Good luck, Importman. Sounds like you will do just fine. I'm starting from Springer on March 30, my 65th birthday (it's also the 65th anniversary of Earl Shaffer's historic first thruhike). I'm a good 40 pounds overweight which I hope to lose by the Smokies I've done a few practice hikes up here in NY-CT area and the steep climbs are, well, steep. Just take your time as others have said. C U on the trail.