David, one of my walking partners, came by yesterday evening to return a couple of backpacks he had borrowed for his hunting trip to Crested Butte. They had elk tags, but only saw mule deer, so they didn't need serious packs for carrying out field dressed elk after all. They had good weather, saw beautiful terrain, enjoyed comraderie, and had no injuries, so it was a good trip except for not getting what they went for - elk. He indicated they had not been able to walk as far as I did on my trip about the same time in New Mexico, since they had returned to their cabin each day. Perhaps he will go with my group next time - we know walking is all we are going to do.

I realized during that conversation that I had not taken a walk since returning from the wilderness a few weeks ago. I am conscientious about training before high altitude treks, but lackadaisical about conditioning otherwise. So tonight I took a little walk in the neighborhood. Since I was walking alone, I was able to increase the pace without worrying if other folks would/could keep up. I covered my normal route in 45 minutes. Granted, I didn't carry a pack or wear my hiking boots tonight, but I usually take an hour to walk that circuit, so I feel good about not being completely back to couch potato status. And I wasn't breathing hard at any point, either.

Now I just need to get with a weight training program and work on overall strength. I set of goal of getting my weight under control in 2006, and I lost 50 pounds in six months. This year is the year I was supposed to work on strength and endurance. I feel pretty good about my endurance, but it is time to get after strength now. And maybe get my weight back to where it should be, since I have gained back half of what I lost. It turns out that eating vegetarian doesn't insure weight loss if the calories are supplemented with Fritos and pie. I sure do like Fritos. And did I tell you about the lady selling homemade pie to raise money for missions at her church. I mean, don't you have to support a good cause like that? Last week was pumpkin pie and this week was pecan pie. I was just trying to do my part to help out. One pie per week is all she asks. I wonder what kind next week is? Maybe I should go do another lap through the neighborhood.