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Mile 1,069.  Today's Tortoise walk was an afternoon hillside loop in La Verkin.  Pictured above is the outdoor Christmas tree at the city offices.  The day's walking thought was by Neil Anderson ...

Cheerio!

Today's walk was 3.14 miles and had a 5.3 tortoise rating earned by climbing 134 feet in the 1.57 mile uphill portion.  Average elevation was 3242. This walk burned 466 calories in 54:42 minutes.

Here are the overall stats so far for 2015:

1,069.47 miles walked which is 106.73% of Lou's 2015 goal.  On this day in 2014, Tortoise had walked 994.11 miles.  

328:41:12 hours walked which is 105.01% of the 2015 goal (which is to walk 1 hour a day on the 313 days other than Sunday in the year).  

58,806 total feet climbed, compared with 48,448 feet on this day in 2014.

160,736 calories burned.

96.49% of the year has passed.

Lou has walked 190 consecutive non-Sundays since his 8 missed days May 2-11, Overall he has walked on 293 of the 302 non-Sundays in 2015, a 97.02% consistency rating.  This compares with 289 days walked in the same period in 2014 (a 95.70% 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 ...

"My young brothers and sisters, how we love you, admire you, and pray for you.  Don't let the whirlwinds drag you down.  These are your days -- to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Build more firmly your foundation upon the rock of your Redeemer.

"Treasure more completely His incomparable life and teachings.

"Follow more diligently His example and His commandments.

"Embrace more deeply His love, His mercy and grace, and the powerful gifts of His Atonement.

"As you do, I promise you that you will see the whirlwinds for what they are -- tests, temptations, distractions, or challenges to help you grow.  And as you live righteously year after year, I assure you that your experiences will confirm to you again and again that Jesus is the Christ.  The spiritual rock under your feet will be solid and secure.  You will rejoice that God has placed you here to be a part of the final preparations for Christ's glorious return."

-- Neil L. Andersen, "Spiritual Whirlwinds", April 2014 LDS General Conference