SQL Family in Action

ER Nurse:  “Who are those people on your laptop?   They are on video”
Me: “They are my family.  My SQL Family”

Earlier today, I fainted, tripped on the stairs, fell and sprained my ankle.   Being 10 days away from my marathon, I didn’t want to take any chance and want the ankle to get looked at (on top of the excruciating pain I experienced), so off to the ER we went.     We got there around 9:30am and pretty much in the exam room within 5 minutes, had 3 nurses around me.

Long story short, they wanted to make sure everything is in the up and up so on top of the foot xray, they ordered EKG and put a line on my arm so they can take blood and IV (if I needed one).   That really put me in a grouchy mood.   I have a race in 10 days and I was worry.   I need some company.   So I open my laptop and started Google Hangout and tweeted to others to join me and keep me company (Yes, I brought laptop to the ER, along with my iPad and my phone.  They have fabulous Wifi there, btw )

Before long, I have Karen Lopez (b|t), Rob Drysdale (b|t), Erin Stellato {b|t), Tamera Clark (b|t)  on the hangout!  We were all talking and laughing until the ER doctor came back with my xray result.   She started to show me the imaging and told me the medical term on what was going on, and pointed on the imaging on the same shaddy area that I have no idea what it was — that I fractured my ankle.   I got really quiet.   I was almost afraid to ask about the race, as I don’t really want to know the answer — but she went ahead and said it.   That the race is out of the question.   I started to feel my body shaken up, and my tear fell on my cheeks.   She went on and on about the detail, but I pretty much stop caring or even listen to her.   I broke down in tears.   Everybody got quiet.   I cried more.

When the doctor left the room, I looked at my laptop and I saw a handful concern faces.   I felt a huge comfort from this group of people almost immediately.   Then I realized that Tom LaRock (b|t) had joined the hangout while I was talking to the doctor.  He probably wondered what kind of hangout he entered, as I was on the hospital gown and probably cried my heart out!   I usually looked waaaay prettier on the hangout, Tom!  Thank you taking the time from your day for that!   We all chatted for a while, some of them even consult with Dr. Google as they heard the ER doctor talked to me (love technology!).

Allright – you probably ask what is so special about the whole thing right about now.

I’m telling you what.   These group of people – they are my professional peer.   They are not the friends I grew up, or my blood family.  We know each other because we have the same passion about the same technology and in this community, the SQL community, we took it to the next level.   We are not just ‘peer’.   We are family.   We helped each other in so many ways.   Today, a handful member of this community were there for me when I was told that I might not be able to run the marathon that I’ve been training for 4 months.   They were there when I broke down in tears, devastated and angry.    Yes, they were virtually there via my laptop – but they were there with me.   They took the time from their busy day, on this h0liday season to login to Google Hangout and be with me.

Now, THAT is what so special about it.

Since then, I’ve gotten many tweets, facebook message, emails, and texts from many of them, filled with encouraging message and prayer.   It really made my day.   I might not be able to run THIS race, but I have so many people that believe in me that I will get my 26.2 medal somehow.   If it’s not THIS race, it will be another one very soon.   Suddenly, things are not so sucks anymore.   It still is, but somehow, I managed to smiled, laughed and giggled.

Thank you.   For being there for me.   For being such an awesome bunch.

Week 20 & 21: Illness and Longest Run

Well, it looks like every other week update is working with me.   I know I have committed to write my training update weekly, but lately that is very hard to do.   So there.  That’s my story, and I’m sticking with it.

This past two weeks have been very challenging for me.  I got sick.   Really, really sick.   I’m talking the kind that leave you with absolutely no energy.   I had constant fever, nausea and do not even get me started with a headache.   It was awful.   I didn’t go to work for a week as well, and all I did was sleeping.   I managed to sneak 3 run in the past 2 weeks, in addition to my very long run.   A few of three miler jog, just to get moving.  I was dizzy and almost fainted the first time around!

I was worry and anxious.  My race is 3 weeks away and I took a week of running.   I worried that it will ruining my training.  I worried that my strength will get affected by it.   I worried.  A lot.

Then Saturday came around.   It was my longest training run.  A whole 22 miles.

I woke up antsy.  It was a cold 32 degrees foggy morning.   I could have gone earlier, but I decided to enjoy my morning and run a bit later.   I had my usual pre-long run breakfast.   Toasted english muffin with peanut butter, drizzle of honey and slice of banana.   Around 10:30am – I finally got up and get ready.   I wore my long tights and my running jacket on top of my base layer.

We got to the trail around noon’ish, and I told the husband that I want to run slightly different route.    I want to run in a manageable route in my head.   See — I know long run is more than just physical.  It’s a lot of mental too, so I broke down this route to six-3 miler run, plus 4 miles.   From where we park the car, I ran east and back (which is total 6 miles) and did that three times.   Then I ran the 2 more miles east and back, which made it total 22 miles.    I have to say, that trick work.   It got kinda boring since it’s the same stretch of trail, but this by far, was my best run.   I felt strong the entire time and I only have to focus on getting me back to the car, which is about 6 miles round trip.   The only caveat on this plan was I completely underestimate how dark this trail get when the sun down.   I usually ran the opposite route which have more open area, so even though there were no more sun, the trail got some lights from street/residential.    Thanks to the flashlight app on the iPhone — my husband mounted the iPhone on his bike and I ran the last 2 miles stretch with the light from it.   It was… different.   I am not a big fans in walking/hiking, let alone running in darkness so my mental focus was all over the place for the last couple miles.   I was running even faster as I just want to be done.   When I finally reached the car, I realized for the first time that I can really do this marathon thing.   I know I can complete 26.2 miles and I have to tell you, that’s an awesome feeling to have.

Thank you Karen Lopez (t) for introducing me to running.   Thank you Erin Stellato (t) and Jes Borland (t) for inspire me even more.

 

As usual, I have a whole group of people in twitter that constantly cheered me on during my run.   You know who you are.   Thank YOU very, very much for being there for me and supporting me the whole way.   I love you all.

Fundraising

I didn’t do much in the last two weeks on this front as well.   I have one last email update to send and hopefully, that will generate some donation.    Please visit my fundraising page at http://tinyurl.com/RobelMarathon for more information

Week 18 & 19: Another High Mileage

I’m continue to slack off with my training recap.   I am combining two weeks in one post.  Again.  Life got in a way.   I got sick, I was injured, my kids got sick, the busiest time in the year at work.  You know, those kind of things.   I’m still training.  I’m still loving it.   Even though I’m not big on running on a cold day.   I’m such a big pantsy when it comes to cold weather.   Yes, I know.   I’m a mountaineer who don’t like to run in a cold weather.   I haven’t master the layering technique yet.  If I’m out in the mountain, I know what to wear to face the weather that could change from one extreme to another.   I’ve been climbing the mountain and hiking for over a decade.   Running is a new thing for me.    I have to re-learn things and this whole new experience humble me.

Week 18:  Recovery Week

After my 20-miler, I injured my IT Band (again).   I could barely bend my left knee and both of my shins hurts.    On Monday – I tried to do 3 miles on the treadmill and that was not a pleasant run.   I saw my Physical Therapy on Tuesday and she ordered me to take a a couple days break from running, and did a lot of stretching, icing and foam rolling.   So I did.   I did my mileage on Elliptical machine instead.    On Sunday, I ran 6 miles with my best friend, Mindy on my favorite trail.    It was, an okay run, to say the least.   My knee felt so-so and my shins hurts but I pushed through it and finish the 6 miles.

Week 19:  18-Miler

I did 3 miles on Tuesday and Thursday.   Nothing to ride home about.   It was cold out so I went to the gym and settle on Treadmill.   My knee seems to be okay and my shins doesn’t bother me, so overall, it was a good run.   In between, I also did a little strength training.   When I said a little – it’s very little.   A few here and there at home.   I really, really need to get better on this.   I know that my hips could use some strengthening and I need to do more lower body work out as it will help my run tremendously.   I’ll try to do better in the coming week.    I miss my trainer.  Sigh.   I’m struggling to find the time on my schedule to come and work out with him so I’m doing it at home the best I could.

My long run this week is 18 miles.   A lot of my friends said, you’ve done that before.  You got this.  Yes, yes, those are all true but 18 miles still 18 long miles.    It was 30 degrees morning.   The ground was covered with frost and just looking out from my bedroom window, it looked really cold out.   I woke up around 6:30 am and didn’t feel like moving.    I’m not a morning person (surprise!) to begin with and I don’t dig cold weather.  So it took a lot of will power to finally move from my comfy bed and put on my running clothes.   I wore my base layer, and my running hoodies plus my long tights, headband and gloves.    I figured if I overheated half way through, I just shed my layer.

I got to the trail at 11:30am and started to run.   I was shivering, even with my layers but I figured that I will be warm soon.   It took me almost a couple miles before I can really get comfortable with my running, weather and everything.   It was wet trail, and kinda slippery so I ran pretty slow and really took my time.

The trail was beautiful.  Some of the area covered with fog with a backdrop of fall color leaves.  It was eerie, yet beautiful.   I started from Fall City and ran east towards Snoqualmie and back (6 miles) and ran west towards Carnation and back (12 miles).   First six miles went by fairly quick.   I felt great, but started to notice my left knee hurt a bit so I decided to run smart.   I stopped and stretched quite a bit throughout the run.    I found that easier on my knee and I still get my mileage in.   I really don’t want to get injured anymore than I already have, 5 weeks before my race.

Oh as usual, I have the luxury of tweet-cheer from all my friends.   You know who you are.   Your support, your tweet, your facebook messages was read to me my RunMeter app and kept me company and entertained the entire 18 miles.   It was awesome.   I am so fortunate to have so many supportive friends!

To end this week in a good note, I went for 3 miles jog on the treadmill on Sunday.    It was hard to walk, let alone run the first mile, then it got easier on the second mile, and I ran normally on the third mile.    It was much needed recovery run.   Thank you Allen White (t) and Tom LaRock (t) for recommended me to do this after my super-long run.

Fundraising

I have a lot to report.   I sent out my fundraising email update and raised  $885.   Big shout out to SQL Sentry and Idera Software who were generously donated to my fundraising!!    They are not only awesome to the community, they are supporting the community member and supporting my effort.    I also want to thank Brent Ozar (t) for mentioning me on his blog and helping me spread the word.   And to Jes Borland (t), who not only donated and supported me, but also spread the word about my fundraising.   Every little help matter.   Every dollar matter.    If you want to know more about why I’m running, visit my fundraising page at http://tinyurl.com/RobelMarathon.

Week 16 & 17: Recovery and 20-Miler

I was slacking off on my update so I am combining my week 16 and 17 update.   Yes, yes I know.  I should post an update once a week, but life gets in a way and between my training, my job and being a mom – I have a very little time left.   So I choose to nap instead of writing my update.   Heh.

Week 16: Recovery Week

There’s not much to report for this week.  Remember when I twisted my ankle during my 17 miles run?  Yeah, that turn out bad.  It sprained my ankle quite a bit and in result, I have a swollen ankle for a while and my shins were paying the price.   My physical therapy ordered me to stay off my feet and not do any run at all.   So the only run I did this week was the one before I saw my physical therapist.  I went out to Seattle Waterfront and did 3 miles with Ryan Malcom (t).   That was actually pretty painful run.   I didn’t realize my ankle was in that bad of the shape (literally) and my shins were screaming in pain the entire 3 miles.

I spent an hour on elliptical machine on Thursday as well as Saturday.   In between, I tried to do some walk, but I literally limp around so I skipped them.   My stubbornness really carry me over to the stupid line, I guess.   Lesson learn here – when you twist your ankle in mile 1 – do NOT continue running another 16 miles.   Got it.

Week 17: Twenty Miler

Big week.  I saw my physical therapist on Monday and she cleared me for easy run on the treadmill.  I was antsy.  I haven’t run for almost a week and just want to get out and run.  Wow.  I never thought I actually said that.   I never considered myself a runner, until recently.   I never felt antsy for not able to run.   I usually get antsy for not able to go out and hike for a while.

Anyway, I ran 3 miles on Tuesday and Thursday.  At the treadmill.   I did okay.  Shins were still tender, but ankle was better.   On Friday, my PT cleared me for my long-run with a big warning to be very, very careful and to listen what my body told me.    I was excited, until Saturday morning came along.

It was COLD morning.  About 37 degrees.  No rain, but it was definitely wet in the trail.  Oh, did I mentioned COLD?   I really didn’t want to go outside, let alone run 20 miles but most of my friends already know I’m going to do this, and I just can’t face them if I didn’t go out.  Accountability.   I’m tellin’ ya.  It really does work.

So here I was.  On 37 degrees Saturday.  Out on the trail.   I wore my base layer, my Portland Half-Marathon short sleeves shirt, and my running jacket.   On the bottom, I have my capri and wore my compression sleeves.   Plus the gloves.   I was ready.   I started the run with fairly slow pace.   My PT told me to run 2 minutes slower than my normal pace which I had no problem to do so.   I ran the first 6 miles or so with Jimmy May (t) and I just love his company!

I was doing really well for the first 17 miles.  Then, I didn’t understand why – but mentally, I was done.  It just – I was beat, mentally.   I wasn’t hurt or in any pain but those last three miles turn into the hardest three miles I ever ran.   I wasn’t sure if that’s what they called it the ‘wall’ but I know I struggled.   I broke down in tears, because I was frustrated.   I need to get myself together, but didn’t know how.   My husband, John, who rode his bike alongside of me, tried to entertained me, humor me and he even sent the tweet out

That was awesome.   There was one tweet after another John tweeted that, and that’s even after many-many encouraging tweets I had during the run.   I’m telling you, I have a really awesome friends who are so supportive on things you do!   I finally finish the 20 miles and was never been so happy to see our car in the parking lot!   John had brought me my parka jacket, the jacket that I used for my climbing as I was immediately shivering when I stop running.   I stretched, drank more water and ate some banana and we head home.

For those who were there for me on during my run, and continuously sent out encouraging tweets and Facebook messages.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.  Very, very much.   It meant a lot to me.   I know some of you can vouch for this too.  That was what kept me going.  Some of them made me giggle, and some of them made me burst into laugh.  Some of them ticked me off and lit fire under my behind, but all of those tweets help me in their own way.   I love them.

Below are just some of them that I can capture.   It’s so awesome and I am so thankful to have this many support.  Just look at these tweets below. They are really, really great.

 

Fundraising

Not much going on here as I haven’t done much.  I sent out first email and got some donation out of it.   I need to start kicking into a high gear.  My race is 6 weeks away.   If you happen to read my post all the way to this point, please visit my fundraising page at http://tinyurl.com/RobelMarathon.   Every dollar mean a lot.   Beside – what are the better ways to try to get tax deductible, right?   End of year is around the corner and your donation is 100% tax deductible.   And you are helping ME.  And thousand of others who are affected with blood cancer.

Meme Monday: #SQLFamily

Thomas LaRock (t) assignment for Meme Monday November is about SQL Family.   When I saw the topic, I knew that I had to jump on the bandwagon and write something about this because this topic holds a dear place in my heart.

As most of you already know, I have had some health challenges in the past few years.   Earlier last year, I was starting to get more involved in the SQL community.  I joined Twitter and started to get to know people in the community, both virtually and in person.    I was amazed at how generous people in this community are with their time on helping others and sharing their knowledge!   I got hooked with #sqlhelp hash tag where I can pick a lot of smart peoples brains whenever I stumbled into a challenge and the highlight for me, was during summer 2010, when I attended the maiden voyage of SQL Cruise.    Not only did I learn a lot from that event, I made some really great friendships with some of the attendees.

Shortly after the cruise, my health faced a new challenge and I had to undergo three weeks of hell difficult procedures. The support I received from this community was completely above and beyond any expectations.   I had constant emails, tweets and messages from many of people in the community that lifted my spirit, gave me hope, and helped me through some tough times.   They sent me jokes to cheer up my day, made me laugh and some of them (you know who you are) sent a broadcast of prayer requests on my behalf.   Please note – I never met some of these people, and some of them, I only met them once in person!

Earlier this year, I was blessed with good news in my health and I decided that I wanted to go back to my mountain.   I had a new goal and started to train for it.   I mentioned my goal of summiting Mt Rainier on Twitter and the support I had from the SQL community, again, was completely awesome and a little unexpected.   On the rough day that I just didn’t feel like doing my work out or hike, I had countless encouraging messages, tweets and even phone calls from people on this community!   They (again) lifted my spirit!   The day of my climb, I had so many people monitor my progress.   I carried a GPS that transmited my location on the mountain and marked the map so people can see where I was.   It was completely overwhelming the support that this community, this family gave me.

Then there’s my wedding.   I had special table (the Denali table) just for my SQL People during our reception.   Some of them flew across the country just to attend our wedding!  I was honored, and touched.

Then there’s Portland Half-Marathon.   I wrote a post on its own about this here and Karen Lopez (t) wrote a beautiful recap here.    It’s beautiful.   It’s awesome.  It’s very real.

To summarize — this community, this SQL community is more than just a community for me.  They are my extended family.   They are there for me, not just during a good times, but through my challenging times.  Not just when I can’t figure out which index is slowing down the site, but when I am struggling to live life.  I love these people.

Thank you.   Thank you for being such an awesome bunch.