"Walking in circles." That�s what my daughter jokingly calls my Mon./Wed./Fri. lunch time jaunts around the Glens Falls Civic Center. And she�s right to think it�s boring. To an observer, especially a 10-year-old, it probably looks about as exciting as watching your socks and underwear circle each other as they tumble around in a glass-fronted dryer.

Not long ago I would have laughed at the thought of myself walking at the Civic Center, too. After all, if I wanted to lace up my sneakers and go nowhere, I have a treadmill plugged in and waiting for me in the computer room. Granted, it�s not the fancy computerized model that I had my eye on originally, but it was a garage sale triumph when I found it a couple years ago and talked the owner down to $35 from $50.

I didn�t care that it took the treadmill a minute or two to get up to speed�I was just happy that it worked.

It still works.

When I use it.

But if I�m not using it on a regular basis, why would I want to drive 15 minutes from my house to spend a half hour walking on a gray cement floor, looking at white walls and four corners of beer signs? And would I really want to pay for this privilege?

These are some of the questions and doubts that started to wander around my mind two months ago, when I plunked down $20 for walking fees at the Civic Center for my mother and me (while it�s $5 per year for Glens Falls residents, out-of-towners pay $10). I was there to encourage and support her heart surgery recuperation efforts. While I knew that regular exercise would benefit us both, I also figured that if she wanted ever wanted to take a day off, I wouldn�t be likely to go there by myself.

I definitely saw it as a "I�ll-do-it-if-you�ll-do-it" proposition.

Last Friday was quite a test of our resolve. We had to make a decision: walk inside the Civic Center as usual and put in our normal effort, or enjoy the gorgeous day outside and put in what would likely amount to a leisurely stroll around downtown in the glorious spring sunshine.

You�d think this would be a no-brainer, wouldn�t you?

Sunshine. Fresh air. Gentle breeze. Everything you want a spring day to be.

I have to tell you that I was shocked to find myself leaving all that good stuff outside and walking through the green front doors, across the slate lobby and into the dimness of the Civic Center for a half an hour of "walking in circles."

We pretty much had the place to ourselves. I saw just two other walkers that day, and they both seemed to come and go rather quickly. None of the regulars were there, not even the tall man in brown who spends his sessions there endlessly sprinting up and down the steps of the arena�a definite candidate for "Stair Master" if ever I saw one.

When we finished, I insisted on sitting on a bench and soaking in some sunshine and fresh air as a reward for our diligence.

I have to admit that not every day is a gold-star day. I�m not a power walker and I�m often lapped by those who are. I try to remind myself that it�s not a competition. Occasionally I push myself too hard in trying to catch up or keep up, and the resulting pain in my leg or ankle reminds me that it�s not a competition.

That�s not to say that I�m not trying to improve myself. I am getting better and stronger, little by little, step by step. It�s just that it�s against myself and not against the perky little jogger who is 100 pounds lighter and light years faster.

Six laps around the Civic Center equals one mile. The trick is in keeping track of how many times you go around. It�s harder than it you think. One lap seems just like the last. I�ve seen some people mark their progress on their outstretched fingers. Others tip open the seats in one of the padded folding chair rows.

I once considered bringing along some of my daughters plastic beads and transferring them from one pocket to another to keep track of the laps. This technique assumes you�re paying attention when you complete a lap and not, say, listening to really great tunes on the Walkman tucked into the pocket where the beads are supposed to accumulate.

Well, I�ve recharged the batteries for my Walkman and bought a new pair of Reeboks for my feet. I�m ready to go walking in circles.

Eventually I�m going to get somewhere.