15-61

Mile 197.  Tortoise dedicates this post to Becca and all the hard working elementary school teachers out there!  He parked just south of La Primaria Elementary School (pictured above, love the art on their building!), then walked up Gilman Road to Ramona Blvd in El Monte, CA, then went right a short distance to the entrance that allowed him to continue his walks on the San Gabriel River Trail.  For more pictures, a map, other details, and the day's walking thought by Richard Edgley, please click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

Looking ahead from Lou's rental car at La Primaria School
as Tortoise prepares to begin his walk

Trail entrance on the west side of the Ramona Blvd. bridge
over the San Gabriel River

Tortoise started by walking north to Saturday's turnaround point.

Now he'll walk south

A small botanical garden beautifies the trail

About to walk under the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10)
just west of its interchange with I-605

Now south of I-10

Let's walk under the Metrolink tracks now

It's a beautiful day, but Lou turned around
and headed north here

Anyone have memories of shot put and other field events?

Almost back to the Ramona Blvd. bridge

Tortoise completed today's 4.44 mile walk in 1:11:52 hours.  Tortoise rating was 6.6, based on 76 feet climbed in the 2.22 mile uphill portion (average elevation 285).  Although this walk approached 5 miles, it fell short of the Benjamin Category Override to a Tortoise rating of 5.  Saturday's walk stands on its own for now.  690 calories were burned along the way.  

Here is a map of today's route:

 And here are the overall stats so far for 2015:

197.42 miles walked, which is 19.70% of Lou's 2015 goal. On this day in 2014, Tortoise had walked 183.77 year-to-date miles.  

57:38:42 hours walked, which is 18.42% of the 2015 goal (which is to walk 1 hour a day on the 313 days other than Sunday in the year)

10,348 total feet climbed, compared with 9,666 feet on this day in 2014.  

29,651 calories burned

16.61% of the year has passed

Lou has walked 60 consecutive non-Sundays since his last missed day on December 22, and overall has walked on 350 of the 365 non-Sundays since the beginning of 2014, a 95.89% consistency rating.

The purpose of the percentages is to have a higher percentage of distance and time walked than of the year. This tells Tortoise that he is on track. Yes, this is more numbers than you are likely interested in, all Tortoise can say is he's really good at setting high goals and having them slip away because he doesn't do them every, every day.  (If you doubt this, compare Tortoise's 2013 walking record with 2014)

And now for today's walking thought, initially presented in October 1996:

"The missionaries will explain to you the very purpose of this life that we call mortality. They will help you understand where we came from, why we are here, and why it is necessary and even desirable to experience the vicissitudes of mortality, including suffering, pain, temptation, and death, as well as joy and happiness. They will explain how through Christ’s teachings, one finds peace and direction in a sometimes troubled and turbulent world. Perhaps most important of all, they will explain God’s view of the importance and sanctity of the family. To husbands and wives who love each other and who love their children, there will be a message of how you can have your families forever—eternally—beyond the grave. And finally, they will explain how you can gain your personal witness as to the truthfulness of these things."

To watch, listen to, or read this message in full, please visit

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/we-care-enough-to-send-our-very-best?lang=eng #ShareGoodness

The tortoise is smiling!