We are just days from our Zooma Half Marathon, so excited! This one is in Bastrop, which is just southwest of Austin at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort. I have to admit when we first signed up I had a lot of anxiety, but since then we have had a few long runs including some personal records: 10, 12, 14 and 16 miles! I haven't updated the blog in awhile because we have been busy trying to do our fundraising and make all the practices. We run 4 days a week and cross-train on 2.
We have had a few injuries which we are well on our way to recover from. I had dislocated a bone in my foot which made me think I had plantar fasciitis and couldn't walk for two days. Thankfully after some body work and a chiropractic adjustment by my Chiropractor extraordinaire, I am back to normal! Having a great chiropractor is very important if you're going to train for a marathon in this short of amount of time. After this past Saturday, Calvin is having some IT Band problems - we had to cut our 10 mile run short because of the pain. Ouch! Tonight he had a Tui Na session with the bodyworker there at Dr Osborne's and is feeling alot better and very hopeful for running Saturday. Lastly I have a bit of shin splints and have my leg taped up. It seems to help.
I have found that maltodextrin causes me to be very ill when running.... and they put it in lots of sports nutrition products, like GU energy gel and sport drinks. Its been a challenge to find something to eat while running distances.
Fundraising update:
We have raised 26% of our goal! We are very excited to be participating in Team in Training and hope that you'll support us by making a donation to our campaign.
We have moved the date of our Casino Night fundraiser to May 14th, so there is still time to pre-register and join us! We are having everything professionally done including catering, the dealers, etc.. It will be big fun!
Thanks to all our friends, family and blog readers! I'll be sure to update the blog after Zooma and take some pictures!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
New Personal Records, trots and more
Now that we are all over the flu, sinus infections and RSV its back to running. Calvin missed 3 weeks and I missed nearly 2. It was tough getting started back on track, but we made it. On Sunday we ran 12 miles at the Brushy Creek trail. This trail is really awesome... not only are there some historical monuments, beautiful creek frontage, but there is also snake habitat that you get to run next to! Very cool place. So if you haven't been down the whole thing, I would suggest that you make a day of it. There are water fountains and restrooms about every 2-3 miles. The trail is 6.75 miles from the north side of Great Oaks, all the way to 183. We ended up parking at the duck pond there at Great Oaks and ran all the way to the Twin Lakes YMCA. It was very hard I have to admit. We had missed the 10 mile run the weekend before.
I definitely learned some lessons about preparing with nutrition. We had eaten breakfast before church, but didn't run until 2:30, so we had stopped and bought some GU energy gel and some Clif Shot Bloks. We had the Shot Bloks first around mile 4 or so and they were great. I felt pretty good until we got to around mile 7. I needed some more calories so I took some GU energy gel. It really tore up my stomach and I was hurting pretty badly with the "trots". This is the second time that's happened after taking GU, so I'll GU no more from now on. I was sick for hours afterward, but did manage to finish the run in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Calvin on the other hand "hit the wall" probably because he was completely out of calories. I burned 1800 calories according to my body bugg, and he wasn't wearing his. Usually he burns about 1.5 times as many calories as I do when we run, so he was way over the 2000 range and I suspect completely depleted his glycogen stores. Ouch. So around mile 8 or so, he "hit the wall". Poor Calvin, the last long run he had run was our mission workout, which was 7 miles. He still had some junk in his lungs to top it all off. So let's just say I left him in the dust and kicked his butt. ha! He never stopped running though no matter how bad he was hurting. When I hit the end, I turned around and went back for him.
When we got home, we did an Epsom salt soak! I feel so old!!! I admit it was pretty nice.
This is probably really dumb, but I went ahead and did the hill workout the next day. It was supposed to be 5 miles, but I only ran 4 because I was hurting so bad. These hills are alot steeper than the Schlotzsky's ones we ran a few weeks ago, these are at Far West and Hart Ln. I think Hart Ln is candidate for the most elevation change, but there are too many to choose from in the west Austin area. So I decided after 4 miles to be done because I was afraid I would injure myself.
A little fundraising update -
We have raised 10% of our goal! Thanks to everyone who has donated! We also participated in the team garage sale on Saturday which was *interesting* and reminds me of why I don't do garage sales ;)
We have two upcoming fundraisers -
1) Wine Tasting at Water2Wine in Round Rock - March 31st. I'd like people to register so that I can let Water2Wine know how many people are coming, so they can staff the party. The $25 cover includes unlimited wine tasting and snacks. We also have a silent auction.
2) Casino Night on April 2nd in Round Rock, at Antonio's on I35. This is going to be a very fun event! I am super excited about this. We only have 100 spots available, so please pre-register at http://www.playtobeatcancer.com/ . The $50 donation includes dinner and raffle tickets for the silent auction, and of course an evening of fun playing Casino games! We have blackjack, craps, roulette, etc..
We are also looking for silent auction items for our two fundraisers. If you own a small business or would like to contribute something, please let one of us know! We would really appreciate it.
I definitely learned some lessons about preparing with nutrition. We had eaten breakfast before church, but didn't run until 2:30, so we had stopped and bought some GU energy gel and some Clif Shot Bloks. We had the Shot Bloks first around mile 4 or so and they were great. I felt pretty good until we got to around mile 7. I needed some more calories so I took some GU energy gel. It really tore up my stomach and I was hurting pretty badly with the "trots". This is the second time that's happened after taking GU, so I'll GU no more from now on. I was sick for hours afterward, but did manage to finish the run in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Calvin on the other hand "hit the wall" probably because he was completely out of calories. I burned 1800 calories according to my body bugg, and he wasn't wearing his. Usually he burns about 1.5 times as many calories as I do when we run, so he was way over the 2000 range and I suspect completely depleted his glycogen stores. Ouch. So around mile 8 or so, he "hit the wall". Poor Calvin, the last long run he had run was our mission workout, which was 7 miles. He still had some junk in his lungs to top it all off. So let's just say I left him in the dust and kicked his butt. ha! He never stopped running though no matter how bad he was hurting. When I hit the end, I turned around and went back for him.
When we got home, we did an Epsom salt soak! I feel so old!!! I admit it was pretty nice.
This is probably really dumb, but I went ahead and did the hill workout the next day. It was supposed to be 5 miles, but I only ran 4 because I was hurting so bad. These hills are alot steeper than the Schlotzsky's ones we ran a few weeks ago, these are at Far West and Hart Ln. I think Hart Ln is candidate for the most elevation change, but there are too many to choose from in the west Austin area. So I decided after 4 miles to be done because I was afraid I would injure myself.
A little fundraising update -
We have raised 10% of our goal! Thanks to everyone who has donated! We also participated in the team garage sale on Saturday which was *interesting* and reminds me of why I don't do garage sales ;)
We have two upcoming fundraisers -
1) Wine Tasting at Water2Wine in Round Rock - March 31st. I'd like people to register so that I can let Water2Wine know how many people are coming, so they can staff the party. The $25 cover includes unlimited wine tasting and snacks. We also have a silent auction.
2) Casino Night on April 2nd in Round Rock, at Antonio's on I35. This is going to be a very fun event! I am super excited about this. We only have 100 spots available, so please pre-register at http://www.playtobeatcancer.com/ . The $50 donation includes dinner and raffle tickets for the silent auction, and of course an evening of fun playing Casino games! We have blackjack, craps, roulette, etc..
We are also looking for silent auction items for our two fundraisers. If you own a small business or would like to contribute something, please let one of us know! We would really appreciate it.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Flu Fighters
Wow, what a week! Kayla has had the flu since Monday and I (Casey) have been in Dallas all week. I was able to get my Wednesday workout in, but drove all day Thursday and missed my 5 mile easy run. When I got to Round Rock, I came home to a house full of sick! Eeek!! Calvin is very sick as well as Kayla. Now 6 hours later, all the sheets have been changed, the dishes done and the entire house has been Lysol'ed. My prayer is for Kayla and Calvin to start feeling better and that Alex and I don't get what they have. Should make for an interesting long run on Saturday --- it will be a new personal record for both of us: 8 miles! I am pretty excited to see my teammates for our first run in Georgetown! Yippeee!
We are super excited about our upcoming fundraisers, the Wine Tasting on March 31st and Casino Night on April 2! Please join us in one of our fun-raisers to beat cancer! If you have an item you would like to donate for our silent auction, please let one of us know. We are super grateful to all of our silent auction donors as well as sponsors and you will be recognized during both of our fundraising events.
Here are some details about the wine tasting:
Where:
Water 2 Wine
2000 S. I-H 35
Suite H1-2
Round Rock, Texas 78681
PHONE: 512-310-WINE(9463)
When:
March 31st, 2011 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
I would prefer if you RSVP so I can let Water 2 Wine know how to plan for staff, so please RSVP by March 25th if possible.
Ticket Price:
$25
You can pay at the door (Checks or Cash), or donate online.
Includes:
Unlimited wine tasting and snacks
Silent auction will also be taking place
Why:
To beat cancer!
We are super excited about our upcoming fundraisers, the Wine Tasting on March 31st and Casino Night on April 2! Please join us in one of our fun-raisers to beat cancer! If you have an item you would like to donate for our silent auction, please let one of us know. We are super grateful to all of our silent auction donors as well as sponsors and you will be recognized during both of our fundraising events.
Here are some details about the wine tasting:
Where:
Water 2 Wine
2000 S. I-H 35
Suite H1-2
Round Rock, Texas 78681
PHONE: 512-310-WINE(9463)
When:
March 31st, 2011 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
I would prefer if you RSVP so I can let Water 2 Wine know how to plan for staff, so please RSVP by March 25th if possible.
Ticket Price:
$25
You can pay at the door (Checks or Cash), or donate online.
Includes:
Unlimited wine tasting and snacks
Silent auction will also be taking place
Why:
To beat cancer!
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Main Event
Saturday, April 2 we will host an evening filled with fun, friends, and fund-raising all for a great cause! We will be hosting a Casino Night at Antonio's Mexican Restaurant. This will be an evening that you will not want to miss, and entry is only $50 per person. Please see the website for more information
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Road-rash, Rain and Records!
Today was our mission workout where we honor our heroes. I ran today for my dad who is currently undergoing chemo for lymphoma. Wow, what an amazing run! Calvin and I ran 6.6 miles together and then ran the last mile with the entire team - including the triathletes and cyclists for our silent walk/run. It was a great time to reflect our mission - to help save more lives from cancer. Hearing nothing but the sounds of hundreds of feet, all walking together for a common purpose was really awesome!
About the title of this post... we had a little bit of a scheduling issue and missed our Thursday 4 mile run. We decided to do it Friday evening, which left us with some pretty sore muscles Saturday morning. About a quarter mile into the run, my ankle buckled from under me and I took a nasty tumble down Mesa Drive.... OUCH!!!! I still had 6.75 miles to go!!! So now I've got this lovely road rash on my knees, hands and my back (how that happened, I'm not sure). I did what I always tell my kids when they fall down: "walk it off". I started feeling better a few blocks away and picked up the pace to a normal run. We ended up running 6.6 miles because I messed up the program on my watch, oh well... the good thing is, we finished the run (in the rain) AND it is a new personal record for both of us!
I burned 1100 calories in the run, and Calvin about 1450. Needless to say, I didn't have any qualms about indulging in a donut at the team breakfast, it was very yummy! Afterward we got cleaned up, picked up the kids, had lunch and went to the Austin Marathon Expo. I have never been to anything like this before, it was really neat to see all the products and gear targeted toward runners. I bought some new clothes and we got free samples of Body Glide, bars and energy drinks. We'll need them! Before we left, we went by the Team in Training booth to give a shout out "Go Team!" to our teammates.
We ended up with a very active day, taking the kids to the Austin Children's Museum and Zilker Park, and I ended up burning over 3200 calories - that is alot for me! Normally I burn about 1800 if I don't have any exercise.
Lastly, I wanted to put a teaser out there about our fundraising events. Calvin will announce the actual events, but save these dates:
I can't wait to share some of the details, but I gotta be quiet for now. Thanks again for all your support!! <3
About the title of this post... we had a little bit of a scheduling issue and missed our Thursday 4 mile run. We decided to do it Friday evening, which left us with some pretty sore muscles Saturday morning. About a quarter mile into the run, my ankle buckled from under me and I took a nasty tumble down Mesa Drive.... OUCH!!!! I still had 6.75 miles to go!!! So now I've got this lovely road rash on my knees, hands and my back (how that happened, I'm not sure). I did what I always tell my kids when they fall down: "walk it off". I started feeling better a few blocks away and picked up the pace to a normal run. We ended up running 6.6 miles because I messed up the program on my watch, oh well... the good thing is, we finished the run (in the rain) AND it is a new personal record for both of us!
I burned 1100 calories in the run, and Calvin about 1450. Needless to say, I didn't have any qualms about indulging in a donut at the team breakfast, it was very yummy! Afterward we got cleaned up, picked up the kids, had lunch and went to the Austin Marathon Expo. I have never been to anything like this before, it was really neat to see all the products and gear targeted toward runners. I bought some new clothes and we got free samples of Body Glide, bars and energy drinks. We'll need them! Before we left, we went by the Team in Training booth to give a shout out "Go Team!" to our teammates.
We ended up with a very active day, taking the kids to the Austin Children's Museum and Zilker Park, and I ended up burning over 3200 calories - that is alot for me! Normally I burn about 1800 if I don't have any exercise.
Lastly, I wanted to put a teaser out there about our fundraising events. Calvin will announce the actual events, but save these dates:
- March 12th - Team Garage Sale - Casis Elementary
- March 31st - Wine Tasting Event at Water 2 Wine
- April 2nd -- the Big Surprise!
I can't wait to share some of the details, but I gotta be quiet for now. Thanks again for all your support!! <3
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Dallas mid-week workouts
I'm here in beautiful Downtown Dallas. I have to admit that I thought there would be slim pickens on trail running, but I found this wonderful Katy Trail right in the heart of downtown. Not only is it paved, but there are two surfaces to choose from. They have concrete and a runner only spongey type surface. There was still ice on the trail from the sleet and snow storm two days ago and it was a very cold run. I was so cold that I did not want to slow down, for I feared I would freeze to death. I made great time on this run but had no cool down since I was already cold.
I seriously doubt my heart rate got up to 232 as displayed in the graph. There are some known issues with the heart rate monitor when running in cold weather. It leveled out after I warmed up and bodybugg says I burned nearly 600 calories. I think I'm starting to get in shape!
I am pretty excited about the Dream Marriage conference starting tomorrow night! We will have to figure out when and where to work in our Saturday run - 6 miles! We may be back to Katy Trail.
-Casey
I seriously doubt my heart rate got up to 232 as displayed in the graph. There are some known issues with the heart rate monitor when running in cold weather. It leveled out after I warmed up and bodybugg says I burned nearly 600 calories. I think I'm starting to get in shape!
-Casey
Mid-week workouts have been great, but it sucks doing them alone!
Tuesday was a cross-training day for us.
I did an hour on the eliptical, then lifted weights.
Wednesday was a speed drills day.
I did about 4.5 miles of sprint/jogging intervals
Thursday was a slower recovery run.
I did a 1 mile walk, 4 mile run, 1 mile walk (totaling 6 miles)
Tomorrow I will be traveling to Dallas to meet Casey. We will be attending the Dream Marriage Conference this weekend. I guess our 6 mile run on Saturday morning will have to come very early!
Hope everyone is having a blessed week!
Calvin
I did an hour on the eliptical, then lifted weights.
Wednesday was a speed drills day.
I did about 4.5 miles of sprint/jogging intervals
Thursday was a slower recovery run.
I did a 1 mile walk, 4 mile run, 1 mile walk (totaling 6 miles)
Tomorrow I will be traveling to Dallas to meet Casey. We will be attending the Dream Marriage Conference this weekend. I guess our 6 mile run on Saturday morning will have to come very early!
Hope everyone is having a blessed week!
Calvin
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Balcones Woods Hill Workout went great!
Last week, Calvin had posted that this was the hardest run of our lives, but its a new story this week! We ran the same course starting at the Schlotzsky's at Balcones Woods and ran through the neighborhood behind there. I am definitely questioning the accuracy of my Garmin Forerunner's heart rate monitor, I don't really think my heartbeat was over 200, it was saying I was peaking out at 216. I may try placing the strap on my back next run.
I am very happy with the way this workout went. Our pace was alot better and we both felt great afterward.
Thank you all for your support! Now I've got to get some work done and work on the fundraising for this week.
We finished the same course that we did last week a full 7 minutes faster!
I am very happy with the way this workout went. Our pace was alot better and we both felt great afterward.
Thank you all for your support! Now I've got to get some work done and work on the fundraising for this week.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Calvin Toole: Believe
Calvin Toole: Believe: " Recently my wife and I have been spending quite a large amount of time training for several marathons to be completed in 2011.&..."
Snowy Brushy Creek Trails, absolutely beautiful! Great 5 mile run
I have to admit I was little nervous about running in 32 degree cold, but after layering up and running, I got really hot after the first mile and had to start de-layering. There was still some snow on the trails which made the run even more fun, for the nostalgia of running on top of snow.
I paced up with Ninfa from the team around mile 1.5 and enjoyed chatting with her while we finished it up. It was a great workout, burning over 600 calories. Afterward we all had breakfast together and shared fundraising ideas at Waterloo Ice House.
I am looking forward to seeing the team at Monday's hill workout! Go Team!!
I paced up with Ninfa from the team around mile 1.5 and enjoyed chatting with her while we finished it up. It was a great workout, burning over 600 calories. Afterward we all had breakfast together and shared fundraising ideas at Waterloo Ice House.
I am looking forward to seeing the team at Monday's hill workout! Go Team!!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Why I will be running in 32 degree weather in the morning
Some people think we are crazy for wanting to run a marathon. It does take a long time and dedication to training. Why should I get up every Saturday morning and be running by 8:00? I run to raise funds for and awareness of cancer. Cancer has destroyed so many lives and nearly taken so many others. Today is World Cancer Day. Today, I stand up for my Dad, my grandmother and my great grandmother who have been affected by cancer. I want to do something different to help, to change a life, to change the world. Because I am not a scientist, I can't just figure out how to cure cancer. I'm an ordinary person with a big heart. With my heart, I will do something extraodinary over the next 5 months. I will dedicate my time, my life, my talents and my heart to put funds into the hands of the people who need it to finally find a cure for cancer. Please join us in this fight against cancer. <3
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Garmin Forerunner has arrived!
The Garmin Forerunner 305 arrived yesterday and Calvin was so nice to charge, configure and have it ready for our workout. We started at the Schlotzsky's at 183/Balcones Woods in beautiful NW Austin. I was hurting at the beginning of the run and I can now understand why! My heart rate is shown in red, was over 200!! In the chart below, the top picture is a map, the road on the right is 183.
The graph below has my heart rate in red, green is elevation and blue is pace.
As we were climbing the hills and hurting, I thought about how so many people are battling cancer. My pain is insignificant in comparison. I am so energized by helping others find a cure for cancer! :)
Here's a picture of just a small portion of our team at the workout. We are on the top row. Thanks Samantha for taking the picture!
Go team!
Monday, January 31, 2011
A Great Man of God needs our prayers tonight
A tremendous friend to our church and a great mentor to many including us is fighting for his life. I ask you to join us in praying for "a little more time".
A Life With Purpose
A Life With Purpose
Toughest run of our lives!....and we loved it!
This evening we did 3.5+ miles through the hills of NW Austin. This was by far the toughest run either of us had ever done. As we were running the last 1/2 mile, which was a steep uphill climb, I couldn't help but think of how insignificant our challenge was in comparison to the battles others are fighting....
Please keep Greg, Casey's dad, in your prayers and celebrations! He began chemotherapy today and "Praise God" the outlook is very positive. Just keep in mind that there are thousands of others that are not so fortunate. These people desperately need our help.
Calvin
Please keep Greg, Casey's dad, in your prayers and celebrations! He began chemotherapy today and "Praise God" the outlook is very positive. Just keep in mind that there are thousands of others that are not so fortunate. These people desperately need our help.
Calvin
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Great Hills
This morning was the kickoff to our team training season. We ran 4 miles through the Great Hills area of Austin starting at the Texas Running Company, who then put on a great gear clinic for the team. We both ended up with new shoes and clothing, so I guess their clinic accomplished what it needed to!!!!
The morning started out very inspirational with a quick testimony from one of our teammates that is currently battling leukemia and training for a marathon! He was diagnosed in August and is doing phenomenal with a drug that Team in Training basically funded. Very exciting!
Our 4 mile run was a perfect workout for where we are in training. The hills were a nice challenge, but suprisingly not overwhelming. It was kind of a bummer not having Casey's new Garmin 305 GPS watch, which will be here sometime this week, but running with a group was extremely helpful. Looking forward to tomorrow's cross training day!
The morning started out very inspirational with a quick testimony from one of our teammates that is currently battling leukemia and training for a marathon! He was diagnosed in August and is doing phenomenal with a drug that Team in Training basically funded. Very exciting!
Our 4 mile run was a perfect workout for where we are in training. The hills were a nice challenge, but suprisingly not overwhelming. It was kind of a bummer not having Casey's new Garmin 305 GPS watch, which will be here sometime this week, but running with a group was extremely helpful. Looking forward to tomorrow's cross training day!
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