To Old Navy and Beyond

To Old Navy and Beyond:

Well, not really beyond... that would be really far. But for sure "beyond" in the theoretical and emotional senses of the word.

I was a day late, but I did it. I walked from my local grocery story in Highland, Utah to the Old Navy in American Fork and back again. I started walking at 10:23 a.m. and returned to the car at about 2:30 p.m. But, of course I stopped to shop and feed the baby, so I think it took about 3 hours and 10 minutes to walk.

The walk was about 10 miles and went really well. It was hot, and I got a late morning start. But I survived. I about died at the mile 2 mark when I had to pee so badly I could hardly go on. I made a slight detour and used the ladies' room at the AF rec center. But I made the rest of the trip bathroom free. Imagine that.

I was thrilled to get to Old Navy, but almost turned around at the edge of the parking lot without even going inside so I could get a jump on getting home. But then, of course, I remembered how much I love Old Navy in the depths of my soul. I went in, bought a shirt for me, bought two shirts for Quinn, but did not return Tim's wrong-sized shirt as planned because McKenna was crying.

On my way out of the parking lot, I stopped at Target and fed McKenna. We took a stroll through the baby clothes area, of course, and then I was headed home. Everything was fine until about mile 8 when my back started to really hurt. I kind of wanted to die, and I could not figure how I felt so good just 2 miles before. But I made it through. I was listening to The Time Traveler's Wife the entire walk, which I really enjoyed, but when my back hurt, I took a listening break and focused on my body instead. It worked, and I felt better after a little focused walking and meditation.

I spotted my car in Highland just at the climax of my book. So, standard, I walked the last 100 yards slowly and then drove even slower on the way home so I could keep listening.

My biggest obstacles were these tiny, but sharp little thorns that kept attacking my stroller tires. I had to be very careful where I rolled. A few times I had to stop and pull as many as 10 thorns from the tires after crossing dirty patches on the side walk. Not cool.

When I got home I was greeted by a sunburn and a tired attitude .... Oh, and a very, very, very wet t-shirt. So wet.

I got a little blister on the bottom of the pad of my right big toe, but it could have been a lot worse.

Plus, I love the shirt I bought myself for $8.

Next: 12 miles. Bring it on.