Blog Shame

Workout: 9 HOT miles with 6 x 1 mile (9:30), Pace Gloves

SO MUCH HEAT. I ran in it. At times, I felt horrendous, but for the most part I was just fine. No matter how hot it gets here, I know it could be worse. So much worse. I could be anywhere east of the Mississip, for example. Or in Singapore.

I still obsessively check New York's weather and every time I do, I have a flashback of the time I had a 104+ degree fever for five days straight in the middle of July when it was 102 degrees outside. I'm not even kidding; I peaked at 105.2, went to the ER and WASN'T GIVEN ANY ANTIBIOTICS so had to suffer for another three days before going elsewhere and getting what I needed (yet another reason I don't trust doctors). And I also think back to how I took a cab to go get those antibiotics but was dropped off ten streets south of where I needed to be so had to sprint to make it to my appointment on time. With a 104-degree fever, IN 102-DEGREE WEATHER. I have never been so miserable in my life. The only calories I could keep down was Gatorade, which I haven't touched since.

What's my point? I don't even know. I just thought I should talk about the glory days for a minute. I also wanted to bring attention to the fact that Anchorage gets hot. I occasionally read on the interblogs that, for example, it's only been over 70 degrees a handful of times in the last 5 years. I call total and complete bullshit. If someone tells you that, they're probably trying to sell you a bridge (or a fur-lined parka). These people are needlessly "othering" Alaska and fishing for "I don't know how you can possibly live there! That's so crazy omgggggg!" comments from their readers. It's frustrating. Alaska is interesting enough without lies about its climate.

On that note, it's supposed to be sunny with highs in the 70s for the next 10 days. Aye. Let's hope it suns itself out before race day because I'd like sunny, 45-degree perfection, please.

Despite the heat, today's run went pretty well. Also, I've only got one hard run left and then I'm freeeee! Well, freeeee! except for the marathon.

I think my extra hill efforts are paying off. I'm still terrified to run downhill but I'm slightly more relaxed about it than I was. Also, I ran part of the marathon course that nearly killed me a few weeks ago and found it to be significantly easier. Who would have thought that running hills would make running them easier?

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So I started freaking out today that people I know in real life are going to find out about this blog. A few people have looked up the blog by name (yes, I can see that, muahahaha), which on the one hand warms my heart because gee, thanks, but on the other hand makes me want to die because I'm afraid my one blog-reading friend stumbled upon it and has been telling others about it. I do not have blog-friendly friends. Having them find out about this thing is literally my worst nightmare. It's something I struggle with: wanting strangers to read this thing (because, let's face it, it's way more fun to write things if you know people might actually read them) but fearing the day a friend sees it and thinks, "What. The. F*ck. When did Jean become such a freak about running?" Because even my closest friends don't know how into it I am (part of the reason I have this thing in the first place-to spew running-related things at people who won't fall asleep while hearing about it).

You might argue that my friends are assholes if they'd make fun of me for this thing, but the truth is, I'D make fun of someone for having a blog. And I have. Not any of your blogs, of course, because I don't know you. Your blogs are all delightful. It's when I know the person that it suddenly becomes ridiculous. It doesn't make any sense to me either.

So if someone I know in real life ever sees this thing, please have mercy.

QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

• Do other people know you have a blog? Do they make fun of you for it? Are you ever ashamed, or is it just me?
• Do people ever say things about your place of residence that are totally false?