Chapter 2
Mile 401. After his aforementioned break at the Maverik at 3400 West State in Hurricane, it was a new day for Tortoise. What better thing for him to do than to carry on ... so that is what he did. His objective was to get to St. George Shuttle for its 4 am departure to Las Vegas. He was equipped with two packs, one a day pack, the other a sling over the shoulder
small clothes bag that his son-in-law Terry was kind enough to give him awhile back. He had a water bottle in each pocket of the day pack, a couple more Clif bars within reach, and the bright light of his phone shining the way ... all ready to go!
small clothes bag that his son-in-law Terry was kind enough to give him awhile back. He had a water bottle in each pocket of the day pack, a couple more Clif bars within reach, and the bright light of his phone shining the way ... all ready to go!
Now on the highway for the next 4 miles, he took care to walk facing traffic far off to the shoulder, shining his light on himself any time a vehicle approached. Lou could see, he wanted the cars to see him. There was a light breeze and the temperature gradually moderated as the morning progressed. Wonderful walking conditions, except a feeling returned to his heels that Tortoise had not felt in many years, not since climbing Mt. Whitney. The unmistakable feeling of blisters forming. Each mile, his pace gradually slowed. The first mile last night was done in 16:50 minutes. The next 6 were done in 17-18 minutes each. This morning's walk began at 19 minutes per mile, which became 20 at the top of the hill above Quail Lake. By Coral Canyon it was between 21 and 22 minutes per mile, and Tortoise began wondering if he was slowing too much to make it to the shuttle on time.
He carried on three more miles, before calling a cab at the Washington Post Office at the corner of Telegraph and Main to ride the last 5k into the shuttle terminal. It was enjoyable until the last hour. Now to figure out what caused those blisters so it doesn't happen again ...
Walking thought was by Todd Christofferson. Cheerio!
He carried on three more miles, before calling a cab at the Washington Post Office at the corner of Telegraph and Main to ride the last 5k into the shuttle terminal. It was enjoyable until the last hour. Now to figure out what caused those blisters so it doesn't happen again ...
Walking thought was by Todd Christofferson. Cheerio!
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| Walk done, Smiling Tortoise preparing to board his shuttle. |
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| The airport that never sleeps. Better to come now than at 7:30 for a 9 am flight and be stuck in the big line that will be here then. |
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| Flight is on-time, yay! It was a non-stop too. Tortoise slept most of the way which made it all the better. |
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| Made it! Now for dinner to start two nice days with Ledge. Then Tortoise will move on to Satellite Beach, the Ragozzines ... and his sweet lady. |
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| Gran Bay -- home of Ledge and Stef |
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| Time to relax in the pool! |
This morning's walk was 9.27 miles, done in 3:13:17 hours at an average pace of 20:51 minutes per mile. This route had an average tortoise rating of 5.1, earned by climbing 513 feet in the 4.64 mile uphill portion. Average elevation was 2947. Since the distance was over 5 miles, this qualifies for the Benjamin Category Override to a 5 tortoise rating walk.
Here are the overall stats so far for 2016:
401.19 miles walked, compared with Lou's goal for this date of 388.54 miles.
28,921 total feet climbed so far in 2016, compared to a year-to-date goal of 23,912. Lou hopes to climb more than the 61,316 feet he climbed in 2015 -- but in less time each day than his 1:07:04 hour average in 2015. So far in 2016 Tortoise's walks have averaged 55:57 minutes each.
His average pace so far in 2016 has been 17:01 minutes per mile, compared with his 18:25 minute per mile pace in 2015.
Lou has walked 323 consecutive non-Sundays since his 8 missed days May 2-11, 2015. Overall he has walked on 426 of the 435 non-Sundays in 2015-16, a 97.93% consistency rating.
One step at a time can lead to great things!
And now for today's walking thought ...
"'Jean Valjean my brother: you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!
"'Jean Valjean indeed became a new man, an honest man and a benefactor to many. Throughout his life he kept the two silver candlesticks to remind him that his life had been redeemed for God.'"
The Tortoise is still smiling!
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