the last walk before the big walk

From Sunday night to Monday morning, I walked 9.3K from 11:36 p.m. to 1:56 a.m., exactly 2 hours and 20 minutes. That's about 3.98 kph, which isn't great, but it's not horrible by my reduced standards. The night was pleasantly on the cusp between warm and cool. This was my usual short walk out to the Han River and back; I was testing out my new, slightly undersized UnderArmour shirt (3XL was all they had; I'm a 4XL), which will protect my armpits from fat friction the way my Spandex pants protect my inner thighs from crotch friction. I was also testing out the Leukotape on both of my feet, as well as the walking socks (a bit small) that came free with the UnderArmour shirt (bought via Coupang; it arrived earlier than anticipated—Friday instead of Monday). Not much left to do but to pack for the journey. I can buy water in Busan, but I want to buy a few boxes of ibuprofen from my local pharmacy to give myself a bit of help while I'm on the path. Less pain might help me to walk a bit faster over long distances.

My buddy Tom will be delighted to know I've finally joined the zombie horde of UnderArmour wearers; he's been shilling for the brand for years despite not being sponsored by them. The shirt is tight around the torso, were I'm the fattest, but loose on the arms, where I have little to no muscle. Tonight's walk proved, though, that the shirt is thin and breathable, and like Spandex, it protects the armpits from painful friction as the arms swing. I approve.

I'm also going to take along my Skechers insoles, which I'd removed and replaced with my orthotic insoles and my absolutely indispensable Odor Eaters, crucial to keeping the people around me from dying. God bless the person who discovered and harnessed activated charcoal! Aside from ibuprofen and insoles, I can't think of what else I might need. I've got a comprehensive checklist that I'll be reviewing Monday night. By Tuesday morning, I need to be packed and ready to go so I can leave straight from work to hit the train station, which is only two stops beyond where I live—four stops total from Daechi Station, where I work.

now a proud wearer of UnderArmour

Here, the UnderArmour is under my walk tee. Note the long sleeve. My tee has short sleeves.

The long sleeves of the UnderArmour shirt also serve to replace my toshi. The toshi were what were causing the friction problem: they tended to go halfway up my biceps, causing a "muffin top" effect with my triceps fat, puffing it out and making it rub against my man-boob and armpit fat while I walked, causing redness and irritation. The UnderArmour covers all of that now. I'm glad I no longer experience friction and irritation.

Finally! Mature Joro spiders in my own neighborhood. Took you long enough, ladies.

On my way back to my apartment from the Han, I saw, as though in a spotlight...

Is that a... is that a beer bottle?

Sure looks like one.

Yup. A beer bottle. Left on the steps/bleachers under the bridge.

Aside from that bit of pollution and negligence, it was a good walk. I stopped only a few seconds to take my various photos, and I didn't need to rest at all. While my pace was slow, it was about as brisk as it could be. I'll be starting in Busan, where it'll be warmer, but I'll be protected by Saint UnderArmour and my wide-brimmed hat. As time marches on, and I move northward to Andong, temps will descend. I don't think I'll need a coat, though, if last year was any indication. In the mornings, I'll need the combo of my windbreaker and poncho, and I'll need my thin winter gloves to keep my fingers from freezing. (I might also need my ski mask/head-warmer thingie.) I lost both pairs of gloves that I'd used last year, but luckily, I have my own pair of gloves that'll come in handy. I just hope I don't go senile and lose these gloves, too.