Keeping it Fun?

I bought a pedometer, the other day, to keep track of miles I walk.  I wanted it for more than measuring my daily walking.  I'll use it to distinguish between "daily” and "exercise” walking.   

I think I got the idea from a guy, I was talking to, in the lane next to me, at the pool.   He was resting against the blue and white tiles, on the side of the pool, huffing and puffing.  I said,  "You sure have quite a workout!”

   

He said, "I make a goal for how many laps I swim a month!”

Silently, I considered the possibility, "Gee, I never thought of keeping track of laps."  I swim by the clock.  "Well, that could take all the fun out of my swim", I decided.  

When I swim, back and forth, I think more about the feel of water around me.  I ponder the latest homework from counseling.  I spy on other swimmers to see what new contraptions they'll pull out of their bag of tricks, to punish themselves.  "Counting would be tedious", I concluded. 

But…my walking?  I would like motivation to keep my metronome clicking away.

Usually, I look at all the new flowers coming up in the neighborhood.  Or search for new, little Fairy Doors.  I stop to peek in at the Pottery Guild Studio (to see if anyone is spinning wet clay, on the wheel).  Say hello to people I pass, or pet a familiar dog, walking the person.  If the kids are on the playground, at the Montesorri School, I slow down to catch some "Kid Conversation” or to maybe glance at a kid climbing an impressive,  colorful piece of equiptment.

An Unusual Variation of the Fairies in My Neighborhood

So, it isn’t exactly a steady pace.  Not to forget the "Walk” and "Don’t Walk” lights.  They can slow me down quite a bit. (Especially if I need to push the button and I forget to)

I know once I reach the U of M campus, I can walk forever, without slowing down.  On campus, it's a general procedure for predestrians to cross anytime on the cross walks.  The traffic will stop for you.

Ann Arbor, by the U of M Stadium

I recently got a window sticker, for my car, to get into the Huron Metropark, in Dexter. There won’t be any traffic lights in there!  And I have a friend who walks with a group there, quite regularly. (And I’ve been invited to join them,cava whenever I can make it)  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexter%E2%80%93Huron_Metropark

My imagination will be in full drive while I'm walking with my new pedometer attached.  What will I imagine I'm training for?  What rescue am I trying to reach?  What ferocious animal is pursuing me?  What train am I hurrying to catch in Germany?  Hmmm…..this should be fun AND good exercise.

I know this would be asking too much, but I wondered if "They" ever considered making a pedometer that could count the miles I walk (or run), in my sleep?  Or even cooler yet, would be if I could burn calories during this walking or running in my dreams!
But, that would mean I could be responsible for everything I say, when I talk in my sleep...mmm, might not be good.