Cudahy Classic 5 Mile Run

Cudahy Classic 5 Mile Race, July 30, 2017

"Every successful person in life began by pursuing a passion usually against all odds." - Robert Kiosaki, author

I had a choice on Sunday. I could do a local triathlon about 40 minutes from home or do a 5 mile run race about 10 minutes from home.

Both were part of a series and points were on the line for both.  I decided to do the run. It would be in the same park and had part of the same course as the Bacon Run 5K I had done the Thursday before.

The run was sponsored by the local running club the Badgerland Striders. It is the oldest race in the State of Wisconsin. When I signed up for the race I thought I needed this race to cement my age group club championship.

One of the races has dropped off the schedule, so I probably could have skipped it, but I am glad I went. I had just an awesome day on the course.

There were two courses at this race, a 5 mile which I was doing and a 10 mile race which was two loops on the 5 mile course. I hate multi loop races. It is tough to have to pass the finish line and see others completing their race. I only needed to do 6 miles for my training, so the 5 mile it was.

I had to get up at 5 am just like a work day to be at the park in time to help set up for packet pick up. I've done this for three races this year and it has been really fun. Plus I get there early and get a great parking spot.

The race started at 7:30 am to hopefully miss some of the summer heat.  From looking at the times in my age group last year, I would need about a 53 minute time to place in the top three. I had done a 5 mile in that time early in the season. My plan was to use the race as an easy training run and try to hit 53 minutes.

I held back and ran easily the first few miles. I was passing people even with the easy pace. I passed a women that looked to be in my age group. Soon she passed me. I increased my speed a bit and passed her. In a few minutes she was passing me. We kept up with this back and forth for about 15 minutes. I  did not want to lose the race by a few seconds because she passed me late in the race. I sped up and worked to put some distance between us. I did not see her again.

The course was mostly on a bike path and grass in the park. Much of it was shaded from the early morning sun keeping things cool. I really enjoyed the scenery and I felt strong.  I ran a negative split and felt strong the entire time. I crossed the finish line in 51:07.

I did not have to wait for the awards ceremony to find out my placement. There was an electronic kiosk where I punched in my number.  I took 3rd in my age group. I had never placed in the top three in a club race before. These races usually draw the best runners.  After so many 4th place finishes it felt really good to break into the top three this week. I have been working hard on my running and it is paying off.  After the race there was a wonderful barbecue with a chance to socialize with local runners. It was just a great day all around. I did a one mile cool down to complete my training for the week and I was home by 10 am.  I got a medal, a great meal and two great tee shirts. Not a bad way to start the day and the week.

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

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

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

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2^nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

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 215 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. 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/

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/

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

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA

Run for Bacon 5K

" It is good to have an end to journey toward: but it is the journey that matters in the end." -Ernest Hemingway

This season  I really decided to energize my running. I had gotten into a kind kind of a rut and I thought my running times were slower than they should be.

One of the things I decided to do was to race much more.  When I do a 5K I treat it like a speed workout. I do two speed workouts and a long easy run each week.  I've found in the past that racing makes me a faster athlete.

Doing a race gives me some new scenery and people to run with which has really energized my running.

On July 27th I did the Bacon Run 5 K in Cudahy, Wisconsin.    The race was sponsored by local bacon maker, Patrick Cudahy.  The race started at his statute in Sheridan Park.

I like to get a parking space close to the start line, so I arrive early and do an hour bike warm-up.  There is a bike path that runs along the lake for miles and it was the perfect warm up site.

The race was on closed park roads and the same bike path where I did my warm up. The course was completely flat. My plan was to do surges of  4 minutes with a minute rest. I also planned not to linger in the water stops since the racer just faster than me at the last race beat me by two seconds.

It was about 82 F, just hot enough I needed to pour water on myself to keep cool. I could tell right from the start I was a little tired. I kept pushing until the last half mile. I had to cut the 4 minute surge to 2 minute and increase my rest time to 2 min. Before I knew it I was crossing the finish line.

As I crossed the finish line I was handed a package of bacon. I finished in 28:18,  just 10 seconds slower than the week before. I tied for 2nd place in my age group. If I had just kept pushing I would have had 2nd all to myself. My time would have been good enough last year for 1st in my age group.
Instead of medals, I got a coupon for a free pound of bacon.

This process of racing to get faster has been so much fun. I have taken 2 minutes off of my 5 K time and I am having a blast.

Next week I will be doing my last Beer Garden run of the series and my first trail run. It has been a great journey this season.

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

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

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

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2^nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

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 215 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. 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/

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/

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

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA

Salad Sunday, Summer Nectarine Salad

Today's salad is modified from one I found this summer in Sunset magazine. We had a pot luck barbecue at work. This seemed the perfect pairing for the brats and burgers that were on the menu.
I use heirloom tomatoes because they are really flavorful and have a variety of colors of red and yellow that make a nice edition to the mix.

I ate the left overs with grilled chicken for dinner a few days later. So you can make this as a side dish or add a little chicken or shrimp to make it into a main dish meal.

One large tub Spring green mix (5 ounces)
8 ounces of baby mozzarella pearls
1/2 large seedless cucumber
1/2 yellow zucchini
2 nectarines, chopped into bite size pieces
1/2 container grape tomatoes ( 8 ounces), sliced in half.
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 bottle purchased orange poppy seed dressing.

Wash the lettuce and sort through for any wilted pieces.  Add the first six ingredients to a large salad bowl.  Add the dressing and toss well. Chill for one hour. Sprinkle with the almonds and serve.

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

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

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

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2^nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

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 215 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. 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/

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/

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

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA

Fair Friday- DIY Lipstick

DIY Lipstick

Have you ever looked at the ingredient list of your blush, lipstick or other make-up?  Every product seems to have a rather long list of chemicals. When I started on my journey to eat more healthy, I also started to change what I used on my body.

This recipe for lipstick is basically a lip balm. Try it and see how easy it is to make.

2 teaspoons sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon beeswax beads
1 teaspoon coco butter
1/4 teaspoon beet powder (can also use cinnamon or turmeric)
pinch of white mica powder
3 drops of lavender essential oil
3 drops of rose hip oil

Put the coco butter and beeswax into a glass jar. Melt over a water bath.  Remove from the heat and put in the beet powder and mica powder.  Pour into a lip balm container.

DIY Lipstick

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

Chris Wodke
Founder & Manager Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com
 Chris is a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.
 She has appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open Division Champion.
In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.
  In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2^nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.
 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 210 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway and Sweden. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.
 Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.
 Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.
 Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.
 Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.
 Additional Link
Follow CMT affected Paratriathlete Timmy Dixonhttp://cmtamputee.wordpress.com/ Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/  Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, paratriathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA 

State Time Trial Championship Part 1

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seed you plant." - Robert Louis Stevenson

The Wisconsin Cycling Association Wisconsin State time trial championship was held in Cottage Grove on July 22nd. The race was 13.6 miles. I like time trials because they are easy for someone like me with limited cycle racing experience.

Each athlete lines up according to their race number and they start one at a time every 30 seconds.
These races are small, but they draw really serious contenders.  I saw aero helmets, skin suits, time trial bike worth thousand and even covers on shoes to cut wind resistance.  There were four women in my age group. I knew I would not place, but I was racing for the experience.  My cycling leg of my triathlons really needs work. One way to get faster is to race.''

The woman lined up just ahead of me looked fast. When I told her she was not in my age group, she told me she was in the 65 to 69 age group and had qualified for a World Championship in Europe.

The race started at 9:00 and I started at 9:02 making me one of the first racers on the course. I started off and was surprised not to see any racers passing me.  That is pretty typical in a time trial.  I kept biking getting more and more worried. I got to a right turn and a giant hill. There was no course sentry at the turn or markings on the road. So I figured out I must have missed a turn. I hoped to retrace the route and get back on course.  I saw racers and went in the opposite direction where I hoped to get back on course. Well after much riding around, I was crossing the finish. I asked to be disqualified because I am sure I did not do the complete course.

I found out from one of the guys ahead of me that the course sentries were not there for the first riders. I should have taken a left jog right after the first right turn.

Well the first race was a disaster, but there was a second race being run the same day. American bike racing was holding a race on the same course right after the first race finished. It was not a championship race, but I had signed up for the practice.

So in about 20 minutes I was lined up again. I heard one of the guys talking about last year's second race. He said someone had pulled up all the direction signs and he got lost during the second race and that a number of other racers did as well. That made me feel a little better.

I was off again and this time I did not miss the turn. I had left my time trial bike at home, thinking a road bike would be better for the hilly course. It was hilly with several 90 degree turns. I think it was a good choice for me, since I am not as skilled yet as I should be to do this kind of race on a TT bike.

The race was pretty un-eventful This time I saw other racers passing me. It is hard for me to believe how fast some of them are. There were times I was doing 23 mph and was passed like I was standing still. I passed one or two other racers.

I ended up finishing 2nd out of two in my age group. I had a time of 52:19 for any average speed of 15.6 mph. That is not a great time, which is why I need the practice.

I have several time trials coming up. I planted some seeds of experience which I hope will pay off. Plus when I race, it motivates me to work harder to get better.   My next time trial will be the Wisconsin State Championship for American Bike Racing. I am the two time State of Wisconsin champion in my age group.

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

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

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

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2^nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

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 215 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. 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/

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/

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

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA

Cream Puff 5K Race

"You life is your story. Write well, Edit often." - Susan Statham, author

The Wisconsin State Fair is held every year in the beginning of August. One of the chief attractions is the food. One of the favorite foods of fair goers is the cream puff. They are made every year by the Wisconsin Bakers Association. They sell hundreds of thousands of them.

I always have a cream puff when I go to the fair. My mom used to make them as well. They aren't health food, but so good.

So when I found out a cream puff was the post race food for this 5K race I knew I had to sign up.
The course was on the State Fair grounds, meaning it would be mostly flat.

The course included a turn on the Milwaukee Mile, the race track located on the grounds.

The race start was delayed by 15 minutes because so many people were registering.  I would say there were over 1000 racers.

I lined myself up in the middle of the pack.  There was an incline right at the start. Other than that the course was flat.  The grounds are a bit rough with gravel and pot holes. I had to be really careful to be sure I did not turn an ankle.

It was warm but there was three water stops. I had a bit of a delay when I choked on some water. I had to stop and walk for a bit.  I did repeats to keep up my speed. I would run fast for 3 minutes and then take two minutes rest.

I had a great time of 28:48.  Good enough for a top ten finish.

The best part after the post race cream puff, was one woman racer I met after the race. She asked to take my picture.  I was in my Team CMT uniform. CMT runs in her family. I asked her to join the team and she said she would.  When I meet someone like that, it makes all the training worth while.

My next 5K race is going to be a bacon run, with bacon before, during and after the race. I love running for food.

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

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

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

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2^nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

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 213 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway and Sweden. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Link

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

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/

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.

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Working on My Game

"Allow yourself to be a beginner, no one starts off excellent." -  Wendy Flynn

I got my start in athletic competition as a rower. One of the things I loved about rowing, is that it was so dependent on technique. It was something as an athlete you work on constantly.

Triathlon is the same way. Because we juggle three sports (swimming, bike, running) there is always some skill that needs improvement.

Because I am also a winter triathlete, I can add nordic skiing and fat tire biking to my list of skills to work on.

When I had a coach she thought I should work on my bike handling skills.  One of the ways of doing that is getting involved in mountain biking and cycle cross.  I've wanted to try one of these races since I added a racing mt bike to my stable of bikes.

So I jumped at the chance when Wisconsin Women's Cycling offered a mt bike and cycle cross clinic.

The mt bike clinic was conduct by local cycling coach Sydney Shimko. I took a racing clinic with Sydney last year.  Like that clinic we learned how to corner and turn our bikes on a tight course. Sydney is so encouraging and is such a great example of excellent bike skills.

I had a problem with my breaks and had to miss part of the clinic.  Cindy Petitt, founder of Wisconsin Women's Cycling, let me use her fat tire bike to finish up the clinic. I must have learned something because I did fine on the trail ride the group did to finish the clinic. It was really a nice and supportive bunch of women that took the class.

The cycle cross clinic taught by multiple national champion Katie Compton was a little more intense.
I did not really know what I was getting into when I signed up for the clinic.   I did not know who Katie was. I just know I needed a clinic to get the nerve to try a race.

When I got to the clinic one of the women was racing around on her bike on the grass. She had a flame tattoo on her leg and when she introduced herself said her goal was to be national champion.

I was the only one in the class that had not done a race and the only one on a mt bike. Many racers start on a mt bike until they decide if they want to continue racing.

Katie went through how to do turns on a grass course and down hill. It is all about weight and braking. Katie was great at giving feedback in a really positive way.  We also practiced mounts, dismounts barriers and starts.

The clinic had about 25 women.  Sometimes it got a little crowed on the course as we were practicing skills. Sometimes athletes forget they are in a clinic and not a race. One clinic member passed me on the right in a tight turn and never told me she was passing.   Passing on the right is absolutely forbidden in triathlon.   I must have looked annoyed because she said, oh that's right you are a triathlete.  Meaning I was not in on the information that in cycle cross passing must be allowed on the right. Not sure why she felt the need to pass me in a tight turn. I was keeping up with everyone even on my mt bike.  

The clinic was fun and I learned quite a bit. Because I am going to be doing the national championship 1/2 iron distance for triathlon in Miami, my cycle cross and mt bike racing may have to wait. I learned some really great skills that have already helped my biking.

I am confident enough now to take my mt bike out on the trails. I have done that a couple of times now to vary the training.   I don't think I will race this season because I don't want to risk getting hurt. I have a national championship to defend. I achieved my main goal of working on my bike skills. I am for sure a work in progress!

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

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

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

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

In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship and at the Aqua bike National Championship in 2016. She represented Team USA at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago in 2015 and at the World championship in Cozumel in 2016.  

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  She has won state championships in cycling and triathlon as a senior Olympian. In 2017 she placed 2^nd in her age group at the Winter Triathlon National Championship, earning a spot on Team USA for the World Champsionship.

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 213 members in 38 states. We also have members in Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Scotland, France, Poland, Iran, Norway and Sweden. If you wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Link

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

Follow CMT Author Chris Steinke
https://cmtandmesite.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/what-is-charcot-marie-tooth-disease/

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

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete and CMT.Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA