Evaluate gear - see Gear list

Plan - study guidebooks and trail maps, sketch out itinerary, plan mail drops, arrange trailhead transportation and lodging

Train - I'll be walking to work most days to break in my boots and toughen up my feet.  I'll do longer trips in local parks on the weekends.  Each week I'll increase my pack weight until I'm comfortable in 40lbs or more.

Food - I'll be burning up to 4000cal per day, maybe more or less depending on distances, terrain, temperature, etc. So, I'll plan for ~2-2.5lbs of food each day.  My staples and main meal will be MREs supplemented with jerky, gorp, cheese, dried fruit, nuts, health bars, toaster pastries, candy bars, etc.  I'll re-supply with mail drops and trips to local grocery stores and restaurants.

Pack
Mail Drops - boxes are packed and sent ahead of time to post offices enroute.  They contain resupplies of : food, fuel, camera, next set of guidebooks and maps, travelers checks, water filter & water purification tablets, vitamins, sunscreen, paper, self addressed stamped envelopes, first aid kit
Send Ahead Box - box is sent from one post office to the next.  It contains things I'll need on an irregular basis:  seam sealer, boot water proofing, tent, stove and pack repair kits, boot laces, laundry detergent, extra zip lock bags