December 20th to 25th

December 20th:
8719 steps
3.4 miles

December 21st:
9346 steps
3.7 miles

December 22nd:
6229 steps
2.4 miles

December 23rd:
2778 steps
1.1 miles

December 24th:
2420 steps
0.9 mile

December 25th:
1879 steps
0.7 mile

TOTAL=  463.8 / 462 miles

The elves lit their lanterns and we began to walk in the starlight.  And then... we made it to Lothlórien!!  

I did it!  From Hobbiton to Lothlórien in under a year!  (Of course, the hobbits did it in under four months, including breaks, but I'm slightly less motivated than they were.  Having the fate of the known world resting on your shoulders puts a little more pep in your step, surely!)

Now that I'm here, I'm not sure what the plan is for next year.  I could continue on the path... The Fellowship breaks up into smaller groups, and I could follow along to either Isengard or Mt. Doom (484 or 470 miles).  

I'm not sure how much value the Middle-Earth comparison adds, at this point.  I've pretty much just walked when I felt like it.  I haven't really pushed myself consistently-- but "mapping" the miles does give some type of goal, and in theory, that can be helpful to keep you moving.  On the one hand, maybe I ought to set slightly more demanding "mini-goals" for myself; on the other, if I make it too taxing, I'll be more tempted to stop.  

I'll probably set Isengard as my next goal and just keep doing what I've been doing, for now.