Rainbow Chills

February 1 check in

Early in January, I set out to do two things:

• Read Proust's In Search of Lost Time in 2007
• Walk/run 100 miles by April 1

The Proust goal is going fairly well. I'm around page 260 - I'm hoping to read about 10 pages a day so I'm a little behind. I feel like I'm still pretty well on track though to finish this section of the book, Swann's Way, during February.

The other goal...well...not so much. I walk about 6 miles in the second week of the month but beyond that, nothing. I have nothing to say about it either. No excuses, no explanations.

On another topic, I should finish the Hourglass Sweater today or tomorrow. That was quick, huh?

Chilly start

I got a chilly start on my Run Yourself Ugly challenge this morning. The temperature was in the low 30s but I managed to get myself up and walk two miles. I do enjoy walking in my neighborhood. I set a route that passed Independence Hall, Carpenters Hall and the Liberty Bell. I try to remind myself what a special experience I have to live near these historic sites and try to take advantage of seeing them whenever I can.

Two miles is not much but it's more than I did yesterday (which was zero). I motivated myself this morning by reminding myself of my reward. I decided yesterday that if I complete 29 miles in January, I'm going to buy myself the Nike+iPod (which costs $29-- see the clever connection?). The Nike+iPod is a combination of a sensor that you attach to your shoe and a device you plug into your iPod Nano. They communicate with each other to track milage, pace, personal best times and distance, AND give encouraging words using the voices of, among others, Lance Armstrong. I understand that this thing is so cool that people want to get out and walk/run just to play with it. I know that I love creating an excuse to use (play with) my Nano (which was a Christmas present from Michelle) so I'd imagine that a toy that makes walking/running more interesting would be fun also.

The thing I like about this reward is that it is directly related to the challenge. I'm not bribing myself with yarn, dessert, or a new book. I'm going to treat myself to something that will, hopefully, support my progress in the challenge. Michelle was a great help this morning too by encouraging me to get out of bed when she was leaving for work and reminding me about my 29 mile mini-goal (mini compared to the 100 mile goal by April Fool's Day).

Stop over to the Runagogo site to see all of the people who are out there racking up the miles!

Challenges

I've joined Rachael's Runagogo.

I'm going to use those $80 running shoes I mentioned last week and start moving. Today we're getting thunderstorms and are in a flood watch but I plan to start tomorrow morning. I think that the measurable goal and the support system will be helpful.

I love the Ugly button more than any of the others because I am completely in support of the Be Ugly in 2007 campaign. I adore the beautiful, smart, and talented America Ferrara and am thrilled that her image (however dramatic and fictional) is being used to promote girls to be THEMSELVES! I'll be running myself Ugly for the next few months-- not trying to lose weight, not trying to look like anyone else. I'm going to try to feel better about myself. To move and think about accepting myself for who I am and being comfortable with that person.

My other goal for 2007- to read In Search of Lost Time. I've been thinking about this goal for about six months. I picked up a copy of Swann's Way yesterday with the intention of beginning to read at least 10 pages a day for the next year. I read 30 pages last night before going to bed and so far, I love it. My copy of this first volume is 462 pages long so with 10 pages a day, I should finish the first part in February. Reading Proust seems to be something people do for bragging rights, even if the reader only brags in her own head. I just want to know what the fuss is about. It seems like something I SHOULD read-- like Ulysses, Lolita, The Wasteland. I'll keep you updated on my Proust progress.

It's going to be an interesting year.