236.6 lbs (DAY 124)

Weighed myself this morning... 236.6 lbs

I think that is enough gaining for a bit...

MORE EATING, NO WALKING (DAY 122)

ANOTHER DAY WHEN WORK INTERFERES WITH HIKING TIME (DAY 121)

I did not find time to hike yesterday... In fact, I was particularly INACTIVE - check out my 'steps' for the day - I didn't get past 7000.  On the other hand, I am a salesman. It is my selling career that propels me about the state and affords me the opportunity to hike in all kinds of different locales. Wednesday was a hikeless day, but it was a particularly fruitful day at work - and that is important too.

A NORMAL DAY IN ILLINOIS (DAY 119)

Trying to get ahead of an early midwest snowstorm, I was in Bloomington, Illinois on Sunday. There was a threat of rain before the threat was to turn to snow. I set out for a hike at around noon and I hiked to NORMAL.  (Normal, Illinois...that is)

SHORT DAY IN CHICAGO (DAY 118)

My weekend at home was cut short.
Cut short by the need to leave Chicago to avoid a predicted snow storm.
But not before I found the time to take a hike.

STILL OFF THE RAILS (DAY 111)

I am slipping into some bad habits again.... What is my problem?
No seriously, I need to know.

SNOVEMBER (DAY 108)

There was much more snow from DC through New England.... Still even in southern Illinois, I had to deal with a couple of inches of snow that fell overnight on Wednesday. Which means that I was trudging through it on Thursday during my 6 mile hike in Effingham.

OVERNIGHT TRIP TO UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (DAY 104)

Sunday itinerary was for my daughter and I to take an overnight trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan for a Monday morning college tour of University of Michigan.  Before we left for our trip in the morning, I woke up and before sunrise, embarked on a 10 mile hike to start my day.

"Hey Doc, Can you help me... I have this urge to get up at 6:30AM before sunrise and walk 10 miles even though it is 29° outside.  Is that normal?"

Bob Newhart statue as Dr. Hartley (Psychiatrist from the Newhart TV Show) at Navy Pier, Chicago

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22° (DAY 103)

It is clear to me that I will not be walking every day with cold temperatures and early darkness descending upon me.  I woke up Saturday to clear skies and 22° F.  So I suited up and headed outside for a 7 mile Chicago urban hike.  It felt great... and somehow, since I was dressed properly it just did not seem so cold....

SKIPPED A DAY (DAY 99)

Monday was get-away day from Houston back home.
There was no time, or desire to get a walk in.
So I skipped a day.
In combination with some poorer eating choices whilst in Houston, it appears that I may have gone five pounds in the wrong direction...
OK, time to get back on track.

10% CHANCE OF RAIN - MEANS IT MIGHT RAIN (DAY 98)

Woke up early Sunday, checked the weather and saw a 10% chance of rain.  Naturally, I though that there was virtually no chance of getting caught in any downpour.  I was wrong. The last 2 miles of my hike were through a hard rainfall shortly after sunrise... My walk was shortened to 'only' seven miles.

HOUSTON (DAY 96)

Friday was a long day.
Woke up at 4:30AM
by 5:00AM on my way to Midway Airport.
7:00AM flight takes off for Houston
Plane lands approximately 9:30AM
Supershuttle drops me off at my hotel around 10:30AM
Amazingly, I was able to check into my room early.
11:00 changed clothes, and hiked 5 miles.
and then rest of the afternoon, a couple of meetings with fabric companies.
Dinner with colleagues.
and finally got to sleep around 11:00AM