Day 29 - 11,737 steps

Today was more of a normal day. After doing some running around this afternoon, I was able to go to the mall and walk my usual distance. Then I went downtown to see the Jason Isbell concert and I parked where I normally do for work and walked from there, and that was able to get me the rest of the steps. I'm pretty worn out from standing up for most of the concert; I'm sure I'll sleep well tonight.

Day 28 - 10,315 steps

I didn't think I was going to be able to walk today. I had a blister on one of my feet, so I went to Target and got some bandages to put on it. After I had it on for a while, it felt better, so I decided to go for a walk.

I did get some steps in doing some running around today, but I wound up walking outside to get my steps tonight. My foot started hurting a little bit, but I was able to get them in, and I stopped after I got finished. My foot feels fine right now; hopefully my plans the next two days will go off without a hitch!

Day 27 — 12,105 steps

It was a pretty normal day. I went to the mall and walked for three laps, then I went on my lunch break and walked down my usual path then. Yesterday I felt pretty sore, and today I feel even more sore. In a few days I'll be able to get a little rest! Just three days to go!

Day 26 — 12,458 steps

I'm glad today was a cooler day. I went to the mall and walked my usual three laps before I went to work, then I went and got the rest of my steps on my lunch break. It was a nice night with it being cooler, and I didn't get too hot. It felt very relaxing. I hope it stays this way for a while.

I can't believe I've nearly made it to the end of the month. This has been pretty insane for me.

Day 25 — 12,947 steps

Today it was hard for me to get going. I was sore, but once I took a shower, I felt better.

I went to the mall and did my usual three laps. Before that, I had to run to the store and get some milk, so I got a few bonus steps there. And as usual, on my lunch break, I took a 30-minute walk and was able to get the rest of my steps there.

I plan to keep doing this for most days after the week is over, but I'm definitely looking forward to a day of rest soon!

Day 23 — 13,293 steps and Day 24 — 10,716 steps

I didn't have time to blog last night, so I'm doing two today.

Yesterday, I was able to go to the mall before work and I walked about three miles there. Then I came in to work and I went and got my steps on my lunch break. So yesterday was pretty routine.

I'm finding Saturdays are harder to get my steps in, because I have to be at work earlier. I did come downtown early before work and walked for about 30 minutes, and then I went for a walk after work to get the rest of my steps. So, only a few days to go!

Day 22 — 11,183 steps

I didn't get up early enough today to go to the mall, so I decided to go down to the office early and walk downtown. Even though it is fall, technically, it was still about 90 degrees outside, so it's still summer to me.

I was able to get half my steps in doing that, and then I went on the same path, basically, on my lunch break to get my 10K. I went out about 8 and it was a little cooler, but still pretty humid. Walking outside today did leave me a little drained, though. Hopefully I can get up early enough tomorrow to go to the mall first.

Day 21 - 10,477 steps

I didn't sleep that great last night, so I got up this morning and had a big cup of coffee. I had a little running around to do first, so I did that, and then I went to the mall and walked my three miles there. After that, I came home and did my laundry. I was moving a lot between my apartment and the laundry room so I was able to get most of the remainder of my steps that way.

Back to work tomorrow, so I should be back in my routine!

Day 20 - 12,108 steps

Another fairly normal day today...I was off today. So I went to the mall this afternoon and walked three laps around for about three miles. After I rested a little bit (and took a short nap) I went down to the walking bridge and got the rest of my steps in. I was glad to be able to take it easy today after a long week at work!

Day 19 — 12,464 steps

Today was a pretty normal day, as far as getting my steps in. I went to the mall and walked three laps (which is about a mile around each way), then I went to work. I was able to walk about 3,000 steps on my break which got me over the 10K mark. Not feeling too tired from the walking, but just kind of tired in general since it's been a long week, and luckily I'm off the next couple of days!

Day 18 — 12,873 steps

I was able to get up in plenty of time before work today to go to the mall and walk for about an hour, which was where I got the majority of my steps. I didn't want to do like last night, where I had to get my steps in at the last minute. After that, I went to work, and on my lunch break, I was able to hit the 10K mark on my walk then. I can tell I'm not as tired when I'm doing this, even though I'm still a little sore. Only 12 days to go!

Day 17 — 10,362 steps

I was pooped last night when I got home, so I didn't have a chance to write. I had a long day at work yesterday and I went for a walk after work last night to get my steps in, so I was pretty tired.

I went for a short walk at the park before I went to work, which got me about halfway to my goal for the day. Then I worked until 10, and then after that I went for a walk downtown near my office to get my steps. When I got home, I was exhausted...I slept nearly 10 hours last night so I seem somewhat refreshed today!

Day 16 — 13,881 steps

I actually went for three different walks today. I took a tour of the University of Louisville campus this afternoon, so that meant I was moving for about an hour or so. That actually ended early, so I went on down to the office and went for a 30-minute walk there. On my dinner break, I decided to go for another walk outside, because it was cooling off. I'd like to write more about today but I'm pretty tired...partly from the walking but it's also been a pretty long day. I do believe this was the most steps I've walked in a day this month, so that's pretty cool.

I'm sure I'll be sore in the morning!

Day 15 — 11,071 steps

I'm halfway through the month!

I walked out at Broad Run Park this afternoon ... it was really hot! I wanted to get a little over 5,000 steps out there, but I came up just shy of it. I was pretty out of breath...it is a nice path out there and it's really not too hilly, but I was worn out.

I went to work, and feeling reenergized a few hours later, I went for my usual walk on my break. I was able to get my steps in at that point. I walked to my car when I got off work, and I saw I was just shy of 5 miles for the day. So I walked around a little outside the car and I was able to get that!

Day 14 — 11,678 steps

It was hard to get motivated today. It took me a while to get out of bed. I went to bed about 3 a.m. last night, and I woke up about 10 this morning for an hour or so, then I went back to bed about 11 and didn't get up until about 1. After I took a shower, I finally felt awake enough to trudge down to the mall and make a few laps.

I walked four laps at the mall, which got me about 8,500 of my steps. Then I went to a coffee shop to relax for a little bit before I headed back. As I headed home, I decided to drive up to a park that's down the road a bit from my apartment...a place I'd read about online yesterday called Broad Run Park.

I drove down there and it is incredibly nice. Not very hilly. I walked there for about 20 minutes to get the rest of my steps, and I'll probably be going back there as the weather cools down.

So tomorrow my vacation ends and I head back to work. Was worried that I might get off my track while I was on vacation since I'm not in a set routine, but I made it through. I'm not as tired as I have been since I started this, even though I'm a little sore when I get up in the mornings.

Day 13 - 10,776 steps

I slept in today...I didn't get to bed until about 3 a.m., and I finally crawled out of bed at noon. After I took a shower, I got up and went to the mall to walk. I took three laps around the mall, and then I got some lunch.

After that, I went over to a coffee shop, and hung out for a while on Bardstown Road, and I walked along the road on the sidewalk for about 30 minutes, getting the rest of my steps. I then came home and took it easy the rest of the night. I'm fixing to go to bed now...hopefully I'll get up a little earlier in the morning!

Day 12 — 10,813 steps

Tonight has been mostly a night of resting and relaxing, but I was able to get in my steps today before taking it easy.

I went to the mall and walked for about an hour, and that got me to around 7,000 steps. I later went into town to one of my favorite coffee shops and had some iced coffee and played on my computer for a while. I then went on a little walk to get the rest of my steps.

Usually after I have coffee, I have a hard time relaxing or going to sleep. But soon after I got home this afternoon, I promptly went and took a 3-hour nap. I woke up at 10, and I'm sure I'll be up for a while tonight.

Day 10 - 13,505 steps and Day 11 - 11,133 steps

I'm posting two blogs at once today. I forgot to blog last night because I didn't get back from the races until about 1 a.m., and by that point I was about to fall asleep. Anyway, it was a long day out there, and I figured I'd be moving most of the day so I didn't figure I'd have any problem getting my steps. I hit the 10K mark before the races even started Saturday night as I was walking back in from the car.

This morning, we drove back from Dayton. I usually don't get up until about 11 or 12, but the last three mornings I've gotten up earlier than usual. So I took a nap as soon as I got back, then after I got up, I went back down to the pedestrian bridge over the Ohio River. It was a nice day today, so I didn't get hot. It was also a pretty neat atmosphere, as there were people set up on the bridge playing music, so at least it was entertaining.

I walked for about an hour down there, crossing the bridge back and forth twice, and I was able to get my 10K that way. I came back and I've been taking it easy the rest of the night. I'm probably going to go to bed soon.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try to go back to the mall and get my steps in. It'll be good to get back into a routine.

Day 9 — 12,123 steps

It's been a long day. Spent most of it riding with my parents up to Dayton...me and my dad are going to the dirt races at Eldora tomorrow. I debated if I wanted to get up early this morning and go walking, but last night, I still had some energy, so I decided to go try the walking bridge downtown.

That was a very, very nice place to walk. It wasn't too hot, and there was a nice wind blowing. Plus, walking over the bridge provided a nice view of the Louisville skyline.



So, after I completed my walk, I had gotten up to 7,500 steps. I was able to get my steps today by just doing some moving around after I got up here. Plus, I've been tired most of the day, so I was able to get a three-hour nap in tonight. Hopefully I'll be able to get my steps in tomorrow by moving around some at the track.

Day 8 - 11,815 steps

After I walked at the Mall St. Matthews yesterday, I figured that would be a better and cooler environment for me to walk in today. So I went there and got in the majority of my steps. I was probably there for about an hour and a half walking.

Most of the rest of the day was spent getting ready for my trip to Ohio tomorrow. I went to the grocery and picked up a few odds and ends. And, I've been doing some things around the house tonight, so I've already got 2,000 steps for today. So it's a bit of a head start.

Day 7 - 11,297 steps

Walked five miles again today, but I was thinking I might not get there.

My vacation started today, and I wasn't feeling too motivated this morning. Went to Costco and got some groceries, and I came in and unloaded them, which was kind of exhausting in itself because you apparently can't buy anything small there. I watched TV for about an hour and then I went walking in the park nearby.

I only walked for about 30 minutes there because it was frickin' hot outside. I came back and got ready for my bowling league, which started tonight. The team they are likely going to put me on didn't show up tonight, so I couldn't bowl. So I went to the Mall of St. Matthews to get the rest of my steps in.

I'll probably go back there tomorrow. At least it is air-conditioned inside and it wasn't too exhausting to walk. So now I know I have other options of walking besides outside in the heat.

Day 6 — 10,424 steps

I went down to the office early today so I could walk on the treadmill in the gym. Unfortunately, the gym was closed, so I decided to walk outside instead. It was kind of hot, but I only walked for 30 minutes and that got me in the neighborhood of 6,000 steps.

I then went up to work, and I took the same path again, walking for 30 minutes until I got my 10K. Now I'm off for a few days, and the challenge will be to try and keep it going while I'm on my vacation. Hopefully I can get some good sleep tonight and I won't be too tired in the morning!

Day 5 — 11,507 steps

Just slightly more than the steps I had yesterday, but I went about getting them a different way today.

I couldn't get up at 10 (too early for me, the nightowl), so I got up at 11:15 in time to do my Fantasy Football draft. I went down to the office early and walked on the treadmill there for about 30 minutes, while listening to the Rockin' The Suburbs album by Ben Folds.



Usually, when I walk outside, I don't listen to music (mainly to keep aware of my surroundings), but music inside breaks up the monotony for me. And I'm not one of these people who needs a customized playlist of death metal to get me pumped up, like what I'm convinced Michael Phelps listens to.

So then I went to work, which was fortunately fairly easy today since it was Labor Day. On my break, I went for a walk downtown to get the remainder of my steps. Was able to get up to five miles today after I walked to my car tonight!

So tomorrow I'll probably follow a similar plan, because it's still too hot for me to walk outside in the afternoon. I prefer walking outside to walking inside if the weather is nice. Hopefully it will be cooler soon.

Day 4 — 11,042 steps

I walked 4.99 miles today. When I left work tonight, I thought about getting out and walking around my car a couple of times to make it 5 miles, but I decided not to. :)

This morning (or early afternoon, after I got up), I went to Highview Park, the park that's pretty close to my apartment. You can see the path I walk on (below).



I walked about 40 minutes there, then I came home, fixed my lunch (my usual smoothie, I'm not much about variety), then I went to work.

On my lunch break, I took my usual route downtown, which I should probably mix up a little bit. I always walk past this parking garage.



I was able to get to 10K on my back to the office. Right now, I'm fixing me some chicken and rice in my rice cooker. I plan on trying to get up tomorrow at 10 a.m. and going for a walk, then I'm doing a fantasy football league draft at 11:45. If I can't get up that early, I'll probably go down to the office after the draft and walk on the treadmill there.

I'm still standing after doing this four days in a row. Somehow.

Day 3 — 12,365 steps

I woke up this morning at 8:30...couldn't go back to sleep. I was going to get up at 10 anyway, so I just got up a little early.

Went to Cherokee Park near the Highlands area of Louisville. I'd heard of it, but I'd never been there. It's a very nice park, and most of the walking path is shaded. However, it is hilly, and it took me about 50 minutes to go around one lap. However, I was able to get about 6,000 steps on this walk, so most of my work was done for the day.

After I got off work tonight, I went for a 30-minute walk downtown. It was a nice, cool night and I was able to get up to my 10K (and more) for the day.

The walk this morning had made me really hungry today, so I treated myself to some chicken at the Chicken King which is down the road from my office. I'd never eaten there before, and after eating it tonight, I highly recommend it.

So I'm definitely going to catch up on my sleep tonight.

Day 2 - 10,550 steps

Still here at work, helping out with high school football stuff.

I did all my walking outside today...I went to the park close to my apartment and walked for about 40 minutes, then I came home to get ready to go to work. I again walked the same route I usually take on my lunch break to hit 10K.

Tomorrow I plan to get up early and try to get most of my steps in at a park close to downtown. I'll probably be pretty busy at work tomorrow, so I might have to get the rest of my steps in at the end of my shift. I'm pretty tired tonight; hopefully I can get out of here soon!

Day 1 — 10,953 steps

Only 30 days to go.

I went down to the office early and walked on the treadmill for 35 minutes. I basically put my Fitbit on while I ate lunch, so I didn't have many steps counted prior to me heading to work.

After walking on the treadmill, I was at right around 5,000 steps. I went to the office and began my workday. Wasn't able to move a whole lot between the start of my shift and my break, but I got close to the 6,000 mark. On my break, I decided to walk 4,000 steps so I could get to my goal today. It was a nice night out on my break, with a nice breeze going, so I didn't get too hot, which was nice.

Hopefully my knees and feet will benefit from rest tonight, and I might go to the park for my first walk tomorrow before work, because it's only supposed to be around 80 tomorrow. I'm going to try to get up at noon again...which I've been doing for the past week or so because I've been sleeping too late.

So I'm glad I got through the first day of my self-imposed challenge!