Walk to Mordor Challenge

Recently I was watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy (for the millionth time) and I remembered that I wanted to try to complete a Walk to Mordor Challenge as part of my 101 in 1001 Days Project. Then because I have also decided to
a) run a full marathon this year and b) write/blog more often, it is only natural that this become interconnected and the new main focus on my blog. 

The challenge is to follow in the footsteps of Frodo and Samwise and "simply walk" the 1779 miles (2863 km) from The Shire to Mount Doom! Sounds simple enough, eh?  

Mind you, I don’t anticipate that I will finish all of these miles prior to my marathon in November, but I should at least get to Rivendell by that time period.  Right now I average about 10 miles a week, which is nothing compared to the hobbits who walked 18 in one day!  After my half-marathon March 17th, I plan to up my running to 16-18 miles a week with most of my average runs at 5 miles.  This will of course only increase as the full marathon training begins in June (exhausted already!).  Furthermore, I will count any walks and swimming that I do (it should count!). 

A few websites that I have reviewed in order to get started

eowynchallenge, Nerd Fitness (which has a great spreadsheet to keep track of total mileage), and http://renaissancedaze.blogspot.ca/2012/08/step-by-step-walking-to-mordor-challenge.html.

I'm also eager to get my copy of The Atlas of Middle Earth  by  Karen Wynn Fonstad.

The journey is broken into 4 steps & each of those are also broken into baby steps as well. 

458 miles: Go to Hobbiton to Rivendell

     Hobbiton to Bree:  135 miles

     Bree to Weathertop: 105 miles

     Weathertop to Rivendell: 218

462 miles: Set out with the Fellowship from Rivendell to Lothlorien

      Rivendell to Hollin Ridge:  232 miles

      Hollin Ridge to West Gate of Moria:  108 miles

      West Gate of Moria to Moria Exit:  42 miles

      Moria Exit to Lothlorien:  80 miles

389 miles: Travel through Moria and down the Anduin from Lothlorien to Rauros Falls. 

    TBD

470 miles: Follow Frodo and Sam on the quest from Rauros to Mt. Doom

    TBD

The journey will not be easy - there will be struggles as well as success.  This is why I have chosen my Fellowship very carefully.  First there is my pseudo running coach/advisor, Jillian, the wise & all-knowing Gandalf.  Then my pilates and trx instructors (my Legolas and Gimli), who lend support full on.  An unknown physical therapist (Aragorn), who will battle with my hip flexor and knee joints to keep me up and running.  The wine god Bacchus (Boromir) who will try to take the "ring" from me unless I keep him under control.  My crazy housemates (Merry & Pippin) who step in for comedic relief.  And last but not least, my sister, who serves as my Samwise Gamgee.  She'll be there to pick me up and carry me to the finish line.  Of course there are many supporting and colorful characters along the way, complete with new foods such as lembas, & strange places.  I can't wait for you to join me on my adventure!!