Fair Friday- Two Ingredient Bath Salts

Today's recipe is really easy and this can be made even if you don’t have any essential oils at home. More than likely you have these ingredients at home. If not you can get them from any drug or grocery store.

I've spent the last year fine tuning my nutrition. That has led to a concern with what I put on my body as well as in my body.  Most commercial beauty products are full of chemicals, dyes and artificial ingredients.  Those ingredients can be absorbed into the body.

Epsom salts contain magnesium. When used in a bath salt, your body absorbs the magnesium. This provides several health benefits:

• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces stress
• Improves mood
• Promotes sleep
• Can help with migraine pain
• Can reduce stroke risk
• Can help with PMS symptoms
• Help with muscle cramps
• Anti-inflamatory

You would need to use Epsom salts on a regular basis to see the benefits

Two Ingredient Vanilla Bath Salts

2 cups Epsom Salts
Vanilla  extract

Pour the Epsom salts into a mixing bowl.  Add a few drops of the vanilla extract and stir with a spoon. Store the salt mixture in a glass jar. If you have a vanilla bean, place it on top of the salt mixture.  Store in a cool dry place.

Place a 1/2 cup of the salts in a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes.

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship. She has qualified to represent Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015.  

 In 2014 she represented  the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 160 members in 32 states. We also have members in Australia, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland and Iran. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.

Additional Link

Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing

Product Review-Buddy Fruits vs. Honey Stinger

Energy supplements  are needed when doing any workout longer than an hour.  No athlete should think of doing a race that will take longer than an hour without some kind of nutritional support.

The question is always what to use?  I am always on the look out for new products that will work for me.  Going to the race expo can mean a great chance to try out some new products.

I’ve picked up buddy fruits a couple of times at races, first at the National Duathlon Championship in St. Paul and also at the Chicago Triathlon.

I also bought a Honey Stinger Fruit Smoothie Organic Energy gel.

I thought I would try each one out, one week in my indoor Comp trainer class. The class runs around 90 minutes, with some pretty intense intervals. It would be a great test to see if I got an energy kick from either product.

I’ve used GU energy gels for years. If fact I don’t think I could do a marathon without them. I even use on during a sprint triathlon.  I can feel the energy increase when I take them.  Some athletes have trouble digesting these, but I’ve used them without problems. But I always open to trying something new.

I used the blueberry & black current buddy fruit for my week one trial.  The packet is 4.2 ounces.  It is advertised on their web site as being gluten free, 100 % fruit and BPA free.  The company also makes two other products; Buddy Fruit & Veggies and Buddy Fruit Smoothies, a fruit and skim milk product. 

It is packaged in a plastic 4 ounce pouch with a screw top.  One of the things I like about GU is it has the consistency of pudding.  The buddy fruits tasted like fine apple sauce. It was ok, but nothing great.  I really did not see any energy benefit. In fact I bombed out during one of the intervals, so this product did nothing for performance.

This would be great as a snack or to put in a day pack for a hike. Reading the company web site, it looks like that is the intent of the product.  The product contains no added sugar. It is made from apples, bananas, blueberries, black currents and apple juice concentrate.  The company started as a way for two parents to make a healthy snack for their kids. Mission accomplished as a snack, not so much for an energy supplement for workouts and racing.

Next up was Honey Stinger gel.  The web site says it is a blend of organic tapioca syrup, organic honey, electrolytes and natural fruit flavors.  So how did it work as a workout supplement?

It was much better than the Buddy Fruits.  I got a nice energy boost that carried me through the 90 minute workout.  I tried the Fruit Smoothie flavor, but all I tasted was honey. So maybe I would get the same boost from honey.  Each 1 ounce pack has 100 calories and 24 grams of carbs. 

The honey stinger is a nice product and I would be open to using it again, if I wanted something honey flavor or if GU was not available.

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship. She has qualified to represent Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015.  

 In 2014 she represented  the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 160 members in 32 states. We also have members in Australia, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland and Iran. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.

Additional Link

Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing

Road to the World Championships- A New Attitude

Author at Aquathlon National Championship, El Reno Oklahoma 2014

“If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.”-Mary Engelbreit

I was struggling a few weeks ago with my workout motivation.  When I struggle with my training my coach always tells me to remember the why I'm doing triathlon. 

Well last year at this time I was getting ready to compete in a National Championship. I know it seems crazy, but I saw myself as having a shot for the paralympics in Rio in 2016. My race times were competitive.  It wasn't hard to be motivated to do every workout. Every session was all part of my preparation to compete.

Then I learned in Chicago at my ITU assessment the new standards had basically eliminated any chance of anyone with a neuro-muscular condition competing as an elite athlete in para-triathlon. This was one of the first races needed to accumulate points for selection to the US team for Rio. For the athletes accepted it was the beginning. My journey was over, just as theirs was starting.

I also once again did not medically qualify, which meant para competition for duathlon and aquathlon was also out. Every door at the elite level closed.  So after months and months of planing and workouts, I was on the outside looking in. 

On a personal level Chicago was tough too. Someone that started a rival team of CMT affected athletes raced in Chicago. The CMTA is headquartered there and as I left my classification appointment I saw the CMTA CEO in the lobby of the hotel.  It was tough to see those that have done their best to interfere with my work.  

So at least in my mind, I went from having big goals, to being an ordinary athlete.I can finish in about the middle of the pack in a triathlon with able bodied athletes. But that is not much of a reward for how hard I've worked.  I know I should be grateful I can compete at all when so many with CMT struggle to walk. They would never dream of being able to swim, bike and run.  So as I swam, biked and ran I constantly thought about what I'd lost.

Then I remembered I did qualify for the World Championship in Aquathlon as an age group athlete.  Although I will finish mid pack at best, I'll still be doing something most athletes will never get to do. I'll be a member of Team USA.  It won't be as an elite paratriathlete like I planned, but I'll still be there. I'll be at Worlds, just in a little different race. It gives me some satisfaction, because this in one race no one can keep me out of.

Then something happened which made even more of a difference.  The International Triathlon Union (ITU) announced there would be an age group race open to all athletes on the last day of the World Championships.  There would be a Physically Challenged Open division.  

So now I had my chance to compete as a challenged athlete. Now I had something to get excited. Finally a venue where I just might have a chance to be competitive. Now I had a reason to work hard.  I had a race to train for. All my hard work might just make a difference.  Plus once again I'll be representing Team CMT, raising awareness.

 My aquathlon race will be on Wednesday and racing again on Sunday is going to be a bit of a stretch, but I'll make it happen.

There has been some talk that the ITU will review the classification system again after Rio in 2016. So I have to keep showing up to make my case for the system to be more inclusive for those of us with CMT and other neuro muscular conditions.  It may not matter for me. If I can't see my goals come true for elite competition, maybe I can help make that happen for other CMT affected athletes.

My circumstances haven't changed and may not change any time soon, but I've found a new way to get motivated again. I've kept working hard the whole time, now I've got my motivation back as well.

I can't wait for September in Chicago.  

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship. She has qualified to represent Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015.  

 In 2014 she represented  the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 160 members in 32 states. We also have members in Australia, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland and Iran. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.

Additional Link

Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing

Soup Sunday- Chicken Po

Today's recipe comes from Vietnam. Although I've never been there, I've eaten at a number of really good Vietnamese restaurants in Milwaukee and Madison. This recipe is really quick to make. I did this one night this week after bike class.
So until I get a chance to visit Vietnam, I will have to be content with what I can make or get in Milwaukee.

Chicken Pho

 4 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon five spice powder

2 lemon grass stalks

1 tablespoon chopped minced ginger

3 small dried red Thai chili peppers

1 boneless skinless chicken breast

6 ounces wide rice noodles

3 cups bok choy chopped

1 cup fresh bean sprouts

Combine broth, sugar, five spice powder, lemon grass, ginger, chili pepper and chicken in a stock pot.  Cover and place on low heat. Simmer for 1 ½ hours or until the chicken breast is cooked. Remove the lemon grass stalks, chili peppers and chicken.  Shred the chicken with two forks and return to the stock pot.  Bring chicken stock mixture to a simmer. Add the bok choy, and  rice noodles.  Cook for about 5 minutes, until the noodles are done. Fold in bean sprouts.  Serve in bowls topped with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.

Serves 6

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship. She has qualified to represent Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015.  

 In 2014 she represented  the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 160 members in 32 states. We also have members in Australia, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland and Iran. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.

Additional Link

Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing

Super Food Saturday-Coconut Chocolate Cake

Maybe you gave up chocolate or desserts for Lent. So now you might be ready to treat yourself just a little bit.  This recipe might help you indulge your sweet tooth without sending your diet totally off the rails.  Sometimes I just have to have dessert. But when I do I try and make it at least a little bit healthy. This reciped is adapted from a recipe from King Arthur Flour Company. It is gluten free and I used raw sugar and added nuts.  Enjoy.

Chocolate Coconut Cake*

½ cup coconut flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
6 tablespoons butter

½ cup cocoa powder

¾ cup raw sugar

¾ cup chopped pecans

1 teaspoon chocolate extract

6 eggs

Preheat oven to 400F.  Butter a 9 inch cake pan.  Sift together the coconut flour and baking soda. Set aside.  In a saucepan melt the butter, then add the cocoa power and whisk to combine.

Mix together the sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Add to the cocoa mixture, and then add the flour mixture. Stir until well mixed. Fold in the nuts.  Pour into the prepared pan. Let rest 10 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes our until a cake tester inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes.  Turn onto a wire rack to finish cooling. Dust with powder sugar.

*Adapted from recipe by King Arthur Flour

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship. She has qualified to represent Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015.  

 In 2014 she represented  the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 160 members in 32 states. We also have members in Australia, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland and Iran. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.

Additional Link

Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing

Fair Friday- Holiday Bath Salts

Holiday Bath Salts

Today's recipe comes from the Bramble Berry web site.You can order everything you need on their site.

This recipe was originally done with a mint fragrance for Christmas. I changed it up and made this project for some Easter baskets.  To use you just sprinkle half a cup in a warm bath. The jar can also be left open in a room to add a nice scent.

2 cups Extra Small Pink Sea Salt
1 cup Epsom Salt
1/3 cup Baking Soda
1/3 cup Citric Acid
¼ teaspoon orange oil
¼ teaspoon coconut fragrance
8 oz. Glass Bail Jar

ONE: In a large bowl, add 2 cups of extra small pink sea salt. Add coconut fragrance oil and stir to thoroughly incorporate.

TWO: In a separate bowl, add 1 cup Epsom salt, 1/3 cup citric acid and 1/3 cup baking soda. Stir to combine, and use your hands to break up any clumps.

THREE: Add 1 orange oil and stir to thoroughly incorporate.

FOUR: Place a small amount of the white mixture into the glass bail jar. Using a squeeze bottle, press the mixture down to create a flat surface. If you don’t have a squeeze bottle, you can also use a small can or your fingers.

FIVE: Place an equal amount of the pink sea salt on top of the Epsom salt mixture, and use the squeeze bottle to flatten.

SIX: Repeat this process, alternating between the pink and white salts until the jar is completely full. Once you are ready to use, scoop out several tablespoons of bath salts into hot bath water and enjoy!

Bramble Berry also had this Caution:  Please Note: We’ve read of incidents of recipes containing salt and baking soda exploding and shattering the glass containers they were packed in. We aren’t sure of the cause and have only been able to find anecdotal evidence. However, we thought we should pass along a warning. To play it safe, it may be best to pack this recipe in a plastic bag.

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship. She has qualified to represent Team USA at the Aquathlon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015.  

 In 2014 she represented  the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 160 members in 32 states. We also have members in Australia, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland and Iran. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.

Additional Link

Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing

Chicken Soup for the Runner's Soul-Book Review

Book Review- Chicken Soup for the Soul

101 Inspirational Stories of Energy, Endurance, and Endorphins

Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Amy Newmark, Dean Karnazes

You know a book with Jack Canfield author of Chicken Soup for the Soul is going to be inspirational. Jack Canfield loves to tell inspirational stories in his work as an author and teacher.

Having ultra marathoner Dean Karnazes give it credibility as a runner’s book.

In the middle of winter, good running weather in the Midwest is just a distant memory.

Many of us do get outside to run, but it is not the same experience as a great run the other three seasons.

So if you can’t run the next best thing to a great run is being inspired by the ways that running changes the lives of those who discover its power.

Each chapter is only a few pages making it a great read right before sleep.  A chapter or two is the perfect way to end the day.

The stories are from everyday runners and aspiring Olympians. They include those fighting cancer.

Each chapter starts with an inspirational quote and the author tells their story.  The stories are grouped into the following common themes:

• Starting Out
• Running Therapy
• Camaraderie
• Comebacks
• Everyday Adventures
• Family Ties
• A Step at a Time
• Fortitude
• Interesting Places
• Moving on to Triathlons

                                                     

This book is an easy, breezy and fun read!

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship. She has qualified to represent Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015.  

 In 2014 she represented  the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a CMT affected athlete.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have 160 members in 32 states. We also have members in Australia, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland and Iran. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.

Additional Link

Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixon
http://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/

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