16-166

Mile 459.  You're looking at the view to the east down to the Virgin River through the protective rails along the walkway across the LaVerkin - Hurricane bridge.  Nice!  It's another of the views Tortoise gets when he walks to work.  Today's walking thought was by Gary Stevenson ...

Cheerio!

Today's walk was 3.64 miles, done in 1:12:19 hours at an average pace of 19:52 minutes per mile.  This route had an average tortoise rating of 4.7, earned by climbing 255 feet in the 1.82 mile uphill portion.  Average elevation was 3251.

Here are the overall stats so far for 2016:

459.87 miles walked, compared with Lou's goal for this date of 452.23.

32,107 total feet climbed so far in 2016, compared to a year-to-date goal of 27,832.  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 per day average in 2015.  So far in 2016, Tortoise's walks have averaged 56:29 minutes each.

His average pace so far in 2016 has been 17:26 minutes per mile, compared with his 18:25 minute per mile pace in 2015.

Lou has walked 343 consecutive non-Sundays since his 8 missed days May 2-11, 2015.  Overall he has walked on 446 of the 455 non-Sundays in 2015-16, a 98.022% consistency rating.

One step at a time can lead to great things!

And now for today's walking thought ...

"President N. Eldon Tanner stated:  'One young boy on the school ground can wield a mighty influence for good.  One young man on the football team, or the campus, or among his fellow workers can, by living the gospel, honoring his priesthood, and taking a stand for the right, do untold good.  Often you will experience much criticism and ridicule even by those who believe as you do, even though they may respect you for doing right.  But remember that the Savior himself was tormented, ridiculed, spat upon, and finally crucified because he would not waver in his conviction.  Have you ever stopped to think what would have happened had he weakened and said 'Oh, what's the use?' and abandoned his mission?  Do we want to be quitters, or do we want to be valiant servants in spite of all the opposition and evil in the world?  Let us have the courage to stand up and be counted as true, devoted followers of Christ."

-- Gary E. Stevenson, "Be Valiant in Courage, Strength, and Activity", October 2012 LDS General Conference

The tortoise is smiling!