hopes for the Nordic ski camp since it is for athletes with challenges. I went once before the year before COVID. I was excited to go back because the coaching was so great. I got one on one coaching to improve my technique and I needed it. Plus I got feedback during group activities. The coaches all have Olympic-level experience. My skiing improved so much. I had so much fun meeting the other athletes. The Nordic center is beautiful and Gene the owner makes us feel so welcome. He often serenades us during breaks on his accordion.</p><p>The experience this year was completely different. There was a mix-up with my registration and I found out at check-in I was not signed up for the clinic. My registration was to come out for a day to try Nordic, not the race camp. I was told there was room for me in the camp. I read over the description for camp activities on the Ski Spec web page. It talked about videotaping and coaching. So I signed up.</p><p>I was put in a group of four skiers on the first day. The instructor called me by the wrong name until the last day of the clinic. I was the only one in the group that was a skate skier. One day our instructor got pulled away and we had to attach ourselves to another instructor. One of the women in the group had no experience with skis and could barely stand. It was understandable the instructor was fully occupied with her.</p><p>When doing group activities I only got feedback a couple of times. This experience was totally different from my last experience. At first, I thought I was being snubbed. It sometimes happens at clinics or races for physically challenged athletes because my impairment is not obvious.</p><p>But when I talked to a couple of other athletes, they also felt they were getting no coaching. One of the athletes is a para-nordic skier. So you would think they would pay attention to him. We both felt there were just too many athletes for the number of skiers. We just were not a high priority because of the number of beginner skiers at the clinic.</p><p>Still, even though it was disappointing to go to a ski camp and get little coaching, the venue was beautiful. I met some really great athletes and enjoyed visiting with them. I also got a chance to get on snow for five days. Snow has been a scare in my part of Wisconsin. I am not sure I will go back again to the clinic. I think the Hartford Ski Spectacular does great work. They also run an Alpine ski camp the same week. They benefit a lot of athletes. I did not have a great experience, but they do great work.</p><p>My second effort kicked off with a group lesson given by my local ski club. The Lapham Peak Ski Club runs the lessons with volunteer instructors. The lesson fees go to support the youth skiing team.</p><p>We were asked to self-select into one of three groups; beginner, intermediate, or advanced. I was selected for the intermediate group. It seemed right since the beginners could barely stand on skis and the advanced group was for experienced racers.</p><p>There were about 20 skiers in my group. One admitted she had only been on skis a few times. I could see she struggled with balance. The instructor gave us a few pointers, and we skied the straight section of an oval loop. It is maybe 150 yards. He joined after everyone had completed the short ski. Then he addresses the group. "Everyone did well, except you." He then pointed at me. He went on to say. " You would better off joining the beginner group so they can teach you to stand on your skis" He did this in front of the entire group. Those people in the beginner group were struggling to stand on their skis. I was really mad. If he really thought I was in the wrong group, then he should have talked to me privately. Anyone with CMT generally has struggled with coordination and looks terrible doing anything active their whole lives. To be spotted out in public is just a nightmare.</p><p>I looked at the instructor and informed him I was not going to the beginner group. Later during another skiing activity, he complimented my skiing. I shouted to him; " Yeah I am the skier you told to go to the beginner group. I am no beginner." </p><p>After that lesson, I am not sure if I will go back for the rest of the sessions. I skipped the next one due to icy conditions. I did not want to risk slipping and falling before my upcoming race in Alaska. I am still mulling over whether to say something about what he did to the sponsoring club. He is a volunteer so I do think about that. I do not think he meant to be rude, but it could have been handled better. Maybe he should have reserved judgment until after he saw me ski a bit more.</p><p>I think my best bet is going to be to sign up for private lessons. There is a local instructor I have used before. I may go back to the group lesson because I wanted to meet other club members.</p><p>In any case, I will keep working on my skiing. I have more races coming up.</p><p><br /></p><p>**********************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3LNyEQ_M3KvNAqwdCj3JF0mnI7EMVepTpIp9kBcSHL-vQTtT0V6755IQQDA_j3YLxRJ3QHkniQM1mxJhdpl6-VysLL_eeGfFukZiYuXmeulQ-6uwAscGTbAaFx1faQyFTREfZOhbFn8uWKVUpYaQhCpKufWsY3pSZMVG9Mrn-c0qAZTvBIKIGWFX/s2048/326660768_1223030525309248_4365905968100997427_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3LNyEQ_M3KvNAqwdCj3JF0mnI7EMVepTpIp9kBcSHL-vQTtT0V6755IQQDA_j3YLxRJ3QHkniQM1mxJhdpl6-VysLL_eeGfFukZiYuXmeulQ-6uwAscGTbAaFx1faQyFTREfZOhbFn8uWKVUpYaQhCpKufWsY3pSZMVG9Mrn-c0qAZTvBIKIGWFX/s320/326660768_1223030525309248_4365905968100997427_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise
awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250 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 website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-47949849136040506692022-11-10T04:52:00.002-08:002022-11-10T04:52:09.367-08:00Retirement Project and Fundraising<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4zJnfxF1iPCtZC9VuxiTUM9PoGVAn6OAJZIMjZAKU-M3K347GXw39MMd2LpBNG_7Lh5NykwtpOXcamqQ8ngcc3w648Y36l8QlgJ6vBW_wSaQrDklmqbvVJG6Szl1YXxQl8-40Bua72So6e0Cx7cbq4LWi8ewHPy_fXjImp4jgb7wR4X6cQAcrkDb/s3216/NIKON%20D300S000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2136" data-original-width="3216" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4zJnfxF1iPCtZC9VuxiTUM9PoGVAn6OAJZIMjZAKU-M3K347GXw39MMd2LpBNG_7Lh5NykwtpOXcamqQ8ngcc3w648Y36l8QlgJ6vBW_wSaQrDklmqbvVJG6Szl1YXxQl8-40Bua72So6e0Cx7cbq4LWi8ewHPy_fXjImp4jgb7wR4X6cQAcrkDb/s320/NIKON%20D300S000.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /> I have been very busy since I retired a little over a year ago. I started two online business projects with more to come. I started an online publishing venture and have been at it for a little over a year.</span><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve published low-content books on Amazon. To find one of the books do a search on Christine L. Wodke and
the type of book. These books are 150 pages and 6 x 9 inches. I currently have
about 3600 books in my inventory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I add
new titles every week. The price of each book is $6.99.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The profits from the books in the fourth quarter of 2022 will go toward my $1000 fundraising goal for USA Triathlon. To find any of these books do a search on Amazon with Christine L. Wodke and the book category. I add new categories all the time so if you have a book you are interested in, do a search on that name.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Actor Journal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aquarium Logbook<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Astronomy Observation
Book<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Badminton Playbook<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Barbeque Journal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Baseball Playbook<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Beekeeping Logbook<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Beer Tasting Logbook<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Birdwatching Logbook<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bowling Scorebook<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Camping Logbook<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Cheese tasting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Chess Tactics<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Chocolate Tasting<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Cigar Tasting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Cocktail Recipe<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Journal<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Crocheting Logbook<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Cycling Log<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fishing Logbook<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Garden Log<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Golf Journal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hiking Log<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Home Brew Journal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hunting Log<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Jeweler Making
Journal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Kayak Log<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Lacrosse Playbook<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Lined Notebooks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Password Tracker<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Recipe Journal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Road Trip Log<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rum Tasting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Running Log<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">SCUBA Log<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sewing Project Book<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">********************************</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbdc306DtLvYZ-aJPwIHBByx1m7iB3w4a8YGd2CDLmdm0pqsF2fiNJ4rC7SE_pnTiCuI8Gbg4zUMfl-K5a6pugsikRKRITJBwMX3heK8-rHbTqcPYiR975PC_gjOUcCAdOzbqACB9NA4zoob9Xc8Z0HMTZ-xPvTEC5WjKShEOMt4j9kBLu25eIjbv/s4608/COOLPIX%20L261523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbdc306DtLvYZ-aJPwIHBByx1m7iB3w4a8YGd2CDLmdm0pqsF2fiNJ4rC7SE_pnTiCuI8Gbg4zUMfl-K5a6pugsikRKRITJBwMX3heK8-rHbTqcPYiR975PC_gjOUcCAdOzbqACB9NA4zoob9Xc8Z0HMTZ-xPvTEC5WjKShEOMt4j9kBLu25eIjbv/s320/COOLPIX%20L261523.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /></span></span></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters
working to raise awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250
athletes in 42 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England,
Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, </span></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-62369259529438887382022-11-06T10:16:00.001-08:002022-11-06T10:16:50.593-08:00Powerful Women of Triathlon<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfy6TwPGxmsWfMM0GzjiRQlqsF6LFc7ma2Vomb53Bv-R-yV6UUhFY3i779VpLAocWb7iatiVVdXS5VRm661DX-GI-L6y1heHmihPZW26zQ6K1za7-Mfgl_EkGgez39D_qG_Dj5rNhmQ8XnKP5LriN45CNyb9KUMHgQ3KpwYI4QLUXBUA0GtkkZLB9/s300/_NRF0724-S%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfy6TwPGxmsWfMM0GzjiRQlqsF6LFc7ma2Vomb53Bv-R-yV6UUhFY3i779VpLAocWb7iatiVVdXS5VRm661DX-GI-L6y1heHmihPZW26zQ6K1za7-Mfgl_EkGgez39D_qG_Dj5rNhmQ8XnKP5LriN45CNyb9KUMHgQ3KpwYI4QLUXBUA0GtkkZLB9/s1600/_NRF0724-S%20(2).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I did an interview with USA triathlon more than a year ago. It was part of a series of interviews with three different athletes called "Powerful Women of Triathlon". The series included authors and athletes Melisa Stockwell and Sue Reynolds. All three of us are also USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassadors.</p><p>I have met both of these women. Melissa is a para-athlete and founder of Dare 2 Tri, a Chicago-based group that works with physically challenged athletes. I have been to a few of their events and see Melissa at para-triathlon events. Melissa is a veteran who was injured in Iraq and is a Paralympian and World Champion.</p><p>Sue Reynolds wrote a book about her weight loss of over 200lbs and her journey to become an athlete. I've met Sue at age group nationals in Milwaukee and at Leon's Triathlon in Hammond Indiana. Sue has donated profits from her book to USA Triathlon Foundation to help para-athletes like me.</p><p>The airing of the interview was delayed due to the Olympics and then the interviewer moved on to another position. I did a search on YouTube a few days ago and found it. So that is why I am late getting it out to social media. I hope you will check it out. The link is:<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HppcmDb3TR8</p><p>or you can do a search using my name and USAT.</p><p>I am very grateful to USAT for all of the support they have given me as an athlete. They are the only sports body that offers a physically challenged category at every sanctioned race. They have given me the chance to compete at national championships as physically challenged athletes and they give me opportunities such as the interview and being part of their ambassador program.</p><p>I fundraise for them as a way of giving back. My goal is $1000. To contribute go to:</p><p>https://usatriathlonfoundation.salsalabs.org/2022ambassadorteam/p/chriswodke2022usatfundraiser/index.html</p><p><br /></p><p>******************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUn_MS0UT3T3VKxBREO1D2e1BIF2fKwNPy-U8jWNnpmykQBPL-gINQxG8qdTb2mTYqIudYXOv0jzmtBrp9Y7gC-6ger0Cj9QQX3sXKWHVKX_4dn57o4jT54iKNnniV16K87pPKlCkiqkf4XJnFgCY9oNFD--C4UJkaPRwZ24u3bw_cF4MPcZDwvPe/s4608/COOLPIX%20L261523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUn_MS0UT3T3VKxBREO1D2e1BIF2fKwNPy-U8jWNnpmykQBPL-gINQxG8qdTb2mTYqIudYXOv0jzmtBrp9Y7gC-6ger0Cj9QQX3sXKWHVKX_4dn57o4jT54iKNnniV16K87pPKlCkiqkf4XJnFgCY9oNFD--C4UJkaPRwZ24u3bw_cF4MPcZDwvPe/s320/COOLPIX%20L261523.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters
working to raise awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250
athletes in 42 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England,
Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scot</span></p><p><br /></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-78064222673246724212022-10-17T10:14:00.000-07:002022-10-17T10:14:02.903-07:00Panther Prowl 5 K Run-When Life Gets in the Way<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrfLDDSwnsH8ocNT08ri6dtJfpdMnORmCwWDmYEFApsNiYG7JUYquNaKhEiV_ldAY3ixDgVFU9Rv2Z-J7vV0Up8meMM0oRgWqneO2Uoila0ga1geHVVnSqxHbXmI3lsQYfF-4qD4ywMBcYpw2bTSHZYV2k80mVsab4vWsrmDvJMsH_tV4ErVmskNd/s640/thumbnail_IMG_0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrfLDDSwnsH8ocNT08ri6dtJfpdMnORmCwWDmYEFApsNiYG7JUYquNaKhEiV_ldAY3ixDgVFU9Rv2Z-J7vV0Up8meMM0oRgWqneO2Uoila0ga1geHVVnSqxHbXmI3lsQYfF-4qD4ywMBcYpw2bTSHZYV2k80mVsab4vWsrmDvJMsH_tV4ErVmskNd/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0492.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p> "<i>In battle, we do not rise to our expectations, we fall to the level of our training</i>."- Archilochus Greek Poet</p><p>On October 8th, I raced here in Milwaukee at the UWM Alumni association 5K Panther Prowl run. </p><p>UWM is where I went for my undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering. When training for marathons I often train on campus and in the surrounding neighborhood. It is a beautiful campus and the surrounding area is filled with wonderful homes. I love running in the area. The race is a fundraiser for student scholarships. A course I liked and a good cause made me choose the race. Plus they were giving away a neck gaiter for all runners. Those come in very handy during ski season.</p><p>I have only done one 5K stand-alone race since COVID. I had gotten out of the habit. I like running races because they help improve my running times for triathlons. The races I pick are usually local so it does not require a big time commitment.</p><p>I could tell fall had arrived when I checked the outside temperature. It was 36F with an expected race temperature of around 40F. When a season changes it is always a challenge for me to get layering right for a race. I hate being cold so I usually err on the side of being overdressed. I had to dress warm enough to wait around outside for the race to start, yet not be too hot during the race.</p><p>I did a 10-minute warm-up run and my warm-up dynamic stretches. I follow the same race day routine every time. I took an energy gel 15 minutes before the start.</p><p>As I stood at the starting line, I chatted with the woman next to me about the Senior Olympics. I love the social aspects of running. I had removed my top layer jacket. That turned out to be a great decision.</p><p>My race plan was to treat the race as a tempo workout. For me, that means pushing my effort at about 70% the whole race. That means exerting myself but not to exhaustion.</p><p>I was not sure how well the race would go. I had spent the previous two weeks on a basement waterproofing project. The surface prep included lots of hand sanding. I also had to wash the area multiple times. The floors I did on my hands and knees. It was just hard physical work and I was pretty sore after days of really hard physical effort.</p><p>When the gun went off I put my race plan into place. When I tried to kick into gear, I just had little energy. I love the feeling on race day when I dig deep and have lots of energy. This race was not one of those days. I pushed it as much as I could and settled in to enjoy the race. There were lots of parents running with kids. It was so great to see them sharing that experience. Some of the kids were struggling, and some were complaining. I would give a word of encouragement if I passed or when they passed me.</p><p>My goal for the race was 34:00 since I was a bit race rusty. I ended up finishing in 33:03. Last year that would have been good enough for 3rd in my age group. I finished 5th. The woman in 3rd ran the race in 28:00. I have some work to do to catch that.</p><p>I had a great time and exceeded my modest goal. I am sure I will be out racing soon. I've signed up for the Winter Triathlon National Championship in January in Anchorage. I need to be ready for the run portion. Having a goal keeps me running! Looking forward to more racing very soon!</p><p><br /></p><p>*********************</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHexfBIhDGd4lXxwPI_Fye2IVCcRp2HeQc560Cia6TtZRqAwZxPD1T5aiLo6TZyvz4v2ZyMwEjK2h4KTtqfA1OTjtGRgaw-QngFCzd6aWvbOi2B3pKycM1G8n7Apti_JcbMIDAimnNW-ZdF-XQC1ddgwl2uSiRHMdqOH97sSzcyMIvc_1cvmOrb26k/s4000/008%20(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHexfBIhDGd4lXxwPI_Fye2IVCcRp2HeQc560Cia6TtZRqAwZxPD1T5aiLo6TZyvz4v2ZyMwEjK2h4KTtqfA1OTjtGRgaw-QngFCzd6aWvbOi2B3pKycM1G8n7Apti_JcbMIDAimnNW-ZdF-XQC1ddgwl2uSiRHMdqOH97sSzcyMIvc_1cvmOrb26k/s320/008%20(4).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise
awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250 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 website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-18634720581358544342022-09-12T05:49:00.001-07:002022-09-12T05:49:23.198-07:00Tri Faster Aquathlon-Last Call<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsi_PKZeEzFqgWYs3cm_0hR6gX3qbbQ3GNJt0D-0CHn2zoZv8M-y5jQ24z36-g18oaDcEEvdlKVM16NNF473pKwwBeRf8dz9T1pM3M-nMh-X19Y0d9F254X6FkBJzHtPEOr_-_1HLI9GkN3hEVFSLXqvVoRQfnLlH0UyAUZ3gi-IZwKwYBzSY2yDpy/s640/Tri%20Faster%20Aquathlon_0441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsi_PKZeEzFqgWYs3cm_0hR6gX3qbbQ3GNJt0D-0CHn2zoZv8M-y5jQ24z36-g18oaDcEEvdlKVM16NNF473pKwwBeRf8dz9T1pM3M-nMh-X19Y0d9F254X6FkBJzHtPEOr_-_1HLI9GkN3hEVFSLXqvVoRQfnLlH0UyAUZ3gi-IZwKwYBzSY2yDpy/s320/Tri%20Faster%20Aquathlon_0441.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>"You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might wish to have." Donald Rumsfeld, Former Secretary of Defense</p><p>I was really excited when I was looking for a sanctioned aquathlon to find one only 30 miles from home in Menomonee Falls. The race was put on by local training group Tri Faster with World Champion Age Group athlete Lauren Jansen McGuiness as the race director.</p><p>The race was the last one that I needed to qualify for the USA Triathlon Multi-sport athlete of the year award. To qualify I had to do two aqua bike, duathlons, and aquathlons. When this award was originally announced I thought there would be an award for each age group and one for physically challenged athletes. It was announced earlier this year there will be one male and one female award with a couple of honorable mentions. The award will be based on race times. I am not going to be competitive, but it has been fun to do the races. It has been an incentive for me to sign up for races. It made it fun to have something to shoot for, even if it is out of reach.</p><p>The race venue was Menomonee Park. There was a group that used to run an aquathlon series in the park, so I was really familiar with the swim course. The run for this race would be a bit different.</p><p>This was a small race. There was an open water swim competition and kids splash and dash in addition to the 1000 meter swim, 5 K run aquathlon. There were only about 50 adult athletes.</p><p>Because of the small size, it was a very laid-back race. The transition was laid out with cones. I met my friend Mary Joy Hubbs in transition. Mary Joy just moved up to the next age group which was good for me since she is a much better athlete than me.</p><p>The entry to the lake was marked with a couple of cones to avoid the worst rock ledges.</p><p>The swim would be two 500-meter loops. The water temperature was 68 F and I went with my lava pants because they worked so well for my last race. They are just warm enough yet easy to get off after the swim.</p><p>I lined up just behind the middle of the pack for the swim. It proved a good move since I was able to draft off another swimmer for most of the race. I have never done that in more than 10 years of racing.</p><p>I was so excited that I told the athlete when we got to transition and thanked her. I came out of the water with three other women. I was 2nd out of transition.</p><p>The run was partially on trails in the park and then onto a bike path. It was in the '80s so the shaded course was really welcome.</p><p>I felt good on the run. I saw the woman that beat me out of transition and decided to see if I could catch her. We said hellos after I passed. I decided to kick it up a notch since I felt good. I wanted to put enough distance between us so that she could not catch me.</p><p>We met after and I thanked her for pushing me. We had a nice conversation. It turns out she was in my age group. I placed 2nd at 1 hr 11 minutes.</p><p>When I do these races I always wish I was stronger and faster. But I have come to realize that I have to compete with the hand I have been dealt and be grateful for every race I complete, no matter the result.</p><p>It was a good close to my triathlon season. After a bit of a break, I will start training for the Nordic race season. I already have a nordic clinic planned for early December in Breckinridge Colorado.</p><p>************************</p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I04E1jjSdJnIf8OA5Rc8M2L2_yE3GILHf5bDu4vdLdy6X6pLRfhSzaWjLkW00JvKkEbrgyLGYz25SM8E2514DJacCECypcUUmg3391I2eVeSHFaJO4QRoick5xG3FdHACxypgsXnPhFEuPXiNVDt-0zXyZ7bwprZNsSct5B-hjdkypMu7eQqW81e/s5184/Boston%20Duck%20Run%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I04E1jjSdJnIf8OA5Rc8M2L2_yE3GILHf5bDu4vdLdy6X6pLRfhSzaWjLkW00JvKkEbrgyLGYz25SM8E2514DJacCECypcUUmg3391I2eVeSHFaJO4QRoick5xG3FdHACxypgsXnPhFEuPXiNVDt-0zXyZ7bwprZNsSct5B-hjdkypMu7eQqW81e/s320/Boston%20Duck%20Run%202.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chris Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Founder & Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<br />
<br />
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<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64 age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 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 2<sup>nd</sup> in
her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on
Team USA for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and
a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You may visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise
awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 250 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 website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes
are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have
chronically cold hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing
difficulties, and hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">Keywords: Running, Running and CMT,
triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon,
challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary
Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33; font-size: 13.5pt;">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, #kneedeepinwo</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-46766893902108085512022-08-06T07:04:00.000-07:002022-08-06T07:04:17.430-07:00Ugly Dog Gravel Aqua Bike-Tri to Get Dirty<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK1HkKP774cTz2qOl1_YXafxektQDyviQ_MtFqTlL42ormRMRRnp2e1RgmFWYAfaRpfjCQjtmS8WPGYRqgi8mA288Wb4IJFjDnzltO_CoRrT9dx1aUjPiy9R5ju-jJ-Z3tGuzMHhNuNlc8BVwGAHl6TdJPP7E02QQa3iykESRxbDP4Dzj-AfinRhE/s640/thumbnail_IMG_0429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK1HkKP774cTz2qOl1_YXafxektQDyviQ_MtFqTlL42ormRMRRnp2e1RgmFWYAfaRpfjCQjtmS8WPGYRqgi8mA288Wb4IJFjDnzltO_CoRrT9dx1aUjPiy9R5ju-jJ-Z3tGuzMHhNuNlc8BVwGAHl6TdJPP7E02QQa3iykESRxbDP4Dzj-AfinRhE/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0429.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> "<i>Nobody learns and grows by being average at something</i>." - Rohan Kamath<br /></p><p>As I get close to the end of my triathlon season I am finally getting caught up on race blogs. On July 23, I traveled to Grass Lake, Michigan to race at the Ugly Dog Gravel Triathlon.</p><p>I always have a reason why I decide to do a race. Gravel races are a new addition this year to the USA Triathlon (USAT) calendar. There was a national championship in Arkansas in June and a series of eight races in Michigan, Idaho, Colorado, California, New Jersey, and Texas. </p><p>Gravel races use gravel roads for the bike and trails for the run. Although gravel racing is new for USAT, gravel races and triathlons have been held for years. Ugly Dog was no exception.</p><p>This event would have Olympic and Sprint distances in Duathlon, Triathlon, and Aquabike. I had chosen the Sprint Aquabike and Team CMT member Cheryl Kearny would be doing the Olympic triathlon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X68IbIDRjAGjkVY9rY4IsQ54tC72I4vCpUYDJkPACJ45eALLtUtWlSlfA3FvhwsX9nSTNvYVg0rC_sBEfKXmdN5BGhwRnyvwhfvd2Cdz68puPklzlsPjJgwK7xNtuWAyoTzmmm7K9fYwHQv76qllKcAhfsLWgHxsFdw94Lpw4Zjp27G8aZYRk526/s1280/thumbnail_image3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X68IbIDRjAGjkVY9rY4IsQ54tC72I4vCpUYDJkPACJ45eALLtUtWlSlfA3FvhwsX9nSTNvYVg0rC_sBEfKXmdN5BGhwRnyvwhfvd2Cdz68puPklzlsPjJgwK7xNtuWAyoTzmmm7K9fYwHQv76qllKcAhfsLWgHxsFdw94Lpw4Zjp27G8aZYRk526/s320/thumbnail_image3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>My race would be a 750-meter swim and a 12-mile bike segment on gravel roads. Cheryl would have a 1500-meter swim, a 28-mile bike segment, and a 10K trail run. Both of our races as age group athletes.</p><p>For my race, awards would only be given to the top three overall women. This was a small race and I think there were only three of us racing in the division. This race again checks a box toward qualifying for the Multi-Sport Athlete of the year competition. This would be my second aquabike, leaving just one aquathlon race to complete.</p><p>I wanted to do this race because I like seeing new places and new races. A trip to the beautiful state o Michigan is always a good time. Cheryl's brother has a lake home right across the lake from the race venue. The family was nice enough to extend an invitation. So I got to spend a long weekend relaxing on a lake before and after the race.</p><p>I also hope to go to the gravel national championship next year. I did not want to show up with no race experience. I have given up on doing off-road triathlons after dislocating my elbow at my only off-road triathlon. Racing a gravel race would also give me a chance to use my very nice mountain bike. That bike has been collecting dust in my basement. This would be a chance to use that bike. Many racers had specialized gravel bikes. I have vowed not to buy another bike since I have six. Mountain bikes are not as fast but are also widely used.</p><p>We had rain the morning of the race and the forecast did not look good. Additional thunderstorms were predicted. Lucky for us the storms went north and south of us. It was overcast the entire race. With a temperature of 84 F, the overcast kept it feeling cooler.</p><p>Swim</p><p>I did not know the water temperature until I got to the race venue. It was a very balmy 78 F. It was still wetsuit legal. I thought a full wetsuit would be too warm so I went with my lave pants. They are pants made of neoprene that go to my knees. I had never warned them in a race before. You are not supposed to do anything new on race day. I hoped this decision would be a good one.</p><p>The water was really clear and the bath water warm when I did the pre-race warm-up. Sometimes these lakes are really weedy, but the course seemed to be weed free.</p><p>The swim went really well for me. It seemed shorter than 750 meters. I am glad I did not wear a wet suit. The lava pants were a perfect choice. They added a bit of buoyancy to my legs without making me too warm.</p><p>Bike</p><p>I was concerned about the rain it might be muddy or that the gravel would be really loose. I was worried about falls. The course map also showed lots of hills. Since I had never done a gravel race I did not know what to expect. The mountain bike was a great choice. What I gave up in speed I gained in stability. The bike road over any changes in terrain easily. There were rolling hills, but nothing too big. It kept things interesting. The only problem was the course could have been better marked. I took two wrong turns. I talked to several other athletes that took wrong turns as well. The woman that finished after me on the aqua bike took the same wrong turns. At one point I got to a T in the trail and there was no sign. I went right which was of course the wrong way. I ended up doing twice the distance on that leg.</p><p> I ended up doing extra mileage. Most of the time I was all alone out on the road. I had no idea if I was on course or if I was getting endlessly lost on the network or gravel roads in the park where the race was held. There was even a time I saw a sign for mileage on the Olympic course. I was not sure I was even on the right course. Then I saw the turnaround for my course.</p><p>Despite the wrong turns, I finished 2nd overall in the Sprint Aquabike. The first place woman was 15 minutes ahead of me. The wrong turns had cost me at least 10 minutes. I hope the course is better marked next year. I finished in 1 hr 25 minutes. It was so much fun.</p><p>The post-race food was catered by a local barbeque restaurant. It was the best post-race meal I have ever had. I chatted up with some of the other athletes while I waited for Cheryl to finish. I saw at least two men with major road rash from falls. Cheryl ended up taking first place in the 60-64 age group.</p><p>The swag included a nice coaster from USAT since it was part of their new gravel series and a bottle of vodka in an etched bottle from the sponsoring Ugly Dog Distillery.</p><p>I would come back to the race. It was really well run with a beautiful course. I am even thinking of doing a September gravel race in Northern Michigan. I also gained some much-needed confidence in riding on gravel. Now I just have to work on my trail running.</p><p><br /></p><p>***********************</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEUR1pz3I-jbMZ_icBax2DlXmGkwwlLPKBAlCMQpUAgVTpCuBVSVfcO5Gztj-Sd1ViyuO4dzmCVtjbeYbSAv0BxTtbOQ_Vsf-DcsVDtMe0_OCaT2hR_rrITdtnQoJsy8rK6kB41ewJh7b_9FwtscjXeYUZYZa2vo56xR98Tz4qjaWdWseIJQkAvsy/s800/2R4A9987-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEUR1pz3I-jbMZ_icBax2DlXmGkwwlLPKBAlCMQpUAgVTpCuBVSVfcO5Gztj-Sd1ViyuO4dzmCVtjbeYbSAv0BxTtbOQ_Vsf-DcsVDtMe0_OCaT2hR_rrITdtnQoJsy8rK6kB41ewJh7b_9FwtscjXeYUZYZa2vo56xR98Tz4qjaWdWseIJQkAvsy/s320/2R4A9987-L.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Chris
Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Founder
& Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Chris is
a triathlete Nordic skier and long-distance runner. She is a three-time participant in the Boston Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
2012 she finished 2nd at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city></st1:place>
in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs
exploded. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">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. <br />
<br />
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 <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region> at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in <st1:city w:st="on">Chicago</st1:city> in 2015i, <st1:place w:st="on">Cozumel</st1:place>
in 2016, and Denmark in 2018. In 2018 finishing 5<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64
age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2014 she represented the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> as a Para triathlete at the Pan-American
Triathlon Championship in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dallas</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has won state championships in cycling
and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2<sup>nd</sup> in her
age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">In 2020
she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon
Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">She
travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">You may
visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Team CMT
is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and find a
cure for CMT. </span>We currently have 248 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!<span style="color: black;"> If you wish to join us visit our website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Structural
foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Poor
tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold
hands and feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Additional
symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties, and hearing
loss. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33;">Keywords: Running, Running and
CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para
triathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT.
Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #66ff33;">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,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA, #kneedeepinwo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616038526182048050.post-53376169652717797342022-07-28T05:51:00.001-07:002022-07-28T05:51:42.608-07:00Pleasant Prairie Duathlon-Checking a Box<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXz-xTNlloNzXC5QNfJ05XGh-hcYsykD4PGVJgSM8uLL7HNzgSbR7CD0COCEroA-Sivfl3J_ec8I4EhsYD3hpObOjxT7TRHeDHTTpCvG566QNHk3q64lvEN7ruxzR8u0Psh-PoizLHmuQKSfoN5f6DjPrS0bahoktLDjNEaajwWCPrKEU2o8g6HDp/s640/Pleasant%20Prairie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXz-xTNlloNzXC5QNfJ05XGh-hcYsykD4PGVJgSM8uLL7HNzgSbR7CD0COCEroA-Sivfl3J_ec8I4EhsYD3hpObOjxT7TRHeDHTTpCvG566QNHk3q64lvEN7ruxzR8u0Psh-PoizLHmuQKSfoN5f6DjPrS0bahoktLDjNEaajwWCPrKEU2o8g6HDp/s320/Pleasant%20Prairie.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>"There are no victories except the joy you are living now while dancing your run. You are not running for some future reward. The reward is now."- Fred Rohe, author of The Zen of Running</p><p>On Sunday, June 26th I competed in the Pleasant Prairie Duathlon. This race was a 2.3-mile run, a 20K bike, and a 5K run. The race in Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin is also on the para-tri race series and has both a sprint and Olympic distance triathlon.</p><p>I always have a reason for any race. This one checked a box to qualify for USA Triathlon's Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year. To qualify I need two races in the aqua bike, duathlon, and aquathlon. This would be my second duathlon. I competed in the first one at the Multi-Sport festival in Irving Texas. At that, I qualified for the World Championship for Spain in 2023.</p><p>So my goals for the race were modest. I just needed to finish checking the box. The race started well with a decent night of sleep. That means about four hours of light sleep.</p><p>The one thing I don't like about this race is the 5 am open time for transition. It closed at 6 am with a 7 am race start. The race start was pushed back for over an hour. It had rained very lightly on packet pick-up day. Everyone seemed to show up on race day to pick up their packets and the lines were very long. So I and my fellow racers stood around at the start line for over an hour.</p><p>This race was a 2.3-mile run, 20 K bike, and 5K run. The runs are flat loops around Lake Andrea which serves as the swim course for the other races. The bike has some rolling hills. My race plan for the day was to treat the race like a workout. That means pushing a little bit. Not an A race at all.</p><p><b>Runs</b></p><p>Everything went well, although I feel slow these days. My run times have dropped quite a bit. That slow pace made the difference between my second place finish. I am now putting greater focus on my running. The day was warm, but not enough to affect my performance.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Bike</b></p><p>I used my triathlon bike. I was able to stay on the aero bars the entire race. That is a nice change from a few years ago. My average pace of 16.1 miles per hour was the best in my age group. I really have not ridden much this year. My bike rides have been easy in the neighborhood. I have been putting my focus on home projects and my online businesses.</p><p>I was able to finish with a time of 1:47:18 and did not make any major mistakes. I was 12 minutes behind the first place finisher in my age group. The difference was all due to my slow run. I am really going to put some focus on that.</p><p>I found out later that a male swimmer age 51 died in the swim. That is so sad when that happens. We all have to remember it is ok to drop out of a race. Sometimes we celebrate someone struggling to finish a race. We should celebrate if someone makes a wise decision that they need to drop out. There is no shame in that, it has happened to me twice in swims. I hope the community starts to change in that regard.</p><p>Well, I achieved my race plan. I try to take it a bit easier every other year. This has been a lighter year in terms of workouts and race distances. I like it and it has felt good physically. It may be a plan I continue going forward.</p><p><br /></p><p>**************************</p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeAU45XzZKdKxUK4AyZn1hyOfKRBDDS2YkmvIM3t6tq7In98BooiszshwMq6eRZDxhOsC7HyZcxEjm8NmfB_U2Z1Oj7LiRArNMMoln6EvJ1_-yyzCCgjaurG_FmMTOAtfZYCPJnFUemevM8wTC0DCa7M-RrRVmT4pwYNOJ3cLmo2ZcDc3VblamxeA/s960/PATCO%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeAU45XzZKdKxUK4AyZn1hyOfKRBDDS2YkmvIM3t6tq7In98BooiszshwMq6eRZDxhOsC7HyZcxEjm8NmfB_U2Z1Oj7LiRArNMMoln6EvJ1_-yyzCCgjaurG_FmMTOAtfZYCPJnFUemevM8wTC0DCa7M-RrRVmT4pwYNOJ3cLmo2ZcDc3VblamxeA/s320/PATCO%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Chris
Wodke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Founder
& Manager Team CMT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">www.run4cmt.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Chris is
a triathlete Nordic skier and long-distance runner. She is a three-time participant in the Boston Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
2012 she finished 2nd at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city></st1:place>
in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs
exploded. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">She has
appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint
Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open
Division Champion. <br />
<br />
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 <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region> at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in <st1:city w:st="on">Chicago</st1:city> in 2015i, <st1:place w:st="on">Cozumel</st1:place>
in 2016, and Denmark in 2018. In 2018 finishing 5<sup>th</sup> in the 60 to 64
age group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2014 she represented the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American
Triathlon Championship in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dallas</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has won state championships in cycling
and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2<sup>nd</sup> in her
age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for the World Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">In 2020
she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon
Foundation Ambassador.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">She
travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html">http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">You may
visit her author page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Team CMT
is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and find a
cure for CMT</span> currently has 247 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!<span style="color: black;"> If you wish to join us visit our website; <a href="http://www.run4cmt.com/">www.run4cmt.com</a> or <a href="http://www.hnf-cure.org/">www.hnf-cure.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Run4CMThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313510162686425015noreply@blogger.com0