In Over My Head

First of all, let me say thank you to everyone who has been concerned about me.  I'm sorry for not posting on here and letting you all know what is going on.  I am really lucky to have people who worry about me when I don't blog! =)

What a crazy summer it's been!  I don't even know where to start.  Our deer venture has turned out to be a HUGE undertaking.  We lost three fawns when they were all first born due to fire ants.  Being new to this, I had no idea ants could be such a problem.  We had to take all the remaining fawns out of the pen and treat the entire thing with ant killer, which then all had to be watered in...by hand.  I had to drag a water hose around for three days!  

Once we got the ant problem under control, we tried to return the fawns to the pen, but the does rejected them and would not let them nurse.  So, we are bottle feeding the deer until they can be weaned in about 3 weeks.  I know this doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but I can't tell you how much work it has been, and still is.  

First we weren't set up to bottle feed.  We had to build pens, get all the supplies, etc...The first week they all had to eat every 4 hours around the clock.  That has slowed down now, and I am just feeding 4 times a day.  And when I say "feeding", I really mean - mix up all the milk, feed them all, help them go to the bathroom (deer can't go own their own when they are young.  I won't gross you out by graphically describing this process), clean up the bottles, clean the pens, and then start all over again.  I was so exhausted for the first two weeks, I hardly slept at all.

While all this has been going on, I have also had to deal with all my regular work stuff, my dad in the hospital in Dallas with heart issues, my father-in-law in Dayton very sick, my dog died, and witnessed JP total our truck and travel trailer in a bad wreck right in front of me.  I seriously could write a country and western song.  I know that would make Jon proud! =)

Things are looking up though.  I am getting a handle on the deer, I think I'm just about caught up on my regular work, my dad is fine, JP's dad is feeling better, we had a nice funeral for the dog, and JP and Jared were not hurt in the wreck.

I still have my email forwarded to the office for them to deal with maintenance requests from tenants, so if you want to chat, holler at me at my other email address - katy.lampson@gmail.com.

Again, I'm sorry if I had anyone worried.  Honestly I have been completely drained mentally and physically.   I'll be back soon...I promise!

Here are some pictures from the wreck.  I was so excited to be getting away for a couple days to Lake Travis.  We hired some people to come stay here with the deer and loaded up.  We got about an hour away from home and BAM!  The truck got a blowout on one of the rear tires.  With the weight of the trailer behind him, JP couldn't control it.  The truck and trailer jackknifed.  The trailer broke loose and flipped nearly ripping the back of the truck off.  I was following behind JP in my car pulling the boat, so I had a very scary view of the whole thing.  It is lucky there was no oncoming traffic, and that the trailer broke loose and did not flip the truck with it.  JP and Jared both wear a Saint Christopher medal for which I am very thankful.  

I've missed you all!

TGIF

This past year, JP and I decided to add a little diversity to the ranch, and bought some registered whitetail does for breeding purposes.  Our first fawns began arriving this week.  So far we've had two sets of twins. (1 buck and 3 does)  They usually weigh anywhere from 5 to 11 pounds at birth....same as a baby.  Only in this case, I'm hoping for the larger end of the spectrum.  They are so danged cute!  It's hard not to go out there and play with them, but we have to leave them alone.  There are some procedures that have to be done shortly after they are born (2 shots, hair sample for DNA testing, put some stuff in their mouth to prevent a disease called "blue tongue", and spray some ant repellant on them - it's non-toxic, I checked), but after that it's not good for them to have human contact because it increases the chances of the dam rejecting it.  Bummer.

They all seem to be doing good except for the buck fawn.  It doesn't have the same spunk as the others.   Maybe the bucks are just more chill...who knows?  We're just learning here.

This is the buck fawn.  Poor little guy!

Anyhoo, back to running.  Wednesday morning I went for my daily 3 mile jaunt down the road, and realized about half way through that this was the day Ken was making his 2,000th consecutive run.  A group of us were planning on running the milestone with him.  Oh well, I'd just run twice...that certainly wouldn't hurt!  All I've really been doing since it got hot is 3 miles in the morning, and then either swimming or riding my bike later in the day.  I'm a wuss.  No summer long runs for me.

That evening we all met up with Ken at the track to run the 5K Avenues course.  This was actually the first time I'd ever run this course, and hopefully it will be the last.  Very hilly!  I asked Ken why of all the places he runs, he chose this location for his 2,000th celebration.  He said he wanted to see who his real friends were...apparently real friends will endure torturous hills in extreme heat to show support.  I started the run off with Adrienne, Chris, Hans, Norman, Darren, and Andrew...the fast pack, but then Norman and I decided to hang back and run with Ken.  Lavonne, Karen, Norman and myself ran him in.  Although I would love to say I hung with Adrienne for an entire 5K (even if she was holding back), I was there to run with Ken.  He may not run the fastest 5K in town, but he is one of the most dedicated runners I know.  It's inspiring!  Congrats, Ken!

Since I doubled up on Wednesday, I took off completely on Thursday.  I went down to The Woodlands.  I had an early hair appointment, then I met up with a friend for lunch.  The only workout I got was a stroll around Market Street.  I'm not complaining.

Today I went for a "long run"...a whole 5 miles!  It felt really good.  I miss running.  Friggin' heat!  I'm meeting up with Adrienne at the HKC pool later today for some lap swimming.  Maybe I can beat her in the pool?  I doubt it! :)

Happy Friday!!!

Camping at Canyon Lake

The Mobile Mansion

(sounds better than trailer)

Me and JP at the Party

(JP's best friend Tom in the background)

The Whole Group

(don't worry...there were several mobile mansions on the premises)

Well, we all survived the first of several summer camping vacations we take every year.  I call it camping, but it's really not roughing it too much.  The Mobile Mansion is equipped with two AC units, three TV's, a full kitchen, one and half baths, and is probably bigger than the first apartment I lived in.  

For this excursion we hauled the bad boy to Potter's Creek Park, located at what is quite possibly my favorite spot in Texas...Canyon Lake.  It is as beautiful as Lake Travis, but isn't spoiled with all the crap that surrounds that place.  It's a Corp. of Engineers lake, so they are very restrictive as to what can be built around it.  No bulk-heading.  It all naturale.  

While we were there we celebrated a major milestone for JP - birthday number 50!  That's right, I am officially married to an old man!  To his credit though...when we first started dating he was 38, and he still looks exactly the same.  That is unless he puts his reading glasses on. ha-ha.

I took my running shoes, bike, helmet, and goggles with me for the trip, and I am happy to say I used them all.  I got a nice run in every morning except for the morning we were packing up to leave, I enjoyed some nice rides with my sister-in-law, and did some swimming in the lake.  The rest of my time was occupied with absolutely nothing but hanging out with good friends and family.  It's always hard to come home from this trip...waaah.

Next up - Pace Bend Park on Lake Travis.  For now it's back to reality.

Oh and, Happy Belated Father's Day to all you awesome Dad's! 

Tejas Triathlon Report

Swim Exit - (notice other people around me wearing pink swim caps.)

Bike Finish - (I'm not sure what's up with the arm flexion. Gross!)

Run Start - (Side stitch like a mofo!)

I'm happy to report that you people are going to have to give me a new nickname.  Buoy-to-Buoy Lampson is no more!  I did absolutely no buoy hugging this time.  That's right - I freestyled-it the whole 600 yards.  I had no issues at all this time around, other than I started out too far back in the pack.  It's too danged hard to pass people.  I'm going to be more aggressive next time around.  I guess all my visualization paid off.  I've been lying in bed at night picturing myself swimming in a crowded lake and staying calm...just doing my own thing, like I were the only one there.  You can laugh all you want.  That shizz works!  How do you think I learned how to juggle?

Next the bike.  Not much to say there, other than I seriously need to get faster.  I passed some people, but was passed by more.  I'm guessing this is just something that takes practice and lots more training than I have been doing.  I've pretty much neglected the bike for weeks.  Now that I'm cool with the swimming, I'm going to spend more time on my bike.  You've gotta have a lot of time to train for these multi-sport races...geez!

Ironically, the run is where it all cratered for me this race.  For some reason or another, I got one hell-of-a side stitch, and I couldn't run.  I actually laid down on the ground at one point to try and get it to ease up.  Several people stopped and asked me if I was ok, which I thought was very nice.  Nothing would make this thing go away.  My right side is actually still sore today.  wth?  I just did all I could do.  I ran until I thought my side was going to burst, then I stopped and walked a bit.  Run, almost die, walk, repeat.  This process resulted in 10 minute miles for me, which cost me about 5 minutes.  

If I could have run at my normal pace, I would have been in the top half of my age group, which is my goal at this point.  I finished 19th out of 29.  This race seemed to have some pretty stiff competition.  My friend Jeremy, who placed 2rd in the Combat Tri and 4th at Silverlake, placed 14th at this race.  I saw lots of what appeared to be serious athletes at this thing.  

All in all, it was a good day.  I am definitely hooked on the triathlon, and I would definitely do this race again, just without the side stitch.  Dammit!  

Getting Ready For Tri #2

I met up with Cassie last Sunday for some open water swimming practice.  She took me to a lake in Manvel where they have some buoys set up for triathlete practice swims and some scuba diving stuff.  

I think it was VERY helpful...thank you, Cassie.  We made a loop around half the lake (550 yds), then swam back and forth between the pier and one of the buoys.  I sorta lost count, but I think we swam 850 yards total.  Cassie tried swimming close to me to simulate race conditions, but I was too worried about kicking her.  I guess I need to go practice with someone I DON'T like, and just kick away.  Any suggestions or volunteers?

It's crazy how much harder open water swimming is.  The next day I did laps at the SHSU pool while the kids played.  I went 120 laps without stopping.  That's 3,000 yards, and seriously, I could have kept going.  I only stopped because I had to tend to my wifely duties, and go cook dinner.  Ugh.  

Today I picked up my packet for the Tejas Tri....I hope this one goes much smoother.  I'm kinda going this one alone.  I had lots of peeps there last time, but the only people I know who will be at Tejas are Jeremy and Evan. (both competing)  No crowd support or female consolation.  Yikes.

End Of The Montgomery Co. Triple

Montgomery County Triple Finishers

(minus Evan)

I went back down to The Woodlands today for the David's Dream Run 5K, the last leg of the Montgomery County Triple.  It was not an event without it's share of weirdness.  It all started out normal.  Ken and I pulled up at Market Street, and immediately ran into Sara.

Sara asked me if I had read the story behind David's Dream Run, so I told her I hadn't.  She informed me that David was a boy who lived in a bubble that had passed away about 13 years ago.  I don't know how many of you are Seinfeld fans, but after she told me that I couldn't get the Seinfeld bubble boy out of my head.  The proceeds from the race went to Texas Children's Hospital, and it is a great cause, and I know this is horrible, but I couldn't quit laughing to myself.  I know - I'm going to hell!  Please forgive me!

Anyway, next we picked up our races packets.  Apparently, everyone either got a size large or extra large shirt.  What the heck?  It looks like a nightgown on me.  Why did they even ask what size shirt we wanted on the entry form if they were going to give everyone a large?!

Then we found out that the race didn't actually start until 8:30, not 8:00 like the website said. So Sara and I headed over to the HEB to use the facilities.  While we were in the bathroom a woman and two young girls came in.  One of the young girls (probably around 16) told her friends that she could not use the restroom if they were in there too because she had a nervous bladder, and she asked them if they could wait outside.  Then she put her finger in my face and said "you better not listen either!".  I replied with a simple "ok", but I felt more like saying "get your friggin' finger outta my face you freak!".   For the record - I listened.  It sounded the same as when anyone else does it.  Geez...weirdo!

Sara, Ken, Jon, Bill, Karen, Evan and myself stood around chatting while waiting for the race to start.  It was the usual discussion for this time of year.  The heat, the humidity, etc.  Ken wouldn't stop looking for John Cook. (fellow SHRC member who made the first two legs of the triple, but was MIA for the Dream Run)

Finally, time to run.  I went out way too fast, as usual.  I was chasing Suzy Shreiber.  Bad idea.  I hung with her for about a mile and a half, and then died.  I'm not sure why I insist on doing this.  I mean, I know it doesn't work well for me, but I can not make myself start out slow.  Very frustrating!  I ended up 4th in the 30-39 age group with a time of 27:07.

The race itself was pretty uneventful, other than some crazy guy with a baby jogger nearly plowed me over.  The guy was flying.  I'm convinced the thing had a little motor, and was actually pulling him.  One thing for sure, he needs to work on his steering!  It's a miracle he didn't take out an innocent achilles tendon.

After a really long wait with REALLY loud top 40's music and the occasional Tejano hit, the awards ceremony was underway.  (chip problems...ugh!)  I was all prepared to cheer on Sara who placed 3rd in her age group and Ken who we thought had placed 2nd in his age group.  When they didn't call out Sara's name, we realized that they were only giving out awards two deep.  And, when they didn't call out Ken's name, we realized after they fixed the chip problems he was bumped to 3rd place.  Bummer.  No awards for SHRC.  Ten year age groups with awards only two deep - that STINKS!  However, it did make my 4th place finish less annoying!

At the end of the awards ceremony Jon took over the mic, and told the remaining crowd a little about the Montgomery Co. Triple.  Then he named Jacob and Joseph Mazone the top male finishers, and Me and Sara the top female finishers.  My first overall female finish.  Out of a field of 4....WooHoo!  I got three more pine cones to add to my collection.  Thirteen out of the fourteen MCT finishers were recognized and given an award.  Evan left early, so he missed out on his piece of wood.  Motocross something or other...dangerous!

We all called it a wrap and went home.

Over Ambitious?

Well, since my horrible swim experience at the Silverlake Tri, I've been swimming like crazy.  Yesterday I signed up for the Tejas Tri in Sugar Land on June 8th.  It has a 600 yd open water swim...yikes!  I'm determined to do this one with a little more grace, and far less tears.  I loved the triathlon experience as a whole, so I can't keep letting the swim intimidate me.  I WILL get over my fear! (trying to psych myself up here)

Yesterday I swam 600 yds twice, timing myself both times.  In the pool, I'm doing this distance in about 13 minutes.  How that translates to open water...I have no idea.  I'm going to find a lake to practice in this weekend.

I also signed up for the Y Freedom Tri on June 29th in Pearland.  It's a 300 meter pool swim...heck yeah!

If anyone has any advice on goggles, it would be much appreciated.  Every pair I've tried fogs up on me.  Even the ones that say "anti-fog".  It's not really a big deal in the pool, but it's hard to sight buoys when you can't see, and trying to rinse the inside of my goggles out when I can't touch bottom is not an easy task for me.  Help.  This was a contributing factor to my Silverlake meltdown.

___

Hannah and I took advantage of the cooler temps this morning, and hit the road.  She rode her bike along side me while I ran.   It was great.  She carried my water bottle and pepper spray in her little bike basket, and didn't complain at all.  We went 3.5 miles, and she says she wants to go farther tomorrow.  Sweet!

Getting runs in when she is out of school has been a problem in the past, because I can't leave her alone.  Now her bike skills are good enough to come with me.  I'm so excited!  I won't have to run circles in my living room this summer!