Friday, September 28, 2012

CMTA - Supporting a great cause!


CMTA or the Charcot Marie Tooth Association sole focus is to is to support the search for a cure to CMT.  What is CMT?  CMT is a nerve disorder that impacts 1 in ever 2500 people (wow - that's a lot!).  This disorder is due to genetic problems with the nerve cells causing difficulty in transmitting signals to their muscles.   CMT is not fatal - but it can severly impact the lives of people who it effects.  Some people look fine while others need ankle or foot braces to walk or even require wheel chairs. 

Everyday when I wake up - I take it for granted that I will be able to swimbikerun.  But for those with CMT, there is an uncertainty about their future mobility and managing the fatigue which comes with the disease. 

Currently there is no cure for CMT - but with the help of CMTA, everyday a cure is closer. 

Below you will find several facts about CMT which are located on their website

  • CMT is also known as peroneal muscular atrophy (PMA), or hereditary motor sensory neuropathy (HMSN). It is one of the most commonly inherited neurological disorders.
  • CMT was discovered in 1886 by three physicians for whom it was named; Jean-Martin Charcot, Pierre Marie, and Howard Henry Tooth.
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  • CMT is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means if one parent has CMT there is a 50/50 chance of each child inheriting the disorder.
  • It is slowly progressive, causing deterioration of peripheral nerves, which control sensory information and muscle function of the foot/lower leg and hand/forearm.
  • Depending upon the severity and type of CMT, it may cause foot-drop walking gait, foot bone abnormalities, high arches and hammer toes, loss of muscle tissue, problems with balance, problems with hand function, occasional lower leg and forearm muscle cramping, loss of some normal reflexes, scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and sometimes, breathing difficulties.
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  • Patients may lose feeling in their hands and feet putting them at risk for blisters, burns, and sores.
  • CMT has no known cure, although physical therapy, occupational therapy and moderate physical activity are beneficial.
  • It does not affect life expectancy, but can, in rare instances, cause severe disability. CMT can be detected at any age. Typically, the first signs may include leg weakness, frequent tripping and falling.
  • It can vary greatly in severity, even within the same family.
  • The CMTA was formed in 1983. Its mission is to generate the resources to find a cure, to create awareness, and to improve the quality of life for those affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
  • The CMTA website is www.cmtausa.org.The CMTA provides patient support, public education, and promotion and funding of research.
  • Mr. Patrick A. Livney serves as its Chief Executive Officer.
  • The CMTA has launched an initiative, known as the Strategy to Accelerate Research™ (STAR). STAR is designed to lead to new treatments for CMT within three to five years.
  • STAR researchers are able to replicate the disorder in the laboratory and in doing so, can begin testing new treatments that will ultimately lead to clinical trials in people. In addition, the translational science used in the research could have major implications for the treatment of a host of related genetic disorders, including Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy and ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
  • There is a Medical Advisory Board in place, which consists of over fifty international research and medical professionals.



Wednesday, September 26, 2012

I was tagged! Running Questions!

I was tagged by the fantastic Kristen from Ocular Triathlete to answer some great running questions. 

On a side note - Kristen, one of my fellow REV3 teammates, was in my neck of the woods a few weeks ago for an IMFL training camp.  Thankfully she was able to take time out of their busy training schedule and we were able to hang out! 

She is going to do awesome in IMFL and I can't wait to cheer her on!  My cowbell is ready!

And Kristin, I'm sorry I brought you this fantastic daiquiri from one of our random stores you'll only find in Panama City Beach.  I hope it didn't hamper your run the next day!



Keeping it classy in PCB.


1. Best Run EVER: I'm going to have to say my last four of five 13+ mile runs.  I have a fantastic new coach who runs with me and we are KILLING the negative splits.  Hitting a 1:50 13.1 for a training day (with negative splits) after an epic (almost threw up and cried once) bike ride the day before - I could not be happier with how my running is going right now! 

2. Three Words that Describe my Running: use to be  'Just get it done' (i know, more then three) but now it's 'get that negative split!'


3. My Go-to Running Outfit: I love bright colors!  Typically I'm rocking a bright pair of Lululemon shorts and my new love, Pearl Izumi Bras


Super cute!




4. Quirky habits while running: I keep a rythem with my breathing and seriously zone out.  My coach and friends just chat away - but when it gets serious I just zone out and focus on my form.  Oh yeah, I'm the best snot rocket shot out there. 


5. Morning, midday, evening: In the summer - as early as possible.  It gets pretty damn hot here in Florida.  But in the winter - I'm always game for a PM run (also it allows me to sleep in!)



6. I won’t run outside when it’s: a hurricane.  Tried it once and it just does not work. 


7. Worst injury — how I got over it: Knock on wood I have not had any major or minor injuries.  BUT mentally I've had some burnouts when it comes to training.  When that happens - I step back and take a week or so off and do crossfit. And get a pedicure. Somehow it works for me! 


8. I felt most like a badass mother runner when: I puke at the end.  To me, that means I pushed my body as far and as hard as it can go.  (Gross, I know)  but it makes me feel like a total bad ass.


9. Next Race is: Rev3 South Carolina and then Rev3 Florida


10: Potential Running goal for 2013: Get under 2 hours on my run  in my 70.3 races and kill that negative split on all of my races! 

I'm going to tag Heidi and Katie to see if they can give us some running goodness!

Happy running everyone!