Reality Check. Checked.

July 5

32mi, 6:17.04. A great first 5 hours. Andrews Creek drainage to Spanish Camp. From Andrews Pass to the supreme alpine meadows of Spanish Camp, it was spectaular. Our turn around point was the Boundry Trail, just 2-3 mile from the Canadian border. I must get back into this area with the family and our backpacks someday... 90+ degree temperatures and a final hour spent hoofing it over sandy trails and snags from a 20 year old fire (thusly not a hint of shade) nearly crushed me. I need to order some electrolyte tablets, because, 1 x pbj, a cliff bar, a powerbar and the 98 ounces of water consumed enroute were just simply not enough. We ran almost every step but for some hiking over Andrews Pass AND the final minor hill about 1 mile from the car. I simply had to walkfor a while -- which is certainly a good thing especially since I could tell that the heat was laying hands on my soul. 1/2 mi from the end, we sat in Andrews Creek. While I'm quite certain that this is cold water, even after 10 minutes of full-body immersion I was still cooling down. To think that I will continue for another 68 miles at some point... it will be something! (cas II)

July 4

5mi, 37:06. Happy Birthday S! An easy five miles in your honor and then off to paint faces at the annual Methow Arts Fest. (a5)

July 2

6 mi, 48:03. HILLS. Looking at the time, this run might have been longer. Perhaps not however, since I was slogging it up the hills. 6 x 2:15-2:20 A jog back down for rest. Same Sun Mt. View/Marmot Mt. hills that I have done previously. Hot today, plus on the middle 4 I bounded for the first 30sec. Meant to bound longer, but the lactic acid produced in 30sec. pretty much wrecked me. Really glad I tried that. Might feel better next time... (a5)