June 13: Week One Is Coming to a Close
Week one is coming to a close, and so far, I am doing good.
Today I finished my first sustained training walk.
It was not just a collection of steps spread throughout the day. It was an intentional walk. A continuous effort. A real training marker.
Even better, I had a walking companion this time: my wonderful wife.
I am one hundred percent sure I owe the strong pace to her. Some people push you by barking orders. Others push you simply by walking beside you. Today, she walked beside me, and it made a difference.
After the walk, we made a quick trip to Sam’s Club to buy some vegetables. It was a very normal errand after what felt like an important morning. Maybe that is part of the lesson. Big goals are often built around ordinary days.
This week, I have noticed a few changes.
My appetite has increased. My mood has been better overall. I can feel a growing sense of accomplishment starting to take root.
That matters.
At the same time, this week has also reminded me that I need to be smart. I had to push through some knee and hip stiffness. I did it successfully, but it also underlines the need to consult a sports medicine doctor. With rods and screws in my body, I want to make sure I am building strength without causing harm.
The goal is not to prove I can ignore pain.
The goal is to prepare wisely.
I am also thinking about making Sundays a rest and holy day.
I do not know whether that will be possible during the hike itself. The trail may have its own demands, and I will have to learn as I go. But for now, during training, I want Sunday to be a day of rest, reflection, and gratitude.
A day to give my body a break.
A day to give thanks to God for allowing me the opportunity to do this.
Week one is not finished yet, but it already feels meaningful.
The long walk ahead has begun.
Training Week: T-213
Date: June 8, 2026
Phase: Phase I: Habit and Baseline Walking
Training Goal: Average 8,000 steps per day
Training starts today.
For Phase I, steps are my language.
Eight thousand steps may not sound like much to some people. For others, it may sound like a lot. For me, it is a real starting point.
I have rods in both legs. Both the upper and lower portions of my right leg have hardware. The upper portion of my left leg has hardware. My right hip is held together with screws.
So yes, 8,000 steps matters.
There may be people starting this journey, or a similar one, with greater hurdles than mine. There may be others starting with fewer. It does not matter. We all start where we are.
We have time, God willing.
And with time, determination, drive, grit, and a healthy amount of stubbornness, I believe most hurdles can be overcome.
If you are starting something difficult, build a support structure around you if you can. Find people who encourage you. Find people who understand the goal. Find people who will remind you why you started when the excitement fades.
And if you do not have that support yet, maybe this page can become part of it.
In many ways, that is what this website is becoming for me.
A record.
A reminder.
A support structure.
A place to return to when the work feels too big.
Today the journey begins.
One step at a time.