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I took the first steps in May 2003.  I had decided to do a walking half marathon, but my foot was really sore by the time I crossed the finish line.  I had my first appointment with an orthopaedic specialist, and by May 2004 I had a diagnosis: Charcot Marie Tooth disease.  CMT, the most common neuromuscular disorder, impacts 1 in 2500 people.  And I am one of that statistical group.

For those of us with CMT, our peripheral nerves do not function correctly – our nerve signals do not transmit properly, our muscles are not stimulated, and the result is muscle atrophy and a loss of sensory and motor function. 

It’s scary to be told that you have a progressive, degenerative condition.  Especially one whose path and manner of development is unknown.

At first I just ignored that I had anything wrong with me.  I enjoyed being active and feeling healthy so I set some new goals for myself.  I walked a marathon in 2004.  I took up yoga.  I began to piece together a healthy lifestyle, including my first meeting with a nutritionist.

But then… Well, you know how it goes.  I got busy.  I stopped exercising.  And slowly, my health started deteriorating.

I may have been ignoring my CMT, but I couldn’t ignore how I felt – which was pretty bad.  With low energy levels I thought that if I increased my activity levels to what they used to be, it would help me to feel better.  So in 2007 I did my first triathlon.  And by 2009 I finally accepted that in order to live life fully, I would need to figure out how to live with CMT.  With my acceptance of my CMT came a new approach to my life – I committed to the triathlon lifestyle, and with it the aim of finding balance between work, sport, and my health.

I’ve learned a lot in the past three years – one of my biggest lessons is that with the right attitude, nutrition, and activity levels I have found a way to manage the impact of CMT on my life. Another? To take joy from movement – no matter what speed you move at!

Keep Moving to Keep On Moving

Since 2007 I have completed 10 triathlons, and a few single sport endurance events including cycling century rides (100 mile and 100 kilometre distances) and the Great Chesapeake Bay 4.4 mile swim. In 2009 I started running again – for the first time in almost 30 years, doing something many doctors had told me would be impossible.  Through sport I have tested, learned, redefined and beaten my limitations – in ways I had never dreamed possible.

In 2012 I will be participating for the first time in the US National Paratriathlon Championships.  It is a great honour to be able to take part in such a high profile event specifically geared for challenged athletes.

In addition to paratriathlon nationals I also hope to achieve my 2011 goal left unmet thanks to Hurricane Irene – the completion of two olympic distance triathlons in one year, with races scheduled in Paris and in London.  I will be checking out a longer multi-sport distance at the middle distance aquabike race at Rev3 Maine.  And I will be volunteering at the London 2012 Olympics – at the triathlon, of course!

All of this is possible thanks to the endless support from my family; friends; sponsors 2XU and Motion Junkies; supporter Punk Rock Racing; coaches Kinetic Revolution, TriforFitness, and Red Top Swim; sports therapist The Magic Hands; and my doctors and physiotherapist at the Institute of Neurology in the UK. 

Always reach for the summit!

This Site

On Beating Limitations, you can follow my training, learn about my approach to managing my health and wellbeing while living with a neuromuscular disorder like CMT, and you can support the CMT Association and their efforts to find a cure for CMT.  I don’t only post about fitness - you will find me writing about things that interest me - from life in London to recipes from my kitchen.  I aim to keep it real, and welcome you to read, comment and join me in my journey to redefine - and beat - my limitations.