Olympic spectators will be a lot like the pioneer children of Latter-day Saint song: They'll walk and walk and walk.
Going to Utah Olympic Park to watch luge or bobsled? Count on at least a mile hike to the track. Uphill.
Late getting to the park-and-ride lot at Silver Creek Junction for mogul skiing at Deer Valley? Plan on trudging to the shuttle stop from the nethermost regions of the 70-acre parking lot.
Just want to soak in the festive atmosphere downtown? Enjoy the stroll from Pioneer Park or West High School.
There's not a Winter Games activity that won't require people to pound the pavement or beat a snow path. Standing in lines will be part and parcel to the experience as well.
Salt Lake commuters, too, will likely be engaging their feet more after abandoning their cars for a city bus or light rail. The only rubber (or leather) meeting the road will be on the bottom of their shoes.
You're walking. Yes, indeed, you're walking.
"That is something people need to know," said Tim Harpst, Salt Lake City transportation director. "It's normal for the Olympics."
When it comes down to it, your own two feet might be your best mode of transportation, especially downtown where streets will be closed and parking non-existent.
"In my mind, it's like going on vacation to another city," he said. "You walk everywhere."
Good soldiers know that if you take care of your feet, they will take care of you. Lt. Dan made sure Forest Gump knew that, barking at him to change his Army-issue cushion-sole socks regularly.
Dr. Randy Rhodes, a Salt Lake podiatrist, sees 20 to 30 patients a week who suffer with heel pain. Many are older than 30 and a little overweight.
Most wear poor shoes that lack much-needed arch support for people who don't stretch and flex like they used to, he said.
Rhodes suspects Olympic spectators have thought a lot about the event they will watch or where they will eat but not much about foot gear.
He suggests a comfortable, well-insulated hiking-type shoe that provides good support and good traction. One finger width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe also is advisable to keep toes from jamming on downhill walks, he said.
And remember, where your feet go, the rest of your body follows. So, if you're lugging a few extra pounds, now might be the time to stick with that New Year's resolution. The air is a little thinner in the mountains.
"The best way to train for walking is walking," said Denise Druce, a local fitness expert, even if it's only for a few minutes a day.
Druce also suggests setting treadmills on an incline and light weight-training to prep for Olympic walks.
In the end, all the forced walking might be good for a sedentary society. Besides, she says, humans aren't natural sitters anyway.
"Anatomically, our bodies are more comfortable in an upright position. So, standing and walking is what we're designed to do."
Perhaps Games-goers should consider shaping up their vocal chords, too. Like pioneer children, some might want to sing as they walk and walk and walk.
E-MAIL: romboy@desnews.com