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Mile 966.  It was a tougher than usual day for Tortoise, so when all was said and done at about a quarter to eight, Lou set out on a longer than usual loop of LaVerkin to blow off steam.  And he did feel better when he was done.  Tonight's walking thought is by Thomas S. Monson ...

Cheerio!

Today's walk was 5.34 miles and had a 5.3 tortoise rating earned by climbing 225 feet in the 2.67 mile uphill portion, however, the over five mile distance gives it a Benjamin Category Override to a 5.0 tortoise rating.  Average elevation was 3212.  This walk burned 792 calories in 1:34:36 hours.

Weigh-in:  222.2, a 0.9 pound decrease compared with Lou's last weigh-in on November 12.

Here are the overall stats so far for 2015:

966.42 miles walked which is 96.45% of Lou's 2015 goal.  On this day in 2014, Tortoise had walked 922.32 miles.

296:50:44 hours walked which is 94.84% of the 2015 goal (which is to walk 1 hour a day on the 313 days other than Sunday in the year).

51,576 total feet climbed, compared with 45,263 feet on this day in 2014.

144,986 calories burned.

88.82% of the year has passed.

Lou has walked 166 consecutive non-Sundays since his 8 missed days May 2-11, Overall he has walked on 269 of the 278 non-Sundays in 2015, a 96.76% consistency rating.  This compares with 265 days walked in the same period in 2014 (a 95.32% consistency rating).

The purpose of the percentages is to have a higher percentage of both distance and of 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 walking record up until 2013 with 2014 or 2015 ... for him, it is what it takes to be consistent.  He hopes you find what works for you).

And now for today's walking thought ...

"The clock of history, like the sands of the hourglass, marks the passage of time.  A new cast occupies the stage of life.  The problems of our day loom ominously before us.  Throughout the history of the world, Satan has worked tirelessly for the destruction of the followers of the Savior.  If we succumb to his enticings, we -- like the mighty Bismarck -- will lose that rudder which can guide us to safety.  Instead, surrounded by the sophistication of modern living, we look heavenward for that unfailing sense of direction, that we might chart and follow a wise and proper course.  Our Heavenly Father will not leave our sincere petition unanswered.  As we seek heavenly help, our rudder, unlike that of the Bismarck, will not fail.

"As we venture forth on our individual voyages, may we sail safely on the seas of life.  May we have the courage of a Daniel, that we might remain true and faithful despite the sin and temptation which surround us.  May our testimonies be as deep and as strong as that of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, who, when confronted by one who sought in every way possible to destroy his faith, declared, 'I could not be shaken.'"

-- Thomas S. Monson, "Guided Safely Home", October 2014 LDS General Conference

The tortoise is smiling!